Los Angeles Restaurants
Spark Woodfire Grill
9575 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035 Tel: 310-277-0133
Spark Woodfire Grill serves all the great food you’d want in a fine steak restaurant, in a chic, laid back atmosphere. With partner locations in Studio City and Huntington Beach, Spark is known for its open-hearth wood fire oven, mesquite grill, and steak broiler. The menu features fine steaks, but also offers home-cooking favorites you might not expect. Hamburgers, baby back ribs, lasagna, and a selection of wood fired pizzas offer a range of dinner options. Located in West Los Angeles near Beverly Hills, Spark has a full bar with a great happy hour and extensive facilities for private parties and events.
Spark Woodfire Grill
The Palm - West Hollywood
9001 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: (310) 550-8811
In a city where restaurants vie for celebrity patronage and flashy presentations sometimes precede flavor, The Palm Steakhouse in West Hollywood remains the unpretentious favorite of locals and celebrities alike. Since its opening in 1975, The Palm has been garnering a crowd of devoted followers with its simple, stunning presentations of high quality meat, seafood, and favorite Italian classics, like Veal Scallopine and Linguini with Clam Sauce. Its lively atmosphere, generous portions, and highly attentive service make The Palm an ideal destination for a special occasion dinner, even as the relaxed bar scene invites old friends to re-connect over a great glass of wine.
The Palm - West Hollywood
Yamashiro
1999 N. Sycamore Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90068 Tel: (323) 466-5125
Set in a landmark 1914 building on the eastern edge of the Hollywood Hills, Yamashiro is renowned for its views over Los Angeles. But while the vistas are stunning, the spectacular CalAsian cuisine should not be overlooked. The menu is vast, encompassing sushi, sashimi, sushi rolls, soups, salads, steaks, fish, and more – but whether you’re here for drinks at the bar, to dine in the sophisticated dining room, or in the beautiful interior courtyard, you won’t be disappointed. You might leave with your wallet noticeably lighter, but it'll be worth every cent.
Yamashiro
Cafe Sevilla Long Beach
140 Pine Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90802 Tel: (562) 495-1111
Rogelio and Janet Huidobro opened the first Café Sevilla in 1987, honoring their homeland with a Spanish restaurant in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. After finding additional success in Riverside, they launched in downtown Long Beach in 2006. Mid week, the old-world setting draws business types. Weekends attract a younger crowd for upstairs dancing and dinner shows. Café Sevilla specializes in pans of paella and traditional Spanish tapas. The reasonably priced wine list is especially strong on full-bodied Spanish reds like Tempranillo and Torre Oria.
Cafe Sevilla Long Beach
The Palm - Downtown
1100 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, LA 90015 Tel: 213-763-4600
The Downtown Los Angeles installment of the venerable Palm empire of restaurants offers reliable steaks, seafood, and Italian specialties in a posh setting. Located at 1100 Flower Street in an enormous space that was formerly a Packard car dealership, the Palm Downtown is the largest in the country. Since 2002 The Palm Downtown has managed to execute the same stellar food that original owners Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi started serving three generations ago in New York City. Today, The Palm restaurants are still a family business run by the original owners’ great-great-grandsons.
The Palm - Downtown
Cicada
617 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014 Tel: (213)488-9488
Adelmo Zarif’s restaurant has occupied a dazzling Art Deco space in downtown’s historic core since moving from West Hollywood in May 1997. Cicada fills the bottom two stories of the Oviatt Building, featuring towering mahogany pillars, plenty of gold, and pristine white tablecloths. Cicada is a fine-dining establishment that’s especially popular for birthdays, weddings and the occasional marriage proposal. Tokyo native Suzay Cha prepares northern Italian cuisine with Asian accents. The menu changes twice a year, but typically includes Ahi Tuna Tartar with Avocado, Piquillo Peppers and Wasabi Caviar and Pappardelle with Filet Mignon Bolognese Sauce.
Cicada
La Boheme
8400 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 323-848-2360
La Bohème rhapsodizes with a quintuplet of dazzling crystal chandeliers looming majestically overhead in a large, yet intimate two-tiered dining space. The opulent ruby-red décor glimmers softly under the glow of two huge open fireplaces. This longtime retreat from the bustle of Santa Monica Boulevard boasts moderate prices and a globe-trotting menu that sweeps culinary terrain from comfort food to exquisitely sophisticated dishes. Specialties like the Red Caviar Spaghetti, the Lobster Saffron Risotto, and the Berkshire Pork Chop offer a fine balance of familiarity in flavor and innovation in vision.
La Boheme
La Traviata
301 Cedar Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90802 Tel: (562) 432-8022
La Traviata is opulent and ornate, a place where guests can lavishly celebrate the grandest of occasions. The restaurant’s décor pays homage to the style of the nineteenth-century opera house, with crystal chandeliers, sweeping silk drapes, high ceilings, and ornate inlaid wood. The opera theme continues to the entertainment, with live piano nightly, and piano-accompanied vocalists on Fridays and Saturdays. But where homage to the past permeates the ambiance, the menu is refreshingly modern, an inspired blend of unique, novel creations such as Kumquat Coco Prawns and house-made smoked Duck Ravioli, peppered with fresh takes on Italian classics such as Porcini Risotto and Veal Scaloppini. Whether you come for the setting or the food, a visit to La Traviata promises to be as striking and memorable as a beautiful aria.
La Traviata
RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen
10250 Santa Monica Blvd. # 654, Los Angeles, CA 90067 Tel: (310) 552-9988
A dash of Vegas, and a whole lot of down home Asian flavors make RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen an experience to be savored. Located in the busy Century City mall, RockSugar features cuisine from Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam, to name a few. Served family-style, bring your appetite and a few good friends. A delicious and inventive full bar uses ingredients you won't find in your local pub, and the decor and architecture ... wow! There's outdoor dining, happy hour specials, plenty of parking, and a friendly wait staff. RockSugar stimulates all the senses, and leaves you wanting more.
RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen
Bistro du Soleil
6805 Vista Del Mar Lane, Los Angeles, CA 90293 Tel: (310)823-1530The mere sight of Bistro du Soleil’s exterior peaks the appetite. A slight wedge of a building splashed in country yellow and blue, Bistro du Soleil evokes the comfort of a French cottage in the easygoing beach community of Playa Del Rey. The menu features a number of French Classics, splashed with some So-Cal twists. Patrons can choose between French Onion Soup or Black Bean with lime and sour cream. Brie cheese is nestled atop juicy bistro burgers or slipped into pear quesadillas. Bistro du Soleil provides a touch of Europe in a comfortable beach setting. The food teeters between elegance and simplicity, and offers an ideal setting for a casual meal or a romantic evening.
Bistro du Soleil
The Stinking Rose
55 North La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90211 Tel: 310-652-7673If your idea of a great meal is garlic, garlic, and more garlic, head to Restaurant Row on La Cienega and visit The Stinking Rose. Executive Chef and owner Andrea Froncillo has created a garlic lover’s paradise, featuring great food in a wildly fun, garlic-themed atmosphere. Fantastic for large parties, the restaurant boasts a varied menu with specialties including roasted crab, prime rib, pastas, and giant tureens of steamed clams, all bathed in garlic. Don’t forget to visit "Dracula’s Grotto," one of many ornately decorated rooms, and to try Gilroy’s Famous Garlic Ice Cream.
The Stinking Rose
Ritual
1743 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 Tel: 323-463-0060Chef Andrew Pastore’s Pacific Rim menu is so elegant, exotic, and beautifully presented, it’s a shame dishes aren’t delivered to tables by elephant. Transcend Hollywood’s club scene into a Zen-like wonderland that calms the senses, enlivens the soul, and thrills the palate. Ritual is located on Cahuenga Blvd., just north of chaotic Hollywood Blvd. It is the pricier, hotter, more attractive cousin of its predecessor White Lotus. Ritual’s food and ambience will make you forget you’re in Hollywood, and its transformation into weekend Hollywood hotspot is a feat to make you forget about any other nightclub this side of La Brea.
Ritual
Roys
453 Newport Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 92660 Tel: 949.640.7697Nested in the center Newport’s ritzy Fashion Island, Roy’s offers a high-end dining experience which combines the freshest Pacific ingredients with European culinary techniques and Asian spices. While the service is not always spectacular, the food speaks for itself, from perfect lobster potstickers to perfect scallops to a dangerously palatable Hawaiian-style cosmopolitan. The atmosphere is dressy, yet comfortable, with a hipster musical playlist, older women wearing Chanel and pearls, and young girls in trendy boutique dresses. This is less of a place to be seen or treated like royalty, and more of a place to enjoy quality cuisine.
Roys
BLT Steak
8720 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 310-360-1950This modern American steakhouse owes its charm and signature style largely to Executive Chef and Partner Laurent Tourondel. Chef Tourondel showcases his years of experience working with both classic French techniques and innovative contemporary methods in this French bistro-inspired urban steakhouse menu. Seafood enthusiasts and devout carnivores alike may appreciate the spread he’s laid out – the raw bar selection boasts delights like the Oysters, Littleneck Clams, and Jonah Crab Claws, and Kobe beef polishes the rich assortment of tasty prime cuts. Also, satisfying sides like the Jalapeno Mashed Potatoes and the Stuffed Squash Blossoms offer another element of satisfaction.
BLT Steak
Asia de Cuba
8440 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: (323)848-6000Asia de Cuba aims to transport diners to unseen worlds, and they very well may accomplish this with an innovative menu, unique ambiance, and hip crowd. The atmosphere combines the best of both indoors and out, with a hip, see-and-be-seen vibe indoors and a quiet and romantic landscaped patio outside. The menu equally fuses two drastically different worlds, inventing a new type of cuisine in the process. As the restaurant’s name suggests, Asian cuisine mingles with Latin flavors, with such dishes as Seafood Pad Thai, “Havana Style” and Cuban Spiced Chicken with Thai coconut sticky rice and avocado fruit salsa. The result is a delectable culinary adventure.
