My friend Dr. Rick (whose brilliance is belied by the nickname) is in LA this week for the 14th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. He asked me for a few restaurant recommendations, which prompted me to put together a list.  Clearly, it’s a subjective list, subject to change, and there are sure to be many ommissions, but it’s a great starting point for any visitor.

STYLISH WITH GOOD FOOD

Tower Bar – Clubby Hollywood atmosphere
JAR  – Multi-cultural comfort food
Grace – New American
Taste on Melrose  – Comfortable and homey in West Hollywood
Simon LA  – Inventive American Fare
La Cachette  – Romantic room, Provencal cuisine
Katsuya  – Great Japanese and Philippe Starck design
Providence  – Sophisticated seafood in Hollywood   
Patina – Serious dining at the Disney Concert Hall

SOLID CHOICES – GOOD FOOD

Mimosa – Classic French bistro fare
Cheebo – Organic soups, sandwiches and light italian fare
Canter’s – NY-style deli food, open 24/7
Ammo – Zen comfort food
Angelini Osteria  – The epitome of neighborhood northern Italian
Locanda Venetta – Romantic Italian
A.O.C   – Small plates and wine bar
WA Sushi Bistro – Strip mall location by Matsuhisa alums
The Hungry Cat – Hollywood mall location, great seafood
Aroma – Neighborhood Italian in Silverlake

GOOD and INEXPENSIVE

The Apple Pan  – Legendary lunch counter burgers
Doughboys  – Soups and Sandwiches – huge portions
Pinks – Legendary Hot Dog Stand
Palm’s Thai – Great Thai with entertainment by a Thai Elvis impersonator.
Gingergrass – Silverlake Vietnamese
Yang Chow – Chinatown chinese
Hunan Cafe – NY-style storefront Chinese on the Hollywood/West Hollywood border

WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT

Spago – Still some of the best food in LA
Hotel Bel Air Dining Room – Lush and elegant
Matsuhisa – Not much atmosphere, but possibly the best Japanese food in the country
Cut – Wolfgang Puck’s happening Steakhouse at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

UNUSUAL ATMOSPHERE

Cobras & Matadors – Tapas, two locations
Getty Center Restaurant – Tour the museum, watch the sunset, stay for dinner
Little Door – Romantic hidden courtyard
Yamashiro – Cal-Asian Japanese with extraordinary views
Dar Maghreb – Full on Moroccan, including belly dancing nightly