Simpang Venice

Simpang Venice is the slightly more fusion-style follow-up to a longtime Indonesian restaurant in Palms. With the recent closure of Cassia in Santa Monica, this well-appointed strip mall joint is one of the only places on the Westside where you can find kaya toast, the Malaysian and Singaporean breakfast staple. Although it’s available only during weekend brunch (11am–3pm), the regular dinner menu also includes several of the original Simpang’s greatest hits, including bihun goreng (stir-fried thin rice noodles), nasi goreng (fried rice) and Hainan chicken rice. There’s also other Indonesian staples like beef rendang and laksa, the classic creamy coconut milk soup, available with your choice of chicken or shrimp. Simpang Venice also serves teh tarik, or Malaysian-style pulled tea—a beverage I’ve yet to find anywhere else in Los Angeles—and a Vietnamese-style egg coffee during weekend brunch that’s perfect for dessert.