The East Coast’s Cucina Alba opens its L.A. outpost on Melrose Avenue. Plus, one of Japan’s biggest skewer specialist hits the South Bay. New York-style bagels are big in Los Feliz, and more.

In a city where you’re rarely further than a drunken stumble from a world-class taco truck and even A-list actors celebrate winning their Oscars by feasting on In-N-Out burgers, it can sometimes seem ...