BLT STEAK
8720 Sunset Blvd - West Hollywood
All you bacon, lettuce and tomato lovers hold back your joy as BLT stands for
Bistro Laurent Tourdel and not the delicious sandwich. It a New York offspring steakhouse done with french elaborations. It's
a hip and happening place, so making reservations is highly suggested (310-360-1950)
FATHERS OFFICE 2
3229 Helms Ave - Culver City
Long awaited by the anticipating westside crowd, the second location of Fathers
Office is now open. Known to serve the best burgers west of the Mississippi River, you can enjoy those now in a second, more
spacious location. Fathers Office 2 is still more a bar than restaurant. You will have to order from your bartender and as
in the original location, there are no substitutions or modifications accepted to there burger menu. But why would you want
to change something that is already perfect? Beer lovers will be happy to enjoy 72 labels on tab
BESO
6350 Hollywood Blvd - Hollywood
Celeb owned restaurants usually are overhyped and soon forgotten. What this
restaurant, owned by Eva Longoria, stand apart from the others is that celeb chef Todd English is running the kitchen
Expect updated mexican dishes with an upscale twist. The barscene
is very lively aswell, so you could stay late for some drinks after your meal
FOXTAIL
9077 Santa Monica Blvd - West Hollywood
A new restaurant(and bar) from
the SBE Group that also created Hyde and Area. To gain entry here will not be that "exclusive" as it is more of a tri-level
restaurant, so dinner reservations should do the trick(310-859-8369). To write about the food is pretty much besides
the point as you only go for dinner here to be able to stay afterwards for the happening cocktail
scene and celeb watching
CRAFT
10100 Constellation - Century City
We all know Mr.Colicchio being the head judge on bravo tv's "Top Chef", so he
should know something about good food, right? RIGHT! His restaurant is the ultimate power lunch spot. CAA Agents, check! William
Morris Clients, Check! Some celebs,Check! They all come to this spacious(200 seat)restaurant for some serious food(this
is BIG food, large portions are the norm)Pork Belly, Confit Duck, Lamb and the New York Strip are all outstanding. When it
is warm outside, request a seat on the patio which is overlooking a smal park. Very Nice. For reservations call 310-279-4180
ONE SUNSET
8730 Sunset Strip - West Hollywood
Gone is the old Barfly, welcome the new One Sunset! Right smack in the midlle
of Sunset Plaza, this maroccan/japanese themed restaurant serves mostly american comfort food. I know it makes no sense, but
what really does in Los Angeles,lol. The crowd is hip and not to sophisticated when it comes to food as i think they liked
the mostly average dishes when i was there. Cheesburgers, Surf n' Turf Tacos, Margherita Pizzetta...you get the point. It
was all kinda "blah". But the crowd is sexy, the drinks are good, so maybe just check it out for the scene, have some appetizers,
drinks and move on to the next hot spot
THE PENTHOUSE @ HUNTLEY HOTEL
1111 2nd Street - Santa Monica
This 18th story restaurant sure came a long way from it's old Toppers Happy
Hour Bar days. It is a super fine and pricy dining establishment now after a huge make over.
Going up the outdoor glass elevator, you are exposed to incredible views of
the Santa Monica Bay, inside the restaurant has a all white decor with glass chandeliers and sheer curtains. The food
is high quality, especially the salmon filet and New York strip loin. Bring your dollars. To reserve one of the cabana tables,
there will be a $600 minimum charge(Reservations: 310-393-8080)
ELEVEN
8811 Santa Monica Blvd - West Hollywood
Already a prime destination for high end dining and late night entertainment,
Eleven is a stunning looking establishment. It is housed inside a historic 1922 Bankbuilding, that turned into a recordingstudio
were Prince recorded his famous hit "Purple Rain"
The kitchen is run by chef Vincent Manna(L'Orangerie/Spago) and mostly
specializes in American cuisine, laces with Italian, Caribbean and Asian influences.
