Il Fornaio
1551 Ocean Ave.(Colorado Ave.) | California | 310-451-7800
www.ilfornaio.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
20
|
19
|
19
|
34
|
“
Molto buono cibo” like “solid” pastas and “interesting” dishes from monthly regional menus please patrons at this “convivial” chain of Italian eateries with on-site bakeries churning out “fresh-baked” loaves of bread; service tends toward “harried during the peak times” (breakfast and lunch), but they’re “friendly” (and “welcoming” to kids too) while “decent prices” make it “one of the best values around.”
In-N-Out Burger
13425 Washington Blvd.(bet. Glencoe & Walnut Aves.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
In-N-Out Burger
7009 Sunset Blvd.(N. Orange Dr.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
In-N-Out Burger
5864 Lankershim Blvd.(bet. Califa & Emelita Sts.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
In-N-Out Burger
4444 Van Nuys Blvd.(bet. Milbank & Moorpark Sts.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
In-N-Out Burger
3640 Cahuenga Blvd.(bet. Fredonia Dr. & Regal Pl.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
In-N-Out Burger
7930 Van Nuys Blvd.(bet. Blythe & Michaels Sts.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
In-N-Out Burger
9245 W. Venice Blvd.(Exposition Dr.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
In-N-Out Burger
9149 S. Sepulveda Blvd.(bet. Westchester Pkwy & W. 92nd St.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
In-N-Out Burger
922 Gayley Ave.(Levering Ave.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
In-N-Out Burger
19920 Ventura Blvd.(bet. Lubao & Oakdale Aves.) | California | 800-786-1000
www.in-n-out.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
10
|
18
|
8
|
“Fanatical” fans “plan road trips around” this “family-owned” chain, voted top Bang for the Buck in LA and “famous” for “fantastic”, “messy” burgers made with “high-quality ingredients” and matched with “real” “thick, tasty shakes”; a “clean-cut young staff” keeps the “long lines” moving at these “sparkling”, “’50s-style” “joints” where just “a few bucks” still buys the “ultimate SoCal experience”; P.S. the “double-double animal-style” off the “secret menu” “rocks.”
Ivy at the Shore
1535 Ocean Ave.(bet. B'way & Colorado Ave.) | California | 310-393-3113
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
21
|
20
|
21
|
57
|
“Though its not as atmospheric” or “star-studded” as the WeHo original, this Santa Monica outpost of an “all-time Los Angeles favorite” delivers the same “tasty” Californian cuisine as the original that fans find “worth it” for a “three-hour lunch” on the “cheery patio”; critics claim it’s “living off its reputation”, with “dreadfully forgettable fare”, “snobbish service” and “laugh-out-loud prices” as well.
Ivy, The
113 N. Robertson Blvd.(bet. Beverly Blvd. & 3rd St.) | California | 310-274-8303
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
22
|
22
|
20
|
61
|
“All the LA clichés come to vivid life” at West Hollywood’s “celeb-sighting” epicenter whose Californian menu (best when it comes to the “scrumptious” crab cakes) plays a supporting role to the “power scene” on the patio, lit up with “stars, exotic cars” and “popping flashbulbs”; veterans advise “prepare to be seated in Siberia” amid the “quaint”, “cottage-inspired” setting “if you’re not Harrison Ford” (or “Keanu Reeves” or “Helen Mirren”), and “consider the sticker shock from the final tab to be the price of admission.”
Jar
8225 Beverly Blvd.(Harper Ave.) | California | 323-655-6566
www.thejar.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
25
|
22
|
22
|
56
|
“Comfort food with a modern twist” “shines” at this “buzzy” Beverly Boulevard New American chophouse where chef/co-owner Suzanne Tracht turns out “sublime” steaks and a “famous” pot roast that “makes you forget about mom’s”; a “courteous” staff also helps justify the “premium price”, and the wood-paneled, “retro-style” “but not overdone” look adds extra “warmth”; N.B. its new offshoot, Tracht’s, has opened in the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel.
