WHY An only-in-L.A. combo: creative Cal-Mediterranean dishes meet Justin Timberlake—worthy poolside dining. WHAT Mega-style meets better-than-the-norm hotel dining at this too-hip-for-most beach hotel. You can dine out on the green patio, in your own private tent or in the glam dining room; while it’s more romantic at night, it’s pricier, too, so we like coming [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY For the newish Vin Bar, a more casual and affordable spot situated rather awkwardly within the restaurant. WHAT This groundbreaking Italian restaurant has impeccable silver and service, the atmosphere exudes self-satisfied wealth, and the kitchen is accomplished, turning out such delicacies as truffle-topped risotto, agnolotti with braised Sonoma lamb, and a garlic-rubbed veal chop [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY With its California-dream patio and organic, market food, Wilshire is bucking to be the Michael’s for the new millennium. It’s not that, but we appreciate the effort. WHAT Wilshire has a too-cool country-club vibe, complete with leather club chairs and a cover-charge scene at the bar after 9:30, but it’s not just the latest [...]
Type: Restaurant
Region: West of the 405
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Features: A Scene, Cocktails, Dinner, Essentially L.A., Lunch, Patio Dining, Private Room, Romantic, Sustainable
Price Range: $25-$33, $34-up
Cuisine Type: Modern American, Steakhouse
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY The seasonally inspired and hard-to-resist four-course tasting menu; at $105 without wine, it’s a serious indulgence, but one you’re not likely to forget. Believe it or not, it’s worth the extra $30 for the roast chicken, which is not like any roast chicken you’ve ever had. Beautiful vegetarian tasting menu, too. WHAT Mélisse is [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Owner Maureen Vincenti’s contagious laugh and doting attention to each guest, plus the house-made porchetta, spit-roasted until it’s a perfectly charred, juicy hunk of pure pork bliss. WHAT Step inside the elegant dining room, with its marble counters and slick leather banquettes, and it’s clear this isn’t your average homespun trattoria. Chef Nicola Mastronardi [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY The creative sandwiches and burgers, including the ‘Coastal Oregon sushi-quality smoked albacore tuna melt,’ the grilled ahi tuna burger and the Niman Ranch cheeseburger. WHAT A burnished take on wine-country rusticity, the Napa Valley Grille is a good option for a business lunch or dinner before the curtain goes up at the Geffen. It [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY High-quality fresh fish, Italian style; try the crudos, the squid-ink pasta with sea urchin and the salt-baked sea bass. The three-course business lunch is a good value. WHAT Sal Marino grew up in the restaurant business (at Marino’s), and now, in his own modern, elegant place, he’s exploring his own culinary passions: ultra-fresh seafood [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY The elegance, the view, the impeccable service run by famed ma’tre d’ Dimitri Dimitrov… and the food’s good, too. WHAT Is it a movie set or a restaurant? This restaurant atop the Sunset Tower Hotel is a little of both, a dazzlingly glamorous set with equally dazzling city views; outside is a separate operation, [...]
Type: Restaurant
Region: Central City
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Features: A Scene, Breakfast, Cocktails, Dinner, Lunch, Patio Dining, Private Room, Quiet, Romantic
Price Range: $25-$33, $34-up
Cuisine Type: French, Modern American
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY The Beverly Hills comedy writ large, with really good steaks to boot. WHAT It’s loud, it’s showy, the bar’s a scene, the prices are high, and everyone is having a blast at Mastro’s, which has held firm as one of Beverly Hills’s ‘it’ spots for several years now. What’s kept it so popular is [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY For A-list service, a beautiful setting and elegant, thoughtfully prepared seafood. Splurge on the chilled seafood platter if you can afford it. WHAT Although the Water Grill’s cooking no longer has foodies in New York buzzing, it’s still very, very good. Chef David LeFevre makes things like striped bass ceviche with mint, pineapple, candied [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
RSS Feed
Become a Fan
Follow Us
