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Restaurants We have selected 25 restaurants, which we have divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments. A sales tax of 8% is always added to restaurant bills in LA. On top of this, a tip of 15% is recommended. An easy and convenient way to calculate the amount suitable for a tip is to double the amount of sales tax that has been added to the bill. Many restaurants, including some that are licensed and offer wine on the menu, allow customers to bring their own wine. However, a corkage fee will be added to the bill, either as a flat fee or as a fee charged per person partaking of the wine. This can range from about US$3 per person to a US$20 flat fee. All restaurants listed are open for dinner every night and lunch Monday to Friday, unless otherwise specified. The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they do not include sales tax or tip. Gastronomic Ago Pronounced ‘AHHgo’, this Tuscan-style restaurant attracts stars like a magnet. The stylish, modern decor is enriched by candlelight and handsome Italian waiters, who dash around efficiently on split levels that cause havoc with the acoustics. The bistecca and the porcini mushroom risotto are good entrées and the extensive dessert menu includes a delicious ricotta cheesecake. 8478 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood Tel: (323) 655 6333. Fax: (323) 655 6640. Price: US$41. Wine: US$25. Campanile A remarkable building, commissioned in 1926 by Charlie Chaplin, has been designed with new Mediterranean features that reflect the cuisine of former Spago chefs Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton. Graceful arches connect the elegant dining rooms and atrium courtyard to the central sky-lit room, offering views of the building’s sheet-metal tower above. The breads, with an extensive selection of olive oils, are good, as is their apple puff pastry with zabaglione. Main courses might include rosemary charred baby lamb, with warm potato salad and sprouted broccoli, spring onion and mustard butter, or seared spot prawns, served with agretti, ginger and lobster butter. Brunch only on Sunday. 624 South La Brea Avenue, Midtown Tel: (323) 938 1447. Fax: (323) 938 1447. E-mail: webmaster@campanilerestaurant.com Website: www.campanilerestaurant.com Price: US$65. Wine: US$42. Patina This is LA’s haven for gourmets who never let cost get in the way of fine food. Chef Joachim Spichal whips up Californian-French nouvelle cuisine, while wife/hostess Christine welcomes diners. Elegant espresso-leather decor is complemented by exquisite appetisers, like foie gras and sweetbread strudel with pancetta, peas and port wine jus. Entrées are just as good, such as the herb-crusted Alaskan halibut with roasted fingerling potatoes, leek fondue and red wine shallots. There are five-course fixed-price menus – either ‘Ocean’ (US$80), ‘Tasting’ (US$75) or ‘Garden’ (US$68) for vegetarians. The speciality dessert is a chocolate chop-banana soufflé with caramel ice cream. The wine list may be the best in LA. Lunch Friday only. 5955 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood Tel: (323) 467 1108. Fax: (323) 467 0215. E-mail: patina@patinagroup.com Website: www.patinagroup.com Price: US$65. Wine: US$30. Rockenwagner Within a Frank Gehry-designed building, chef Hans Rockenwagner and wife Patti serve innovative Euro-Asian/Californian nouvelle cuisine, like pomegranate-glazed Muscovy duck breast. A particular favourite is the starter of crab soufflé with sliced mango and lobster butter but the menu changes weekly. The modern decor is enhanced by dim lighting and flowers on the tables; outdoor seating is also available. Open for dinner nightly, as well as brunch on Sundays. Edgemar Complex, 2435 Main Street, Santa Monica Tel: (310) 399 6504. Fax: (310) 399 7984. E-mail: info@rockenwagner.com Website: www.rockenwagner.com Price: US$55 (tasting menu from US$58 per person). Wine: US$30. Spago Chef Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant is for the rich and famous. Grandiose entrance doors set the stage for the over-the-top interior decor, with its stained-glass and art by the likes of David Hockney. The centrepiece patio, with olive trees and fountain, is home to the most coveted tables. Puck is particularly renowned for his pizzas, with light, buttery crusts and much mozzarella. The Louisiana spicy shrimp pizza is superb, as are the imaginative desserts, such as Adriatic fig and ginger tart with boysenberries. The 22-page wine list satisfies all tastes. Lunch Monday to Saturday. 