Los Angeles, California — Restaurants
Campanile
Originally built as the private offices of Charlie Chaplin in 1928, Campanile is a multi-level restaurant with balconies, a lovely courtyard and a central skylight affording views of the bell tower above. The menu consists of a creative blend of Mediterranean flavors and Californian cuisine, including excellent grills and roasts, complemented by homemade bread and pastries, and some of the best desserts in LA - try the strawberry cobbler with fresh cream. Saturday and Sunday brunch should not be missed either. Open for lunch weekdays and dinner Monday to Saturday. Reservations essential.
- Food Type
- Local
- Price
- 4
- Address
- 624 South La Brea Avenue (Miracle Mile)
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.campanilerestaurant.com
Spago Beverly Hills
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck wows the rich and famous at his flagship restaurant that boasts a reputation as one of the finest in LA. Centerd in an outdoor courtyard, the olive tree shaded tables are the most desirable and the place for celebrity sightings. Chefs recreate Puck's classic dishes, including his famous designer pizzas, and Spago classics such as Wolfgang's Original Veal Weinerschnitzel. Creative desserts add a special finish to any meal. Jacket and tie suggested, though not required. Advance reservations essential. Open for lunch from Monday to Saturday, and dinner every day.
- Food Type
- Modern Eclectic
- Price
- 4
- Address
- 176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.wolfgangpuck.com
Valentino Santa Monica
According to the Wine Spectatormagazine, this is one of the top Italian restaurants in the country, boasting a wine cellar that ranks as number one, complementing the exquisite modern Italian cuisine. Piero Selvaggio has raked in numerous awards for his flagship restaurant, attracting an elegant clientele. The menu tempts guests with delicious options such as grilled veal chops with garlic and wild mushroom sauce, or honey-spiced pork fillets. Closed on Sundays, open for dinner the rest of the week and lunch on Fridays, reservations essential.
- Food Type
- Italian
- Price
- 4
- Address
- 3115 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.welovewine.com
Patina
Patina is the flagship restaurant of chef Joaquim Splichal, whose nouvelle cuisine has long been a favorite with Hollywood stars. The style is understated elegance, with beautifully presented food and superior service. There are three five-course, exquisite seasonal tasting menus including wild game and seafood, as well as garden dishes for vegetarians. Patina is justifiably famous for its mashed potatoes and potato-truffle chips, and there is an outstanding wine list. Reservations essential, closed on Mondays.
- Food Type
- French
- Price
- 4
- Address
- 141 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.patinagroup.com
Nobu Matsuhisa
Japanese chef/owner Nobuyuki Matsuhisa creates fantastic dishes by blending South American spices and salsas with Japanese cuisine, presenting diners with one of the most creative menus in the city. Tuna filled with black truffles and capped with caviar, or sautéed squid in a garlic and soy sauce are examples of the delicacies available in addition to delicate sushi rolls with garlic, fresh chilli and special sauces. Matsuhisa is popular with celebrities and gourmets, reservations are essential. Open all week for dinner and for lunch Monday to Friday.
- Food Type
- Japanese
- Price
- 4
- Address
- 129 North La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.nobumatsuhisa.com
Water Grill
Considered by many to be the best seafood house in LA, Water Grill is always packed with downtown business folk who are joined in the evening by concert and theater patrnos. It is known particularly for its fish and shellfish, and boasts a great oyster bar, as well as a superb wine cellar. Irresistible desserts include blueberry mascarpone cakes and a mandarin orange creamsicle. Reservations recommended. Open for dinner daily and for lunch on Monday to Friday.
- Food Type
- Seafood
- Price
- 4
- Address
- 544 South Grand Avenue, Downtown
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.watergrill.com
Chinois on Main
This is one of LA's most crowded restaurants and also one of the noisiest, packed with locals, celebrities and visitors who come in awe of Wolfgang Puck's reputation and leave enchanted by the food. The style of cuisine is a mixture of different ethnicities, particularly a fusion of Chinese and French ingredients and technique. The menu includes signature dishes such as the Whole Sizzling Catfish, dramatically presented, as well as seasonal creations that include Shanghai lobster with a spicy ginger-curry sauce or roasted Cantonese duck. Reservations essential. Dinner daily and lunch Wednesday to Friday. Jacket and tie suggested.
- Food Type
- Chinese
- Price
- 4
- Address
- 2709 Main Street, Santa Monica
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.wolfgangpuck.com
Border Grill
Border Grill is a trendy, pleasantly raucous and brightly painted eatery whose atmosphere perfectly complements the vibrant flavors and bold, colorful foods of Mexico as presented by celebrity chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. The menu features authentic dishes learnt in the homes and markets of Mexico with an added touch of gourmet ingenuity, and ranges from tamales, empanadas and tacos to daily ceviche specials and stuffed tortillas, accompanied by excellent margaritas and fine tequilas. Lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Food Type
- Tex-Mex
- Price
- 3
- Address
- 1445 Fourth Street, Santa Monica
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.bordergrill.com
Café Pinot
Overlooking the Maguire Gardens, Café Pinot is ideally located for a business lunch or pre-theater dinner (offering a free shuttle to the Music Center), with an outdoor terrace shaded by old olive trees. One of the city's most popular restaurants, it is modeled after the top-ranked flagship restaurant, Patina but is designed to be less formal, with lighter bistro-style meals. The tender mustard-crusted rotisserie chicken is superb, and there is also fresh fish, pastas and lamb shank to enjoy. Reservations essential. Lunch Monday to Friday, and dinner daily.
- Food Type
- French
- Price
- 3
- Address
- 700 West Fifth Street (Downtown)
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.patinagroup.com
Cicada
This luxurious restaurant is set in an Italian Romanesque-styled building, constructed in 1928, which still retains its Art Deco elegance and charm. Its tempting menu offers delicious Italian fare such as asparagus pizza with bresaola (air-dried, salted beef), or smoked chicken ravioli with asparagus. The ahi(yellow fin) tuna with avocado, piquillo peppers and wasabi caviare is also good. Reservations are essential, closed Tuesdays.
- Food Type
- Italian
- Price
- 3
- Address
- 617 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles
- City
- Los Angeles
- Website
- www.cicadarestaurant.com