Asia de Cuba
BOA - West Hollywood
9200 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 310.278.2050Traditional steakhouse dishes are prepared with very unique sauces....eight of them!Be sure not to leave Boa without trying their hand made ceasars prepared tableside or even their beef chili. It is definetely a contemporary steakhouse with unusual cocktails served to a hip, young crowd.
BOA - West Hollywood
Il Cielo
9018 Burton Way, Los Angeles, CA 90211 Tel: 310-276-9990In this confection of a restaurant, Il Cielo presents a wondrously elegant and stunningly romantic setting that is sure to bewitch even the most cosmopolitan of patrons. Owner and Executive Chef Pasquale Vericella has meticulously created a destination restaurant where guests can bask in the charms of Il Cielo’s visual beauty and revel in its exquisite Northern Italian cuisine. Nestled in a residential area of fabled Beverly Hills a couple miles east of Rodeo Drive, Il Cielo beguiles guests with a captivating romantic beauty created by its casually elegant décor, twinkling lights, and lush foliage.
Il Cielo
Literati II
12081 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025 Tel: (310) 479-3400Building on the success of casual Literati Café, Tony Kouba and wife Paty opened Literati II next door in March 2005. Chef Chris Kidder, a long-time believer in seasonal cooking, delivers the couple's vision for a market-inspired neighborhood restaurant. The literary-themed interior celebrates writers, with portraits of authors and hardcover books ingrained in the structure. Chef Kidder prints a new menu daily, based upon what he scores at the market, but always includes crisp-skinned rotisserie chicken, his signature pork chop, and burger. Chris’ wife, pastry chef Kim Sklar, contributes desserts like churros with bittersweet chocolate dipping sauce.
Literati II
Melisse
1104 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90401 Tel: 310.395.0881Located in Santa Monica, Melisse combines the sophistication of traditional French cuisine with contemporary American sensibilities, resulting in a truly extraordinary experience. The menus reflect seasonal and specialty items, carefully selected and intricately prepared by Chef Josiah Citrin and his experienced kitchen staff.
Melisse
Piccolo
5 Dudley Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90291 Tel: 310-314-3222Tucked on a narrow street steps from the loud tourist Venice boardwalk rests Piccolo, an unassuming casually elegant dinning spot where guests reawaken their senses on inspired and well-crafted fare built on the richly complex cuisine of Northern Italy. The well-designed menu is remarkably comprehensive and varied for such a cozy restaurant and well matched by numerous Italian wines. Everything is intensely flavorful, from homemade bread and pasta to beautifully crafted meat and seafood dishes, whose portions are the right size for a traditional Italian meal. The knowledgeable staff, led by Italians, offers impeccable service making it a perfect place to experience and savor wonderful food.
Piccolo
Tengu - Westwood Village
10853 Lindbrook Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90024 Tel: 310-209-0071Deep in the heart of Westwood, there is a restaurant that will playfully tempt you in a naughty way. Tengu, named after the Japanese god of mischief, is the place to go if you want Asian fusion and sushi laced with a nightly groove soundtrack provided by an eclectic house DJ. Owned and operated by the same team behind Nacional, The Lincoln and The Backyard, the atmosphere is similarly trendy and sleek. Traditional Asian fare combined with American classics and pan-Asian influences create a varied menu sure to please those who love everything from the land and the sea. Trendy collegiate students, industry workers and the occasional celebrity frequent this tempting spot.
Tengu - Westwood Village
Maison Akira
713 E. Green Street, Los Angeles, CA 91101 Tel: 626-796-9501Near the Playhouse, in one of the quaintest districts in Pasadena, a rare jewel sparkles in the Crown City—Maison Akira. Step off the bustling Green Street into the foyer door and find yourself halfway around the world in an elegant restaurant just off Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence, France. Though distinctly French, a peaceful Zen-like esthetic pervades the atmosphere. That is because Maison Akira is home of the world-renowned chef Hirose Akira. His menu is like a symphony of truly beautiful French classics, made modern and dazzling with subtle Japanese influences, like his signature Miso-infused Chilean Sea Bass, which has made him famous throughout the world.
Maison Akira
Beechwood
822 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90292 Tel: (310)448-8884Situated discreetly where funky and hip Abbot Kinney boulevard dead ends, Beechwood is the perfect haven to morph into the trendy hipster scene of Venice. The modern warm wood décor creates a relaxed atmosphere, whether you are enjoying the signature Pan Fried Chicken Paillard in the secluded rear dining room, or a Kiwi Vodka Caipirinha in the comfortable, noisy space of the enticing bar area with its fire pit, low chaise lounges, and communal tables. There is no doubt that the stylish crowd is drawn in by the innovative twists on international comfort food, diverse wines and specialty cocktail list as much as the lively atmosphere, making it a splendid destination to chitchat and chow down.
Beechwood
Koi
730 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: (310)659-9449Sumptuous and stylish exoticism lure both celebrities and locals to West Hollywood’s Koi restaurant. Its décor suggests the simplicity of a Zen garden, the lush seclusion of a bamboo forest, and simultaneously the sleek modernity expected of L.A’s fashion-forward populace. Its menu is similarly influenced by a spirit of eclecticism, with a cuisine firmly based in the Japanese tradition but executed with an experimental and distinctly Californian flair. With a variety of enticingly elegant dining environments featuring two patios, an atrium, and a sushi bar, Koi supplies an ambiance that is open to interpretation, be it romantically intimate or fashionably social.
Koi
Il Sole
8741 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 310-657-1182If you’re searching for the quintessential L.A. celebrity dining scene without the über swanky and often pretentious setting, look no further than Il Sole, an intimate trattoria discreetly tucked away in the midst of the glamour and grit of Sunset Boulevard. Serving a steady stream of classics such as Osso Bucco, al dente pastas, tiramisus, and antipasti, it’s the place to go to satisfy your craving for authentic Italian cuisine. A dimly lit dining room is conducive to romantic candle-lit tête-à-tête, while the shaded patio is ideal for people watching and enjoying the lively surroundings of West Hollywood.
Il Sole
Ago
8478 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: (323)655-6333This hot showcase (co-owned by Robert De Niro)in town gives dinners a big selection of perfectly cooked pastas as well as pizzas that are specially cooked in a brick oven. The menu ranges from what's best of the regions of Italy identifying it's wonderful flavors of authentic trattoria dining!
Ago
Cut
9500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90212 Tel: (310) 276-8500CUT restaurant, the newest addition to the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons, has created a sense of chic within the hotel’s former classically modeled dining room. Designed by architect Richard Meier, CUT is large, lustrous, and smooth, with oak floors, black-and-white trimmings, and curling vines budding alongside the walls of the two-level fortress. The menu offers USDA Prime, Kobe beef, and true Japanese 100% Wagyu beef from Kagoshima, all of which are complemented by an assortment of tangy sauces, an array of vegetables, and a smart wine list. The elegance of CUT is sure to impress.
Cut
A.O.C.
8022 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Tel: (323)653-6359Sandwiched between a temple and a clothing store on West 3rd Street, A.O.C. Wine Bar doesn't look like much from the outside. Inside, however, there is a great deal to dazzle the wine and food lovers of Los Angeles. Born of the collaboration between Chef Suzanne Goin and Sommelier Caroline Styne, both of Lucques fame, A.O.C. offers a unique dining experience. With the aid of the distinctive cruvinet wine storage system, Styne can offer over fifty wines by the glass, half glass, and carafe. Diners can sample from this list while trying some of Goin's small plates, which vary from traditional wine bar accompaniments, like pate, to the more playful fried chicken.
A.O.C.
Spago - Beverly Hills
176 North Canon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210 Tel: 310.385.0880The flagship Wolfgang Puck restaurant offers cuisine that is at the forefront of the Los Angeles culinary scene. Executive Chef Lee Hefter is both inventive and playful, creating masterful combinations of the freshest and finest ingredients. Famous dishes include the Handmade Agnolotti with mascarpone, Chino Farms Roasted Beet Layer Cake, and Prime Côte du Boeuf for Two. The menu changes seasonally to showcase the best of California’s produce, and the Chef’s eight-course tasting menu is an ideal way to sample the best that Hefter has to offer at any one time. The chic restaurant is also known for its celebrity spotting, including Wolfgang Puck himself.
Spago - Beverly Hills
Campanile
624 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: (323) 938-1447La Brea Bakery and Campanile opened in 1989. Since then both Campanile and La Brea Bakery have been the recipients of numerous awards and nominations, including James Beard Outstanding Restaurant Award, Distinguished Restaurant of North America, Nation's Restaurant News Restaurant of North America, Los Angeles Culinary Master of the Year, and nominated for James Beard Outstanding Wine Service Award and James Beard Best California Chef.
Campanile
Parkway Grill
510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Los Angeles, CA 91105 Tel: 626-795-1001Remaining enormously popular since the 80's, The Parkway Grill has a big, jazzy brick-lined dining room surrounded by attractive art and a prominent fireplace. With a lively piano bar in the background, The Grill offers California cuisine laced with Asian and Latin influences, which include an intriguing array of wild game dishes.
Parkway Grill
Giorgio Baldi
114 West Channel Road, Los Angeles, CA 90402 Tel: 310-573-1660Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi is a family managed restaurant that has been serving the Los Angeles area for over fifteen years. The restaurant rules are: simplicity, authenticity, the love for tradition, and full respect for our customers. The establishment is appreciated not only in California, but also by the rest of the country.
Giorgio Baldi
Josie
2424 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90405 Tel: 310-581-9888Chef Josie’s alluringly uncomplicated menu is a reflection of her healthy approach to eating as well as her flair for flavor-rich combinations. She has orchestrated an original melody of classic cuisine and comfort foods, ranging from the enticing Pan Seared Duck with Savory Hawthorn Berry Sauce to the homey rib-eye steak with Pop's Peppercorn Sauce.
Josie
Mastro's Steakhouse
246 N. Canon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210 Tel: 310-888-8782Dining at Mastro's Steakhouse is an opulent experience. Dishes feature the highest quality ingredients, cooked to perfection and served in generous portions. The ambiance is full of high energy with an undertone of elegance, with dark wood and subdued lighting throughout the dining room. Live entertainment and an extensive wine list add the finishing touches to an already exquisite dining experience.
