Skywalker Grill

What is it: The signature restaurant atop the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Exposition Park, serving elevated American classics for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch—in a midcentury setting that’s more Mad Men than Millennium Falcon, with a side of Skywalker Ranch lore and panoramic views of Los Angeles.

Why we love it: Skywalker Ranch needs no introduction, but we’re gonna flatter George Lucas anyway, because, well, it’s the stuff of legends! Since 1978, Lucas has been growing his sprawling filmmaker’s retreat in the hills of Marin County, complete with vineyards, a lake named for the Ewoks, its own fire brigade, a garden, and cattle that supply the ranch’s kitchens. For decades, the only way to get a taste of Skywalker Ranch’s famed wagyu burger was to be invited to work there. So when my husband was working on A Murder at the End of the World and staying on the premises, I went with, obvi. And yes, I rode my bike through the ranch, locked eyes with the cows, and then reverently enjoyed said wagyu burger. I’ve been dreaming of it ever since. Now anyone can indulge, no access badge required. Skywalker Grill’s burger is made with the same beef, topped with grilled onions and aged cheddar on brioche. It’s massive, meaty and juicy, and the fries are perfect. Story goes that the Skywalker Ranch Wagyu pasta is Lucas’s favorite dish, but if it’s between that and the burger, it’s a no-brainer—or should I say no-burger? Yes-burger? Get the burger. The rest of the menu is what you’d expect from a museum restaurant, only elevated: a beautifully plated chopped salad, Dungeness crab cakes, chicken tenders with ranch crème fraîche, honey-miso-glazed salmon, and chicken and wild mushroom crêpes, an homage to another Lucas favorite from the long-shuttered Magic Pan chain. At dinner, we’re told there are exclusive off-menu cuts of beef, some from the ranch, so be sure to ask your server. Save room for the citrus sundae, layered with vanilla gelato, olive oil cake, lemon curd and toasted meringue. As for the vibe, if the museum feels like you’ve boarded a ship from Star Wars, Skywalker Grill is its grounded, glamorous, midcentury counterpart. There are no harsh edges (or Stormtroopers) anywhere. Cherry wood panels wrap the walls and ceiling, and seemingly defy gravity. Chandeliers scatter warm light, and softly glowing white onyx Corian tables reflect it right back. There’s even eucalyptus and a fresh rose adorning every table! 

Time Out tip: Good luck scoring a reservation anytime soon; it’s currently booked through the end of the year. You can try your luck walking in for bar seats, though you should expect a wait.