The name ELEVEN is representing the concept that after dining, around 11pm,
the restaurant transforms into an elegant and stylish nightclub.(www.eleven.la)
THE VILLAGE IDIOT
7383 Melrose Ave - Hollywoo
This is my kinda place! Neighborhood diners and Melrose hipsters alike mix and
mingle at this new restaurant. The high ceilings and exposed brick walls almost makes you feel that you are at some spot
in brooklyn(looking out of the window, you know that you are in the heart of trendy L.A.)
Billed as a gastropub, The Village Idiot offers usual pubfood - gourmet style.
Reservations are not acccepted, but there is a lively bar area for you to have some drinks while waiting for a table. This
is not a "quiet/romantic" restaurant, especially later into the night it can get quite raudy. Great place to come with a lot
of friends for a fun night out.
PIZZERIA MOZZA
641 N.Highland Ave - Hollywood
Not only is it unusal that you have to make reservations for a pizzeria (323)297-0101,
but that you might have to wait up to three weeks to get a table sure is! But that's what happen when Nancy Silverton, who
brought us Campanile and La Brea Bakery opend this restaurant. The wood burning pizza is of course excellent, the fresh mozeralla
exclusively delivered daily from northern california, is rich and milky. Naturally you dont get a simple peperoni pizza
here, think fennel sausage, littleneck clam or egg and radicchio pizza.($9-$17). Although the restaurant is busy,
the service is excellent. If you dont want to wait for your reservation to come up in weeks, there are also two spots at the winecounter
for walk up costumers, but expect a long wait.
RED PEARL KITCHEN
6703 Melrose Ave - Hollywood
This Pan-Asian Fusion restaurants sure attrackts a young and very pretty crowd,
so is the space with lanterns, warm booths, dark teakwood tables and a picture of Mao on the wall.
Food is exceptional aswell, especially if you like shrimps. The black pepper
and caramel shrimps were outstanding. Dress sexy and make reservations(323-525-1415) and enjoy some fun and tasty times
SIMON L.A.
8555 Beverly Blvd - Los Angeles
This sister restaurant to Simon kitchen and bar at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe
opend over the summer with a splash inside the Sofitel Hotel in L.A.
Like the Vegas version, you will get some good american comfort food here.
Shrimp Cocktails, Iron Chef Burgers, Fish and Steaks. They are prepared to excellence and when the bill comes, you know that
you are not at a 50's diner. Quality is incredible though and you will get what you pay for! The crowd will get a little more
rowdy/trendy/younger with the progress of the evening, which makes it also a great spot to enjoy the barscene after your meal.
WEST @ HOTEL ANGELENO
170 N.Church Lane - Los Angeles
The adress sure makes you wonder where this restaurant/Hotel is located,
although i bet that you probably drove by here hundreds of times while on the 405 freeway. It is the formerly round tower
Holiday Inn Hotel, right by Sunset Blvd and the 405 in Brentwood. After a bottom to top makeover, it is a sexy boutique
hotel now, called Hotel Angeleno.
A quick elevator ride up to the 17th floor will introduce you to there signature
restaurant, called West.
L.A.is probably the only city where you can look down to a busy freeway
and call it a romantic night out with an incredible view.(On a sidenote, the view IS incredible and it IS romantic)
Food is basically a lot of small plates(all priced at $6) you can
share as starters(grilled baby artichokes e.t.c.) For the maincourse think italian seafood. Lots of pastas and some
fine salmon or sea scallops. Of course with L.A.going steak crazy at the moment, you can also order a 36 ounce Florentine
T-Bone Prime.
(Reservations: 310-481-7878-Dinner served only until 10.30 pm, this is not Hollywood
!)
CITRUS @ SOCIAL HOLLYWOOD
6525 Sunset Blvd - Hollywood
Ok, all dressed up-hair done-ready to spent some time with the elite Hollywood crowd, but
your invitation to the award show of the week got lost in the mail?
No worries, Social Hollywood's CITRUS restaurant is here. The only way to get into this
superexclusive spot is thru reservations at there restaurant(323-462-5222)
Theme is maroccan(carved wood/mosaic topped tables), but the food is from all over the world.