Mastro's Steakhouse
Lucques
8474 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 323-655-6277On Melrose, along a popular strip of hip West Hollywood restaurants, Lucques retains its standing as an ideal spot for lunch, dinner, and drinks. In its eighth year, the restaurant excels with its short-list of savory French-Mediterranean cuisine combining subtle, yet distinct, flavors with fish, poultry, and meat. Executive Chef Suzanne Goin uses seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are inventive, fresh, and flavorful. While not extensive, the selections are sufficiently unique to appease finicky Angelenos and most likely tantalize them to return. The wine list is extensive and hand selected by co-owner Caroline Styne.
Lucques
Ca Del Sole
4100 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91602 Tel: (818)985-4669Located just North of Universal Studios along a busy stretch of Cahuenga Blvd, Ca’ del Sole stays true to its name as a sunny spot in an otherwise gloomy culinary scene. Amid the lush greenery of the outdoor patio or beside the fireplace between the two dining rooms, guests can enjoy the authentic and comforting Italian cuisine of Chef Soerke Peters in a quiet, homey atmosphere. The flexible bar menu is great for a small bite alone or to share with friends, and the daily “dinner deal” offers a great three course meal for only thirty dollars. Whether it’s a special occasion or a relaxed Sunday brunch with friends, Ca’ del Sole gives diners a reason to come to the Valley.
Ca Del Sole
Pearl Dragon
15229 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90272 Tel: 310-459-9790The sleek, dramatic decor and great bar scene draw a stylish crowd to this industry hangout, which offers the only full bar in Pacific Palisades. The Pearl Dreagon's elegant yet laid back atmosphere, with potted bamboo and gleaming wood tables, is well suited for crowds coming for the lobster specialty dishes, sushi and Pan-Asian entrees.
Pearl Dragon
Madeo
8897 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 Tel: 310-859-4903The cozy and urban Madeo features a warm and comforting atmosphere, with an immense wood bar and curved booths set among old black-and-white photos of old Italy. The immensely popular hangout offers a varied selection of Northern Italian cuisine, with dishes that include mouth watering veal-stuffed ravioli, classic pizza Margherita, and whole striped bass. The made in-house desserts are the finale to this authentic show, with delights such as mille-feuille with pastry cream and ricotta cheesecake.
Madeo
Spaghettini Grill & Jazz Club
3005 Old Ranch Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90740 Tel: 562-596-2199Award winning restaurant Spaghettini Grill and Jazz Club is a place with fantastic atmosphere, lots of excitement, superb modern and classic Northern Italian cuisine and of course, some of the best live jazz in the country! Spaghettini is also the home of the now famous Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch.
Spaghettini Grill & Jazz Club
Toscana
11633 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 Tel: 310-820-2448This traditional trattoria sits in the heart of Brentwood and is always packed. Covered with ceramic jugs and posters of old Italy, the dining room has a rustic decor and low key atmosphere. The wide range of Tuscan dishes are raved about, to the extent that reservations are highly recommended.
Toscana
Vibrato Jazz Grill
2930 North Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90077 Tel: 310-474-9400One of LA's most exciting jazz spaces, Vibrato Grill Jazz embraces its guests with a warm and elegant interior, a state of the art sound design, and world-class music. The savory menu of contemporary American cuisine features prime steaks, mint-crusted ahi-tuna, and a wide variety of colorful desserts, while the expansive bar offers refreshing signature cocktails. Vibrato offers a unique and rare space where where jazz aficionados and food connoisseurs will feel equally at home.
Vibrato Jazz Grill
Vincenti Ristorante
11930 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 Tel: 310-207-0127Vincente offers an intimate setting and a sleek, yet unpretentious, atmosphere that blends the dining room and open kitchen seamlessly. Diners are treated to Chef Nicola Mastronardi's unique Italian cuisine, from house made pastas to wood-fired rotisserie. Paying homage to the restaurant’s namesake, the late Mario Vincente, the restaurant follows his vision of a small-scale venue where diners can simultaneously learn about Italian cuisine while enjoying the Chef’s enticing creations.
Vincenti Ristorante
Park Grill
2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067 Tel: (310)284-6530This culinary treasure offers an intimate and elegant atmosphere for the best LA dining. The menu features World cuisine which is enhanced by French cooking techniques. This creative approach brings flavor to the blue fin crab and asparagus soup for an appetizer.
Park Grill
Ortolan
8338 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Tel: (323)653-3300Offering a warm, glamorous, and charming atmosphere, Ortolan serves elegant French cuisine created with European culinary traditions and California ingredients. Chef Christophe Eme, formerly from L’Orangerie, partnered up with actress Jeri Ryan and created a small menu with delectable French dishes. Eme’s signature dishes include Crispy Languostines with basil, chickpeas, and minestrone, and the Roasted Squab Breast and Leg with a gratin of macaroni and tapenade salad. The foie gras terrine and the amuse- bouche are also items to try.
Ortolan
Harold & Belle's
2920 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 Tel: 323-735-3376This is the pinnacle of Creole dining in Los Angeles. Harold & Belle's is a fancy restaurant, with food to match. The red beans and the gumbo are superb. Bring your appetite too, because the portions are Gargantuan. The staff is beyond friendly, the food is wonderful, and you're guaranteed a great meal in this place that's served the Creole community of Los Angeles for many years.
Harold & Belle's
Joe's
1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90291 Tel: (310) 399-5811Joe’s is an intimate, neighborhood spot in Venice Beach serving delectable French-California cuisine. The restaurant’s namesake and Chef, Joe Miller, offers and innovative, seasonal menu with dishes such as Kurobuta Pork Loin & Red Roasted Pork Belly with autumn shell beans, roasted onion, and tamarind mustard jus, and Porcini Mushroom Ravioli with wild mushrooms, reggiano parmesan broth, and white truffles. The restaurant’s wine list offers a collection of quality vintages from small boutique wineries, housed in the newly renovated 2,000 bottle wine cellar. The dining room offers a comfortable yet upscale setting, while the outdoor patio, complete with a calming fountain, offers equally fitting environs in which to enjoy fresh, innovative dishes from talented Joe Miller.
Joe's
Sai Sai Restaurant
501 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Tel: 213.624.1100Sai Sai’s menu is an exercise in culinary play. Tucked inside the Millenium Biltmore Hotel, this sophisticated restaurant stands out with its adventurous gastronomic creations, Zen-inspired décor, and eager staff. Chef David Bartnes has crafted a daring Asian fusion menu, seamlessly blending distinctive regional cuisines into a global pastiche that is both strikingly original and evocatively familiar. Exotic experiments like Kobe Short Ribs with Potato Gnocchi or the pairing of maguro sashimi with caramelized pear are surprising and satisfying. With noteworthy lunchtime bento boxes, prix fixe menus for theater goers, and in house infused sakes, Sai Sai supplies a variety of tantalizing dining options.
Sai Sai Restaurant
Nic's
453 N. Canon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210 Tel: 310-550-5707A replica of a 1957 Eldorado Cadillac, Nic's dining room is filed with white interior and photos on every wall of pre war surf shots. Featuring a menu of eighty different varieties of martinis along side a dinner menu of urban Californian cuisine, Nic's is a contemporary yet cozy place to relax in the lap of luxury.
Nic's
Polo Lounge
9641 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90210 Tel: 310-276-2251For generations The Polo lounge, located in the Beverly Hills Hotel, has been a favorite for lunching socialites and Hollywood locals. The lush dining room features massive booths surrounded by dark green and cream-striped walls, while the delightful patio is surrounded by flowering vines and pink archways. Serving a traditional yet elegant cuisine, the menu features favorites like honey-pepper cured smoked salmon and steak tartare.
Polo Lounge
Amici
2538 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90402 Tel: 310-260-4900Another great restaurant from the Amici folks that has the great authentic Italian ambience and cuisine we all expect. The menu is filled with classics such as thin crust pizzas, many pastas, artichoke and hearts of palm salad, and the traditional osso buco.
Amici
La Scala
434 N. Canon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 92010 Tel: 310-275-0579Since opening in 1956, La Scala has been popular with the locals and entertainment industry with its comfortable red booths and drawings of Hollywood figures lining the walls. Traditional Italian fare is offered, as well as an exceptional wine list supplied by Owner Jean Leon’s personal vineyard, Chateau Leon, in Spain. The restaurant is revered for its Chopped Salad, but other menu highlights include the Steamed Mussles served in a broth of garlic, white wine and tomato sauce, and the Tiramisu served with fresh whipped cream and berries. The quality of ingredients has never faltered in the restaurant’s long history, and it continues to set the bar for fine Italian fare.
La Scala
Massimo
9513 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90210 Tel: 310-273-7588At Massimo, we strive to bring each customer an innovative, relaxed and very personal dining experience. The foundation of the experience is our food to which Chef and Owner Massimo Ormani gives a contemporary twist to the Florentine cuisine of his heritage. Co-Owner, Daniela Judah-Ormani, manages the restaurant and ensures that you will enjoy the high standard of service, authenticity and individuality that she and Massimo long dreamed of bringing to Los Angeles.
Massimo
Chakra
151 Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90211 Tel: 310-249-3999Chakra Restaurant and Lounge is a premier destination for contemporary Indian cuisine in Los Angeles. The vibrant setting combines traditional Indian decor with sophisticated accents, with different rooms offering unique atmospheres to suit any mood or preference. A fashionable bar/ lounge offers internet access and flat screen TV’s, while the seductive dining room offers a sleek yet traditional setting, adopting hues of India’s signature dishes and celebratory colors. Patio dining offers a casual setting while the private VIP lounge promises an exotic and swank experience.
