LA Eats: Valentine’s Day 2019

As Angeleno’s we know LA has no shortage of places to grab a bite from am to pm. On this holiday of love, our favorite spots will be raising the bar and prices for their Valentines Day offerings. Whether your preference is pre-fix or simply exquisite cuisine, we’ve rounded up the best places to dine with your special someone.

Inn of the Seventh Ray

Location: Topanga

Forget the Topanga stereotypes of burning sage and healing crystals (OK, they sell those here, too). Off Old Topanga Road, love-stricken diners can enter a bucolic, wooded city escape: a multi-tiered outdoor dining space draped in lights, lilac and oak trees—and, yes, the wafting scent of incense that hits you on your way in. Take in the serene, creekside surroundings under heat lamps and twinkling stars. This idyllic setting will be offering both Brunch and Dinner for the Hallmark holiday of love. Menu’s are pre-fix(with some a la carte dinner options) and can be viewed here.

One Pico

Location: Santa Monica

Escape to Nantucket at this beachside destination seducing lovers and landlubbers alike, where you can grab front-row seats overlooking the Pacific. If that’s not enough to impress your sunset-discriminating friend, cozy up to the roaring fire over surf and turf plates such as fresh pasta with lobster, seared scallops with bok choi and soy caramel, 24-day–aged rib eye and Sunday-night prime rib dinner served table-side. The quiet dining room jazzes up, literally, come nightfall with live piano and jazz in the hotel’s Living Room lounge, perfect for graduating on to cocktails and more fireside canoodling. View there Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu here.

Cafe Pinot

Location: DTLA

Transport yourself to another place and time at this Downtown bistro where it’s all about the outdoor patio. Settle under olive trees decked in twinkling lights and a towering skyline overhead, with the Art Deco Central Library as your up-close-and-personal view. When it comes to the menu, expect an extensive wine list, eclectic flavors and elegantly-composed plates from this Patina-owned restaurant. Those seeking romance can pine over the lavish Valentine’s Day pre-fixe menu which can be viewed here.

Chateau Hanare

Location: West Hollywood

Soft, flattering lighting that bounces off the delicate gold wallpaper? Check. An artful, at times decadent, menu that’s perfect for sharing bites with your date? Double check. Traditional Japanese technique meets California flavor at this intimate bungalow on the edge of Chateau Marmont. Pro tip: For an even more intimate experience, huddle over sake and cocktails at the front bar. For next Wednesday they’re offering a stunning Valentines version of their Kaiseki menu. Click here for more information.

Little Beast

Location: Eagle Rock

There’s romance even in the story of this Eagle Rock gem. The cozy Craftsman bungalow turned bistro is run by—of course—a husband-and-wife team. Chef Sean Lowenthal and Deborah Schwartz-Lowenthal cook up a hyper-seasonal New-American menu romance filled setting. Share your way through braised meatballs, duck liver mousse with sherry gastrique, and charred flat iron steak. Outdoors, the lights flip on when the sun goes down, providing an intimate patio that glows as much as your date will. For more information click here.

The Bazaar by Jose Andres

Location: Central LA

This Valentine’s Day, plan a night as unique as your romance. With three outstanding José Andrés experiences to chose from, the way to the heart begins with a feast for the senses. There are multiple dining rooms, each with a different menu focus and ambience. Dine dangerously in the more masculine, matador-themed banquettes or opt for comfy-yet-modern seating. For more information on their menu options click here.

Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air

Location: Bel Air

Since opening its doors in 1946, Hotel Bel-Air has been the site of Old Hollywood’s (then-new) city escapes. From honeymoons to camping out in the secluded hills away from the lights. The Mediterranean-influenced menu sees glimpses of old and new with updated Puck favorites. Finish with a stroll by the fabled Swan Lake for a fairy-tale ending. Click here to view their Valentine’s Day menu offerings.

Scopa Italian Roots

Location: Venice

Oh, Scopa, what are you doing to us? Those crispy squash blossoms and house-made meatballs are making our hearts melt. Not to mention the intoxicating glow of the fully-stocked liquor bar that lights up the restaurant. Couples canoodle in dark booths, sharing plates of rigatoni in vodka sauce and fusilli tossed with capers, olives and anchovies. Chef Antonia Lofaso has a knack for churning out quality comfort food in a date-worthy atmosphere. End the night with a fried fluffernutter (trust us). To view their menu click here.

Melisse

Location: Santa Monica

Ask anyone in L.A. what the best fine-dining spot is, and Mélisse always comes out toward the top of the list. Serving dinner only, suited waiters bring course after course. You can opt for the basic four, seven or 10 courses, plus caviar service—of artfully-composed plates of pure decadence. (If that doesn’t seduce you, we don’t know what will.) While two private dining rooms offer a more intimate setting, the main dining room hosts couples, who should request a booth. To view their pre-fixe menu options click here.

Elf Cafe

Location: Echo Park

Because vegetarians are lovers, too. This Echo Park haunt is a date night go-to for vegetarians and omnivores alike. Fall for the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean menu that changes with the season. Call ahead to claim a spot with your date inside the cozy, matchbox-size dining room. Sip on any number of wines—all natural wine, of course—and toast over vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Click here to view their menu options.

