California Travel Guide

California, United States — Restaurants

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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

Aqua

Diners are wowed by the masterful seafood cookery and dazzling dish presentations served up at Aqua, all cooked with exquisite care. Dishes such as the shellfish soufflés and ahi tuna with foie gras are especially fine, and there is also a good-value five-course tasting menu available. Aqua is quietly elegant and is frequented by business clientele and a prestigious, gourmet crowd who like to dine in style for a special occasion. Reservations recommended. Dinner Monday to Saturday, and lunch Monday to Friday.

Price: 4
Address: 252 California Street (Financial District)
City: San Francisco
Website: aqua-sf.com

Gary Danko

Award-winning, top Californian chef Gary Danko has built up a culinary name for himself by combining classical French cuisine with Mediterranean and Californian cooking, incorporating major culinary traditions from around the world into his work. His fine dining restaurant is a very special experience, and not only for the exquisite food; the service is impeccable and the atmosphere quietly elegant with no hint of stuffiness. Perhaps the best way to experience Danko's ingenuity is by way of a fixed-price seasonal menu, which might include glazed oysters, guinea hen breast and chocolate soufflé. Reservations essential. Dinner nightly. Elegant dress attire requested.

Food Type: French
Price: 4
Address: 800 North Point at Hyde Street (Fisherman's Wharf)
City: San Francisco
Website: www.garydanko.com

One Market

Winner of several national and local awards, One Market features upscale American fare specializing in fresh meat and fish dishes. There are remarkable views of the waterfront and historic Market Street that can be enjoyed while dining on ahi tuna steak or the daily roast. For a unique dining experience, the restaurant also features a special 'Chef's Table' located inside the kitchen from where the group is guided through the exquisite tasting menu served by the chef himself. There is live jazz every evening. Closed Sundays. Dinner Monday to Saturday and lunch on weekdays only. Reservations essential.

Food Type: American
Price: 4
Address: 1 Market Street, Embarcadero
City: San Francisco
Website: www.onemarket.com

Boulevard

Located in the Art Nouveau Audiffred Building near the waterfront, the mosaic floor, central open kitchen and striking decor perfectly complement the artistic dishes created by culinary star Nancy Oakes. One of the city's best restaurants, Boulevard is always packed and is ideal for a special occasion. Specialties include wood-roasted dishes like the rack of lamb, pork loin, or a variety of fish. Reservations essential. Dinner daily; lunch on weekdays only.

Food Type: American
Price: 4
Address: 1 Mission Street, Embarcadero, SoMa
City: San Francisco
Website: www.boulevardrestaurant.com

Fifth Floor

With a palette of rich colors and luxurious furnishings, Fifth Floor became an instant classic after opening in 1999. The modern French cuisine produced by Laurent Gras remains original, visually creative and sophisticated. Incredible attention to detail is paid to dishes like the crab salad with a white truffle confit, the slow-baked rack of lamb, or the velvet chocolate mousse cake with a roasted banana sorbet. The wine list is prestigious and professionally served. Breakfast daily. Dinner Monday to Saturday. Reservations essential.

Food Type: French
Price: 4
Address: 12 Fourth Street, Hotel Palomar, SoMo
City: San Francisco
Website: www.hotelpalomar.com

The Slanted Door

Chef Charles Phan prepares real Vietnamese home cooking at The Slanted Door and his food is so flavorful and incredibly fresh that even the likes of Mick Jagger and Bill Clinton have sought it out. The establishment attempts to recreate the richness of Vietnamese street food with Western style service. The menu includes fresh spring rolls, green papaya salad, duck and grilled ahi tuna, as well as delicious desserts such as vanilla bean crème brûlée and a collection of Oriental teas. Its new location overlooking San Francisco Bay also has a to-go section of the restaurant. Lunch and dinner daily.

Price: 3
Address: 1 Ferry Building #3
City: San Francisco
Website: www.slanteddoor.com

Zuni Café

Dining at this much-loved rustic restaurant is a quintessential San Francisco experience. The eclectic Italian-Mediterranean fare includes the legendary brick-oven roasted chicken with a Tuscan-style bread salad, hamburger on grilled rosemary focaccia bread, and the classic Caesar salad. The bustling copper-topped bar serves drinks as well as the very freshest selection of oysters. It is a great place for a pre- or post-Opera House drink and is always crammed with an eclectic crowd. Reservations recommended. Closed Monday.

Price: 3
Address: 1658 Market Street, Civic Center, Hayes Valley
City: San Francisco

Greens

With high ceilings and enormous windows overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay, Greens boasts one of the most dramatic dining spaces in the city and offers outstanding, creative meatless dishes that have earned it a place as one of the top vegetarian restaurants in the country. Owned by the Zen Buddhist Center, dishes use the finest organic ingredients and the delicious meals attract non-vegetarians as well as vegetarians. Lunch Tuesday to Saturday and dinner Monday to Friday. There is a special fixed-price dinner on Saturdays. Brunch on Sundays.

Price: 3
Address: Building A, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard, Marina
City: San Francisco
Website: www.greensrestaurant.com

Delfina

Craig Stoll was one of Food and Wine'sBest New Chefs in 2001, and the ultra-fresh seasonal Italian cuisine, the reasonable prices and warm atmosphere have made Delfina one of the most popular restaurants in the city today, continuously abuzz with happy diners. Dishes on the daily-changing menu are kept simple but extraordinary and might include thick Tuscan soup, butternut panna cotta or roasted chicken. The handmade pastas, braised meats and fish dishes are all full of flavor. Reservations essential. Dinner daily.

Food Type: Italian
Price: 2
Address: 3621 18th Street (Mission District)
City: San Francisco
Website: www.delfinasf.com

Brandy Ho's

San Francisco's Chinatown district is world renowned for its restaurants. One of the top choices is Brandy Ho's, run by three brothers from Hong Kong and specializing in spicy Hunan (Southern China) cuisine. A typical meal would be spicy eggplant; calamari with black bean sauce, or chicken curry with garlic and hot sauce. Lunch and dinner daily.

Food Type: Chinese
Price: 2
Address: 217 Columbus Avenue, Chinatown
City: San Francisco
Website: www.brandyhoshunan.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

Dining in the Dark

Imagine eating a gourmet meal in total darkness, experiencing the food and your dining partners in a whole new way. That's the magic of Dining in the Dark, guaranteed to be one of the most interesting and enjoyable restaurant experiences of your life. The wait staff are all legally blind, but their service is impeccable, and highly skilled. They guide the dining guests to their tables, bring the food, orientate one to the table layout and cuisine, and generally serve as host and chaperone. The dishes, which guests select in the lighted lobby before being lead into the darkness, includes Ahi tuna tartar, beef tenderloin, and chocolate dessert cake. Expect to abandon your silverware around the main course when most diners report using their hands and loving every minute of it. At around $90 per person, it's not cheap but the overall experience is truly priceless.

Food Type: International
Price: 5
Style: Trendy
City: San Francisco
Website: www.darkdining.com

Historic John's Grill

This is perhaps the iconic San Francisco restaurant, filled with history and mystery, and famous since 1908 for its classic ambiance of wood panelled walls and dimly lit interior. Meat and fish are the specialties here, preferably grilled. The clam chowder is wonderful too, but the real stars of the show are the lamb chops and the steak, served with gratis vegetables, bread and sparkling water. This restaurant was featured in Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon, a much loved crime classic. The fact is celebrated everywhere from the etching on the glassware to the falcon statues for sale in the souvenir cabinet. Located just off Union Square.

Food Type: Steakhouse
Price: 4
Address: 3 Ellis Street
City: San Francisco