JiRaffe
502 Santa Monica Blvd.(5th St.) | California | 310-917-6671
www.jirafferestaurant.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
26
|
21
|
24
|
56
|
“Bravo to Raphael [Lunetta]” effuse fans of the chef-owner who “knows how to cook and create” “delicious surprises” at this “phenomenal” Santa Monica Californian; even though the chandelier-accented space has “tight seating” downstairs (with a “quieter” upper level), the “smashing martinis”, “impeccable service” and Monday ‘Bistro Night’ “deal” elicit lots of “love” – indeed, as one admirer attests, “I went into labor and stayed to finish my meal.”
Joe's
1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd.(B'way) | California | 310-399-5811
www.joesrestaurant.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
26
|
20
|
24
|
51
|
This “gem” is the “closest thing to elegance Venice has to offer”, showcasing “perfectly balanced combinations of flavors and textures” in the Cal-French cuisine, which is served by a “professional” staff in a “stylish”, if somewhat “cramped” space; the “personable”, “hands-on” chef-owner, Joe Miller, is a “mensch” who “adds to the enjoyable atmosphere” and is one more reason “you’ll always want to eat at Joe’s.”
Josie
2424 Pico Blvd.(25th St.) | California | 310-581-9888
www.josierestaurant.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
27
|
23
|
25
|
60
|
“Entirely pleasurable on all levels”, this Santa Monica “favorite” “isn’t trendy”, but it’s “pretty much perfect” say those praising chef Josie Le Balch’s “sumptuous” New American fare that spotlights “fresh, local” ingredients and “excellent game”; “attentive service” and a “gorgeous” room with “romantic” fireside tables make it a “favorite haunt” for well-heeled locals, and if the “pricey” final tab intimidates some, insiders say “no-corkage Mondays” and Wednesday night’s Farmers Market prix fixe are less expensive options.
Katsu-ya
16542 Ventura Blvd.(Hayvenhurst Ave.) | California | 818-788-2396
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
27
|
15
|
19
|
40
|
“Sublime sushi” and “phenomenal”, “nontraditional” “handrolls that are a work of art” as well as the signature spicy tuna on crispy rice keep these Japanese twins in Encino and Studio City “mobbed” with a “hip crowd” of “locals” and “stars” in spite of somewhat “sterile”, “claustrophobic” surroundings; “prices can add up fast” and service is “rushed”, but supporters swear the “flat-out terrific” fare “makes you forget” any shortcomings.
Katsu-ya
11680 Ventura Blvd.(Colfax Ave.) | California | 818-985-6976
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
27
|
15
|
19
|
40
|
“Sublime sushi” and “phenomenal”, “nontraditional” “handrolls that are a work of art” as well as the signature spicy tuna on crispy rice keep these Japanese twins in Encino and Studio City “mobbed” with a “hip crowd” of “locals” and “stars” in spite of somewhat “sterile”, “claustrophobic” surroundings; “prices can add up fast” and service is “rushed”, but supporters swear the “flat-out terrific” fare “makes you forget” any shortcomings.
La Cachette
10506 Little Santa Monica Blvd.(Thayer Ave.) | California | 310-470-4992
www.lacachetterestaurant.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
27
|
25
|
26
|
66
|
A “dignified”, “gorgeous” light-filled “retreat in the middle of Century City” is how admirers view this “real treasure” and its “very talented” chef-owner Jean François Meteigner, who “removes most of the butter and cream”, but none of the “flavor”, from his “exquisite” seasonal New French creations; “spot-on” service sometimes veers toward “stuffy”, but that’s no matter to the “posh” deep-pocket crowds who continue to celebrate it as “one of LA’s finest” tickets – “it’s outstanding in every way.”
Lawry's The Prime Rib
100 N. La Cienega Blvd.(Wilshire Blvd.) | California | 310-652-2827
www.lawrysonline.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
25
|
21
|
24
|
50
|
“Succulent meat is carved tableside from huge, elegant silver carts” at this “cornerstone of LA history” in Beverly Hills – the “original and still the best” for roast prime rib au jus and the “famous spinning salad”; sure, its “British hunt club” decor “hasn’t changed in decades”, but even though it’s “overrun with tourists”, loyalists laud the “impeccable” service (“we always feel as though we’re family”) and a meal that’s “worth every cent.”
