The Best Restaurants in LA


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

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