By Jessica Koslow
Playa Vista is fun for families all year round. With its outdoor play structures and parks, the summer season ushers in more activities that pair perfectly with a picnic from one of the Runway’s restaurants.
In July and August, catch a flick on the big screen at Movies Under the Stars at Runway on select Thursdays at 8 p.m., or live music every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Runway Summer Concert Series. Each week features a different genre — country, jazz, reggae and rock.
For both series, families can bring blankets and chairs. Although buttery popcorn will, of course, be available at concession stands during the films, below are a selection of to-go meals that will delight taste buds and bellies while the eyes and ears are being entertained.
Superfine Playa
Superfine Playa officially opened for business in March 2023, but the Italian eatery just recently added its highly anticipated pizzas to the menu. Owner-chef Steve Samson, who has appeared on a number of TV shows including “Top Chef: All Stars,” has a way with pizza. His slices and pies have been voted the best in L.A. by multiple outlets.
Samson credits his pizzaiolo Dresden Kaiser for the high quality and success of Superfine Pizza.
“We use natural starter,” Samson said. “No commercial yeast. The dough ferments slowly, and the longer it takes to ferment, the more flavor it has. It is fermented over a minimum of three days in the refrigerator, which slows down the fermentation.”
Samson also shared that Superfine sources great ingredients, such as tomatoes from California’s Bianco DiNapoli and local mozzarella from Gioia Cheese Co.
Pie choices include pepperoni, simply cheese, and Queen Margherita. The puttanesca includes tomato, garlic, capers, chili flakes, white anchovies, and Sicilian oregano. The Bee Spicy features spicy salami, provolone, grana padano, buckwheat honey, and Superfine cheese. The Aloha Oe is topped with prosciutto cotto, pineapple, Fresno red chilies, caciocavallo, tomato, grana padano, Superfine cheese, and Sicilian oregano. The Roll With It has escarole, salt-cured black olives, Fresno red chilis, red onion, smoked mozzarella, and Superfine cheese.
The pizzas are 12 inches and feed one-to- two people. Customers can order ahead via the website, phone and ChowNow.
Superfine Playa
12746 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 2200, Playa Vista
626-628-0218, superfineplaya.com
HomeState
Any of the tacos at this self-proclaimed Texas kitchen in Southern California travel well and taste good. Located a few blocks from the Runway, the Band Tacos are named after artists that the staff love and play in the restaurant. When they were launched, the items raised funds for various nonprofits. Although the charity part of the program has ended, they have added some of the customer favorites to their menu, such as Chicano Batman with soydillo, potatoes, guacamole, and salsa verde and Tijuana Panther, which includes shredded brisket, queso, potatoes and pico de gallo.
Guests can also order margaritas to go. This in-demand cocktail is made with artisanal tequila, housemade citrus syrups, and freshly squeezed juice and zest from hundreds of limes, lemons, and grapefruit… and takes 27 hours to whip up.
HomeState
12105 E Waterfront Drive, Suite B, Los Angeles
213-296-2383, myhomestate.com
Hopdaddy
Claiming to raise the burger bar, Hopdoddy has been flipping burgers on the Runway since 2015. They take their sourcing seriously, which is why they serve 100% grass-fed, regenerative beef and bison and humanely raised, cage-free, vegetarian-fed chicken that are raised with No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) and without hormones or steroids. The kitchen bakes three types of buns daily: brioche style egg, whole wheat, and gluten-free. Their practices have made their burgers popular for almost a decade while other Runway restaurants have come and gone.
A few standout burgers include the Korean Seoul made of fried chicken glazed in Gochujang Korean pepper sauce, the Cadillac Wagyu topped with Swiss cheese, steakhouse bacon, and crispy fried onions, and The Magic Mushroom smothered with creamy goat cheese and basil pesto sauce.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
12746 Millennium Boulevard, Suite 1120, Playa Vista
310-410-2337, hopdoddy.com
Joliet Café & Bar
Another Free Market culinary gem, Joliet is a too-cute, Italian-inspired bistro where customers should return soon to sip cocktails inside. Their sandwiches and bottles of wine to-go fit nicely in a picnic bag. Try the pressed pastrami sandwich with havarti cheese served with cornichons, the Serrano ham sandwich topped with brie and arugula, or the turkey and havarti sandwich, served on French baguettes.
Joliet Café & Bar
12751 Millennium Drive, Suite 5-165,
Playa Vista
213-286 -2675, jolietplaya.com
The convenient and tasty taco kit from the taqueria Loqui feeds six people. (Loqui/Submitted)
Loqui
Located in the Free Market at Runway, Loqui is a taqueria serving scratch-made flour tortillas. Although all of the single tacos, such as achiote and citrus juice-marinated chicken, beef birria, spicy garlic shrimp, or mushroom, and bowls are good to-go, families can opt for the convenient and tasty taco kit that feeds six people. It includes the choice of two proteins: chicken, mushroom, pork or beef, plus rice, beans, guacamole, a 12-pack of flour tortillas, a bag of chips with salsa, and the taco toppings that are available at the restaurant.
Loqui
12751 Millennium Drive, Suite 145
Playa Vista
213-510-2900, eatloqui.com
Neighbors
Although the spacious and modern atmosphere at Neighbors makes it nice for a sit-down meal, their appetizer menu is filled with delicious bites that are perfect for munching on a blanket or beach chair in the evening air. Try a flatbread (prosciutto or margherita), wings (choice of lemon pepper, barbecue, buffalo or honey habanero), or salted pretzel with creamy mustard and queso dip.
Neighbors
12751 Millennium Drive, Suite 140
Los Angeles
833-642-7778, neighborsrestaurants.com
Sol Mexican Cocina
Most nights, Sol Mexican Cocina is buzzing with all-ages celebrations and after-work parties. Their menu is huge, but instead of opting for an ordinary taco, try one of their specialties, such as the Filet & Shrimp “El Jefe” filled with grilled angus filet, two agave-chile shrimp, melted cheese, avocado, and roasted green chile salsa; the spice-roasted butternut squash topped with crispy onion, avocado, Mexican cheeses, green chile, and red pepper salsa; or the “Canarditas” duck filled with deep-fried duck leg confit, tequila blackberry-serrano salsa, citrus, avocado, onion and cilantro.
Sol Mexican Cocina
12775 Millennium Drive, Suite 160
424-289-0066, solcocina.com/locations/playa-vista
Urban Plates
Located under Cinemark, this Runway staple since 2015 claims to serve food fast, not fast food, with meals ready within minutes. Recently they released their Summer Eats menu featuring grilled barbeque pork ribs and mac ‘n’ cheese. Family meals are available, with the option of multiple portions of sustainable blackened or grilled salmon, cage-free chicken, chicken tenders, or grass-fed steak with or without chimichurri. Their Everyday Value menu includes 14 meals under $14, such as a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich, Nashville Hot Tender sandwich, and Caribbean salad.
Urban Plates
12746-3 W. Jefferson Boulevard, Playa Vista
424-256-7274, urbanplates.com
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