Since Lawry's The Prime Rib specializes in prime rib, come with a hearty appetite. Seat yourself in the elegant dining room complete with polished mahogany and art decorated walls. Choose from the different cuts of prime rib available. Go for the Diamond Jim Brady cut—all prime rib dinners are served with salad, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, fresh whipped cream, horseradish, and a choice of vegetable. Make sure you arrive in formals.
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.
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.
This meat lovers dream come true, Animal is a raved about American eatery in the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles. Utilizing every viable piece of the meat, celebrity chefs Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook collaborate to create scrumptious meals even a vegetarian might be tempted to eat! With an ever-rotating menu, dishes at Animal are always new and exciting. Not for the faint of heart, past dishes have included veal tongue and brains, chicken liver toast, marrow bone with chimichurri sauce and other oddities that are surprisingly delicious. A minimalist setting is an overstatement, this restaurant has stark white walls, dark stained weathered tables and a large skylight flooding the space with bright natural light.
Located next to the ocean, the Strand House offers breathtaking views along with its outstanding cuisine. The sleek modern decor creates an elegant dining space, though you should make sure you reserve a table by the window so you can enjoy the beach view. The menu features contemporary American dishes created using fresh local ingredients. Complement your meal with a glass of wine from their impressive California wine selection. The weekend brunch is especially scrumptious.
Open since 1919, this classic restaurant was long the bastion of Hollywood industry power dining. With the look and feel of a private Men's club, Musso & Frank Grill rose to fame in the Golden Years of Hollywood, when Irving Thalberg, Clark Gable and the Marx Brothers were among its most celebrated clients. Nowadays, it is still considered the home of the finest dry martini in town. The Filet Mignon is hard to beat and the service is perfect, with just a touch of attitude. If you are not in the mood for beef, try the succulent lobster and the rich, heavy desserts.
In an underground location on South San Pedro Street, Fu-Ga Izakaya & Bar is a treat for the foodies with a tapas menu consisting of Japanese fusion dishes. It is great for relishing some good varieties of sake and beer while gorging on Kushi Katsu, Seaweed Salad, Yakitori, Sauteed Shishito Peppers and Unagi and Chirimen Jyako Fried Rice. There is a separate happy hour menu that helps to quell the raging appetites. The Bento Boxes offer delightful combinations of salad, tempura, stew and oysters that can be packed and relished at leisure. The venue is dimly lit and perfect for a romantic dinner date. The staff and service are also appealing.
Owner and chef Josef Centeno brings his third venture to Los Angeles, after the successful runs of Bar Amá and Bäco Mercat. Nestled in LA's buzzing downtown area, this Asian fusion eatery is well-located on West 4th Street. It features daily-changing menus and an array of family-dining options in a wonderful atmosphere. Its elegantly decorated dining room accommodates 32 guests at a time. The Super-Omakase prix fixe menu comprises over 20 courses which can be savored through prior reservations. Wine pairings are available at nominal prices, which makes for a wonderful dining experience.
Chef Josef Centeno started Bar Amá to serve his take on Tex-Mex food, traditionally prepared by elders in his family. Creatively tweaking classic recipes, he has gained favorable mention in prestigious newspapers and magazines. The menu at Bar Amá offers appetizers such as Vegetable Escabeche and Salmorejo Salsa. The main course includes Chile Shrimp Ceviche with red onion, yam, lime and pomegranate, Roasted Sweet Potato with sea salt, butter and honey, Slow-Roasted Beef Belly and wood-grilled Chipotle Half Chicken. For dessert, do not miss the Chocolate Boca Negra with caramel, whipped cream and vanilla semifreddo, complemented by creative cocktails like the mezcal-infused Oaxacan Werewolf in Paris. And if you can't get enough of the tangy Tex-Mex food, have a look at the take-out menu to carry something for the road.
The main dishes are not all that is attractive about Noé; the place has a serene, elegant atmosphere, with a terracotta-stained floor, starched white linens, and Gustave Klimt paintings that lend it this distinction. Also, there is a lovely lounge ideal for a pre- or post-dinner drink, a charming patio, 100 varieties of wine on the wine list, and a perfectly hospitable staff, so you are sure to enjoy your meal.
Consistently regarded as one of the best restaurants in town, this flagship of Joachim Splichal's Pinot-based hot spots is located inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It will not disappoint you. It is a favorite of the executives at neighboring Paramount Studios, so chances are good for celebrity sightings. The seasonal roasted white asparagus is wonderful as is the poached Maine lobster with spring peas, young alliums and lemon thyme. Be sure to ask about the special dishes that change nightly. The wine list is outstanding, but if you choose to bring your own, there is a corkage fee.
Kendall's Brasserie and Bar offers classic brasserie cuisine as well as dishes that are contemporary. Savor the ocean specialties in the dynamic central bar. Try the Manila clams Provencal for starters and the Steak au Poivre for your main course. Guests attending music shows at the Disney Concert Hall can make reservations for dinner at least two hours in advance of the performance time. The sidewalk dining and semi-private spaces give the place its cool attitude. This is the best dining option for late night supper and special events.