World City Guide

Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been 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 8.5% 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. 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$70. Wine: US$35.

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 excellent, 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 Saturday and Sunday, closed Sunday evening.

624 South La Brea Avenue, Midtown
Tel: (323) 938 1447. Fax: (323) 938 5840.
E-mail: webmaster@campanilerestaurant.com
Website: www.campanilerestaurant.com
Price: US$65. Wine: US$27.

Noe
With Chef Robert Gadsby, the Noe at the Omni is a participant in the newest trend - having celebrated chefs in its upscale hotel restaurants. Gadsby’s innovative cuisine includes delicious signature dishes like Mimosa Salad with chicken and minted mango frappe, and diver scallops with peppered pineapple. The elegant, dimly lit dining room, with live piano sounds of great oldies, is the perfect place for a romantic evening.

The Omni Los Angeles Hotel, 251 South Olive Street
Tel: (213) 356 4100.
Website: www.omnihotels.com/hotels/special/la/noe.asp
Price: US$46; tasting menus US$65 and US$95. Wine: US$24.

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 wild mushroom cappuccino. Entrées, such as the herb-crusted Alaskan halibut with roasted fingerling potatoes, leek fondue and red wine shallots, are just as good. There are fixed-price menus well worth trying too, including one for vegetarians. The speciality dessert is a chocolate chop-banana soufflé with caramel ice cream. The cheese list and wine offerings may be the best in LA. Lunch Friday only.

141 South Grand Avenue, Downtown
Tel: (213) 972 3331. Fax: (213) 972 3531.
E-mail: patina@patinagroup.com
Website: www.patinagroup.com
Price: US$65; fixed price menus vary from US$49 to US$125. Wine: US$30.

Rockenwagner
Within a Frank Gehry-designed building, chef Hans Rockenwagner and wife Patti create German/Californian nouvelle cuisine. Though the menu often changes, popular standbys like diver scallops with pumpkin risotto, veal goulash with spätzle and the Original Röckenwagner pretzel burger stay. The modern decor is enhanced by beamed ceilings, wood, dim lighting and flowers on the tables; outdoor seating is also available. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

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$43; tasting menu from US$65 per person. Wine: US$18.

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 etched and stained-glass plus 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 34-page wine list satisfies all tastes. Dinner nightly, lunch Monday to Saturday.

176 North Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills
Tel: (310) 385 0880. Fax: (310) 385 9690.
Website: www.wolfgangpuck.com
Price: US$70. Wine: US$23.

Business

Ca’Brea
Pronounced ‘ka-brea’, this woody restaurant with high ceilings and two tiers 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, the dinner gets very crowded so reservations are essential for the best spots.

346 South La Brea Avenue, Midtown
Tel: (323) 938 2863. Fax: (323) 938 8659.
Website: www.cabrearestaurant.com
Price: US$34. Wine: US$22.

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. 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.cafedesartistes.info
Price: US$40. Wine: US$26.

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 4991.
Website: www.thechaya.com
Price: US$45. Wine: US$22.

Chaya Venice, 110 Navy Street, Venice
Tel: (310) 396 1179.

Maple Drive
Tucked away on a subdued side street, this classy restaurant, with its plush, high-backed booths and varied menu, is a film and record executive favourite. Alsatian tarte flambée, Chesapeake Bay blue crabs or pan-fried veal Milanese 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$65. Wine: US$32.

Trendy

The Border Grill
The vibrant décor (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) 451 1655. Fax: (310) 394 2049.
E-mail: mail@bordergrill.com
Website: www.bordergrill.com
Price: US$35. Wine: US$17.

Cinch
Using seasonal local produce, exotic spices and ingredients, chef Chris Behre creates French-Japanese cuisine in the form of sushi rolls and salads as well as pastas, seafood and meat. Sugar snaps with a broccoli and Shamiji mushroom tempura complement succulent Ahi tuna and desserts like Chocolate Purist (chocolate ice cream with cocoa cake and chocolate ganache) are mouthwatering. The sunken dining room is chic, lined with leather banquettes and flanked by two elevated areas that are accented with burl wood and white quartzite rock.

