Lustig

From the impish Ted Lasso-inspired “RELIEVE” sign in the bathroom to the menu’s various cheeky asides, this cozy, Austrian-accented bistro in Culver City manages to put “fun” and “fine dining” in the same sentence. Chef Bernhard Mairinger’s dinner menu is full of global influences, but the former BierBeisl chef is at his best with pan-European dishes like chicken liver profiteroles with dark chocolate and a classic veal wienerschnitzel with lingonberry-yuzu chutney. Cheaper dishes like the curry fries and spelt sourdough pizzas appeal to a locals’ crowd, while destination diners will appreciate touches like an excellent bread basket, Austrian wine pairings and Lustig’s eau-de-vie selection. Standout desserts include the Kaiserschmarrn (scrambled pancakes) with blueberry compote and apple strudel cigars with housemade sorbet. In the future, Lustig plans to unroll a late-night menu with housemade sausages, as well as brunch and lunch service—and we’ll definitely be following along.