Factory Kitchen is an upscale Italian specialty restaurant nestled in Arts District, Downtown. This chic, urban eatery is set in a revamped industrial space. The interiors of this award-winning restaurant are adorned with a dim-lighting and cozy seating. Authentic Italian preparations such as the exquisite Mandilli di Seta (a muslin-thin handkerchief pasta with ligurian almond basil pesto) and the Agnolotti (egg pasta with veal, beef and herbs) lure scores of eager gastronomes here. A meal at the trendy Factory Kitchen, though on the steep side, is certain to be delicious, delightful and memorable.
One of East Hollywood’s best kept secrets, La Descarga is a sultry bar and lounge steeped in Cuban themes, cigars and spirits. Once through the discreet entrance and down the spiral staircase, you are propelled into a Havana club, complete with dapper bartenders slinging the best rum cocktails in town. There’s also a cigar area, where unhurried patrons lounge with Cuban cigars into the wee hours of the night. Be advised that the club gets crazy crowded on some nights, so if you're coming with a group on a busier evening, you might want to consider opting for bottle service.
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.
Continue your dreamy vacation at Downtown Disney with a visit to Catal. Fine Mediterranean cuisine served here has hints from France, Italy, Spain and Greece. Get into the groove with paella a la Valencia, duck leg confit and spinach tortellini. The bar serves innovative, themed drinks, tapas, sandwiches and salads. And if you feel like it, you can request a table outdoors. The management announces events seasonally.
Rusty's Rhythm Club offers weekly swing dances weekly at the Elk's Lodge in the Playa Del Rey suburb of Los Angeles. All ages welcome and a full bar, Rusty's dances take place each Wednesday and the first Friday of the month. Beginners can partake in a quick 30 minute dance lesson at the beginning of the session, while seasoned dancers can brush up on their skills. All dances feature live music by local swing bands.
If you're looking to join a spirited artsy crowd in a bustling and bantering wine-tasting, look no further. With reasonably priced and smartly grouped flights of three to five wines in generous pours, Silver Lake Wine hits the spot. Complementary bread-cheese-and-charcuterie baskets are passed around liberally. The warm wooden interior, washed in high-key lighting and lined with wines from every corner of the world, makes for a stimulating backdrop for the bohemian invasion taking place every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night. Come and engage in unabashed libations and get your fill of Silver Lake people-watching and snippets of the latest scenester gossip. But note, Silverlake Wine is a well-stocked and personable wine store in and of its own right, open daily, albeit it shines brightest for its congenial weekly wine socials.
Le Petit Paris is a quaint, romantic restaurant that will surely impress your date. The upscale decor, slow music and dim lights set the mood for a pleasant dining experience. Menu offerings include classic dishes like Caesar Salad, Seared Tuna and Lobster Linguini along with a number of house specialties like Le Petit Paris Signature Cheeseburger prepared with bacon and Lamb Shank cooked for 48 hours. Don’t forget to complement the flavorful meals with a glass of French wine for a more authentic experience. The prices may seem to be on the steeper side, but the quality of the food and the ambience are well worth the money spent.
Traxx, located inside Union Station, is one of Los Angeles' grandest architectural structures. The restaurant is done in an Art Deco style, complementing the station's merger of streamline modern and mission architecture. It is small and cozy, seating 100 people. There are tables outside by the concourse and a bar in the train station's old telephone room. The open kitchen serves a variety of American dishes, from crab cakes to lamb chops. Its desserts are also good, particularly the pies, which are delicious.
Spread the cheer with wine and bites at Mignon. The wine bar is a favorite hang out place for locals who like to finish their dinner here, sipping the drink at leisure and pecking on the range of charcuterie and tapas bites. The menu comprises of small morsels of cheese, meat and sandwiches along with platters of Market Vegetables, Okame Spinach and Fresh Market Fruit. The wine list also has a few gems. The quiet ambience offers a splendid place for a romantic date or a post-dinner nightcap. The venue has soft lights that create a dramatic appeal. Happy hours are from 6p to 8p from Monday to Saturday and upto midnight on Sunday.
High up on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower, 71Above is one of the most luxurious restaurants in town. This stunner with its chic circular dining and bar areas is enclosed by floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and offers unrivaled vistas of the skyline, ocean, mountains, and beyond. Besides getting wowed by the views and swank environs, you will also be charmed by the contemporary American fare on the menu. The delicacies include fresh caviar, crispy octopus, stuffed cabbage, and desserts like passion fruit curd and chocolate cremeux. Enjoy happy hours, a nightcap, or afternoon cocktails at the bar or the sky lounge with scenic landmarks at the backdrop.
Industrial chic with a greenhouse vibe makes Manuela an oasis in the heart of the city. Set in the courtyard of Hauser & Wirth, the brass elements, exposed bricks and rustic embellishments are an ode to its history. Hanging potted plants, an herb garden and artworks by artists like Paul McCarthy, give an alluring charm to this massive place. Celebrating the produce of Southern California, Manuela is proud to bring the seasonal flavors with the help of local and regional producers who are known for their sustainable practices. The menu changes daily but features game, vegetables and fish. The bar with its array of cocktails, curated wines and tap beers is a great place to unwind.
Located in the basement of what was once a bank in a 1924 Beaux Arts-style building, The Reserve is a trendy and elegant nightspot. This unique nightclub has an old-world ambiance with a hint of contemporary touches. Head down a beautiful stairway, walk across a glass panel filled with golden bars, and step through a huge metal bank vault to enter this lounge and club. While you stand under a sparkling chandelier or admire the old safe deposits lining the wall, you can enjoy a handcrafted cocktail or a gourmet snack while listening to live entertainment.