2 Visits – Topanga Social – August & September – Topanga Westfield Mall – Canoga Park, CA.

What I like about Topanga Social is that it’s a food hall but with some novel menu items from some of Los Angeles’ most talked about restaurants. It opened in May 2023, and has been gaining new customers ever since. You pretty much can get everything your heart desires under one roof, a true gastronomic destination.

A joint creative venture between dining and hospitality global leader Earl Enterprises and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), Topanga Social boasts brand-new concepts and first-ever outposts of LA’s hottest pop-ups alongside some of the most celebrated and entrepreneurial names in the region’s restaurant scene, an indoor/outdoor cocktail garden, three full-service bars, a “speakeasy” style secret arcade, live entertainment, a private event space, and more.

The whole place is very fun and friendly, all the food stalls are open with their offerings pretty much in plain sight. There is an upstairs with new establishments, but I didn’t venture that far. The first floor was enough for me. There was no way to eat all this yummy food in 1 visit, so I invited some guests and did it in 2 visits, as well as many doggie bags were taken home!

Here’s What I tried:

First Visit:

Temaki – Seaweed has amassed a large following due to their imaginative handrolls, creative take on traditional Japanese sushi, and a variety of exotic fish. Seaweed was named after its high-quality seaweed, sourced exclusively for the restaurant from the Ariake Sea in Japan. The founder, Armen Momjian, brought his ideas to life in 2019 with the first installment of Seaweed in Koreatown and Chef Jesse Herek joined Seaweed in 2020. Under the guidance and leadership of Momjian, Seaweed has brought its take of Japanese sushi to a new generation of sushi eaters.

I got a huge array of sushi, so many of the rolls were very fresh, my favorite was their glazed crispy shrimp, and crunchy shrimp cakes. The blue crab rolls were also delicious, chalk full of crab. I was able to order many items, and I was really amazed at how fresh and flavorful everything was. So even if you’re at a mall/food hall type setting you can get upscale Sushi at Temaki, it was one of my favorite places!

Monster Dumplings – Born and raised in New York City, Chef/owner Perry Cheung relocated to San Francisco in 2004 to pursue a culinary education and career and moved to LA in 2011. Cheung opened Dumpling Monster February 2019 in West Hollywood, featuring an extensive dumpling menu featuring fresh, tender juicy dumplings with fillings made from hormone free meats. Cheung has appeared and won on The Esquire channels Knife Fight and Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay. During his free time, he enjoys traveling and exploring cuisines from different parts of the world.

They served 1 of each dumpling, all were very tasty. There were many to choose from, I had the: Chicken, Pork, Vegan Veggie, Pork, and Shrimp.

Maneatingplant – is a plant-based restaurant concept born in Los Angeles, California in the summer of 2018. Partners and chefs Candice Tzeng and Phil Kwan co-created Maneatingplant with the desire to share the authentic flavors and nostalgic memories of their roots that span from Taiwan and Japan to Hong Kong and Malaysia.

I was very pleasantly surprised at these tasty options for vegans.

Sichuan Shroom Steamies with mushrooms, Sichuan sauce, chili oil, and scallions. Their potstickers had very aromatic mushrooms, with a spicy sauce.

Fried Shroom Bao with lotus steamed bao bun, beer battered king oyster mushrooms, cashew hoisin, chili oil, pickled chilis, and herbs. In a very sweet sauce, this is a very hearty dish.

Garlic Noodles, with fresh noodles, confit garlic sauce, shallot jam, shitake, Chinese broccoli, pickled mustard greens, crispy shallot, and herbs. The garlic noodles are so delicious, with all kinds of vegetables, a perfect vegan option. I really loved everything I tried; it makes you want to be a vegan.

B Sweet – Barb Batiste is the owner and founder of B Sweet Catering. Raised in an extremely close-knit Filipino family, she recalls the weekend gatherings at her parent’s home and being the one to cook all the food and desserts. From pies, to cookies, to layered cakes, she wowed everyone. B Sweet was created to bring back the homemade taste in cakes, cookies, pies, and many other pastries. This young company has an unmatched level of quality in its products, and it clearly shows not only through its presentation but also in its taste. Their dedication to quality and customer satisfaction is incomparable to those larger companies. If your palette is craving mouthwatering and heartwarming baked goods, B Sweet offers the best selection available.