1519 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica
Tel: (310) 395 4139. Fax: (395) 0103.
Website: www.CinchRestaurant.com
Price: US$40, five-course tasting menu which changes weekly is US$55. Wine: US$25.

The Little Door
Celebrities and hipsters crowd through this restaurant’s little wooden door and into another world of French Mediterranean cuisine and ambience. Smoking and non-smoking garden patios have romantic vines, flowers and fountains lit-up by candles and fairy lights. Its popularity with the LA set (heightened by the fact that this is 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) 951 0487.
Website: www.thelittledoor.com
Price: US$60. 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, like scomponi (grilled prawns and canniellini) leave little room for the rich desserts, but you might want to squeeze in a little vanilla custard with caramel sauce. 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$28.

Sai Sai Japanese Restaurant
You will find lots of Asian diners at Sai Sai. That’s a good sign. Peruvian chef Ricardo Zarate adds a Latin American touch to the menu with offerings like pan fried oysters with Japanese green peppers and tomato yuzu salsa. Other interesting dishes include tiradito de salmon (sliced salmon with sesame oil and garlic ponzu dressing) and Gindara Saikyo Yaki (Canadian black cod baked in Japanese wood paper). The white and black décor with blue and wood accents is inviting and the service is excellent.

501 South Olive (Millennium Biltmore Hotel), Los Angeles
Tel: (213) 624 1100. Fax: (213) 624 7445.
Price: US$43. Wine: US$18

Budget

El Cholo
In 1923, El Cholo was the first Mexican restaurant in LA; today, this chain is an excellent value option 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: (323) 734 7565.
Website: www.elcholo.com
Price: US$20. Wine: US$22.

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 Studio City and Torrance.

8474 West Third Street, West Hollywood/Melrose
Tel: (323) 782 0181. Fax: (323) 782 1379.
Website: www.mishima.com/restaurants.html
Price: US$20. Wine: US$18.

Branches:
8474 West Third Street, Studio City
Tel: (323) 782 0181.

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. Weight watchers 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.

120 North Robertson Boulevard, West Hollywood/Melrose
Tel: (310) 652 4444. Fax: (310) 458 5513.
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 is friendly and the prices are reasonable. Free parking available.

12159 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City
Tel: (818) 760 1111. Fax: (818) 760 3518.
Price: US$22. Wine: US$20.

Personal Recommendations

Capri
The minimalist white decor, with Bauhaus-style chairs and black leather booths, is accentuated by romantic candle chandeliers, elegant twinkling lights, a varied wine list and attentive service. This will appeal to everyone. 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.
Email: caprivenice@mindspring.com
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) 399 5811. Fax: (310) 392 8624.
Website: www.joesrestaurant.com
Price: US$50. Wine: US$34.

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$33. Wine: US$22.

The Palm
Steaks and giant lobsters are the draw here at this favourite celebrity hangout. Cartoons on the walls, Palm signature décor, date back to the 1920s and the original Palm restaurant on Second Avenue in New York; cartoonists from King Features decorated the walls for food. Portions are large, but be sure to save room for the creamed spinach in garlic oil and the New York cheesecake. Service is excellent.

9001 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood
Tel: (310) 550 8811.
Website: www.thepalm.com
Price: US$50. Wine: US$28.

1100 South Flower Street, Los Angeles
Tel: (213) 763 4600.

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 stir-fried crickets, 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.biz
Website: www.typhoon.biz
Price: US$35. Wine: US$20.

Woo Lae Oak
This traditional Korean barbecue offers one of LA’s best ethnic cuisines in an authentic atmosphere. Marinated meats and exotic vegetables are grilled at each table. 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.

170 North La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills
Tel: (310) 652 4187. Fax: (310) 652 1679.
Price: US$40. Wine: US$20.