Goat Cheese Salad, Smoked Salmon, Ribs, Roast Duck.
Service is excellent, but you would expect that with the money you spent here. You still
have to show off your social skills(or tip some big bills to the people in charge) so you can get
up the staircase to the lounge that floats high above
the Sunset Strip, here you can sit down in midcentury furniture and drink $20 cocktails
REPUBLIC
650 N.La Cienega - West Hollywood
I am not the biggest fan of restaurants that great you with attitude at the
door, even if you made reservations(310-360-7070). I almost left after dealing with some rude baywatch looking bimbo
and her clipboard at the door. But all is forgotten when you enter the impressive diningroom.
High ceilings, waterfalls, fireplace and a nice bar area.
Dress to impress is the motto here, service is excellent and friendly. Billed
as a "updated steakhouse" you can expect excellent lamb chops, steaks and seafood. There is also a taste of bbq plate that
includes pork belly, pulled pork, and pork loin(You might want to share this one). The Veal Porterhouse is outstanding and
on the $$$ side ($42). Basically everything is very pricy, so come prepared!
MAGNOLIA
6266 1/2 Sunset Blvd - Hollywood
A great spot to dine, especially if you feel the munchies after midnight(or
after a late night screening at the Arclight, which is walking distance from the restaurant). Magnolia is open and serves
dinner daily until 2 Am/Fri-Sat 3 AM. Food is "updated american" and really good. The Magnolia Burger($11/up)is fine,
so are the fried calamari, but my favorite so far has been the rigatoni with bolognese souce(although it's a little tough
on your stomach when consuming at 1 am). Steak is surprisingly good too, plus not to much on the pricy side(steak/fries $26).
Expect a young, upbeat and energetic crowd!
CITIZEN SMITH
1600 N.Cahuenga Blvd - Hollywood
Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood's hottest street, gets even hotter with the addition
of Citizen Smith. This restaurant looks stunning, cozy, hip, (insert your own word here). Designed by Thomas Schoos, who is
also responsible for places like Koi and O-Bar, outdid himself here.
Foodchoices are American Comfort Food. Steaks, Chops, Jalapeno Mac 'n' cheese
and so on. Basic, but oh so good.
There are also 3 bars, which makes it perfect to just enjoy the restaurant
for some drinks before heading to the clubs in the area! Also Monday offers Friends and Family Day with 50% off foodprices
on the ENTIRE menu and tuesdays it's jazznight with 50% off bottles of wine. Good deals indeed
THE LODGE
14 N. La Cienega - Beverly Hills
Seems like hip Steakhouses are popping up all over town, including The Lodge,
with it's well themed timber lodge look. The place is very cozy and from the multiple SUV's at the Valetline, it
seems that L.A.'s hipsters have already discovered the place. As for the beef, it is prime aged, 31 days and of course
it is very tender and very good! For non meat eaters, there are fish and salad options. How a 30 cent potato ends up
as an sea salt baked potato for $11 however will be a mystery to me for some time to come! (Reservations:310-854-0024)
KOI
730 N.La Cienega - West Hollywood
A couple of facts about West Hollywoods hottest place.
1. You can't get in without reservations, even to the bar(323-659-9449) 2. Think
Asian Tapas when you ordering, Koi's food is made to share. 3. Let the servers guide you, especially on the Sake choices.
4. The place is off the hook!
While inside, there's a bar, lounge and then extended dining room and a back
patio that's known for it's A-List celeb factor and Hollywood hipsters
Koi's signature rolls are pretty good, so is the baked crab and my personal
favorite, the Asian spiced chicken skewers.
101 Broadway - Santa Monica
The hottest spot in Santa Monica right now is Makai. A happening place
where most people probably come more for the bar scene than the food!
Speaking of food, it is pretty much Los Angeles standard fare: Tapas style,
hot and cold, Hand Rolls, Beef Carpaccio, Tartares and Salads.
The outside patio is the place to be, especially sitting around the fire pits,
as a lot of people forget how cold it can get at night so close to the beach!