Chakra
Tower Bar
8358 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 323-934-7900Set in a cozy yet elegant atmosphere reminiscent of Hollywood's past, The Tower Bar offers knockout views of the city coupled with an exclusive atmosphere. A live pianist hammers out famous jazz tunes while stylish diners chat over elegant cocktails, before being served selections from Chef Dakota Weiss's elegant menu. The cuisine is light French and Italian-inspired California cuisine, and the wine list offers a perfect pairing for entrees ranging from Sautéed Ruby Red Snapper to Braised Short Ribs. A "no cell phones, no photographs" policy makes the dining room a safe haven for even the most famous of celebrities, and semi-private booths shield diners in comfort as they soak up the outside Hollywood views.
Tower Bar
The Blvd.
9500 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90212 Tel: 310-385-3901The Blvd at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel is located at one of Beverly Hills’ most well-known intersections: Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive. This restaurant is the place to see and be seen as well as dine on some fabulous food created by Chef Brian Moyers. The dining room of The Blvd is sophisticated and stunning, featuring lofty ceilings and large windows that overlook the intersection. This restaurant produces American cuisine that incorporates fresh produce from local farmers’ markets. On Friday and Saturday nights, a special candlelight dinner is offered in efforts to conserve energy.
The Blvd.
Da Pasquale
9749 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90210 Tel: 310-859-3884Da Pasquale is perhaps the only local trattoria that, since its inception in 1989, has consistently prepared all of its dishes in the rich southern Italian tradition of Naples without pandering to American taste buds or trends. This family-run restaurant takes pride in creating an atmosphere as close to home as you will find outside of your own dining room and is one of the last truly family-friendly restaurants located in Beverly Hills.
Da Pasquale
Nishimura
8684 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 310-659-4770Sushi Chef Hiro Nishimura’s restaurant certainly lives up to his name. The atmosphere here is soothing and intimate; to get to the restaurant diners walk through a Japanese garden out front. Amid the minimally decorated dining room, the sushi shines, with Chef Nishimura’s master hand creating some of the best sushi and sashimi in Los Angeles. In addition to sushi, hot Japanese dishes are also served, although it is the raw creations particularly the succulent toro, that have built Nishimura’s flawless reputation.
Nishimura
Providence
5955 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038 Tel: 323-460-4170Inspired by coastal living, Providence offers an array of the worlds most premium wild seafood and shellfish in the purest and simplest form. Chefs Michael Cimarusti and Donato Poto have developed a menu of exceptional quality influenced by the treasures of the ocean. In addition to noteworthy cuisine and excellent service, a world-class selection of wine graces Providence's walls, showcased in an elegant glass cellar in the restaurant.
Providence
Vermont
1714 Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Tel: 323-661-6163Vermont Restaurant and Bar is a hip Los Feliz hangout offering a stunning atmosphere and serious dining. The dining room's vaulted ceilings, soaring columns, and a huge picture windows fill with beautiful and trendy patrons hungry for stylish New American cuisine. Late night, after such delights as poached salmon and roasted free range chicken, crowds flock to the sleek bar for signature drinks like the sweet-but-lethal Edelweiss martini.
Vermont
The Buffalo Club
1520 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90404 Tel: 310-450-8600The Buffalo Club looks like your typical bar from the street, but on the inside it is transformed into a restaurant that looks like the inside of an old classic railway car. There are burgundy booths, antique mirrors, and mahogany that give off a dark and intimate setting. The Buffalo Club also has an outdoor patio where guest can dine among Chinese silk lanterns, soft lighting and a beautiful garden setting. This restaurant presents guests with regional American cuisine while taking inspiration from the South, New England, the Southwest, and California. One of their most popular dishes is the Chicken Pot Pie baked in an old-fashioned biscuit crust and smothered in the chef’s original “Supreme Sauce.”
The Buffalo Club
Rivera
1050 S. Flower St. #102, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Tel: 213 749 1460Just one block east of the Nokia Theater and the Staples Center sits Rivera, the latest Latin creation from legendary chef/owner John Rivera Sedlar. The father of modern Southwest cuisine is back on the culinary scene after a fifteen year sabbatical spent representing Patrón tequila, and while no one would purport that cooking is like riding a bicycle, he certainly re-approaches his craft with the ease and grace of a seasoned veteran. Sedlar merges classical French technique with the memory of the earthy and spicy foods of his New Mexico childhood to produce sumptuous chile-packed masterpieces in a sleek and contemporary setting.
Rivera
Anisette Brasserie
225 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90401 Tel: (310) 395-3200Despite its proximity to the swarming Third Street Promenade, Anisette Brasserie is a gem of Parisian bistro charm. With a cathedral ceiling, elaborate tiled floors, red leather banquettes, and fluted sconces, locals and tourists alike will be hard-pressed to find a more authentic looking brasserie-style restaurant in the area. Chef Alain Gireaud (formerly of Citrus and Bastide) has created a menu to match the ambiance, offering unassuming, classic French fare such as Onion Soup, Steak Tartare, Sweetbreads, and Duck a L’Orange. The staff only intensifies the establishment’s Belle Époque magnificence with their ankle-length aprons, black vests, and impeccable service.
Anisette Brasserie
STK
755 North La Cienega, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 310-659-3535If you’re looking for a place to see and be seen, head to the new, super trendy West Hollywood hotspot, STK. With such an edgy slogan (“not your daddy’s steakhouse”), it’s no surprise that the One Group’s latest enterprise has completely reinvented the traditional ambiance of its genre from masculine to sleek and sultry. Steaks come in three different sizes, a la carte, and with a choice of one of eight rich, homemade sauces. If something else is more to your liking, choose from enticing appetizers and entrees such as the Foie Gras French Toast, Shrimp Rice Krispies, or Maine Lobster.
STK
Ocean and Vine
1700 Ocean Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90401 Tel: (310) 458-6700Opened in March 2005, Ocean and Vine is located in the gorgeous Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, next to Santa Monica pier. The swanky lobby sets the scene for an upmarket experience. The split-level, low-ceilinged room is attractive; the top level is dominated by a steel chimneyed fire pit, with striking artworks adding to the ‘wow’ factor. The cuisine, from Head Chef Robert Trester under the watch of Executive Chef Gregg Wangard, is Californian; each dish a showcase of local, seasonal ingredients. Dishes are near-faultless, and although prices are high, it’s worth coming here for a splurge or special occasion.
Ocean and Vine
XIV
8117 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 Tel: (323) 656-1414XIV is the latest (and “fourteenth”) restaurant project from gifted chef Michael Mina. The unique New American menu offers a la carte selections but is more readily recognized for its signature tasting menu where you can mix and match from a medley of 35 small bite-sized portions. This serving style is meant to promote a “social dining” experience and allows for countless sampling variations. Illustrious designer Phillip Starck has decorated the interior of XIV with traditional European château accents contrasted with clean contemporary elements. A popular outdoor patio boasts a marble-clad bar, ivy-cloaked trellis, and fanciful wheelbarrow-shaped chairs.
XIV
Cafe Montana
1534 Montana Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90403 Tel: 310-829-3990Whether you are out on the town for a lively night of entertainment or you’re settling in for a lazy Sunday with the morning paper, Café Montana is eager to suit the occasion with its subtle SoCal charm and distinguished California cuisine menu. Weekend visitors may savor the thoughtful brunch menu that caters to multiple palates and diets. Dishes like the Lox Benedict and the Montana Angus Beef Burger are worth getting out of bed for. The evening menu is equally eclectic and satisfying with highlights like the Seared Scallops, the Pumpkin Ravioli, and the Blackened Prime Rib. And did we mention the decadent dessert counter? It has its own loyal following.
Cafe Montana
Katsuya
11777 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 Tel: 310-207-8744Your senses may revel in the stunningly engaging décor and modern Japanese cuisine menu presented at Katsuya. Executive Chef Katsuya masterfully crafts traditional sushi rolls and distinctive specialty dishes to please more seasoned and fresh palates alike. Dishes like the Crispy Rice and Spicy Tuna and the Kobe Filet with Foie Gras have developed their own loyal following. Chef Katsuya’s artful menu is complemented and heightened by the truly innovative and equally satisfying décor of designer Philippe Starck. Striking contrasts of black and white capture snippets of moments for patrons to muse over as they dine in the appetizing “wooden bento box” space.
Katsuya
Akasha
9543 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90232 Tel: 310.845.1700Executive Chef and Owner Akasha Richmond maintains the highest standards for both her culinary skills and the quality of ingredients she uses. Her distinctive New American cuisine menu highlights bold flavored comfort food that prizes sustainable and organic produce and meats. Many local purveyors throughout the region source the kitchen, and help to fuel visitors’ passions for thoughtful food. Small plates like the Niman Ranch Lamb Sliders invite guests to mingle around savory delights, while entrée selections like the Star Anise Braised Short Ribs and the Meatloaf may insist on not being shared. The unique specialty drink menu and fresh bakery also attract attention.
Akasha
i. Cugini
1501 Ocean Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90401 Tel: 310-451-4595Why confine oneself to only tasting one region of Italy’s fine cuisine when we may savor the many flavors that make the country the dining destination of the world? i. Cugini serves up authentic specialties from Sicily, Sardinia, Naples, and Tuscany in a dining space fit for the Amalfi Coast. Once visitors enter the restaurant, passing the luscious display of fresh fish and the open kitchen, they begin to understand what sets i. Cugini apart. The extensive seafood selection offers the unique opportunity for patrons to dine as native Italians do – the salt-cured whole cooked fish are favorites, and the lightly sauced pastas are refreshing.
i. Cugini
Enoteca Drago
410 North Canon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Tel: 310-786-8236Composing a colorful mosaic of Italian small plates, or enotecas, Master Chef Celestino Drago brings the heart of Italy to his aptly named Beverly Hills restaurant, Enoteca Drago. Rustic authenticity is the key to this regional Italian cuisine menu, and seasonal and artisanal ingredients bring the flavors to life. Before one takes a single bite, he or she may gain insight into Chef Drago’s vision by noticing the décor – the cherry wood communal dining table set center stage hopes to encourage a shared dining experience, while the use of weathered stone and touches of terra cotta transport us far from SoCal.