Lobster, The
1602 Ocean Ave.(Santa Monica Pier) | California | 310-458-9294
www.thelobster.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
23
|
24
|
20
|
53
|
You “feel like you’re floating above the ocean” at this Santa Monica seafooder distinguished by “breathtaking” sunset views and the “impressive”, “expensive” namesake specialty served by an “accommodating” staff; surveyors surmise “it’s a lifesaver when picky tourists are in town”, and one local sighs “I can’t wait to meet that ‘special someone’ who will take me here whenever I want.”
Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave.(La Cienega Blvd.) | California | 323-655-6277
www.lucques.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
27
|
24
|
24
|
58
|
Suzanne Goin’s “sublime” organic French-Mediterranean cuisine “lives up to its promise” at this West Hollywood “landmark of LA eating” whose “winning” tree-planted patio fills up quickly; in addition to a “cordial”, “knowledgeable” staff, steered by sommelier and part-owner Caroline Styne, it boasts a “bargain” prix fixe Sunday dinner that continues to provide an “unbelievable gastronomic evening”, making reservations “difficult to come by.”
Mastro's Steakhouse
246 N. Cañon Dr.(bet. Clifton & Dayton Ways) | California | 310-888-8782
www.mastrosoceanclub.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
25
|
22
|
23
|
70
|
“Welcome to the high rollers’ steakhouse” where “overdoing it is a must”, as the “first-rate” “bone-in filet” is “T. rex” size, the “seafood tower is extraordinary” and the “drinks are colossal”; its “glam” locations are staffed by “courteous” servers, though some surveyors balk at the “steep prices” and all the “businessmen with blonds” at the bar.
Mastro's Steakhouse
2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.(bet. Conejo School Rd & Los Feliz Dr.) | California | 805-418-1811
www.mastrosoceanclub.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
25
|
22
|
23
|
70
|
“Welcome to the high rollers’ steakhouse” where “overdoing it is a must”, as the “first-rate” “bone-in filet” is “T. rex” size, the “seafood tower is extraordinary” and the “drinks are colossal”; its “glam” locations are staffed by “courteous” servers, though some surveyors balk at the “steep prices” and all the “businessmen with blonds” at the bar.
McCormick & Schmick's
Two Rodeo | 206 N. Rodeo Dr.(Wilshire Blvd.) | California | 310-859-0434
www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
19
|
20
|
19
|
40
|
“Widest range of seafood I’ve found in LA” purrs one hungry cat over this fish-house chain with a “daily changing menu that ensures the freshest catch of the day” plus “the best $2 burger in town at happy hour”; it caters to a clientele of “bankers, lawyers” and “accounting types” (especially Downtown) with “clubby” furnishings and “efficient” service, though some guests gripe about “plain” preparations of food (it “doesn’t have any pizzazz”) and calculate “somehow it just doesn’t all add up”; N.B. the Beverly Hills branch, called Pacific Seafood Grill, offers a shorter, more upscale menu.
McCormick & Schmick's
The Pinnacle | 3500 W. Olive Ave.(W. Riverside Dr.) | California | 818-260-0505
www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
19
|
20
|
19
|
40
|
“Widest range of seafood I’ve found in LA” purrs one hungry cat over this fish-house chain with a “daily changing menu that ensures the freshest catch of the day” plus “the best $2 burger in town at happy hour”; it caters to a clientele of “bankers, lawyers” and “accounting types” (especially Downtown) with “clubby” furnishings and “efficient” service, though some guests gripe about “plain” preparations of food (it “doesn’t have any pizzazz”) and calculate “somehow it just doesn’t all add up”; N.B. the Beverly Hills branch, called Pacific Seafood Grill, offers a shorter, more upscale menu.
McCormick & Schmick's
2101 Rosecrans Ave.(Parkway Dr.) | California | 310-416-1123
www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
19
|
20
|
19
|
40
|
“Widest range of seafood I’ve found in LA” purrs one hungry cat over this fish-house chain with a “daily changing menu that ensures the freshest catch of the day” plus “the best $2 burger in town at happy hour”; it caters to a clientele of “bankers, lawyers” and “accounting types” (especially Downtown) with “clubby” furnishings and “efficient” service, though some guests gripe about “plain” preparations of food (it “doesn’t have any pizzazz”) and calculate “somehow it just doesn’t all add up”; N.B. the Beverly Hills branch, called Pacific Seafood Grill, offers a shorter, more upscale menu.
