Los Angeles City Guide

Beso

Los Angeles

It is Mexican with a twist, as in the lucky warm artichoke guacamole, served with homemade crispy pita chips; chilled shrimps with Bloody Mary cocktail sauce and lemon jam; flatbread with ricotta, fontina, arugula and tomato; ahi tuna served between slices of watermelon and cotija; or a yellowtail ceviche aromatized with coconut milk, yuzu, sesame and strawberries for appetizers.

Comme Ca

Los Angeles

Following the grand success he's found at his fine dining establishment Sona, chef David Myers opened an equally triumphant take on the traditional brasserie on trendy Melrose Avenue. At Comme Ça, he has added a few California touches to the energetic brasserie ambience, like the cocktail bar with its interesting concoctions; in elements of the décor, such as the white, modern chairs; and in the mix of French (bien sûr) and English verbiage on the menu.

Gjelina

Los Angeles

Gjelina, named for the mother of one of the two owners, is comfortable and relaxed, much like its moniker would suggest. Restaurant veteran Robert Schwan chose fashionable and artistic Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice for this venture. Find the restaurant by spotting its wood façade, then enter to discover two huge communal tables in the center, a large bar in the back and tables along the walls.

Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood

Los Angeles

After filming his "Hell's Kitchen" show for many years in the City of Angels, Gordon Ramsay, attracted by the glitter of Hollywood, finally decided to open his own restaurant just off Sunset at The London West Hollywood, formerly the Bel Age hotel. In contrast to the name of his show, his eponymous restaurant is rather heavenly

Luau

Los Angeles

This contemporary version of LA’s old iconic Luau, frequented by the Rat Pack of the '50s and '60s, is reincarnated by rock ‘n’ roll promoter Andrew. No matter how many agents, producers and Hollywood elite gather under the glowing chandelier made of luminous pufferfish, ironically blessed by carved tikis, Easter Island heads and Papua New Guinea masks, this spot is quirkily romantic and elegantly fun.

Palate Food + Wine

Los Angeles

Octavio Becerra, who co-founded the Patina Group, has emerged from Joachim Splichal’s shadow with Palate Food + Wine. This Glendale restaurant is situated on the ground floor of a respected wine storage facility, surrounded by car dealerships. The airy space features towering ceilings, an exhibition kitchen and gargantuan goblets of grapes. Every meal begins with warm gougères and house-made butter dusted with fennel, ground peppercorns and diced chives.

Pizzeria Mozza

Los Angeles

Diners who have frequented other restaurants by epicurean superstars Nancy Silverton (Campanile), Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich (partners in New York’s Del Posto, Babbo, Lupa and Otto) may be surprised by the lack of pretension found at this unassuming pizzeria which is packing in patrons, but lacks tablecloths.

Riva

Los Angeles

Expanding from Fraîche in downtown Culver City to Santa Monica by the Pacific, chef Jason Travi named this restaurant appropriately for its location: "riva" in Italian means shoreline. An entrance in white tones with pots of fragrant herbs and fruits leads to a rather large space with a bar on the right and a chef's counter in the back where you can eat and observe the action in the kitchen

The Bazaar by José Andrés

Los Angeles

The Bazaar, as its name suggests, has more than one venue. There are four sections: The Pâtisserie, offering high tea in the afternoon, bonbons and desserts in the evening; Bar Centro, where the action creates a line outside to get in; and restaurants Blanca, done in white tones, and Rojo, dressed in black and red. The master in the kitchen behind all of these is famed Spanish-born chef José Andrés, who has a number of restaurants in Washington, D.C. His imagination is as big as his smile and charming personality

The Kress

Los Angeles

Once a Kress department store, then the flagship of Frederick's of Hollywood for 59 years, this 1934 landmark building is ready to make history again. Club owner Mike Viscuso took over the space and with designer David Krumins spared no expense in restoring its Art Deco grandeur. Viscuso named his first Los Angeles venture in honor of the original owner, Samuel Kress, whose stores were known for their fine architecture.