Fruity Pebbles – Tres Leches Cake, made with their confetti cake base, this one is like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited!

Bread Pudding Glazed Donut, another incredible dessert item.

Strawberry Shortcake, I just loved the very intense strawberry flavor.

Ube Love, such a wonderful dessert, just amazing!

Mini Kabob – The Martirosyan family, owners of Mini Kabob, embody the mom-and-pop business with a new addition to their team, their son, Armen Martirosyan. The three work together in a collective effort to execute Armenian kabob with the greatest passion. Mini Kabob isn’t just another business in Los Angeles, it has become a destination point, a place where people have and will continually come to enjoy the presence of home cooked Armenian with Egyptian influenced meals by the Martirosyan family.

Kabob Plate with hummus, rice, chicken and beef, onions and peppers, the chicken was succulent, and the hummus was very good, hints of garlic, very smooth and comforting.

Margarita Garden – A lush garden oasis located just steps away from the main Topanga Social entrance, The Margarita Garden evokes feelings of a mini get-away. Sip your favorite cocktail – of course we recommend one of our many flavors of Margarita, on the rocks or frozen, while enjoying our menu of snacks and small plates that perfectly accompany your beverage of choice. The Margarita Garden, with its tropical surroundings, live music, and craft cocktails, is the perfect spot to recharge before, during or after a day of shopping. The outdoor scene is super fun, lots of guests enjoying their libations and partying down!

I was served an array of margaritas; all were nicely blended and very drinkable.

Second Visit:

Amboy, – Chef Alvin Cailan’s career spans a multitude of successes culminating in his current role as a preeminent authority on hamburgers. His career began in the kitchens of Michelin starred chefs Matt Lightner and David Lefebre. From there he garnered national and international acclaim with his craft casual Eggslut concept. In the beginning of 2020, Alvin opened Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers, the in-demand Los Angeles burger shop that quickly amassed a loyal customer following.

Amboy Classic Double Toasted Sesame-Seeded Bun, 2 classic thinly smashed patties, American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and burger sauce. I really like the classic double, it’s juicy and had some nice, caramelized onions, to perk up my taste buds.

Crispy Cheeseburger, two smashed patties, crispy cheddar cheese, burger sauce, pickles, toasted bun. The crisp cheese is what this burger is all about.

Burrata House – Founded in 2019 as a restaurant featuring authentic, accessible to-go products, Burrata House is now a well-rounded Italian experience. The mission of Burrata House is to curate an Italian experience focused on authenticity, simplicity, portability, and affordability. The iconic old-world tastes come through in every bite, but the aspirational, Italian DNA of Burrata House is drenched in a new-world attitude.

Truffle Parma & Burrata Panini, made with prosciutto di Parma, burrata, caramelized onions, and truffle cream. This is the menu item to have here, it’s rich and so delicious. I would order this every time.

Pesto Pasta, an all-time favorite made with fresh basil olive oil, nuts, and parmesan cheese. It’s a good pasta dish, but I was stuck on the panini.

Pomodoro Pasta, A delicate, Italian tomato sauce – not to be confused with marinara. If you’re in the mood for pasta then have at it, but I just loved the panini.

Smoked Salmon & Burrata Bowl, made with smoked salmon, spring mix, burrata, quinoa, arugula, cherry tomatoes, caper & dill sauce. For the health conscious this salad type bowl was so unique and flavorful. Who ever heard of pairing smoked salmon with Burrata, but somehow it works.

Dtown Pizza – Growing up in Michigan, a native of the Detroit suburbs, Ryan Ososky spent a lot of time cooking with his grandparents honing his baking, grilling and pierogi making skills. Growing up eating square pan pizza every weekend, Ryan created his chef-driven premium version of the Detroit style pizza that has become Dtown Pizzeria. Ryan and Dtown Pizzeria were recognized in the 2021 International Pizza Competition in Las Vegas winning 1st place and World Champion in the pan division.