176 North Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills Tel: (310) 385 0880. Fax: (310) 385 9690. Website: www.wolfgangpuck.com Price: US$55. Wine: US$20. Business Ca’Brea Pronounced ‘ka-brea’, this woody restaurant with high ceilings is known for Italian food that looks as good as it tastes. The appetisers, bread, risottos and pasta dishes, such as rigatoni with braised aubergine, mozzarella and tomatoes, are particularly recommended. Popular with young lawyers and film industry people, reservations are essential for the best spots, as tables are close together and dinner gets very crowded. Closed Sunday. 346 South La Brea Avenue, Midtown Tel: (323) 938 2863. Fax: (323) 938 8659. Price: US$34. Wine: US$20. Café des Artistes This country-style cottage in the heart of Hollywood, run by Mimosa owner-chef Jean-Pierre Bosc, is one of the city’s hottest spots. Mimosa’s chef, The simple French food is cooked to perfection and ranges from starters like Merguez sausages in cumin dip, through salads and sandwiches, bistro standards like moules-frites or steak-frites, to full main courses, such as a braised lamb shank Provençale. While the restaurant’s hardwood interior is cosy, the charming garden setting of the front and back patios is the most sought-after. 1534 North McCadden Place, Hollywood Tel: (323) 469 7300. Fax: (323) 469 7375. Website: www.mimosarestaurant.com/cafedesartistes Price: US$40. Wine: US$20. Chaya Brasserie This lively restaurant’s Mediterranean-meets-Asian-Pacific-New-Wave cuisine, prepared by a Japanese chef, has been luring Los Angelenos for years, with its elegant decor, food and staff. Recommended dishes include the lobster ravioli with a pesto cream sauce or the venison with black peppercorns, chestnut purée and champignons. The bar menu, which includes sushi, is cheaper during happy hour (1700-2000) here and in the Venice Beach branch, where the service and decor pale somewhat in comparison. 8741 Alden Drive, West Hollywood/Melrose Tel: (310) 859 8833. Fax: (310) 859 9481. Website: www.thechaya.com Price: US$45. Wine: US$22. Chaya Venice, 110 Navy Street, Venice Tel: (310) 396 1179. Maple Drive This classy restaurant, tucked away in a subdued side street, offers American Dream comfort food to film and record executives in plush, high-backed booths. Tender meatloaf with succulent roast potatoes or chilli con carne served with cornbread, followed by warm gingerbread or apple tart, can be savoured by the fireplace or on the open-air terrace, which often has live jazz. Closed Sunday. 345 North Maple Drive, Beverly Hills Tel: (310) 274 9800. Fax: (310) 274 2782. E-mail: info@mapledriverestaurant.com Website: www.mapledriverestaurant.com Price: US$50. Wine: US$22. Mimosa This smaller, more authentic version of Café des Artistes, run by owner-chef Jean-Pierre Bosc, offers similar French culinary treasures in an intimate room lined with family pictures and handcrafted pottery. Bread baskets and jam jars of pickles and black olives adorn the tables. The veal Daube Provençale with chick pea fritters or the cassoulet are superb. The exceptional wines are described impeccably by amiable waitresses. Closed Sunday. 8009 Beverly Boulevard, Midtown Tel: (323) 655 8895. Fax: (323) 655 9178. Website: www.mimosarestaurant.com Price: US$40. Wine: US$20. Trendy The Border Grill The vibrant decor – inspired by traditional Central and South American mural art – of this Mexican restaurant, attracts a young trendy crowd. The party-like atmosphere is further amplified by the consumption of margaritas and top-class tequilas. The green corn tamales topped with sour cream and salsa fresca are excellent, as are the pork chops in citrus adobo marinade served with mashed boniato potatoes, glazed carrots and ancho chilli sauce. For dessert, the chocolate cake with Mexican crema or the flans are very good. Closed Monday lunch. 