Firefly

Location: Studio City

Firefly may be the closest thing to a modern-day secret garden in L.A., walls of tangled ivy included. The fine-dining restaurant offers Modern-American cuisine in a romantic, cozy setting. Their heated, fire-lit patio is decorated in candles and twinkling lights, while the library-like bar area offers an ideal date-night vibe. In this secret garden, you’ll be fed exquisitely constructed dishes off their pre-fix Valentine’s Day menu which can be viewed here.

mar’sel

Location: Rancho Palos Verdes/Rolling Hills Estates

When the parsley sprinkled over the house-made pasta you’re eating has come from a garden right outside the restaurant’s doors, you know you’re eating fresh. Such is the case at the picture-perfect mar’sel, where an onsite herb-and-vegetable garden is mere steps from the kitchen, its goods incorporated throughout the menu. Overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean, mar’sel is the perfect place to impress your date. Their menu options can be viewed here.

Il Cielo

Location: Beverly Hills

If a restaurant could make you weak at the knees, Il Cielo would have diners dropping left and right. Serving dinner under a canopy of twinkling lights, the romantic Italian eatery aims to be a “country restaurant in the city”. Bubbling fountains and white tablecloths create a darling ambiance to rival a Tuscan trattoria. Their decadent Valentine’s Day menu is sure to rival other as well and can be viewed here.

Cliff’s Edge

Location: Silver Lake

This hidden gem’s patio is one of the prettiest on the east end of the city. An open structure that’s outfitted in hanging lights and a fireplace under a huge banyan-like tree. The menu reads like an exotic escape—to the Mediterranean or Asia, perhaps—with a California influence. Enjoy menu items like French butter lettuce with radish, quinoa, or whole branzino with papaya salad and nuoc cham. To view their full menu click here.

Lucques

Location: West Hollywood

Long heralded as one of the top restaurants in the city, Melrose Avenue’s Lucques continues to draw foodies and the fashionable set. The menu takes cues from the season with local farmers’ market ingredients highlighted on the plate. While the bar menu features a separate selection of eats and seasonal concoctions, another experience and reason to visit. Indulge by flickering candlelight over a bottle—the well-curated wine selection features worlds both old and new—and don’t skimp on desserts. View their seasonal menu here.

Courtesy of: Time Out LA

Weekend Events: January 11-13, 2019

 Now that 2019 is in full gear, don’t let you weekends fall short of well-deserved fun. In the city of stars there is no shortage of thrills. We rounded-up the best “Angeleno” approved events to enjoy this weekend!

Read below for events happening in and round LA January 11-13.

Discover your inner Angeleno!

Friday Jan. 11th

Dine L.A.

Location: Los Angeles, Citywide

Presented by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, dineL.A. returns with it’s 15-day dining event. The bi-annual dining showcase highlights the diversity of culinary experiences L.A. has to offer. Enjoy a variety of special lunch and dinner menus at more than 400 restaurants. Tickets are not required but reservations are recommended!

Click here for more information.

Once Loved. Twice Broken

Location: California Heritage Museum, Santa Monica

Join the California Heritage Museum for their opening of two exhibits: Chris Fraticelli’s Once Loved, Twice Broken and Gilena Simons Fortuna. The opening reception will takes place from 6-9pm with debut installations and over 24 sculptures from Fraticelli.

Click here for more information.

Movie Night at The Wiltern

Location: The Wiltern, Los Angeles

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage at The Wiltern this Friday with a showing of the 1997 beloved biopic, Selena. Relive her legacy on the theatre’s historical silver screen and enjoy vendors, photo ops and more.

Click here for more information.

Saturday Jan. 12th

Dimitris Papaioannou: The Great Tamer

Location: Royce Hall, UCLA Los Angeles

Visual Artists and choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou plays Royce Hall. A visually stunning and surreal pageant that grapples with the meaning of life, the mystery of death, time, destruction and reconstruction. Often referencing famous sculptures and paintings, Papaioannou uses the human body to create vignettes brimming with humor, horror, circus-like stunts and optical illusions.

Click here for more information.

Winter Sounds WEHO: Danny Janklow

Location: West Hollywood City Council Chambers

The City of West Hollywood’s Art Division and the West Hollywood Library present the 2018-19 Winter Sounds free Indoor Concert Series. Saxophonist and multi-talented Danny Janklow brings his soulful and innovative voice to Weho for a night of energetic sound. Having inspired thousands of listeners from Japan to Holland, Danny has also shared the stage with legends such as Stevie Wonder.

Click here for more information.

Nelaart Second Saturday Night

Location: Highland Park and Surrounding Areas, Los Angeles

The Highland Park and Eagle Rock districts of the northeast cluster of art galleries will collectively stay open late this Saturday and each second Saturday of the month. Discover new and known artists during this evening of arts and culture.

Click here for more information.