Mélisse
1104 Wilshire Blvd.(11th St.) | California | 310-395-0881
www.melisse.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
28
|
25
|
26
|
90
|
“Incredible talent” Josiah Citrin earns this Santa Monica “temple” of French–New American dining the No. 1 Food score in LA for his “outstanding”, “cutting-edge” dishes that strike a “balance between traditional and imaginative”, matched with “always right-on” recommendations by sommelier Brian Kalliel; the “pristine” service and “sophisticated”, “romantic” room (“love the purse stools”) lend themselves to “three-hour” dinners that are “stratospherically” expensive but “stay in your memory as a beautiful experience.”
McCormick & Schmick's
US Bank Tower | 633 W. Fifth St.(Grand Ave.) | California | 213-629-1929
www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
19
|
20
|
19
|
40
|
“Widest range of seafood I’ve found in LA” purrs one hungry cat over this fish-house chain with a “daily changing menu that ensures the freshest catch of the day” plus “the best $2 burger in town at happy hour”; it caters to a clientele of “bankers, lawyers” and “accounting types” (especially Downtown) with “clubby” furnishings and “efficient” service, though some guests gripe about “plain” preparations of food (it “doesn’t have any pizzazz”) and calculate “somehow it just doesn’t all add up”; N.B. the Beverly Hills branch, called Pacific Seafood Grill, offers a shorter, more upscale menu.
McCormick & Schmick's
111 N. Los Robles Ave.(Union St.) | California | 626-405-0064
www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
19
|
20
|
19
|
40
|
“Widest range of seafood I’ve found in LA” purrs one hungry cat over this fish-house chain with a “daily changing menu that ensures the freshest catch of the day” plus “the best $2 burger in town at happy hour”; it caters to a clientele of “bankers, lawyers” and “accounting types” (especially Downtown) with “clubby” furnishings and “efficient” service, though some guests gripe about “plain” preparations of food (it “doesn’t have any pizzazz”) and calculate “somehow it just doesn’t all add up”; N.B. the Beverly Hills branch, called Pacific Seafood Grill, offers a shorter, more upscale menu.
Parkway Grill
510 S. Arroyo Pkwy.(bet. California & Del Mar Blvds.) | California | 626-795-1001
www.theparkwaygrill.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
25
|
24
|
24
|
49
|
“Highly regarded and deservedly so”, this “suave, sophisticated” Pasadena “event destination” from the Smith brothers (Arroyo Chop House, Smitty’s Grill) turns out “trendy” yet “consistently scrumptious” (and “predictably expensive”) Californian cuisine “year after year”; the “clubby” decor remains “beautiful”, just as the “knowledgeable” staff is as “congenial” as ever – no wonder it’s an “all-time favorite for anniversaries”, “impressing” “out-of-town guests”, even “a place to propose”; P.S. it’s “lots of fun” to have “wine and apps” in the piano bar.
Patina
Walt Disney Concert Hall | 141 S. Grand Ave.(2nd St.) | California | 213-972-3331
www.patinagroup.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
26
|
24
|
25
|
75
|
Even if you “fall asleep at the symphony”, you can at least start the evening “on a high note” by making reservations (“well in advance”) at Joachim Splichal’s “swellegant” flagship adjacent to the Walt Disney Concert Hall Downtown; “flawlessly prepared” Cal–New American cuisine is presented as “edible art” by “professional, knowledgeable waiters” in a “formal, minimalist” space, creating an “extraordinary dining experience” that’s “mind-blowing in every way – including the check.”