1455 Fourth Street, Santa Monica Tel: (310) 393 4211. E-mail: mail@bordergrill.com Website: www.bordergrill.com Price: US$35. Wine: US$17. Electric Lotus This Indian restaurant’s industrial entrance belies its hot-coloured, Bollywood interior. Techno sitar music accompanies a choice of 80 dishes, including a rich chicken tikka masala, spicy shrimp vindaloo cooled with ginger and lemon, and vegetarian specialities like bertha (stewed aubergine with garlic and ginger). The kabuli naan, with coconut and maraschino cherries, is an adventure. Another branch for vegans, substituting olive oil for ghee and tofu for cheese, opened in central LA. 4656 Franklin Avenue, Los Feliz Tel: (323) 953 0040. E-mail: info@electriclotus.com Website: www.electriclotus.com Price: US$30. Wine: US$20. Branch: 8222 West Third Street, Midtown Tel: (323) 653 2121. Hugo’s This Italian coffee shop is where celebrities go for breakfast. The huge menu includes substantial, healthy dishes like pumpkin pancakes, tofu scramble, vegetarian Canadian bacon and inspiring freshly squeezed juices and exotic teas. The friendly staff create a comfortable environment but the room’s acoustics cause noise levels to soar when only a few tables are full, so intimate conversations are out (although those busy star-spotting probably won’t care). On weekends, there are queues. Open 0730-1530 weekdays and 0730-1600 weekends. No dinner. There is another branch in Studio City with longer opening hours. 8401 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood Tel: (323) 654 3993. Fax: (323) 654 4089. Price: US$45. Wine: US$19. Branch: 12851 Riverside Drive, Studio City Tel: (818) 761 8985. The Little Door Celebrities crowd through this restaurant’s little wooden door and into another world of North African cuisine and ambience. The garden patio has romantic vines, flowers and fountains lit-up by candles and fairy lights. Its popularity with the LA set – heightened by being one of the only places in town where diners can smoke – can mean slow service. Sumptuous couscous dishes precede great desserts. No lunch. 8164 West Third Street, Midtown Tel: (323) 951 1210. Fax: (323) 659 9014. Price: US$55. Wine: US$22. Locanda Veneta Movie stars flock to this lively Italian restaurant, consistently ranked one of the best in town. Tender calamari or fried whitebait can be followed by homemade pastas, such as lobster ravioli with creamy saffron sauce. Generous portions leave little room for the rich desserts, such as chocolate crema with raspberries. The menu changes weekly. Closed Sunday. 8638 West Third Street, Midtown Tel: (310) 274 1893. Fax: (310) 274 4217. Website: www.locandaveneta.com Price: US$45. Wine: US$20. Budget Crocodile Café Families and large groups love this fun fast-food chain. Large portions of Southwest American food, such as oakwood-grilled salmon in guajillo sauce and spicy buffalo wings, are served by the friendly staff in a casual, bright environment. Kids love the burgers with happy face French fries and huge glasses of lemonade. There are other branches in Santa Monica and Pasadena. 203 North San Fernando Boulevard, Burbank Tel: (818) 843 7999. Fax: (818) 843 7137. E-mail: burbank@crocodilecafe.com Website: www.crocodilecafe.com Price: US$18. Wine: US$17. Branches: 101 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica Tel: (310) 394 4783. Fax: (310) 395 4743. Suite 101, 88 West Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena Tel: (626) 568 9310. Fax: (626) 568 9573. El Cholo In 1923, El Cholo was the first Mexican restaurant in LA; today, this chain is excellent value for money for families and large groups. The walls, decorated with colourful Mexican trinkets, add to the lively atmosphere. Specialities include blue corn chicken enchiladas and green corn tamales (available May-October only). The flan is also excellent and the margaritas reliably good. There are also branches in Santa Monica and at Los Angeles airport. 1121 South Western Avenue, Midtown Tel: (323) 734 2773. Fax: (562) 690 9871. Website: www.elcholo.com Price: US$20. Wine: US$18. Branches: 1025 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica Tel: (310) 899 1106. Terminal 5, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Tel: (310) 417 1910. Mishima This bright, spacious, modern noodle restaurant offers cheap and delicious Japanese food to a smart Asian clientele and discerning Westerners. Recommendations include fresh swordfish, sweet potato purée, marinated seaweed, seared tuna salad with wasabe dressing or nabeyaki udon soup with spinach, mushrooms, shrimp, chicken, egg and fishcake. There are branches in West LA, Studio City and Torrance. 