Enoteca Drago
Shilo's
8939 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035 Tel: (310) 858-1652Shilo’s: A Modern Steakhouse lives up to its name. The clean, contemporary dining room is awash in whites and creams, coaching diners in tall-backed luxurious white leather banquettes for a sense of true indulgence. The restaurant deftly balances this hip ambiance with a respect for tradition in all its forms. The menu blends classic steakhouse sensibilities like premium cuts of beef and comforting sides with more inventively gourmet options like Ceviche and Veal Sweetbreads. Shilo’s takes its homage to custom even further by being fully Kosher, making for a deliciously reverential experience.
Shilo's
Ado
796 Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90291 Tel: 310-399-9010Adopting the iconic canary-colored building familiar to many Venice locals is Ado Ristorante, the brainchild of Co-owner Paulo Cesaro and Chef Antonio Mure’. This rustic Italian cuisine eatery marries the understated sophistication of its earthy décor of exposed wood beams and simple wood seating with a welcoming menu of unpretentious authentic fare. The Taagliolini Rossi is a rich dish of homemade red beets pasta in a Marsala quail egg ragu, and the Tagliata di Cinghiale is a savory delight of grilled wild boar tenderloin served with a white port and raspberry sauce.
Ado
Beacon
3280 Helms Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034 Tel: 310-838-7500Beacon stands as a go-to destination for innovative Asian cuisine that seamlessly marries traditional technique with visionary flavors. Chef Matsusaka utilizes years of experience as both a classic and avant-garde chef to create a menu that is equally inviting as it is adventurous. Dishes like the Green Tea Soba Noodle Salad and the Miso Braised Shortribs shine in the stark yet comforting décor of the restaurant’s main dining space. Bare cement walls stand tall along floor-to-ceiling windows that wash the entire space in warm light, while the outdoor patio provides a relaxed and lively spot to savor the fine Asian fare.
Beacon
Beso
6350 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 Tel: 323-467-7991Famed Chef Todd English pairs up with Hollywood darling Eva Longoria Parker to introduce us to Beso, a glamorous and refined restaurant serving up fine fusion cuisine with a side of glitz nightly. Step into Beso and be seduced by the lush and invocative palette of deep crimsons, rich wood tones, and alluring leather upholstery. The menu infuses Latin-inspired flavors with Middle-Eastern flare for a tantalizing array of meat and seafood selections. Eva’s Tortilla Soup is a comforting bowl of spice and the Beso Paella is an invigorating melding of surf and turf. Every bite glistens like the crystal chandelier hanging overhead.
Beso
Bloom Cafe
5544 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019 Tel: 323-934-6900Bloom Café was born from the vision and inspiration of Arnaud Palatan and Jean Louis Bartoli. Answering the call for inviting local organic fare, Bloom Café offers an airy and calming space to savor a menu created around locally grown ingredients and invigorating flavors. Cool your head with one of the many fresh smoothies blended daily, and satisfy your taste buds with a crunchy sandwich, comforting bowl of pasta, or steaming pizza. Breakfast diners may be drawn to the Simple Tofu Scramble, the Chicken Chorizo Burrito, or the Fresh Blueberry French Toast. Other favorites include the Greek Lamb Burger and the Vegetarian Curry Bowl.
Bloom Cafe
BLVD 16
10740 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024 Tel: 310-474-7765Chef Simon Dolinky brings a lot to the table with every dish he creates: His commitment to environmental sustainability and his energetic vision for flavorful cuisine blend quite nicely on the plate. Simple elegant presentations allow the rich and vibrant flavors of his food to shine as diners mingle in a dining space equally refined and satisfying. Deep earth tones bathe the walls in subdued sophistication, while energetic splashes of green pop up in the strategic placement of leafy plants. Small plates of artisan cured meats and cheeses warm the palate, and comforting soups and savory entrée selections warm the soul.
BLVD 16
Enterprise Fish Co.
174 Kinney Street, Los Angeles, CA 90405 Tel: 310-392-8366Reminiscent of iconic wharfside eateries lining the Pacific coast, Enterprise Fish Co. maintains an air of nautical authenticity that prizes its fare above all. The interior of the dining space lends itself to rustic elegance with exposed beams and brick walls that highlight contemporary touches like the lively exhibition kitchen centered in the room. Similarly, traditional seaside specialties like the Mesquite Grilled Prawns mingle with dishes like the Ginger Soy Glazed Alaskan Halibut for a well-rounded and satisfying menu. Surf and Turf revelry is also found in selections such as the 8 oz Top Sirloin and Spicy Garlic Prawns and the 11 oz Australian Lobster Tail and 8 oz Filet Mignon.
Enterprise Fish Co.
Shanghai Red's
13813 Fiji Way, Los Angeles, CA 90292 Tel: 310-823-4522Gaze out over the waters of Marina Del Rey, and nestle in for a rousing seafood-inspired dining experience at Shanghai Red’s. The restaurant’s Polynesian, Victorian, and contemporary architectural elements complement the similarly diverse and refined menu, and the welcoming lounge and cocktail patios invite guests to linger a while and truly savor the reprieve. Weekends are reserved for an award-winning champagne brunch that boasts both traditional brunch items and a selection of ethnic specialties; nightly delights include dishes like the Spicy Ratatouille Pasta, the Blackened Swordfish Steak, and the Sizzling Top Sirloin.
Shanghai Red's
Bottega Louie
700 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, 5 90017 Tel: 213-802-1470Downtown receives a touch of dining genius with the establishment of Bottega Louie. This traditional Italian café and gourmet market invites visitors to linger a while over hand-crafted pastries, specially coordinated entrée dishes, and stone oven pizzas; then they may humor their own culinary inspirations by perusing the market’s selection of artisanal cheeses, infused oils, pastas, meats, and other hard-to-find items. Head Chef Sam Marvin takes care to ensure his menu pleases the most discerning palates: Pasta dishes are served in slightly more petite portions to encourage patrons to sample any of the many tasty side dishes.
Bottega Louie
Terra
21337 Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90265 Tel: 310-456-1221“Garden fresh” takes on new significance when one realizes that much of the produce used in the Terra kitchen comes straight from Owner and Chef Chris Bocchino’s garden. Local and organic-minded providers source the items Chef Bocchino cannot grow, and his meat and fish are chosen with like care. And while the thoughtful California cuisine menu boasts an inspiring degree of attention to detail, the restaurant’s décor is similarly lighthearted and refined. A large stained glass window bathes the bar in warm comforting light, and Old World charm marries with contemporary touches for a welcoming space to feast in.
Terra
Carlitos Gardel
7963 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 Tel: (323) 655-0891It may seem unassuming amongst its trendy West Hollywood neighbors, but ardent local regulars are quick to say that Carlitos Gardel is a treasure well worth seeking out. This family owned restaurant treats every guest as graciously as if you were a guest in their home while serving authentic Argentine dishes such as Grilled Skirt Steak and Parrillada Argentina along with a vast selection of wine. The décor is comfortably understated and refined with dark wood accents and portraits of iconic tango singer Carlos Gardel, for whom the restaurant is named, lining the muted pink walls. Gardel’s brilliance is celebrated through the nightly live tango music, which occasionally triggers an impromptu dance party among guests.
Carlitos Gardel
Matsuhisa
129 N. La Cienega Blvd.,, Los Angeles, CA 90211 Tel: 310-659-9639Matsuhisa located in Beverly Hills is a popular sushi restaurant among locals and celebrities. This sushi restaurant is owned by Executive Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who owns several other successful restaurants around the world. The menu offers more than 100 dishes, but most people order the omakase tasting menu, featuring the chef's choice of sushi. The chef creates unusual and interesting dishes by combining Japanese food with South American spices and salsas. Be sure to make a reservation a week in advance because Matsuhisa has a small dining room. Their signature dishes to try are the toro with caviar and the uni shooter with bonito broth.
Matsuhisa
Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038 Tel: (323) 297-0100An experience at Osteria Mozza is one of a kind. The brainchild of super-trio Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali, and Joseph Bastinach, Osteria Mozza is a modern, urban interpretation of the Italian trattoria. Exquisite preparations start at the Mozzarella bar, which sits in the center of the room and serves as a showcase for Silverton’s hand-made cheeses. Her creations can be sampled alone, but also find their way onto the rest of the menu, joining hand-made pastas, artisanal smoked meats, and inspired main courses, turned out by Executive Chef Matt Molina. Add exceptional service, a lively, energetic setting, and an Italian-centric wine list, and the only challenge guests face is saving room for dessert.
Osteria Mozza
Sur
606 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: (310) 289-2824Situated just off of Melrose Ave in West Hollywood, Sur attracts exactly the crowd you would expect from this area: the young and trendy and, of course, celebrities. Inside you’ll find a cozy respite from the bustling streets outside. The stunning dining room is eclectically adorned, mixing romantic French touches like dazzling chandeliers and long, dramatic curtains with statues of Hindu gods and lots of dripping candles. The menu offers contemporary American dishes inspired by classic Mediterranean cuisine such as Taboulé Couscous with Ahi Tuna or Crab Gorgonzola Risotto, which can be accompanied with a glass off the extensive wine list or their popular Red or White Sangria.
Sur
JiRaffe
502 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90401 Tel: 310.917.6671Opened in 1996 by Raphael Lunetta, JiRaffe quickly became a favorite in Santa Monica. Well over ten years later, this restaurant still remains one of the hottest restaurants in town. JiRaffe serves nightly specials using only the freshest produce, seafood, and meats, and maintains high standards in all aspects of its service. The menu changes constantly with the whims of Chef Lunetta’s creativity and the seasons, and straddles the line between traditional American cuisine and classic French fare. Bright spaces and large windows give JiRaffe a welcoming elegance reminiscent of Europe.
JiRaffe
Church & State
1850 East Industrial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90049 Tel: (213) 405-1434This French bistro only opened in September 2008, but has become an instant classic in downtown LA. The menu is concise but runs the gamut from simple rustic dishes like the Braised Beef to more elevated fare like the Terrine de Foie Gras, which is creatively served with a port wine gelee and brioche. Customers often rave about the housemade charcuterie as well. The dining room borders on industrial, with exposed piping in the ceiling and brick walls, but the soft lighting, close tables and warm service make it a cozy scene. For the real Paris experience, diners can also eat outside on the quaint brick patio.