Street Corn Pizza, with smoked summer corn, serrano aioli, parmesan, scallions, and grilled limes. My Mother was from Detroit, but I never heard of these square deep-dish types of pizza before. If you’re from Detroit and are home sick then this is the pizza for you, if you’re not from Detroit you should try it anyway. I loved the street corn pizza because I am a corn lover through and through.

The Goomba Pepperoni, with pepperoni and parmesan. It is a very filling pizza with lots of pepperoni, if you’re a pepperoni lover then you must try this pizza.

Fat Sal’s – Fat Sal’s is the brainchild of 2 friends from New York City, Josh Stone and Sal Capek. In 2010, the two realized that they couldn’t get the food they were looking for in Los Angeles, so they opened their own restaurant, serving over-the-top sandwiches, fries, burgers, and shakes in a fun and hip environment.

Fat Sal, thinly sliced ribeye steak, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, fries, brown gravy, and mayo, on a garlic hero. This sandwich just oozes with goodness, it’s huge, so share with a few friends.

Turkey Club, oven-roasted turkey breast, crisp bacon, avocado, shredded lettuce, tomato, and mayo, on a hero. I know this sandwich sounds boring but honestly it is truly my kind of hero.

Candy Store – Tom Hoeck is a successful entrepreneur and founder of CandyStore.com, an ecommerce store based in Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and has been running the business for the past 15 years. He is passionate about providing customers with the best possible experience, and his store specializes in offering a wide variety of high-quality candy and snacks. I was able to take some yummies home and will try it out when needed! Many were old time candies that I remember as a child.

Garden Creations – At Garden Creations, we are committed to serving our guests freshly prepared salads and soups, offering healthy meal choices. Using locally sourced ingredients, our salads feature a wide range of fresh California-grown produce, and our rotating variety of hot and chilled soups are a perfect accompaniment. With an endless selection of add-ins, you will enjoy your perfect salad, with an option to top with a protein. Enjoy a delicious and nourishing meal, created by you, at Garden Creations.

I had them make two different salads so I could sample some of their ingredients. These salads are so fresh, if you want to skip all the fried stuff at Topanga Social then just go have them make you one of these delicious salads, it was very tasty.

Jay Birds – “Chef Jay” Bogsinske, originally from the South Side of Chicago, found early culinary influences from his mother and grandmother who were known in the neighborhood for their uniquely delicious cookie recipes. Chef Jay’s early journey in the culinary world continued at his uncle’s pizzeria were learned the art of Italian cuisine. Now in LA, as Director of Culinary for Wild Thyme Restaurant Group, Chef Jay created menus and facilitated the launches of Jay Bird’s Nashville Hot Chicken, Shorebird Restaurant, Molé, Stagecoach Country Roadhouse, and Kai Modern Japanese Bistro.

Chicken Sandwich & Spicy Fries, chicken breast, spiced with your choice of heat, topped with coleslaw, comeback sauce, dill pickles. Served with spicy fries and one sauce. The chicken is super tender, and the fries were crispy, and delectable.

Two Tenders & Waffles (Chicken & Waffles) two tenders spiced with your choice of heat, served on sliced bread with dill pickles, two waffles, maple syrup, butter & Comeback Sauce. A super good version of this Southern staple.

Katsu Sando – Katsu Sando in Japanese means “cutlet sandwich” and traditionally consists of panko-breaded and deep-fried chicken, pork, beef, or vegetables served between two slices of fluffy white bread. Our chef, Daniel Son, became obsessed with katsu sandos while he was training at Nihonryori Ryugin in Tokyo, Japan. At Katsu Sando, our vision is to serve the ultimate katsu sandwich while staying honest with traditional techniques. We source the finest ingredients, our own crafted Honey Shokupan bread, and never cut any corners.

Katsu honey walnut shrimp, mushroom, Wagyu curry, scratched-made magical potato salad, fukujinzuke (pickled radish and eggplant crunchy relish), California hikari steamed rice. Loved the large shrimp, and their sauce is out of this world.

