Holy Basil DTLA

The Santee Passage food court probably isn’t where you’d expect to find some of the most delicious, unapologetically spicy Thai food in Los Angeles, but that’s exactly where you’ll find Downtown’s Holy Basil. Using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, chef Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat and partner Tongkamal “Joy” Yuon regularly inspire revelations in Southeast Asian flavor and spice with their version of takeout classics like pad kee mao and green curry. However, I’m partial to Holy Basil’s more creative dishes, including a rigatoni yellow curry, a yellow shrimp curry made with wild shrimp and housemade curry paste and a fish and rice dish inspired by the chef’s grandmother. These days, you’ll find a larger, more interesting menu at the pair’s other restaurant in Atwater Village—but the Downtown original is still an excellent option for staple dishes executed with a chef’s finesse.