Church & State
Canelé
3219 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039 Tel: 323-666-7133Canelé’s pedigree will impress those on both the east coast and the west, with Chef Corina Weibel hailing from Campanile and Lucques, and General Manager Jane Choi hailing from Balthazar and Pastis in New York City. Together, they have created a charming and intimate space, where simple, unfussy bistro food and a reasonable and carefully selected wine list team up to offer guests a flavorful respite. Think comforting dishes such as roast chicken with sweet corn, potatoes, and summer squash; seared beef tenderloin with bordelaise sauce, pommes frites, and creamed spinach; and salt-roasted branzino with parsley, celery salad, and capers. While they don’t take reservations, this neighborhood bistro is one spot not to miss, whether or not you live in the neighborhood.
Canelé
The Lobster
1602 Ocean Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90401 Tel: 310-458-9294Located next to the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster has gorgeous sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Palisades Park. This restaurant offers locals and visitors the freshest seasonal seafood available. For a fulfilling lobster and shellfish experience, try the “Santa Monica Style” Cioppino. This dish includes Alaskan king crab, American lobster, black mussels, manila clams, tiger shrimp, big eye tuna, Catalina white Seabass, saffron rice, and garlic cheese toast points. Another dish to check out is the Three Peppercorn Seared Rare Hawaiian Big Eye Tuna served with hearts of palm and shrimp salad, spicy sesame vinaigrette & tobiko wasabi.
The Lobster
Sushi Dokoro Ki ra la
9777 S. Santa Monica Blvd.,, Los Angeles, CA 90211 Tel: (310) 275-9003Sushi Dokoro Ki Ra La has a minimalist, concrete setting, providing a sheltered oasis amid the glamorous and trendy restaurants that pepper Beverly Hills. The simple setting allows guests to focus on the food—which here comes in the form of “the quintessential Japanese menu.” Guests will find simple yet artistic sushi and sashimi preparations, as well as small plates featuring Japanese appetizers such as Yellowtail Canapes, featuring minced fresh yellowtail atop of pan-fried rice cakes. Those looking for the full experience can put themselves in the chef’s hands with an Omakase tasting menu, which involves specially created dishes and requires 24 hours notice.
Sushi Dokoro Ki ra la
Amalfi
143 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: (323)938-2504Exposed wood beams and a fireplace make for a romantic setting” at this “lovely” newcomer at the northern edge of the La Brea Restaurant Row where the “beautiful people” flock for “fabulous” Italian fare including “perfect fritto misto” and “amazing” pastas washed down by a “good selection of wines”; the “lovely” patio, “hospitable” service and “great value” are other reasons it’s always “crowded.”
Amalfi
Pizzeria Mozza
641 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: (323) 297-0101Located in the trendy Melrose district of West Hollywood, Pizzeria Mozza touts some of the biggest names in the culinary world: founding partners Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. With a trio like that at the helm, you know you can expect something good. With a fun, informal atmosphere and wonderful, shareable food, Mozza offers the opportunity for fantastic meal. Just be sure to book in advance. Mozza is so popular that eating there will probably entail the longest you’ve ever had to wait to get a pizza.
Pizzeria Mozza
Tanzore
50 North La Cienega, Los Angeles, CA 90211 Tel: (310) 652-3894Tanzore, winner of the Los Angeles 2007 Restaurant Design Award, has fused traditional Indian culture with artistic modernity, creating a bold, brilliant ambiance full of energy and zeal. The upscale setting offers guests the choice of indoor patio, sleek lounge, or the luxurious white-marble bar, as well as the main and private dining rooms. The tongue-tickling taste of their curries, ranging from mild to fiery, can be perfectly pared to their flavor-enhancing wines, allowing the diner to take pleasure in a flawlessly complemented meal. While savoring the Tanzore specialty drinks and cuisine, diners are surrounded by an assortment of Indian beats, big screen Bollywood cinema, and native dancing. Who knew eating could be so fun and exciting!
Tanzore
Wilshire
2454 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90403 Tel: 310-586-1707Wilshire elevates the warmth of a neighborhood restaurant to the elegance of haute cuisine. Thomas Schoos’ décor skillfully balances the historic, rough hewn architecture with opulent materials, juxtaposing exposed brick walls with lush leather, hard wood, and amber lighting. Chef Andrew Kirschner’s California fusion menu reinforces the ideal of local sophistication, emphasizing organic ingredients from local producers. Although local in origin, Kirschner’s creations are anything but ordinary, elevating fresh, seasonal ingredients to the heights of epicurean refinement. The outdoor garden and fire-heated private terrace provide a refreshing dose of greenery in Santa Monica’s urban landscape.
Wilshire
Fraiche
9411 Culver Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90232 Tel: 310-839-6800As its name implies, Fraiche is an ode to the pleasures of fresh ingredients. Executive Chef Jason Trevi has built a skillfully paired-down Mediterranean menu around the seasons, with simple, masterfully prepared dishes that change subtly with the time of year. Tracking these flavor transformations is like anticipating the turning of autumn leaves, a welcome dose of seasonality in the perennial spring of Los Angeles. Glowing from the warm open kitchen and the Culver City sunlight filtering through street front windows, Fraiche creates an inviting atmosphere that delights in the simple subtleties of the passing of time.
Fraiche
Craft
10100 Constellation Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067 Tel: 310-279-4180The newest incarnation of Tom Colicchio’s New York institution, Craft Los Angeles offers a welcome oasis of East Coast gourmanderie. Best known as a recurring judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” Colicchio and his culinary team elevate the hearty simplicity of American cuisine to the heights of sophisticated artistry. The expansive, family-style menu can be as overwhelming as it is pleasing, with bounteous rewards for those who dive in wholeheartedly. The perfect finale to the meal is one of Pastry Chef Catherine Schimenti’s sweet and savory concoctions. The vast dining room with its golden accents and minimalist décor presents a clean and inviting backdrop for Craft’s culinary delicacies.
Craft
Mr. Chow
344 N Camden Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210 Tel: 310-278-9911Its sleek, artsy aesthetic, chic clientele, and inventive twists on traditional Chinese cuisine have distinguished Mr. Chow as a Beverly Hills hot spot. Avid art collector, restaurateur, and self-proclaimed Renaissance man, Michael Chow has a sixth sense for detecting the direction of cultural zeitgeists, producing numerous restaurants that instantly become magnets for all who are harbingers of cool. Mr. Chow’s Beverly Hills location is no exception, attracting celebrities, artists, and their adoring public. With its stylish black and white décor, original Andy Warhols, and mouthwateringly decadent dishes, even the most proletariat of diners can treat themselves to a night of Hollywood glamour and posh pampering at Mr. Chow.
Mr. Chow
Terroni
7605 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: 323-954-0300Terroni is a West Hollywood restaurant that serves authentic southern Italian cuisine within a busy atmosphere. Terroni uses fresh and traditional ingredients straight from Italy, and it prides itself on using the same cooking techniques used in Italy 100 years ago. This restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so it is key to arrive before the crowd. Terroni’s specialty is the pizza, which is thin, delightfully airy, and uncut with 30 different options to choose from. Some of these options include Terroni originals like Smendozzata and Li Pecuri. The Smendozzata Pizze is made with tomatoes, mozzarella, homemade spicy Italian sausage, gorgonzola, and red onions, and the Li Pecuri is made with tomato, mozzarella, goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, arugola, and parmigiano.
Terroni
Duke's Malibu
21150 Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90265 Tel: 310-317-0777With its stunning ocean vistas, island décor, and fruity cocktails, Duke’s Malibu is a relaxing paradise. Duke’s is popular with both tourists and locals, providing a laid-back escape from the flurry of everyday stresses. Named after surfing and swimming legend Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, this Malibu homage brings Duke’s distinctly Hawaiian legacy of island fun and beach culture to the spectacular Malibu coast. With their feet buried in the sand, and their bellies full of the freshest seafood, diners at Duke’s satisfy their wanderlust for tropical getaways without having to stray far from the bright lights of Los Angeles.
Duke's Malibu
Katana
8439 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 323-650-8585Katana is a chic assault on the senses. Like an industrial, futuristic Zen temple, Katana’s steel and wood décor juxtaposes urban grit with delicate sophistication. Its staggering menu presents a delightfully daunting selection of treats, through which diners are free to sample with reckless abandon. Katana features two distinctive styles of Japanese cuisine: the familiar sushi bar, and the more novel robata bar, which features tapas-like Japanese barbeque. Food is sculpted skillfully with almost architectural heights, echoing the artistic details of the surrounding environment. With one of Los Angeles’ only sake sommeliers and a sake selection as distinguished as it’s A-list clientele, Katana is a seriously stylish and sensuous experience.
Katana
Shades Restaurant and Bar
21100 Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles, CA 92648 Tel: 714-960-7873Shades Restaurant and Bar embodies the unpretentious elegance of its Huntington Beach location. Formerly the Palm Court, this fixture of the Hilton Waterfront has been given a vibrant new personality through its recent renovation. The restaurant’s lively atmosphere is interpreted differently by its seating options: warm amber lighting and wood accents make for a chic indoor dining experience while the outdoor patio, with its ocean views and sunny tables, is the essence of coastal casual. Chef Jeff Littlefield’s menu is dictated by seasonality, resulting in a quietly sophisticated cuisine that is the epitome of fresh. A meal at Shades is as crisp and refreshing as an ocean breeze.
Shades Restaurant and Bar
Crustacean
9646 Little Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90210 Tel: (310)205-8990Crustacean offers award-winning Euro-Vietnamese cuisine in a stunning atmosphere. Entering through the cocktail lounge, guests’ first experience in the restaurant is to “walk on water” as they follow a weaving path atop a floor-level aquarium to the main dining room. Seated amid French-Colonial décor, the menu entices the senses with selections such as Shaken Beef flambéed in Chardonnay and Rice Ravioli in a soy-sesame emulsion. Dishes “From An’s Secret Kitchen” are especially enticing; although the entire menu, down to the desserts, demonstrates a talented mastering of unique fusion cuisine. The excellent wine list is also showcased on the menu, where recommended wine pairings are listed beneath each dish.