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Ave.(Melrose Ave.) | California | 323-297-0101
www.mozza-la.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
26
|
19
|
22
|
37
|
Mario Batali “has taken LA by storm” in partnership with Nancy Silverton, turning out “regional Italian” pies that “actually live up to the hype” with their “extravagantly bubbly” crust supporting an “amazing synthesis of ingredients” (“the fennel sausage is a definite favorite”); it’s “so trendy it’s almost silly”, the “noise level is over the top” and seating’s “tight”, but the “buoyant” staff and “terrific”, “affordable wine list” keep Hollywood customers “rejoicing”; P.S. “book a month” in advance, or arrive early and “eat at the bar to avoid a hellacious wait.”
Providence
5955 Melrose Ave.(Cole Ave.) | California | 323-460-4170
www.providencela.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
27
|
24
|
26
|
84
|
“Unstoppable” chef/co-owner Michael Cimarusti creates “absolutely sublime” New American seafood dishes (“of all stripes, colors and textures”) at this “sensational” Hollywood “treasure chest” boasting a “memorable” tasting menu; the “seamless” staff “goes out of its way to serve you” amid a room that’s “elegant”, “subdued” and enlivened by aquatic touches, so while it demands a bit of “bling”, gastronomes deem it “the Holy Grail” of LA dining experiences.
Roy's
800 S. Figueroa St.(8th St.) | California | 213-488-4994
www.roysrestaurant.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
24
|
22
|
22
|
47
|
“The best Hawaiian export since Don Ho” claim those “wowed” by the “imaginative” and “beautifully presented” Asian fusion dishes at Roy Yamaguchi’s “pricey” SoCal spin-offs of his Honolulu original; though the “well-trained staff” strike many as “exceptional”, a minority complains it’s left “disappointed” by “unfulfilled expectations” and “too-sweet” fare, leading some to wonder if this chain is “just getting too big.”
Roy's
6363 Topanga Canyon Blvd.(Victory Blvd.) | California | 818-888-4801
www.roysrestaurant.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
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24
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22
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22
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47
|
“The best Hawaiian export since Don Ho” claim those “wowed” by the “imaginative” and “beautifully presented” Asian fusion dishes at Roy Yamaguchi’s “pricey” SoCal spin-offs of his Honolulu original; though the “well-trained staff” strike many as “exceptional”, a minority complains it’s left “disappointed” by “unfulfilled expectations” and “too-sweet” fare, leading some to wonder if this chain is “just getting too big.”
Ruth's Chris Steak House
224 S. Beverly Dr.(bet. Olympic & Wilshire Blvds.) | California | 310-859-8744
www.ruthschris.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
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25
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21
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23
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59
|
“Sizzling steaks” are “slathered in butter” and “served on hot plates” by “professional waiters” at these “old-fashioned”-feeling branches of the national chain; a few bemoan “bare-minimum presentation” (“at least place an attractive, colorful garnish somewhere on there”) and “outlandish prices”, but say they’re “satisfying” nonetheless.
Brent's Deli
19565 Parthenia St.(bet. Corbin & Shirley Aves.) | California | 818-886-5679
www.brentsdeli.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
26
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14
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21
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20
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“Finally, a deli we can brag about in the Conejo Valley” effuse fans of the “fancier and more spacious” Westlake Village outpost of the “super-popular” 40-year-old Northridge original, both of which “richly reward” guests with “world-class pastrami”, “righteous Reubens” and “shout-out”-worthy soups, as well as desserts that “require a derrick” to get from case to plate; “snappy” waitresses set down everything “with a smile”, causing many to declare this “the daddy of all delis.”
Brent's Deli
2799 Townsgate Rd.(Westlake Blvd.) | California | 805-557-1882
www.brentsdeli.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
26
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14
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21
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20
|
“Finally, a deli we can brag about in the Conejo Valley” effuse fans of the “fancier and more spacious” Westlake Village outpost of the “super-popular” 40-year-old Northridge original, both of which “richly reward” guests with “world-class pastrami”, “righteous Reubens” and “shout-out”-worthy soups, as well as desserts that “require a derrick” to get from case to plate; “snappy” waitresses set down everything “with a smile”, causing many to declare this “the daddy of all delis.”