Sunday Jan 13th

Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas

Location: Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University

Enjoy an afternoon of intimate music and ecstatic dance energy between consummate performer Alasdair Fraser and California cellist Natalie Haas. Over the last sixteen years, the duo has created a buzz at festivals and concert halls around the world .

Click here for more information.

Rock 4 Relief- A Benefit For CA Wildfire Victims & First Responders

Location: The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles

Rock 4 Relief takes this stage this weekend at the Ace Hotel. The benefit concert will be in support of victims, fire fighters and first responders of the recent California wildfires. The concert will feature performances from Sugar Ray, REM, Billy Idol and more. VIP ticket includes premium seat + meet & greet and photo opportunity.

Click here for more information.

Story Pirates

Location: Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts

What the New York Times is hailing a “Theatrical Treasure” , Story Pirates returns to the Wallis Annenberg for day of fun. This kid-centric company is a free outdoor musical sketch comedy. The stories are written by children and geared towards the tiniest of toddlers. Treat your little ones to a hearty afternoon of laughter and excitement!

Click here for more information.

LA Eats of the Week

It’s a new year and a new you so why not try something new when it comes to dining. Don’t opt for your usual lunch spot when LA is always dishing out something fresh. Whether it is AM, MIDDAY, or PM, we have you covered with a list of savory options.

Rise and Shine!

Daughters Deli

Daughters Deli- LA Eats of the Week

Location: West Hollywood

Continuing off of the legacy her parents started at the famed Langer’s Deli, is Daughter’s Deli-the hip new WEHO sandwich shop. Abit more refined than her family’s famed eatery, Daughters deli offers breakfast sandwiches along with deli classics.

Click her fore more information

Souffles

Souffle- LA Eats of the Week

Location: Koreatown

Hearing the name Souffle one might think of just the dessert found at your nearest fine dining eateries. Well Souffle in Koreatown offers that and more with their varying flavors of pancake style sweets. The perfect treat for anytime of day can be found here!

Click here for more information.

Fiona

Fiona-LA Eats of the Week

Location: Los Angeles

Longtime LA baker and pastry queen Nicole Rucker opens this daytime bakery and cafe on Fairfax serving crafted breads, pastries, and toasts with a helping hand from former Simbal chef Shawn Pham. Dishes get an LA-style infusion of Asian flavors like miso chicken soup and Japanese sesame butter toast with service from morning until 8 p.m. Starting this month, Fiona will take hours to 10 p.m. with a larger savory menu to serve the neighborhood.

Click here for more information.

Midday Cravings

Pikunico

Pikunico-LA Eats of the Week

Location: DTLA

A sister restaurant of the famed Hinoki and the Bird in Century City, Pikunico is Top Chef alum Kuniko Yagi’s newest establishment. This venture is a bit more of a casual karaage restaurant at DTLA’s The Row competing in LA’s fried chicken war. See for yourself as a lunch time reprieve.

Click here for more information.

Jolie

Jolie- LA Eats of the Week

Location: Bel Air

New to the hills of Bel Air is this French Riviera inspired eatery offering a fresh array of lunch and dinner options. Jolie’s French-Mediterranean menu is the work of chef Cody Dickey, who was previously running the show at Carbon Beach Club in Malibu, and was also in the kitchen at Gato in New York City. Let your tastebuds travel to the Cote D’Azur.

Click here for more information.

Washoku

Washoku- LA Eats of the Week

Location: Studio City

Katsu-ya brings affordable omakase to the valley with Washoku, a traditional sushi spot not far from the original location. Have your pick of classic sushi dishes or opt for the all-star multi course option at a wallet worthy $28. Arrive early if this omakase selection fancies you as only six orders are available per day.

Click here for more information.

What’s for Dinner?

Blackship

Blackship- LA Eats of the Week

Location: West Hollywood

Italian is fused with Japanese at Weho’s new favorite date spot. Blackship is helmed by another Hinoki and the Bird alum, chef Keiichi Kurobe and dazzles with fascinating dishes. Opt between the hamachi bolognese or carbonara ramen with chashu as you sit beneath a dazzling outdoor patio space.

Click here for more information.

Los Balcones

Los Balcones- LA Eats of the Week

Location: Studio City

The long-standing Peruvian favorite of Hollywood has expanded to the Valley. Los Balcones takes over the former location of Girasol on Moorpark with hot take son classic dishes. Try the Chuleta Adobo porketta with smoked tomato pepian corn and pickle escabeche. Or savor over the Locro Pappardelle with roasted pumpkin ragu, goat cheese, zapallo hummas, and pepitas.

Click here for more information.

Atrium

Atrium-LA Eats of the Week

Location: Los Feliz

Los Feliz, with its limited retail space, doesn’t often get big new restaurants. With Beau Laughlin and Jay Milliken working on this restaurant for what seemed like years, Atrium is finally opened behind Skylight books with a wide, crowd-friendly menu of innovative Californian fare from chef Hunter Pritchett. The soaring space feels modern and fresh while the warm service help push out everything from passionfruit hamachi crudo to a robust dry-aged steak au poivre with Sichuan peppercorns.

Click here for more information.