WHY Because Studio City needs a civilized, elegant spot for lunch and dinner. WHAT Raphael is an intimate bo’te with an eclectic yet traditional menu from chef Adam Horton, formerly of Saddle Peak Lodge. The interior, designed by Terry Raphael, is drop-dead gorgeous, with a comfortable lounge/bar and a warm dining room that has so [...]
April 17, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Vegetarian and vegan meals in a bucolic garden setting. WHAT The board of changing daily specials at this serene, Buddha-filled indoor-outdoor eatery may offer sweet white corn chowder or a nut-strewn salad. House dressings include balsamic-virgin olive oil vinaigrette and sesame-tamari-lemon. And the delicious house favorites, enchiladas and the kamut spaghetti with a rich [...]
March 31, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Exemplary wine list; creative and confident cooking. WHAT This is certainly a contender for the title of “Best Upscale Restaurant” in the San Gabriel Valley. The patio’s the place for lunch; for dinner, the suavely modern dining rooms beckon. Standouts include the superb bouillabaisse and the grilled beef tenderloin. There’s usually a bread pudding [...]
March 24, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Terrific L.A.-style Euro-Asian fusion food, a swinging happy hour, four hours of free parking and a free shuttle to the Music Center. WHAT The youngest member of the great Chaya family is a hit. The serene, Asian-accented space has an impressive art-glass chandelier in the bar and comfy outdoor booths that, on a warm [...]
March 11, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY A little bit of heaven right on bustling Main Street. Delicious panini, a nice breakfast and lovely sweet crèpes. WHAT This modest café is a sleeper find on Main Street—a welcome alternative to the many overpriced and/or touristy eateries. Take your crisp, absolutely delicious panini to the hidden rear garden, where umbrellas shade the [...]
March 10, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Chef Akira Hirose, who trained with Joel Robuchon and has cooked at Citrus and L’Orangerie, brings his particular brand of culinary artistry to the French-Japanese restaurant that bears his name. WHAT Picture a townhouse on the Upper East side of Manhattan and you’ll have an idea of Maison Akira’s décor. Its quiet opulence—in the [...]
March 8, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Famous for the garlic bread, the Smoke House is best at old-school dinner-house fare like steak Sinatra, prime rib and shrimp Louie. A popular brunch buffet on weekends, early-bird specials and live entertainment in the lounge also draw fans. WHAT Judy Garland is no longer dining at the Smoke House, but the faux-Tudor restaurant [...]
March 1, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Martinis, atmosphere, flannel cakes, atmosphere, chicken pot pie and atmosphere. WHAT God knows it isn’t the cooking that makes this place an essential L.A. restaurant—it’s the rich blend of traditional architecture and Hollywood history, faded smoke and legendary lies, all aged to an irresistible patina. (Okay, the cocktails are part of the draw, too.) [...]
February 22, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Beautiful Mexican seafood in a landmark Boyle Heights setting, with kind service. Try the shrimp gorditas for lunch and a fresh-fish special for dinner. WHAT An L.A. treasure, La Serenata serves carefully prepared, sometimes elegant Mexican seafood dishes to a loving and longtime clientele. It now has two branches on the westside, and they’re [...]
February 20, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Real shabu-shabu made with exceptional ingredients, notably the Wagyu beef. Best of all: When you finish cooking and eating your meat, seafood and veggies, they take the pot back to the kitchen and turn the now-rich broth into a heavenly thick soup with rice or udon. WHAT It’s a modest-looking place, and shabu-shabu (meat, [...]
February 16, 2013 | Posted in
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