Dining is LA is as exciting and varied as the rest of the city's
offerings. LA's restaurants cater to every cuisine and budget
imaginable, from 12-course feasts with celebrities on the side, to
delicious Mexican burritos from a sidewalk café. Apart from
the wonderful variety of ethnic food, there is a growing
fascination with organic and health foods and many eateries now
cater to this market. Another distinctive LA trend is eclectic and
experimental food making this city the proud progenitor of the Thai
Chicken Pizza.
Many top restaurants and their celebrity chefs are clustered on
the Westside, while the vintage restaurants are located downtown
and in Hollywood. With its year-round mild climate outdoor dining
is popular, helping to make power lunches the stuff of ritual among
locals.
Tips of 15 to 20% are expected; console yourself with the
thought that your generosity may be funding a future Oscar winning
script. Smoking is banned in all restaurants and transgressors may
be fined.
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
flavours and Californian cuisine. Chef Mark Peel has a reputation
for excellent grills and roasts, which are complemented by Nancy
Silverton's famous bread and pastries, and some of the best
desserts in Los Angeles. Saturday and Sunday brunch should not be
missed. Open for lunch weekdays and dinner Monday to Saturday.
Reservations essential.
Address: 624 South La Brea Avenue (Miracle Mile)
E-mail: info@campanilerestaurant.com
Telephone: (323) 938 1447
Spago |
$$$$$ | Modern Eclectic |
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck wows the rich and famous at his
flagship restaurant that boasts a reputation as one of the finest
in LA. Centred on an outdoor courtyard, the olive tree shaded
tables are the most desirable and the place for celebrity
sightings. Chefs recreate Puck's classic dishes, including his
renowned designer pizzas, and Spago classics such as Wolfgang's
Original Veal Weinerschnitzel. Creative desserts add a special
finish to any meal. Jacket and tie suggested, though not required.
Advance reservations essential. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to
Saturday.
Address: 176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills
Telephone: (310) 385 0880
Valentino |
$$$$$ | Italian |
According to
Wine Spectator Magazine this is one of the
top Italian restaurants in the country, boasting a wine cellar that
ranks as number one, and a fine complement to the exquisite modern
Italian cuisine. Piero Selvaggio has raked in numerous awards for
his flagship restaurant, and Chef Gamba wows with simple yet
ingenious meal creations attracting an elegant clientele seeking a
special occasion. Reservations essential. Closed Sunday. Dinner
daily and lunch on Fridays. Dress business casual.
Address: 3115 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica
E-mail: SpecialEvents@Valentinosm.com
Telephone: (310) 829 4313
Patina is the flagship restaurant of chef Joaquim Splichal,
whose nouvelle cuisine has long been a favourite with Hollywood
stars. The style is understated elegance with beautifully presented
food and superior service. The menu also features three five-course
exquisite seasonal tasting menus including wild game, seafood, and
garden dishes for vegetarians. Patina is justifiably famous for its
mashed potatoes and potato-truffle chips, and there is an
outstanding wine list. Reservations essential. Dinner daily and
lunch Monday to Friday.
Address: 141 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown
E-mail: patina@patinagroup.com
Telephone: (213) 972 3331
Matsuhisa |
$$$$$ | Japanese |
Japanese chef/owner Nobuyuki Matsuhisa creates fantastic dishes
by blending South American spices and salsas with Japanese cuisine,
presenting diners with one of the most creative menus in the city.
Tuna filled with black truffles and capped with caviar, or
sautéed squid in a garlic and soy sauce are examples of the
delicacies available in addition to creative sushi rolls with
garlic, fresh chilli and special sauces. Matsuhisa is popular with
celebrities and gourmets and reservations are essential. Open daily
for dinner and lunch during the week.
Address: 129 North La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills
Telephone: (310) 659 9639
Considered by many to be the best seafood house in LA, Water
Grill is always packed with downtown business folk who are joined
in the evening by concert- and theatre-goers. It is known
particularly for its fish and shellfish, and boasts a great oyster
bar, as well as a superb wine cellar to match. Simple desserts
include mascopone with figs and cherries. Reservations recommended.
Open for dinner daily and lunch on weekdays only.
Address: 544 South Grand Avenue, Downtown
E-mail: BMarie@kingsseafood.com
Telephone: (213) 891 0900
Chinois on Main |
$$$$$ | Chinese |
This is one of LA's most crowded restaurants and also one of the
noisiest, packed with locals, celebrities and visitors who come in
awe of Wolfgang Puck's reputation and leave enchanted by the food.
The style of cuisine is a mixture of different ethnicities,
particularly a fusion of Chinese and French ingredients and
technique. The menu includes signature dishes such as the Whole
Sizzling Catfish, dramatically presented, as well as seasonal
creations that include Shanghai lobster with a spicy ginger-curry
sauce or Mongolian lamb. Reservations essential. Dinner daily and
lunch Wednesday to Friday. Jacket and tie suggested.
Address: 2709 Main Street, Santa Monica
Telephone: (310) 392 9025
Border Grill |
$$$$$ | Tex-Mex |
Border Grill is a trendy, pleasantly raucous and brightly
painted place whose atmosphere perfectly complements the vibrant
flavours and bold colourful foods of Mexico as presented by
celebrity chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. The menu
features authentic dishes learnt in the homes and markets of Mexico
with an added touch of gourmet ingenuity, and ranges from tamales,
empanadas and tacos to daily ceviche specials and stuffed
tortillas, accompanied by excellent margaritas and fine tequilas.
Lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Address: 1445 Fourth Street, Santa Monica
E-mail: mail@bordergrill.com
Telephone: (310) 451 1655
Inspired by the colours of the Mediterranean sea, Granita's
marine décor features an abstract interpretation of water
that enhances the menu's inclination towards seafood and the
Mediterranean influence on the Californian-style cuisine. Besides
fish the menu always features inventive duck, poultry and meat
dishes, as well as gourmet pizzas. The fashionable bar is a place
to spot celebrities. Reservations essential. Lunch Monday to
Friday, dinner Tuesday to Sunday.
Address: 23725 West Malibu Road, Malibu Colony Plaza, Malibu
Telephone: (310) 456 0488
Café Pinot |
$$$$$ | French |
Situated adjacent to the Los Angeles Central Library and
overlooking the Maguire Gardens, Café Pinot is ideally
located for a business lunch or pre-theatre dinner (offering a free
shuttle to the Music Centre), with an outdoor terrace shaded by old
olive trees. One of the city's most popular restaurants, it is
modelled after the top-ranked flagship restaurant, Patina, also
owned by leading chefs Joachim and Splichal, but is designed to be
less formal with lighter bistro-style meals. The tender
mustard-crusted roast chicken is superb, and there is also fresh
fish, pastas and lamb shank. Reservations essential. Lunch Monday
to Friday, and dinner daily.
Address: 700 West Fifth Street (Downtown)
E-mail: cafepinot@patinagroup.com
Telephone: (213) 239 6500
