(CNN) You can call up any hot restaurant in Los Angeles and be told they have no weekend tables available this month but may have a Tuesday 5 p.m. slot in the spring. It may take some time (and money) to check off the following vital L.A. chef's table-style experiences in the mecca of culinary stars and impossible reservations. Trois Mec, 716 Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA;Le ComptoirDon't bother trying to call Le Comptoir for a reservation -- as there's no phone number. Hotel Normandie, 605 S Normandie Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005-2621;N/NakaN/Naka's octopus and cucumber salad with sesame aioli and sanbaizu (three-cup vinegar) gelee. n/naka, 3455 S. Overland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034; +1 310 836 6252Ink.

Source: CNN September 12, 2016 09:33 UTC