Café Bizou
91 N. Raymond Ave.(Holly St.) | California | 626-792-9923
www.cafebizou.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
23
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19
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21
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32
|
These “dependable”, “all-occasion” Cal-French bistros in Pasadena and Sherman Oaks win kisses from the crowd for their “well-prepared” fare that’s a “wonderful value” (especially with an “unbelievably low” $2 corkage fee); though the “no-attitude” staff is primarily “attentive”, a few turn a cold shoulder after “long waits”, “even with reservations.”
Café Bizou
14016 Ventura Blvd.(bet. Costello & Murietta Aves.) | California | 818-788-3536
www.cafebizou.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
23
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19
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21
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32
|
These “dependable”, “all-occasion” Cal-French bistros in Pasadena and Sherman Oaks win kisses from the crowd for their “well-prepared” fare that’s a “wonderful value” (especially with an “unbelievably low” $2 corkage fee); though the “no-attitude” staff is primarily “attentive”, a few turn a cold shoulder after “long waits”, “even with reservations.”
Cafe Del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way(bet. Bali Way & Via Marina) | California | 310-823-6395
www.cafedelreymarina.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
23
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22
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21
|
45
|
“Superb” French-Californian cuisine surprises first-time visitors to this Marina del Rey “favorite”, who chuckle “don’t assume you’re paying for the view” – even if the “elegant” setting’s waterfront vista is “unsurpassed”; “gracious” service tops off what many consider the most “romantic” “gastronomic experience” in the area.
California Pizza Kitchen
Beverly Ctr. | 121 N. La Cienega Blvd.(bet. Beverly Blvd. & 3rd St.) | California | 310-854-6555
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
California Pizza Kitchen
207 S. Beverly Dr.(bet. Olympic & Wilshire Blvds.) | California | 310-275-1101
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
California Pizza Kitchen
601 N. San Fernando Blvd.(Cypress Ave.) | California | 818-972-2589
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
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14
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16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
California Pizza Kitchen
Hollywood & Highland Complex | 6801 Hollywood Blvd., upstairs(Highland Blvd.) | California | 323-460-2080
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
California Pizza Kitchen
Wells Fargo Ctr. | 330 S. Hope St.(bet. 3rd & 4th Sts.) | California | 213-626-2616
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
California Pizza Kitchen
Manhattan Village Mall | 3280 N. Sepulveda Blvd.(Rosecrans Ave.) | California | 310-796-1233
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
California Pizza Kitchen
Plaza Las Fuentes | 99 N. Los Robles Ave.(Union St.) | California | 626-585-9020
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
California Pizza Kitchen
210 Wilshire Blvd.(bet. 2nd & 3rd Sts.) | California | 310-393-9335
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
California Pizza Kitchen
12265 Ventura Blvd.(Laurel Grove Ave.) | California | 818-505-6437
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
California Pizza Kitchen
Westwood Vill. | 1001 Broxton Ave.(Weyburn Ave.) | California | 310-209-9197
www.cpk.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
14
|
16
|
20
|
Customers “count on” this “steady” chain that “pretty much invented California pizza as it is today”, offering “classic” BBQ chicken pies and toppings with “ethnic twists”, along with “complex”, “appealing” salads; though by now it feels a bit “formulaic” to those who “grew up on it”, it’s still popular among “post–soccer practice families” and tweens “gabbing on cell phones” in surroundings that are “like eating at the Gap, but louder”; service can be “slapdash”, so be sure to “allow time.”
Campanile
624 S. La Brea Ave.(bet. 6th St. & Wilshire Blvd.) | California | 323-938-1447
www.campanilerestaurant.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
26
|
24
|
23
|
56
|
At this La Brea “must for LA dining”, chef-owner Mark Peel delivers Cal-Med cuisine that’s “sumptuous”, “elegant” and “impervious to fashion”; enamored eaters call the weekend brunch the “discovery of the year”, Thursday night’s grilled cheese the “best you’ll ever taste” and Monday’s three-course family-style meal a “real steal”, also noting the “properly attentive” service and lofty space built by Charlie Chaplin – a “timeless” “part of Hollywood history.”