8474 West Third Street, West Hollywood/Melrose Tel: (323) 782 0181. Website: www.mishima.com/restaurants.html Price: US$20. Wine: US$18. Branches: Suite 106A, 11819 Wilshire Boulevard, West LA Tel: (310) 966 1062. Suite 112, 12265 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City Tel: (818) 506 8847. Suite G, 21605 South Western Avenue, Torrance Tel: (310) 320 2089. Newsroom Café Vegans and the health-conscious will embrace this large bohemian café, complete with designer wall lighting and outdoor patio, which offers veggie burgers, salads and fresh fruit smoothies. Vegetarians who love desserts will be especially at home, as the ‘fat-free’ desserts include a marble cake, an apple cake and fresh fruit cornbread cobbler with vanilla ice cream – indulge without guilt. There is another branch in Santa Monica. No credit cards. 120 North Robertson Boulevard, West Hollywood/Melrose Tel: (310) 652 4444. Price: US$18. Wine: US$18. Branch: 530 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica Tel: (310) 319 9100. Out Take Café This small modern yet cosy café – full of aspiring actors and musicians – offers a simple, healthy menu of staples, such as Caesar salad and pasta dishes. The homemade borscht, served hot or cold, is an original Armenian recipe from the owner’s mother. The staff are friendly and the prices reasonable. Valet parking is not available. 12159 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City Tel: (818) 760 1111. Fax: (818) 760 3518. Website: www.outtakecafe.com Price: US$22. Wine: US$18. Personal Recommendations Capri The minimalist white decor, with Bauhaus-style chairs and black leather booths, is accentuated by romantic candle chandeliers, elegant fairy lights and attentive service. The pumpkin ravioli with sage and pine nuts justifies its fame but the appetisers, such as the warm herbed goat’s cheese with greens, are noteworthy, as is the tarte tatin. 1616 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice Tel: (310) 392 8777. Price: US$35. Wine: US$18. Joe’s Restaurant This crisp, stylish restaurant is renowned for reliable yet imaginative food. Breads come with a superb olive tapenade. Dishes like Israeli couscous risotto or chicken, spinach and ricotta ravioli are fantastic and so are simple starters like tomato basil soup. The lunch menu offers a good deal for two courses. The use of mobile phones is forbidden. 1023 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice Tel: (310) 829 7539. Fax: (310) 399 5811. Price: US$40. Wine: US$25. Lula This Mexican cantina is named after chef Lula Bertran – culinary guru to the restaurant’s well-known Irish owner Gerri Gilliland, who also owns Santa Monica restaurant-bar Jake & Annie’s. An oasis on Santa Monica’s main street, the bright decor and garden patio are the backdrop for top-notch margaritas and regional specialities like lobster taquitos. The flan and chocolate espresso brownie in homemade whipped cream are musts for dessert. 2720 Main Street, Santa Monica Tel: (310) 392 5711. Fax: (310) 392 3391. Website: www.gerrigilliland.com Price: US$25. Wine: US$18. Typhoon For those who love adventure, this modern Pacific Rim restaurant is a must. Not only is its location – above a runway at Santa Monica airport with neon-lit night views – precarious, but its menu will terrify the timid. Starting out tamely enough with items like coconut soup, pork spare ribs and roasted aubergine, it cuts to the chase with scorpions on shrimp toast, Chambai ants and white sea worms. Yes, the real thing – and they are delicious! There are also less unusual spicy fish and meat dishes. 3221 Donald Douglas Loop South (between Centinela Avenue and 23rd Street), Santa Monica Tel: (310) 390 6565. Fax: (310) 390 8032. E-mail: typhoon@typhoon-restaurant.com Website: www.typhoon-restaurant.com Price: US$40. Wine: US$17. Woo Lae Oak This traditional Korean barbecue in Koreatown offers one of LA’s best ethnic cuisines in an authentic atmosphere. Marinated meats and exotic vegetables are grilled at each table, while the Korean waitresses, in 1950s-style pink uniforms with white aprons, help with the barbecuing and explain the menu (English menus can be requested). Meals come with a choice of one of 30 kim-chis – Korean spicy pickled cabbage – and soup. The Beverly Hills branch caters to an American business crowd with more upmarket ambience and suited waiters. 623 South Western Avenue, Koreatown, Midtown Tel: (213) 384 2244. Fax: (213) 384 8349. Price: US$35. Wine: US$20. Branch: 170 North La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills Tel: (310) 652 4187. |
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