Local Knowledge: Jill Donenfeld of The Dish's Dish

She may be new to L.A., but Jill Donenfeld already has the Westside food scene figured out. The 25-year-old founder of The Dish's Dish—a home chef service that's staffed by "Culinistas" from the ranks of Jean Georges, Craft, and other NYC hotspots—has recently brought her business to L.A., stocking the fridges of time-sapped studio execs and the frying pan-phobes with full menus of market-fresh dishes at the start of each week. As a one-time food critic for Time Out New York, Donenfeld is a pro at scoping out a city's best restaurants, so we asked her to divulge some of her favorite spots in her new home.

Favorite brunch spot?
"Shutters (1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.458.0030). It's more about the vibe than it is specifically the food, but the lox platter and the basil vegetable omelette are two favorites. Then again, I'd be just as happy with a sleeve of La Grande Orange (2000 Main St., Santa Monica, 310.396.9145) English muffins, fed to me while sitting on the terrace."

Favorite farmer's market stand?
"I like the Tamale Ladies in the Palisades—I always get corn and spinach"

Best happy hour?
"I don't think Gjelina (1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.450.1429) has a happy hour, per se, but between 5-7pm are the happiest hours there.  It's not crowded and the plates are small - conducive to a pre-dinner nibble."

Fav gourmet food shop?
"Cube Marketplace (615 N. La Brea Ave., L.A., 323.939.1148) for Iranian saffron, Mulino Marino Grusera Polenta, and Massa Organics whole grain brown rice. I also like Canyon Gourmet up in Topanga (120 Topanga Cyn Blvd., 310.455.4200). They have these Falafel Chips that penetrate my dreams, and amazing homemade bread on the weekends. Go for a hike and grab picnic makings for the summit on the way to the trailhead."

Best Al Fresco dining spot?
"Neptune's Net on PCH (42505 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, 310.457.3095). The view is like this: hot surfers coming in from the beach."

Best place to have a business lunch?
"Huckleberry (1040 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.451.2311), at the front table on the right. It's hard not to have a good connection with someone when you are eating that food - especially their flatbread of the day, regardless of what it is. If you want to get in the zone to make a business deal, do it over oily, herby, garlicky flatbread."

Favorite chef?
"I've to say, I most enjoy Jill Davie's food at Venice Beach Wines (529 Rose Ave., Venice, 310.606.2529), which I have always just called "Rose Bar" until I Googled her and found the real name. The restaurant and food manifest this feeling that you are at your buddy's place... who happens to know the magic amount of oil to mix with vinegar to make an ethereal dressing. It's a tiny place and you eat on your lap but every dish is a considered collection of flavors.  It's nice her name is Jill, too."

For more information, visit thedishsdish.com.