Californian
Polo Lounge
Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90210
310-276-2251
This institution conjures the Beverly Hills of yore, from the banana leaf-patterned carpets to the pre-reccession buzz in the air.
Website: http://beverlyhillshotel.com
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills, Los Angeles
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey
4375 Admiralty Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90292
310-574-4333
At the lobby lounge in the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey, four dainty triangles of grilled pain de mie are piled with fresh crustacean meat that’s been enhanced with a veneer of melted Brie…
Website: http://ritzcarlton.com/
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Marina del Rey
Category: Asian Fusion, Californian, Restaurants
Sauce On Hampton
259B Hampton Dr., Los Angeles, CA, 90291
310-399-5400
It’s not much to look at—a handful of tables, no wine list, and often just a single waitress—but details like…
Website: http://sauceonhampton.com
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Venice
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Seven Restaurant & Bar
555 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA, 90014
213-223-0777
Seven’s Web site states, “If you do not say ‘WOW’ when you walk into Seven for the first time, we will be surprised.”…
Website: http://sevenrestaurantbar.com
Neighborhood: Downtown, Los Angeles
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Spago Beverly Hills
176 N. Canon Dr., Los Angeles, CA, 90210
310-385-0880
Following 2012’s overhaul, Wolfgang Puck’s flagship has turned into a streamlined space that’s striking enough to draw out the nuances of Lee Hefter’s cooking.
Website: http://wolfgangpuck.com
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills, Los Angeles
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Superba Snack Bar
533 Rose Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90291
310-399-6400
The ocean breeze that wafts along Rose Avenue keeps Superba’s patio cool, with a stockpile of thick blankets ensuring that nobody catches cold.
Website: http://www.superbasnackbar.com/
Neighborhood: Venice
Category: Californian, New American, Restaurants, Small Plates
Sweet Butter
13824 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA, 91423
818-788-2832
The wraparound patio catches just enough morning sun, the courtyard is planted with lavender and herbs, and your utensils are stored in San Marzano tomato or steel-cut oatmeal cans…
Website: http://www.sweetbutterkitchen.com/index.asp
Neighborhood: Sherman Oaks
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Sweetsalt Food Shop
10218 1/2 Riverside Dr., Los Angeles, CA, 91602
818-509-7790
Website: http://sweetsaltfood.com
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Toluca Lake
Category: Californian, Restaurants
Tavern
11648 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90049
310-806-6464
There’s a nod to Old Hollywood here, from the atrium populated with famous folks to the menu, which skews vintage with Suzanne Goin’s versions of “devils on horseback,” Gulf shrimp cocktail, and Julia Child’s sinus-clearing ode to Dijon, Devil’s Chick.
Website: http://tavernla.com
Neighborhood: Brentwood, Los Angeles
Category: Best of LA, Best of LA 2013: Eat, Best of LA: 2013, Best of LA: Eat, Californian, Restaurants, Salads
Tender Greens
9523 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90232
310-842-8300
It’s bright and warm here: yellow walls and windows that look onto a skinny patio…
Website: http://tendergreensfood.com
Neighborhood: Culver City, Los Angeles
Category: Californian, Restaurants
The Beachcomber
23000 Pacific Coast Hwy., Los Angeles, CA, 90265
310-456-9800
You can’t ask for a better view, at the base of the Malibu Pier, and the room’s cute, an upscale version of a crab shack with a fake fish on the wall…
Website: http://thebeachcombercafe.com
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Malibu
Category: Californian, Restaurants
The Del
119 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90293
310-823-6800
Website: http://thedelrestaurant.com
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Playa Del Rey
Category: Californian, Restaurants
The Depot
1250 Cabrillo Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90501
310-787-7501
In a restored train station, imposing, avuncular Michael Shafer’s restless palate…
Website: http://depotrestaurant.com
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Torrance
Category: Californian, Restaurants
The Lobster
1602 Ocean Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90401
310-458-9294
Santa Monica has precious few restaurants with ocean views. The Lobster, cantilevered over the sand, is one of them…
Website: http://thelobster.com
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Santa Monica
Category: Californian, Restaurants, Seafood
The Penthouse
Huntley Hotel, 1111 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA, 90403
310-394-5454
The Radisson (now called the Huntley) has had a makeover, and Toppers got the heave-ho…
Website: http://thehuntleyhotel.com
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Santa Monica
Category: Californian, Restaurants
The Restaurant at the Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA, 90049
310-440-6810
You’ll spot Getty architect Richard Meier and art-world bigwigs in this reservations-only dining room…
Website: http://getty.edu
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Westwood
Category: Californian, Restaurants
The Roost at LA Farm
3000 W. Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA, 90404
310-449-4000
The Santa Monica power lunch standby is now the Roost
Website: http://www.theroostatlafarm.com/
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Category: Californian, New American
The Sunset
6800 Westward Beach Rd., Los Angeles, CA, 90265
310-598-1007
No matter the incarnation of this white bungalow at the end of Zuma’s Westward Beach Road, you can always count on a wedding taking place out front. The upstairs dining room is light, nautical, and serene…
Website: http://thesunsetrestaurant.com
Neighborhood: Los Angeles, Malibu
Category: Californian, Restaurants
