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.
Bottega Louie brings European panache to the streets of LA with a delicious contemporary Italian menu. Opt for the Farmers Market Breakfast at their weekend brunch, a platter of poached eggs, vegetables and parmesan, or relish small plates of raspberry beignets or portobello fries. Complement your meal with something from their extensive beverage list; flavored soda, beer, juices, lattes or heady cocktails to name a few. The sprawling high-beamed space is decorated with crisp white walls and marble counter tops for a classy, East Coast feel, and exudes an understated elegance. Head to the deli for food to go, as well as inspiration to experiment in your own kitchen.
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 in the heart of Los Angeles' Palms locale, N/Naka serves Japanese cuisine in a chic and stylish environment. Taking the cuisine to another level with fine dining pre-set courses, the restaurant has become one of the most coveted places to eat in town. The venue functions on the basis of reservations, wherein booking must be arranged well in advance, after which the price of the pre-set dinner is pre-charged to the credit card. The chef prepares an exquisite menu based on the indications of the diners, communicated beforehand. The meal is then ready and waiting for the guests. Highly priced, the venue is slowly making waves as a gourmet's delight and has succeeded in grabbing the attention of the city's dwellers.
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.
Do not even drive by without confirmed reservations, this is the most popular Japanese eatery in town. It is considered by many to be the best sushi place in the US, and the best restaurant in the greater city of Los Angeles. Everything is fresh, delicious and very expensive, after all it is the workmanship of Nobu Matsuhisa. Rub elbows with the rich and famous, but leave your autograph book at home.
With innovative offerings like crispy tamarind glazed pork belly and chicken tikka poutine, this downtown gastropub will change the way you look at Indian food. Soaring ceilings and a wall covered in colorful horizontal stripes greets patrons in the dining room. Contemporary light fixtures punctuate the entire space. Kitschy Bollywood posters adorning the walls complete the decor; a refreshing change from the done-to-death exotic themes prevalent in most Indian restaurants. The menu offers a mix of traditional and quirky creations. Street food favorites like papri chaat and samosas start off the proceedings. Traditional favorites include the butter chicken, smoked eggplant mash and chicken tikka masala. The spiced lamb burger has received accolades and should not me missed. The drinks list offers a choice of wines, beers as well as Indian cola imports like ThumsUp and Limca.
The dishes and soups at Sticky Rice are as colorful as the streetscape of Thailand. This eatery inside the trendy, popular Grand Central Market serves its food in clean white cutlery with delicate garnish and a plethora of visual appeal. Guests can start their meal with appetizers such as Papaya Salad, Northern Thai Sausage and Chicken Coconut Soup. The main course includes Vegetable Green Curry, a blend of mushrooms, asparagus and bamboo shoots, BBQ Chicken, Coconut Rice and Curry Broth. For dessert, do not miss the Mango Sticky Rice, a bowl filled with a lump of rice soaked in coconut milk sauce, served with a leaf and mango slices.
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.
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.
Vespaio in Downtown Los Angeles impresses with its stately seafarer-inspired theme and Italian fine dine menu. With its all-day dining theme and a weekend brunch thrown in, this elegant restaurant attracts crowds from morning until evening. Chef and restaurateur Ago Sciandri presents a skilfully weaved menu with Seared Carpaccio, Homemade Potato Topini Pasta and other bread, pastry and charcuterie options. This breezy restaurant extends on to a lovely patio that borders the nearby Grand Park, and is also located in close proximity to the Broad Museum, making it the perfect option for a pre-theater dinner.
Looking for an elite, one of a kind, bar? Look no further than Le Néant on South Spring Street. Open only for four hours during the week, you will be served special cocktails with secret ingredients by the bar director himself! The decor looks like something straight out of an early 20th century film set with plush sofas, wooden ceiling and flooring, statues of bronze angels and other knick-knacks. It is a luxurious experience that is really sought after, with the bookings going on months in advance, so make sure you book your appointment right away.