Chicken Katsu Sando, Jidori chicken breast katsu, yuzu-kosho miso slaw, katsu sauce, honey milk bread. Another great menu item.

Poke Me – Is run by a team of long-time residents of Los Angeles and well-seasoned entrepreneurs with decades of experience in the restaurant industry. Customers can select sashimi grade fish delivered 6 days a week, enjoyed in a bowl or poke burrito, then choose from any ten of the house-made sauces. Named QSR magazine “Top 40 fast casuals in America” as well as countless other accolades and awards, the momentum will surely not stop for Poke Me.

I tried 2 different bowls with different items, both were wonderful, and their sauces add a very special nuance to each bowl.

Rock & Reilly – Opened its first location in LA on the Sunset Strip in 2011, and its legend has grown from there. At Rock & Reilly’s we believe there is a bit of Irish in all of us—and that is something to celebrate! Come by and enjoy your favorite pub fare along with a wide assortment of hand-selected Irish whiskey, an extensive beer and wine list and cocktails to savor with friends.

Vodka Martini, Wines, Rickshaw Chardonnay Monterey CA,

Girard Chardonnay Russian River Valley. The wines were very good, and paired so nicely with many of my food items, and the martini was served in a coupe glass, and went down very easily.

Shrimp Daddy – Two couples, Dan Tran + June Quan & Anna Wang + Jeremy Tu, with a mutual love for food and Hawaii served their first garlic butter shrimp boat out of a tent in November 2016. For the past 6 years, their home has been Smorgasburg LA and serving at various events like Coachella, 626 Night Market, third party deliveries, and private catering. Topanga Social will be their first brick and mortar where they will be expanding and innovating their menu.”

I had their two offerings, the shrimp boat, and the shrimp plate, and the shrimp in both is just very high-end and super flavorful, I would suggest these dishes every time.

Tail O’ The Pup – Our team is dedicated to creating tasty dogs, snacks, shakes, and more that satisfy modern tastes while honoring Tail o’ the Pup’s history. We work tirelessly to source high quality ingredients and develop house-made recipes with our guests in mind, and we are proud to feature a diverse menu featuring vegetarian and gluten free options. This is the same historical hot dog stand that was in Los Angeles for many years and was just resurrected in West Hollywood on Santa Monica.

1976 Pup, classic pup, ketchup, and house mustard. A pop in your mouth hot dog that rivels many other brands.

Chicago Pup, sweet relish, dill pickle spear, raw onions, diced tomato, sliced sport peppers, house mustard, and poppy seeds. All our pups are 100% beef. I have been to Chicago and tried this famous dog, with this dog you do not have to get on a plane, and it’s got some much fun accompaniments.

Onion Rings, I love my onion rings, and these were the bomb, really terrific.

About Topanga Social:

The overall design of Topanga Social’s multi-unit 55,000+ square foot, 700 seat indoor plus 80 seat al fresco dining space, is helmed by the award-winning global design firm AvroKO in close consultation with the Topanga Social team. International architectural firm PGAL acted as the Architect of Record for the hall’s food units. Special attention was given to creating a dedicated space for each food and beverage partner that reflects their brand in an authentic way so that the guests take away a distinct experience from any brand they visit within Topanga Social. The hall’s shared kitchen space was created by Architects Orange.

“It is such a thrill to see Topanga Social come to life in this brilliant repurposing of prime real estate. We have brought together an incredible assemblage of talent, chefs, and brands that, until now, were available mostly in Los Angeles, but starting Thursday, will be easily accessible for the residents of the city’s San Fernando Valley,” said Robert Earl, Founder of Earl Enterprises. “Careful thought has gone into the curation for Topanga Social, paying homage to the local food scene. Each partner brings their impeccable credentials, whether a storied institution or a newer, highly acclaimed brand. The space is designed to be welcoming all year-round, for both indoor dining and al fresco in the garden. It is a place to visit again and again, for a quick pre-movie bite, a leisurely meal, or any sort of gathering. Topanga Social offers food and beverage options for every mood, and all tastes. Thanks to the collaborative partnership with the visionary team at Westfield, we are very proud to unveil Topanga Social.”

