15 Top
Romantic Dining Dens
Romance and LA LA land do go together. From ocean views to city lights to
hideaways in the mountains, the City of
Angels has heart, in spades. |
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BISTRO GARDEN
12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City,
818.501.0202
www.bistrogarden.com
Possibly the most posh, glamorous room in
the Valley, Bistro Garden offers dining the
way people used to eat. The perennial draw
at BG is the soufflé menu…simply the perfect
dessert. The food is beautiful, the room is
beautiful…you and your companion will be
beautiful, too.
CAFÉ LA BOHEME
8400 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood,
323.848.2360
www.globaldiningca.com
Eclectic and elegant describes both the
ambience and the menu at this longtime LA
favorite eatery. Recently renovated in late
2007, this place has lost none of its charm;
in fact, it is even better. Plush private
booths are lit by magnificent chandeliers
and are the perfect spot to lounge, linger
and enjoy the Pan-Asian American cuisine
with a petite side of French influence
thrown in. A great wine list and rare
artwork on the walls round out this romantic
rendezvous haven.
CICADA
617 S. Olive St., Downtown L.A., 213.488.9488
www.cicadarestaurant.com
One of the most beautiful rooms in all of
Los Angeles, this art deco dream offers live
music and dancing many a weekend night. The
attentive service and incredibly
cosmopolitan location will be matched by
treats like blood orange salad, pan roasted
veal loin and generally sensational Italian
inspired food.
INN OF THE SEVENTH RAY
128 Old Topanga Canyon Rd., 310.455.1311
www.innoftheseventhray.com
Romance abounds as you dine at this lovely
hide-away nestled in the Santa Monica
mountains. With its enchanted gardens,
beautiful courtyards and luscious organic
fare, this place is a must. Known for both
scrumptious vegetarian and non-veggie
specialties, this dining experience is a
fantasy complete for the romantically
inclined. Try the Maine lobster and grilled
asparagus along with the range free chicken,
naturally raised filet mignon or Atlantic
Salmon. Or go vegan and try the vegan
tortellini or the Vietnamese vegan spring
rolls. Before you depart, be sure to order
the macadamia crème brulee as the finishing
touch to a magical evening.
IROHA SUSHI OF TOKYO
12953 Ventura Blvd., Studio City,
818.990-9559
Is raw fish an aphrodisiac? Try a night at
Iroha Sushi if you’d really like to find
out. Begin your evening with a salmon skin
salad, followed by either exquisite sushi or
sashimi. Sweet shrimp is always an excellent
choice or indulge in one of the best spicy
tuna hand rolls in the city.
LA CACHETTE
10506 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Los
Angeles, 310.470.4992
www.lacachetterestaurant.com
This hidden gem on Little Santa Monica is
like your Mom’s house…if your Mom was from
some small village in France. The room is
comfortable, the service enjoyable…and the
food! Especially during cooler months, the
food becomes hearty and very French, perfect
for a night on the town.
MELISSE
1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica,
310.395.0881
www.melisse.com
The star at Melisse, due in part to the
chef’s quasi-celebrity status, is the food.
The room is beautiful, charming in a French
Country Chic manner. Dining at Melisse is a
formal occasion, made more special by an
attentive wait staff and an exquisite wine
list.
MISTRAL
13422 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks,
818.981.6650
If French is the language of love, then
Mistral is decidedly an excellent
translator. This French bistro offers no
vaulted ceilings; instead, you will find
comforting dark wood, crystal chandeliers
and simple black and white tile.
PALOMINO
10877 Wilshire Blvd. #150, Westwood, 310.208-1960
www.palomino.com
This Eurobistro, located in the heart of
Westwood Village, features ambiance
befitting San Francisco more so than L.A. The
menu is filled with grilled meats and fish,
decidedly American food made Euro by an
ingredient or two. Again, not the lace doily
romantic, but an exceptional night out
nonetheless.
THE PENTHOUSE at The Huntley Hotel
1111 Second Street, Santa Monica,
310.393.8080
www.thehuntleyhotel.com/penthouse-restaurant.php
When are stunning, breathtaking views of the
ocean not romantic?
Views from the top really are better and it
does not get any better than at the top of the
Huntley Hotel. The décor is ultra lounge, LA
hip, as is the crowd. The food,
Asian/Brazilian fusion and delicious, as
well as expensive and fabulously presented.
On a clear day you can see forever,
especially when they open the two huge
skylights and let the sun shine in.
TANINO
1043 Westwood Blvd., Westwood, 310.208-0444
www.tanino.com
One of the coziest restaurants in the entire
city, this incredible Italian restaurant
offers a decidedly solid menu in a
comfortable environment. The winter months
only add to the romance as a roaring fire
usually dominates the dining room and bar on
chilly evenings.
TANTRA
3705 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles,
323.663.8268
www.tantrasunset.com
Eastside chic meets stellar Indian cuisine
at the Silver Lake eatery called Tantra.
Beginning at the ornate, hammered-metal
doors and continuing throughout is an
opulence that far exceeds any expectation.
High ceilings, low lighting and Indian-style
décor mixed with high-tech video displays
create an ambience tinged with mystery and
romance. This gorgeous setting perfectly
compliments a menu which is a sophisticated
mélange of both traditional Indian cuisine
and contemporary ingredients, featuring a
broad range of Tandoori dishes from the
north and Masala based dishes from the south
of India. The spices don't compete for
attention the way the diners' chic (I’m so
out there I must be cool) outfits do; maybe
this is why Tantra seems to have found the
perfect blend of everything in this eclectic
Los Angeles neighborhood.
TASCA
8108 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles,
323.951.9890
www.tascawinebar.com
Along Third Street's crowded restaurant row,
this homey little find with its brilliant
blue façade and soothing olive green
interior features a long wine bar in a
candlelit atmosphere with one of the most
extensive wine lists in town. For anyone who is
a wine drinker, lover or connoisseur
(winner of Angeleno Magazine’s Wine Bar of
the Year 2007), this is an experience you
must check out for yourself. To complement
your wine choice(s) for the evening is a
menu featuring a distinctly European vibe
with Spanish and Mediterranean influences
well represented. Tasca brings you fine wine
and food in a charming old world atmosphere
for which you just need to provide the
company to experience a truly memorable
evening.
TRAXX
800 N. Alameda St., Downtown L.A.,
213.625.1999
www.traxxrestaurant.com
All the romance of parting lovers sharing a
goodbye kiss can be yours for the asking at
this sensational restaurant located inside
downtown’s Union Station. This art deco
delight is truly the perfect destination for
lovers. Start your meal with exquisite crab
cakes, delicate clumps of creamy crab that
will melt anyone’s heart. This is truly
Romance with a capital R.
YAMASHIRO
1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Los Angeles, CA
90068, 323-466-5125
www.yamashirorestaurant.com
Talk about romance. Perched high on the hill
above the Magic Castle, the panoramic view
of the city that this classic Los Angeles
hide-away offers might just take your breath
away. Dine in style at this “exact replica”
of a palace in Kyoto, Japan and you feel
just like royalty. Walk through the atrium
which houses a lovely Japanese garden and
quiet stream inhabited by Koi or cozy up to
the bar in one of the comfy little nooks for
a cocktail before dinner. Be sure to try the
Nori-crusted Ahi Tuna or the Kobe steak. You
just can’t go wrong with this delightful
Asian influenced menu and beautiful
surroundings.
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