Crustacean
Sushi Roku
8445 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Tel: 323-655-6767Sushi Roku, a local favorite in the trendy West Hollywood area, offers sushi-lovers a sophisticated, yet intimate dining experience. The menu offers favorites such as the California Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll, but also mixes it up with some signature dishes and unexpectedly great combinations like the Toro & Jalapeno roll as well as the Baked Lobster with Creamy Miso Sauce roll. There are plenty of exceptional choices on the menu for non-sushi-lovers as well, and each dish is as beautifully presented as it is delicious.
Sushi Roku
Cafe Del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way, Los Angeles, CA 90292 Tel: (310)823-6395Gaze out over the marina and allow your mind to drift lazily like the boats against the docks as you savor the fresh and tantalizing fare Executive Chef Niederkorn serves up daily. Only twenty minutes from the harried rush of LAX, Café Del Rey transports diners from the bustle of humanity to the calm oasis of a foreign seaside town. Chef Niederkorn presents elegantly prepared and simply adorned seafood dishes that shine by their own freshness and flavor. The Black Spaghetti is made with prawns, calamari, lobster, and bay scallops; and the Mediterranean Meatloaf is taken to another level by a topping of black truffle gravy.
Cafe Del Rey
Border Grill
1445 4th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90401 Tel: (310)451-1655Veterans of the Los Angeles dining scene since 1981, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have garnered national acclaim and multimedia stardom with their modern approach to Mexican cooking. Throughout their ascension, the duo has managed to keep their Santa Monica flagship vital. A magnet for both tourists and locals, Border Grill showcases colorful murals and plentiful portions of equally vibrant Mexican cooking. With encyclopedic menus and daily specials, ordering can be daunting, but regardless of the selection, the dishes are consistently flavorful. The duo’s attention to detail lasts through dessert, with house-baked cakes and strong, spice-infused café de olla.
Border Grill
Castaway
1250 Harvard Dr., Los Angeles, CA 91501 Tel: (818) 848-6691The Castaway Restaurant and Banquet Center is located high in the Burbank hills overlooking De Bell Golf Course, with a breathtaking city view that is spectacular day or night. It is appropriately nicknamed “The Jewel on the Hill” and has been a landmark in the Burbank area for over 40 years.
Castaway
Ciudad
445 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071 Tel: (213)486-5171Ciudad is a Latin restaurant that produces bold and authentic dishes from South America, Central America, Cuba, Spain, and Portugal. This restaurant is located in the heart of Downtown LA and owned by chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger from Food Network’s “Too Hot Tamales.” The restaurant has a jazzy Latin feel in a cosmopolitan downtown space. Ciudad features unique cocktails, tapas-style appetizers, homemade dessert and one-of-a-kind entrees. Every Sunday from 5-9 p.m. the restaurant has Tapas Sundays and Spanish wines by the glass.
Ciudad
One Pico
One Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90405 Tel: 310.587.1717The menu at One Pico features modern American cuisine with a seasonal bent. Chef Andri Tscharner sources ingredients from local farms, weaving the seasonal produce into stunning, refreshing creations. Dishes might include such succulent renditions as Black Truffle Risotto with Butter Poached Maine Lobster, Snap Peas, and White Truffle Oil; Wild King Salmon with Artichokes, Swiss Chard, Applewood Bacon, and Bouillabaisse Sauce; or Colorado Lamb Loin with Heirloom Carrots, Braising Greens, Chick Peas, and Black Olive Jus. Enjoy Tscharner’s fresh, contemporary cuisine in a casually elegant setting, surrounded by windows that offer gorgeous views of the Santa Monica beach.
One Pico
Saddle Peak Lodge
419 Cold Canyon Road, Los Angeles, CA 91302 Tel: 818.222.3888Saddle Peak Lodge specializes in elegantly prepared game, offering unique dishes such as buffalo tartar, butter-soft roasted elk tenderloin, and wood-grilled venison chops. Executive Chef Steven Rojas kindly offers excellent seafood and vegetarian dishes, although he is famous for his delightful preparation of the unusual. Saddle Creek's elegant ambiance, extraordinary menu and oustanding selection of American wines make it a favorite among adventurous diners and celebrity guests; it is also ideally suited for special events from anniversaries to business dinners.
Saddle Peak Lodge
Whist at the Viceroy
1819 Ocean Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90401 Tel: 1-800-670-6185Classy meets comfortable at Whist, located at the Viceroy Santa Monica, a restaurant offering elegant Coastal Mediterranean cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch. Not only do menu items offer variety, but in order to ensure individual levels of comfort guests are offered several choices in seating locations including the traditional formal dining room, casual poolside tables as well as private chef cabanas for a more intimate experience. Whist is an eatery known for its significantly stylish décor which fuses vintage and modern furnishings. The restaurant excitedly welcomes new Executive Chef, Tony DiSalvo to the team, who uses his vast culinary experiences to create a fresh and vibrant menu.
Whist at the Viceroy
Valentino
3115 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90405 Tel: 310.829.4313At Valentino, Piero Selvaggio’s flagship restaurant, freshness is not just a priority, it is a passion. Executive Chef Angelo Auriana, who has been with the restaurant for close to 18 years, seeks out the finest ingredients, often returning to his homeland for superior quality. Whether it is cheese from Puglia or white truffles from Piedmont, Auriana’s menu incorporates the grandest treasures in the culinary worlds. The menu changes seasonally, but you might find dishes such as San Daniele Prosciutto with Tirloese speck and melon pearls, Ricotta gnocchetti with walnuts and four-cheese sauce, and Colorado lamb chop with Gorgonzola and port wine reduction. The Chef’s tasting menus offer an excellent way to experience multiple small courses with wine pairings, especially with a wine list that boasts over 2,500 selections. The décor is both stylish and timeless, creating an elegant space in each of Valentino’s five intimate dining rooms that seems ideally suited to Valentino’s cuisine.
Valentino
Belvedere
9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90212 Tel: (310)551-2888Offering modern American cuisine, The Belvedere has long been regarded as one of the finest restaurants in Los Angeles, with impeccable service and sophisticated atmosphere. Under the direction of Executive Chef Bill Bracken, The Belvedere was recently voted "Best Hotel Restaurant in the Continental US and Canada" by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.
Belvedere
Blair's
2903 Rowena Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039 Tel: (323)660-1882Blair's in Silver Lake is just the sort of wine bar and restaurant that you would expect to find on a Manhattan street corner. Fortunately, you only have to travel to Silver Lake to find upscale comfort food paired with an excellent beer and wine menu in a cozy candlelit atmosphere. The crowd is a mix of neighborhood regulars, Hollywood starlets looking for somewhere low key and off the beaten path, and hip Silver Lakers meeting up for a drink and snacks at the bar before a night out.
Blair's
Aroma
2903 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 Tel: (323)644-2833Derived from the delectable fragrance of authentic Italian cuisine comes Aroma. The focus is flavorful meats, seafood and traditional pastas. The daily specials are among the plates you have to definetely try; from an antipasti plate to seafood linguini.
Aroma
Cinespace
6356 Hollywood Blvd. 2nd Level, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Tel: 323.817.3456Deep in the heart of Hollywood, four-year old Cinespace is a unique venue that features traditional favorites in a modern atmosphere. Customers can choose to sit in the futuristic-feeling lounge, the open-air patio or the dark and moody screening room. The latter option features a free, intimate film-viewing experience. Executive Chef Stephen Rea’s movie-themed menu is a combination of modern takes on both American and Californian staples. Specialty cocktails are served at the full bar, and a DJ performs live nightly.
Cinespace
Xiomara on Melrose
6101 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: (323)461-0601At Xiomara Melrose, Executive Chef and owner Xiomara Ardolina masterfully crafts exotic, Cuban-influenced dishes that pay homage to the home cooking she grew up with. A hint of fine dining mingles with authentic and flavorful Cuban traditions, resulting in such diverse dishes as Nicaraguan Skirt Steak with huitlacoche and blue cheese mashed potatoes and Chino Latino Pan Seared Duck Breast atop a sautéed plantain and portobello mushroom with soy ginger cilantro sauce. Almost everything is house made, right down to the fresh squeezed cane juice in the famous mojitos. While situated in a prime location in the middle of Melrose Avenue, Xiomara promises to whisk diners off to another world, where flavor and tradition are king and dining is a simple art.
Xiomara on Melrose
Fat Fish
616 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069 Tel: 310-659-3882Owner James Han has created an eclectic menu that makes use of the freshest seafood and typically “Japanese” preparations, but is a decided mix of Eastern and Western influences. This stylish Euro-Asian restaurant offers elegant dining that will please every mood.
Fat Fish
Fogo De Chão
133 N La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90211 Tel: (310) 289-7755The tradition of Fogo de Chão came from the countryside of Brazil, where the founding brothers perfected their native technique of roasting meat over open fire pits. This unique steakhouse provides an ambiance like no other with historical wall murals, enhanced by dark Brazilian tones, taking the guests into the heart of Gaucho culture. Patrons can choose from a medley of dishes or a prix-fixe sampling of the entire menu. The menu features unlimited servings of 15 different delectable cuts of meats, each with a multiplicity of complementing wines from all over the world, giving the guest the ideal balance between flavors, for a supremely fulfilling dining experience.
Fogo De Chão
Grace
7360 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: 323-866-0880Occupying the former home of Muse restaurant, GRACE is a casually elegant and comfortable space composed by renowned designer Michael Berman. His signature "American Trans-Modern" aesthetic fills the restaurant with a welcoming color palate of brown, green, orange and rose and displays an open but intimate dining room with roomy banquets and a relaxing lounge.
