If 2020, a year when we largely couldn’t dine out apart from the occasional al fresco meal, has taught us anything about fine dining, it’s that high-end takeout has an important place in our hearts. And in 2021, though more restaurant visits may be in the cards as the year progresses, we’re still looking forward to luxurious meals from our favorite restaurants enjoyed at home. Fine dining delivery is the perfect way to celebrate a low-key anniversary, enjoy awards season (nothing says red carpet quite like Michelin-starred takeout), or treat yourself after a long week.
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We like to take as many culinary cues as possible from our favorite chefs, which is why we sought the insight of celebrity chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants when putting together our fine dining delivery guide for 2021. If you’ve ever wondered where renowned chefs order from on their night off, we’ve got the answers. Here, ever-accoladed chefs from across the U.S. offer their go-to fine dining takeout recommendations.
Kismet Rotisserie, Los Angeles—Recommended by Chef Nancy Silverton
Global Dining Collection chef (and James Beard Award winner) Nancy Silverton, known for co-owning the Los Angeles Mozza empire and founding La Brea Bakery, is tapped in to all the LA hotspots. For takeout, she recommends Kismet Rotisserie, which is a spin-off of Kismet, a chic Mediterranean small plates restaurant in Los Feliz with an expansive selection of natural wines. Kismet Rotisserie, next door to Kismet, does a minimalist menu serving a quarter, half, or whole roast chicken, various plates with dark or white meat and hummus, tahini, and other accoutrements, perfect for a high-quality, healthy meal for the whole family. They also have terrific pitas for lunch—try the veggie sandwich with a jammy egg, tahini-roasted vegetables, and market greens. Kismet Rotisserie delivers via Doordash.
Nami Nori, New York City—Recommended by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who is known for his global restaurant presence and his two-Michelin-star eponymous New York City restaurant, frequents a cozy, minimalist West Village sushi spot for his go-to takeout. It’s Nami Nori, which he said is an “incredible temaki bar located in the West Village.” Nami Nori does hand rolls and lighter-fare Japanese food, and delivers via Caviar.
Tran An, Miami —Recommended by Chef Mario Carbone
Chef Mario Carbone, whose company, Major Food Group, has no fewer than 12 restaurants in New York City, including famed spots like Parm, Carbone, Sadelle’s, and The Lobster Club, is currently in Miami, where he is opening Carbone in Miami Beach. It’s the third Carbone outpost outside New York, following the openings of Carbone Miami and Hong Kong. While in Miami, his recent go-to has been Vietnamese restaurant Tran An in Little River. Carbone said it’s actually a restaurant he’s been turned on to by the chefs he’s working with to open Carbone in Miami. Tran An is available for delivery via Uber Eats.
Contra, New York City—Recommended by Chef Scott Winegard
Chef Scott Winegard, now the executive chef of Terras Restaurant at CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa in Arizona, offers an extremely unique vegetable-forward take on haute cuisine. The popular vegan and vegetarian chef going far beyond the classic farm-to-table approach is tapped in to the U.S. fine dining scene and said he admires the innovative takeout offerings at Michelin-starred Contra NYC. Contra serves pared down Chinese-New American cuisine and has transitioned seamlessly into sharing their extremely fresh food with the NYC takeout audience in lieu of indoor dining. Order pickup or delivery via Tock.
Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix, Arizona—Recommended by Chef Scott Winegard
For his local go-to takeout, Winegard is of course a fan of Pizzeria Bianco, which is a Phoenix institution with a nationwide following. In fact, Chris Bianco’s pizzas (praised by chef Nancy Silverton, Rachel Ray, Food & Wine, and The New York Times) ship nationwide overnight on Goldbelly.
Hayato, Los Angeles—Recommended by Chef David Myers
Chef David Myers, a James Beard Award nominee with a restaurant presence in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Dubai, and Singapore, has great insight into the sensational Japanese food scene in LA. When we caught up with him, he had just left Los Angeles—after starting an extremely successful pop-up shop, Adrift, for high-end burgers in Venice Beach—and landed in Dubai. His first recommendation for revelatory Japanese takeout in Los Angeles is Hayato. An acclaimed DTLA restaurant at The Row, Hayato has pivoted to offering extraordinary takeout lunch bento boxes available for pickup—order via Tock.
Crossroads Kitchen, Los Angeles—Recommended by Chef Mimi Williams
Chef Mimi Williams, both the owner and executive chef of Counterpart Vegan, which closed its Echo Park doors at the end of 2020 but is scouting for a new location, has a keen eye on the vegan-friendly fine dining options across LA. "Vegan fine-dining restaurants are far and few between as most people see vegan as a daytime, grab-and-go concept,” said Williams. For that reason, she recommends Crossroads Kitchen on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, which “offers highly composed, thoughtful dishes that allow each plant-based ingredient to shine.” Crossroads Kitchen is available for delivery through a number of platforms, including Uber Eats.
Cafe Mogador, New York City—Recommended by Chef Mario Carbone
When asked for his favorite New York takeout, chef Mario Carbone immediately offered Cafe Mogador, the Middle Eastern staple in the East Village. He specifically called out the Cafe Mogador on St. Mark’s (that’s the East Village location—they also have a Brooklyn outpost) as his go-to. Carbone said Cafe Mogador is “the [takeout] I order the most” in New York—order through Mogador’s website.
Vespertine, Los Angeles—Recommended by Chef Scott Winegard
In looking at other major metropolitan areas, Winegard also expressed appreciation for Vespertine LA’s pivoted takeout scene. Vespertine is, of course, one of the hottest dining tickets in LA, known for their multisensory culinary experience. They have transitioned to offering Vespertine at Home, so fans can create the two-Michelin-starred restaurant experience in their own kitchens. Reserve the takeout experience (which comes with heating instructions) via Tock.
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Reverie, Washington D.C.—Recommended by Chef Scott Winegard
Winegard recommended Reverie in Georgetown for the D.C. crowd looking for high-end takeout. Reverie is operating as The Lonely Hunter this winter, featuring pizza and new American small plates available for pickup. D.C. locals can order from Reverie’s wintery nom de plume Lonely Hunter via Tock.
Hiko Sushi, Los Angeles—Recommended by Chef David Myers
Some of the under-the-radar best sushi in Los Angeles is found in West Los Angeles, near Beverlywood and Pico-Robertson. That’s where you’ll find Sushi Zo, the widely acclaimed omakase restaurant that now has a branch downtown. It’s also where you’ll find Myers’ second takeout recommendation: Hiko Sushi. Their highly selective cuts of fish, served primarily sashimi or nigiri style, are available for pickup—orders must be placed through the restaurant by phone.
