A chain of restaurants started by Kazunori Nozawa, Sugarfish is renowned for serving delightful Japanese cuisine. Sugarfish offers a modern take on sushi bowls and rolls, you can take your pick from a delightful variety made from tuna, halibut, yellowtail, salmon, scallops, unagi (eel), albacore, snapper and more. A must-try is the house special, Nozawa-style Shrimp. This restaurant also offers omakase-style dining, where you have to rely on your chef to serve you the best multi-course dishes. Reservations are not accepted at Sugarfish Downtown LA; make sure to reach there well in advance to procure a seat.
This celebrity hangout has been visited by beautiful people for years and shows no signs of slowing down. If you don't have a reservation or a studio deal, however, don't even try it. The decor is simple and focuses your attention on the crowd and the menu, which are both out of this world. The crab cakes are a favorite, and the fried chicken is also excellent. If you can afford it, The Ivy is a great place to hobnob with the movers and shakers. If not, you can always order a drink at the bar. Be sure to make a reservation.
Located on the Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Cecconi's replaced the Morton's restaurant in February 2009. With an array of options ranging from All Day, Breakfast, Brunch and Dolci, the menus depict classic Italian flavors. Salads, pastas, carpaccio, pizzas and tempting sides make up the All Day menu. Breakfast and Brunch menus feature a huge variety of delicious and classic dishes which is served with a complimentary pot of coffee during the breakfast hour. Dolci will give your meal the sweetest ending. Check website for menus.
Wolfgang Puck's Beverly Hills institution is the place to be. Like all of the celebrity chef's ventures, the atmosphere at Spago Beverly Hills emphasizes that delicious food can be fun. The luxurious and intimate setting at this restaurant makes it perfect for an intimate meal and especially for special occasions. The wine and cocktail lists are comprehensive and provide the perfect accompaniments to your rich food.
E. Baldi opened in 2006, and has minimalist decor with a large window that overlooks Canon Drive. This is a popular place among the rich and famous- be sure to bring your blasé attitude and deep pockets. The menu boasts of Tuscan delicacies like carpaccio misto di mare, veal roast with rosemary and sage, and gnocchi with lobster. The budino pandoro, a warm bread pudding, that is served is a traditional Italian way to please the sweet tooth.
Popular with the entertainment industry and general public since opening in 1956, this restaurant offers casual elegance. Diners slide into comfortable red booths with crisp white linen. Caricatures and drawings of Hollywood figures line the walls. A place for all ages, the owners like to tell you that they are welcoming their third generation of customers. Though there is not a separate children's menu, kids are welcome anytime. The Veal Piccata, Whitefish and the legendary Chopped Salad are excellent choices. Valet parking is available.
Celebrated chef David Myers offers a harmonious blend of Californian cuisine and Japanese sensibilities at Hinoki & The Bird. The indoor space is beautiful and spacious, emanating calmness and sophistication through its muted colors, candle-lit tables, and soothing lighting choices. A glass wall separates the main dining room from the intimate patio, with its beautiful wooden trellis and great use of natural elements. Start off with the raw bar choices or perhaps the selection of fun bites' that include crispy marinated chicken and fried oysters. Main courses include Drunken Duck Breast, Hinoki-scented cod, and Jidori Chicken. The wine list more than matches up to the food, and diners can also enjoy well-mixed cocktails at the bar. The beautiful space is available for private events as well.
Located inside the Beverly Hills Hotel, this long-time favorite of the 90210 crowd (the city, not the show) is a great place to people watch. Celebrities and other well-heeled people hang out here and enjoy its rich atmosphere. The room inside is lovely and tasteful, and the outside patio is tree lined and great for smokers who can't do without their fix. Not for the T-shirt set - gentlemen are required to wear jackets.