Grace
The Ivy
113 Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 Tel: 310-274-8303The Ivy’s disarmingly rustic décor and chic Californian twist on American comfort food entice both L.A.’s rich and famous, and their adoring public. The charming white picket fence and fragrant roses of its front patio evoke a by-gone era of simplicity and nostalgia, a glaring, but welcome contradiction amidst the ultra-chic posturing of Beverly Hills. The Ivy’s menu is made similarly appealing by its culinary juxtapositions, creating a balance between hearty comfort and refreshing innovation. The Ivy’s star-studded people watching possibilities, its quaintly romantic atmosphere, and its deeply satisfying cuisine ensure a dining experience that is both delightfully homey and highly fashionable.
The Ivy
JAR
8225 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Tel: (323)655-6566Chef Suzanne Tracht’s has rejuvenated proverbial American culinary through her newest bistro, Jar, creating tangy and zestful editions of classic favorites. Her signature Kansas City Steak and Prime Porterhouse can be sided with her award winning French Fries, made scrumptious by being dusted with garlic and parsley, or the Creamy Spinach, both buttery and rich. The delectable menu is enjoyed amongst a warm setting wrapped in browns and hues of orange, and the minimalist décor allows one to experience the retro-modish theme of Jar’s 1940’s-premised dining room. Come and observe American cuisine in its excellence.
JAR
Sona
401 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 Tel: 310-659-7708Entering this urban oasis, diners are first greeted by a bubbling stone fountain. The transcendent atmosphere continues into Sona's dining room, featuring a candlelit bar, minimalist decor and unadorned concrete walls. The menu focuses on dramatic and inspiring dishes, collaborations between Chefs and owners David and Michelle Myers that reveal their attention to quality ingredients and to detail. The wine list is predominantly Californian and French, offering a unique selection of intricate wines that can only add to Sona's exquisite dining experience.
Sona
M Grill
3832 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010 Tel: 213-389-2770M-Grill offers an elegant and sensual Brazilian steakhouse experience, with each meal offering an endless array of skewered meats, savory sides, and a salad bar. The Churrasco, or meat selection, includes beef short ribs, brazilian sausage, chicken thighs, bacon wrapped filet mignon, pork ribs and more, all grilled to perfection. Brazilian sides include rich black bean stew, fried yucca, and collard greens. A unique open grill allows diners to watch as chefs prepare skewer after skewer of exotic and savory meats.
M Grill
Noé
251 Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Tel: 213-356-4100Located in the heart of Downtown Theatre District, Noe has established itself as an elegant oasis in the midst of downtown hustle and bustle since opening in July 2003. Executive Chef Rebert Gadsby's acclaimed "Progressive American" cuisine marries a gentle Japanese aesthetic with French-inspired dramatic artistry.
Noé
Pete's Cafe and Bar
400 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Tel: 213-617-1000This New York-style bistro has become a popular hangout for locals and late-night diners. The massive dining room features high ceilings and a gorgeous art-deco bar, which gives a festive atmosphere. The classic American fare gets a modern twist with such dishes as Mac & Cheese with white cheddar, asiago, and goat cheese, and the Flat Iron Steak with Bleu Cheese Fries.
Pete's Cafe and Bar
Jer-Ne
4375 Admiralty Way, Los Angeles, CA 90292 Tel: (310)574-4333Jer-ne Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton is one of Los Angeles' only waterfront restaurants. It is the perfect location for a birthday party, bachelor or bachelorette outing, cocktail party, dinner party, single's mixer, dance party, company party, holiday party or corporate meeting.
Jer-Ne
Water Grill
544 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071 Tel: 213-891-0900Focusing on fresh, quality ingredients, Water Grill offers some of the most exquisite seafood in Southern California. The secret is in the quality, as well as in Executive Chef Davide LeFevre’s respectful preparations that allow natural flavors to shine. Warm décor, cozy booths, and colorful art ensure ultimate comfort, while temptations like Dungeness and Blue Crab Cake with lime-yogurt cucumber sauce and herbed cous cous and Butter Poached Maine Lobster with morel mushrooms, haricot verts and crispy shallots offer decadent indulgence.
Water Grill
Jazz Kitchen
1590 S. Disneyland Drive, Los Angeles, CA 92802 Tel: (714)776-5200Jazz on over to the Jazz Kitchen, a savvy representation of New Orleans’ dual legacies – food and music- served up in a whimsical setting depicting the charm, ambience and hospitality of historic and contemporary New Orleans. Located in Downtown Disney® District, Jazz Kitchen offers guests live jazz favorites and the chance to dance the night away as they take pleasure in the spicy menu full of taste and flavor. Dishes such as the crescent city crab cakes, a JK favorite, served with cajun rice and homemade creole mayonnaise and cocktail sauce, scrumptious smoked bbq pizza pie, or even a hearty bistro burger are JK specialties. The Jazz Kitchen is a festive and exciting place to take friends and family.
Jazz Kitchen
Cézanne
1740 Ocean Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90401 Tel: 310-395-9700Cézanne, Le Merigot's acclaimed restaurant, is a feast for all the senses. With menus inspired by local Farmer's Markets fresh, seasonal ingredients, and with world-class professional table service in the European tradition, Chef Desi Szonntagh provides an exceptional dining experience.
Cézanne
Pinot Bistro
12969 Ventura Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91604 Tel: 818-990-0500Pinot Bistro offers a charming intimate setting to enjoy classic bistro fare along with contemporary California creations. With an extensive wine list, daily specials incorporating seasonal ingredients, and truly Parisian atmosphere, it is no wonder Pinot Bistro is a favorite neighborhood restaurant. Sample a signature dish such as crispy whitefish with brandade potatoes amid the dark wood paneling, black and white tiled floors, and mustard colored walls and you will feel as if you have been transported to France.
Pinot Bistro
Drago
2628 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90403 Tel: 310-828-1585Just when you thought there were too many Italian restaurants in Los Angeles, here comes one worth waiting for. Chef Celestino Drago has been cooking up some of the best Italian food in Los Angeles since 1991. This jewel in Santa Monica has been wowing critics and locals alike ever since.
Drago
Bistro 45
45 S. Mentor Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 91106 Tel: (626)795-2478Don't be surprised if you see the ever-present owner Robert Simon welcome you into a fine dining experience. The restaurant offers a few bistro classics like cassoulet and escargots....the cooking however is mostly French with California influences. Don't forget Bistro 45 appears regularly on Wine Spectator's Best Of lists, and hosts special-event wine dinners.
Bistro 45
The Little Door
8164 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Tel: 323-951-1210Two simple doors open up to a romantic Riviera hideaway which features a retractable roof and fountain in the courtyard. The setting at The Little Door is ideal for enjoying exquisite French-Mediterranean Cuisine. Chef Nicolas T. Peter strives to incorporate local and organic ingredients, ensuring that his menu is healthy, seasonal, and ripe with flavor.
The Little Door
Inn of the Seventh Ray
128 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90290 Tel: (310)455-1311The Inn of the Seventh Ray is located in the resplendent hills of Topanga Canyon, where looming overhead candlelit tables are grand pines and sycamores providing an enchanting nook for intimate conversation, while the interior is made heavenly by the light sounds of meditative music played in the background. This delightful bistro offers a natural and healthy cuisine composed by a sundry of organic foodstuffs, allowing guests to choose from vegan, vegetarian, raw, or fresh takes on conventional dishes. Diners can choose from dishes such as the succulent Pink Grapefruit & Avocado Salad or the mouth watering Atlantic Halibut & Little Neck Clams. This romantic diner is the healthy choice to satisfy the appetitive and soothe the soul.
Inn of the Seventh Ray
Dar Maghreb
7651 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046 Tel: 323.876.7651The Dar Maghreb has recreated for you the memorable adventure of being invited into a rich Moroccan house for dinner. Your waiter will perform the traditional handwashing ceremony. Then, sit back comfortably against the pillows all around and enjoy a traditional Moroccan Feast comprised of vegetable salads and lentil soup, followed by the masterpiece of Moroccan
cuisine, B'Stilla.
Dar Maghreb
Blue Velvet
750 S. Garland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Tel: (213) 239-0061Blue Velvet, a new addition to the Los Angeles culinary scene, is surprisingly refreshing. Nested in a newly constructed sustainable apartment complex called the Flat, the restaurant dishes up exquisite cuisine— with a conscious. A rooftop garden provides herbs, fruit, and vegetables for the kitchen, and the kitchen deftly pays homage to this fresh produce. Chef Kris Morningstar offers a mouthwatering array of contemporary dishes such as a Duo of Pork featuring crispy belly and braised shank with pork broth, udon noodles, and rapini; and “Crispy Skin of Loup de Mer” featuring clams, chickpeas, merguez sausage, lobster and pepper sauce, with saffron aioli. Design firm Tag Front puts the icing on the cake with a sleek and stylish poolside setting.
Blue Velvet
Traxx
800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Tel: (213)625-1999The landmark Union Station, located on the eastern edge of downtown Los Angeles, is an impressive sight. The structure fuses the Spanish colonial, Art Deco and streamline Modern Architecture that represent California's heritage and future ambitions. Traxx is where the romance of the past and the spirit of the future seamlessly merge. Since 1997, Traxx has brought fine dining back to historic Union Station while acting as major player in Los Angeles' downtown renaissance. Its presence, along with the Staples center and the revitalized shopping and cultural venues, adds extra vitality to the cityscape. Even with modern Los Angeles blossoming in its midst, Traxx's ambience recalls the glamour and wonder of train travel's golden era.
Traxx
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Spark Woodfire Grill
9575 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035Spark Woodfire Grill serves all the great food you’d want in a fine steak restaurant, in a chic, laid back atmosphere. With partner locations in Studio City and Huntington Beach, Spark is known for its open-hearth wood fire oven, mesquite grill, and steak broiler. The menu features fine steaks, but also offers home-cooking favorites you might not expect. Hamburgers, baby back ribs, lasagna, and a selection of wood fired pizzas offer a range of dinner options. Located in West Los Angeles near Beverly Hills, Spark has a full bar with a great happy hour and extensive facilities for private parties and events.
Spark Woodfire Grill
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