Its xiao long bao are small miracles; plump, round spheres soft yet firm to the touch. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Other Shanghai-style dishes at Din Tai Fung include lightly marinated cucumbers with garlic and chile. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
There are only 33 seats inside Fishing With Dynamite, making it suitable for small parties and welcoming to reservations. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Squash blossoms stuffed with sheep’s milk ricotta and mint at Bucato in Culver City, where chef Ari Taymor plans to take his mom for Mother’s Day. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
White oak-grilled swordfish is served with marinated gigante beans and lemon curd. (Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times)
M.B. Post patrons eat dinner at one of the communal tables made from salvaged oak. (Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times)
Strawberry-verbena shortcake with whipped vanilla cream. (Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times)