Cheesecake Factory
364 N. Beverly Dr.(Brighton Way) | California | 310-278-7270
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
20
|
18
|
18
|
26
|
“Mass-produced happiness” is the promise of this “constantly buzzing” (“if you like it loud with a crowd”) national chain dishing up “dependable” American fare in such “ridiculously large” portions there’s “barely enough room” for their “amazing” signature dessert; the service is generally “decent”, though “a long wait for a table is a virtual certainty” since they don’t take reservations, leaving some to sigh “so many cheesecakes, so little time.”
Cheesecake Factory
11647 San Vicente Blvd.(bet. Barrington Ave. & Wilshire Blvd.) | California | 310-826-7111
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
20
|
18
|
18
|
26
|
“Mass-produced happiness” is the promise of this “constantly buzzing” (“if you like it loud with a crowd”) national chain dishing up “dependable” American fare in such “ridiculously large” portions there’s “barely enough room” for their “amazing” signature dessert; the service is generally “decent”, though “a long wait for a table is a virtual certainty” since they don’t take reservations, leaving some to sigh “so many cheesecakes, so little time.”
Cheesecake Factory
4142 Via Marina(Admiralty Way) | California | 310-306-3344
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
20
|
18
|
18
|
26
|
“Mass-produced happiness” is the promise of this “constantly buzzing” (“if you like it loud with a crowd”) national chain dishing up “dependable” American fare in such “ridiculously large” portions there’s “barely enough room” for their “amazing” signature dessert; the service is generally “decent”, though “a long wait for a table is a virtual certainty” since they don’t take reservations, leaving some to sigh “so many cheesecakes, so little time.”
Cheesecake Factory
2 W. Colorado Blvd.(Fair Oaks Ave.) | California | 626-584-6000
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
20
|
18
|
18
|
26
|
“Mass-produced happiness” is the promise of this “constantly buzzing” (“if you like it loud with a crowd”) national chain dishing up “dependable” American fare in such “ridiculously large” portions there’s “barely enough room” for their “amazing” signature dessert; the service is generally “decent”, though “a long wait for a table is a virtual certainty” since they don’t take reservations, leaving some to sigh “so many cheesecakes, so little time.”
Cheesecake Factory
605 N. Harbor Dr.(190th St.) | California | 310-376-0466
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
20
|
18
|
18
|
26
|
“Mass-produced happiness” is the promise of this “constantly buzzing” (“if you like it loud with a crowd”) national chain dishing up “dependable” American fare in such “ridiculously large” portions there’s “barely enough room” for their “amazing” signature dessert; the service is generally “decent”, though “a long wait for a table is a virtual certainty” since they don’t take reservations, leaving some to sigh “so many cheesecakes, so little time.”
Cheesecake Factory
Sherman Oaks Galleria | 15301 Ventura Blvd.(Sepulveda Blvd.) | California | 818-906-0700
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
20
|
18
|
18
|
26
|
“Mass-produced happiness” is the promise of this “constantly buzzing” (“if you like it loud with a crowd”) national chain dishing up “dependable” American fare in such “ridiculously large” portions there’s “barely enough room” for their “amazing” signature dessert; the service is generally “decent”, though “a long wait for a table is a virtual certainty” since they don’t take reservations, leaving some to sigh “so many cheesecakes, so little time.”
Cheesecake Factory
Thousand Oaks Mall | 442 W. Hillcrest Dr.(Lynn Rd.) | California | 805-371-9705
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
20
|
18
|
18
|
26
|
“Mass-produced happiness” is the promise of this “constantly buzzing” (“if you like it loud with a crowd”) national chain dishing up “dependable” American fare in such “ridiculously large” portions there’s “barely enough room” for their “amazing” signature dessert; the service is generally “decent”, though “a long wait for a table is a virtual certainty” since they don’t take reservations, leaving some to sigh “so many cheesecakes, so little time.”
Cheesecake Factory
Warner Center Trillium | 6324 Canoga Ave.(Victory Blvd.) | California | 818-883-9900
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
20
|
18
|
18
|
26
|
“Mass-produced happiness” is the promise of this “constantly buzzing” (“if you like it loud with a crowd”) national chain dishing up “dependable” American fare in such “ridiculously large” portions there’s “barely enough room” for their “amazing” signature dessert; the service is generally “decent”, though “a long wait for a table is a virtual certainty” since they don’t take reservations, leaving some to sigh “so many cheesecakes, so little time.”
