Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. is currently airing on Bravo, and while past seasons have inspired us to reserve a table and eat out, the era of self-isolation has changed all that. The restaurant business is hurting, but you can help out—even from the comfort of your own home. If you’re sick of daily PB&Js and midnight boxes of mac and cheese, you’ll want to add these spots to your quarantine meal rotation. (And check out the other guides in this series: California and Hawaii, the Midwest, the Northeast, and the South.)
CARRIE BAIRD
SEASON 15
BOULDER, COLORADO
After years at acclaimed Denver pizzeria Bar Dough, Baird left to open her own restaurant inside Boulder’s new Rosetta Hall in March, just before self-isolation began. She’s making lemonade out of lemons with a pared-down takeout and delivery menu (via Toast) that includes wedge salads, mushroom reubens, and her grown-up take on Hamburger Helper. Baird is best remembered for her simple yet winning “fancy toasts,” and you’ll be happy to know they often show up as daily specials, with flavors such as shrimp and Ossetra caviar on sourdough.
HOSEA ROSENBERG
SEASON 5 WINNER
BOULDER, COLORADO
Boulder residents are in luck: In addition to Baird’s restaurant at Rosetta Hall, season 5 winner Hosea Rosenberg has two more spots to add to your at-home rotation. Inspired by his hometown of Taos, Santo offers New Mexican–inspired dishes (think breakfast burritos, take-and-bake empanadas, posole, and tacos) for takeout or delivery on ChowNow. Or you can pick up heartier fare, such as prime rib and rotisserie chicken, at sister restaurant Blackbelly.
DOUG ADAMS
SEASON 12
PORTLAND, OREGON
This ode to Texas cooking, in the Woodlark hotel, showed up on Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America list for 2019. While the dining room is closed, you can still pre-order family-style takeout on Tock, with pickups between 4:30 and 5:30 on Tuesdays through Fridays. Rotating daily large-format meals, such as pork enchiladas and smoked chicken pot pie, come with sides and desserts—and a portion of proceeds go to Family Meal, a nonprofit aimed at providing financial relief for Oregon hospitality and agricultural workers.
LIA LIRA
SEASON 3
VASHON, WASHINGTON
This cozy restaurant occupies a little house from 1942 on rural Vashon Island in Puget Sound, and that from-our-home-to-yours vibe is stronger than ever during the crisis: The restaurant is offering simple free bagged lunches for those in need (turkey/cheddar or PB&J sandwiches) plus takeout or delivery dinners, for purchase Wednesday through Sunday, which have included pasta bolognese, roast mushroom soup, and sticky toffee pudding. Call the restaurant directly at (206) 408-7159 to place your order.
CARRIE MASHANEY
SEASON 11
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Mashaney is the executive chef at this modern Middle Eastern restaurant, which is offering takeout meals (just call or email the restaurant directly) plus Mama Family Meals at $40 for two people. The combos include the mezze of your choice, pita, arnabeit (cauliflower), fattoush salad, a meat or vegetarian entree, and baklava. Best of all, you can throw in a bottle of wine for only $15—we know you could use it.
LAURA COLA
SEASON 15
HEALY, ALASKA
The three-times James Beard Award nominee runs this upscale tavern just outside the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve. Check Facebook for the latest locally sourced specials, which might include king crab cakes, ramen with spot prawns, Alaskan octopus with tangerine oil bruschetta, and reindeer ragu.
