This Beachy Neighborhood Is LA’s Best-Kept Secret—A Local Chef Dishes on What to Do

Sunset’s Insider Guide series highlights seasonal diversions and secret travel tips from local experts. Follow along as we learn where to eat, drink, stay, and shop.

Melissa Kalb

Meet the Insider: Jackson Kalb, Chef at Jame

Location: El Segundo, California

You may recognize Jackson Kalb from his recent stint on the popular culinary competition show Top Chef, but the toque is far from a newcomer to the Westside dining scene. Kalb began his first apprenticeship at the two Michelin-starred Mélisse in Santa Monica at the age of 13, working at some of the world’s leading fine dining restaurants before setting up shop in El Segundo at Jame. Here, he shares his haunts around the under-the-radar beach city in the South Bay.

John Woodcock

STAY

Being next to the airport, there is no shortage of great hotels. We stayed at the AC Hotel L.A. South Bay for a few days when it first opened. It’s wonderfully modern, clean, and sleek. It also has a lovely rooftop bar. Hotel June West L.A. is another Sunset favorite, with a groovy poolside vibe and a playful mid-century-meets- Baja California design.

Max Milla

DRINK

This is a shameless plug, but I have to put it out there. We opened John Thomas Bar as an extension of Jame last year. It took me over a year of R&D to nail down the drinks. It is phenomenal, timeless, and slightly seedy in the best way. All of our cocktails are named after local chefs who have inspired me. The Genet Agonafer (of Meals by Genet in Little Ethiopia) is a drink and a show. A large pile of house-made cotton candy fills the coupe and dissolves into a raspberry cordial as the server pours the drink tableside. For a far less arrogant recommendation, try the Purple Orchid.

Sydney Yorkshire

EAT

Kagura is an excellent Japanese restaurant. It has wonderful “teishoku,” or set meals, similar to bento that are rare to come by outside of Japan. For incredible pizza by the slice or giant pies for sharing, you can’t beat The Slice & Pint. Its initial menu was developed in part by Noel Brohner, or as I like to call him, the dough whisperer. It’s owned by El Segundo Brewing, so the incredible selection of beers on tap makes it a great spot to watch sports as well. And a word from Sunset editors: Don’t forget about the fantastic pastas and other dishes at Jame!

Matthew Herrera/The Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum

DO

Aside from all the ocean-bound fun to be had, the Toyota Sports Performance Center has year-round ice skating available to the public, which isn’t well-known. It also has Kings Cove, a low-key cafe overlooking the Kings practice ice and is open to the public. A Sunset must-do is going for a round at Topgolf, visiting the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum, and perusing the El Segundo Farmers Market, which takes place every Thursday evening and is a much less crowded alternative to other markets surrounding the Santa Monica Bay.