Chinois on Main
2709 Main St.(Hill St.) | California | 310-392-9025
www.wolfgangpuck.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
26
|
20
|
23
|
59
|
An “adventure” awaits at Wolfgang Puck’s Santa Monica “temple” of Asian-French fusion, whose “inventive appetizers”, whole catfish and other “superlatively” designed dishes still “impress”, as does the “terrific” staff; although it loses points for a “cramped, noisy” dining room with a “late-’80s” look, insiders suggest “sitting at the bar and watching the show . . . it’s better than the cooking channel.”
Crustacean
9646 Little Santa Monica Blvd.(Bedford Dr.) | California | 310-205-8990
www.anfamily.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
23
|
25
|
21
|
60
|
“A koi stream underfoot” is only part of the “dazzling” French colonial decor at this Beverly Hills “destination” where a “showbiz” crowd (“B-listers”, “pro athletes”) and “tourists” crack open “big messy crabs” and slurp up “addictive” noodles from a “pricey” menu of Vietnamese and Asian fusion dishes; though critics carp it’s “lost its luster”, even they concede this LA “institution” “has to be experienced at least once.”
Cut
Beverly Wilshire | 9500 Wilshire Blvd.(Beverly Dr.) | California | 310-276-8500
www.wolfgangpuck.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
26
|
24
|
24
|
94
|
“The new king” of Kobe, Wolfgang Puck has a “winner” with this “quintessential” steakhouse in the Beverly Wilshire hotel that “sets the bar” with “amazing” cuts of beef (“Wagyu as rich and tender as foie gras”) and “inventive” sides served in a “professional”, if “sometimes over-the-top”, manner befitting the “outlandish” prices (you may as well “just hand your wallet to the hostess when you walk in”); the “magnificent” Richard Meier–designed room is a “total scene” where “celeb-spotting is highly probable”, but reservations are a “pain”, “unless you’ve been nominated for an Academy Award”; N.B. a limited menu is available at the adjacent Sidebar.
El Cholo Cafe
1121 S. Western Ave.(bet. 11th & 12th Sts.) | California | 323-734-2773
www.elcholo.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
23
|
“A real icon” for “potent margaritas” and “huge platters” of “old-school Mexican”, this “historic”, family-owned chain opened more than 80 years ago but still “appeals to all ages, groups and cultures” for “festive”, “dependable” meals; although the service is a “mixed bag” and some call the cooking “Anglo-cized”, specialties like the “made-to-order” guacamole and “first-rate” “green corn tamales in season” are “difficult to pass up.”
El Cholo Cafe
958 S. Fair Oaks Ave.(bet. Arlington Dr. & Hurlbut St.) | California | 626-441-4353
www.elcholo.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
23
|
“A real icon” for “potent margaritas” and “huge platters” of “old-school Mexican”, this “historic”, family-owned chain opened more than 80 years ago but still “appeals to all ages, groups and cultures” for “festive”, “dependable” meals; although the service is a “mixed bag” and some call the cooking “Anglo-cized”, specialties like the “made-to-order” guacamole and “first-rate” “green corn tamales in season” are “difficult to pass up.”
El Cholo Cafe
1025 Wilshire Blvd.(bet. 10th & 11th Sts.) | California | 310-899-1106
www.elcholo.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
23
|
“A real icon” for “potent margaritas” and “huge platters” of “old-school Mexican”, this “historic”, family-owned chain opened more than 80 years ago but still “appeals to all ages, groups and cultures” for “festive”, “dependable” meals; although the service is a “mixed bag” and some call the cooking “Anglo-cized”, specialties like the “made-to-order” guacamole and “first-rate” “green corn tamales in season” are “difficult to pass up.”
El Cholo Cantina
LA Int'l Airport | 209 World Way(Terminal 5) | California | 310-417-1910
www.elcholo.com
Ratings & Review |
Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
23
|
“A real icon” for “potent margaritas” and “huge platters” of “old-school Mexican”, this “historic”, family-owned chain opened more than 80 years ago but still “appeals to all ages, groups and cultures” for “festive”, “dependable” meals; although the