“We are so proud to bring world class dining and entertainment to the San Fernando Valley in a way that’s never been done before. We are especially appreciative of the partnership with Earl Enterprises and everyone who worked to make the vision of Topanga Social a reality,” said Geoff Mason, Executive Vice President, Operating Management and Development at URW. “From the culinary geniuses to the construction teams and everyone in between, Topanga Social has been a labor of love that represents our commitment to the local community. It also serves as a prime example of how Westfield is reimagining its centers—from a traditional to a bespoke experience—with the addition of chef-led, market-defining dining.”

Inspired and first-of-its-kind multifaceted food service platform sets Topanga Social apart from the pack in the realm of tech innovation. In addition to traditional ordering at all restaurant’s counters, diners will have the ability to choose menu items from multiple brands at once using seamless aggregate ordering via the Topanga Social app (Android & Apple), at the numerous large touch screen ordering stations throughout the dining area, and from QR codes available at all tables throughout the space.

About Earl Enterprises:

Earl Enterprises provides marketing and operations expertise in the restaurant, lodging and hospitality sectors. Along with Planet Hollywood and its affiliates, Earl Enterprises oversees marketing strategies and operations for 200 restaurants in 32 states and internationally including Buca di Beppo, Planet Hollywood, Bertucci’s, Earl of Sandwich, Brio Italian Grille, Bravo Italian Kitchen, TooJay’s, Chicken Guy!, Café Hollywood, Seaside on the Pier, Rock & Reilly’s, The Breakfast Club, and other brands. Under the leadership of acclaimed restaurateur Robert Earl, Earl Enterprises’ global success is due much in part to Earl’s expertise in creating, developing, and revitalizing brands along with his unique celebrity relationships and uncanny trend forecasting ability.

About Westfield Topanga:

As the San Fernando Valley’s fashionable front door to cutting-edge shopping, entertainment, and social experiences, Westfield Topanga is a lifestyle destination unlike any other. Westfield Topanga’s one-of-a-kind lineup includes best-in-class luxury boutiques, iconic global brands, and local favorites in a sophisticated indoor space.

Located in the booming Warner Center district in North Los Angeles, Westfield Topanga encompasses more than 240 shops, restaurants, and personal service providers across 1.6 million square feet. Notable brands include Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Target, Golden Goose, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Ferragamo, Saint Laurent, Apple, Peloton, Tesla, Lululemon, and more. Popular restaurant offerings include The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Gyu Kaku, and Shake Shack.

This new dining and entertainment district opened in 2023, transforming a former department store into a must-visit destination and further establishing Westfield Topanga as the perfect place for locals and visitors to shop, eat, and play. Global luxury retailer Hermès anchors the 180,000-square-foot space along with the artisan-crafted home furnishings retailer Arhaus; Pinstripes, a Chicago-based dining and entertainment concept; a full-service AMC DINE-IN theatre; and Topanga Social, a beautifully designed, chef-driven food hall encompassing more than 20 eateries.

Topanga Social is LA’s newest coveted food lover’s journey. The adventurous new food hall brings together some of the most buzz-worthy Los Angeles eateries, bars, and recognized names in LA’s culinary space, all within the new dining, entertainment, and luxury retail district at Westfield Topanga in the San Fernando Valley. Los Angeles has proven to be one of the most inspired, entrepreneurial, and diverse food cities in the world, and Topanga Social represents Los Angeles food culture at its best.

They have many events, including football specials and happy hour, plus lots of Instagram moments. You must look on their calendar online to see more. Topanga Social is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with a date or friends, you can have a beach day and come here afterwards for fun, food, and libations. It’s 27 of LA’s hottest food and beverage concepts in a one-stop microcosm. All very welcoming and has everything you could want from a dining, drinking experience. So, make it a destination trip, and enjoy all the bounty that Topanga Social has to offer.

Topanga Social

6600 Topanga Blvd.

Canoga Park, CA.

818-475-8000