American • Brew Pubs • British • California Cuisine • Chinese • Clubs/Supper Clubs • Continental • Dessert •
Eclectic • French • Indian • International • Italian • Japanese • Korean • Latin/Cuban • Mediterranean •
Mexican/Southwestern • Moroccan • Pan-Asian • Polynesian • Seafood • Spanish • Steak • Thai • Vietnamese

Featured Dining CALIFORNIA CUISINE

See Maps Pages to see indicated grid locations.

208 Rodeo Cafe spills onto cobblestone via at luxurious Two Rodeo complex. A gem. Pan-Asian, French influences. Lunch, dinner daily. (AE, MC, V) 2 Rodeo, 208 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.275.2428 $$ Map J11 www.208Rodeo.com

Nic’s Sleek restaurant adds 10-degree glass-walled VodBox for vodka and caviar sampling; furs provided. Cool! New Dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 453 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.550.5707 $$ Map I11 www.nicsbeverlyhills.com

Off Vine Comfortable bungalow at Sunset and Vine offers fine Cal cuisine in a romantic setting. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch Sat.–Sun. (AE, DC, MC, V) 6263 Leland Way, Hollywood, 323.962.1900 $$ Map H14
www.offvine.com

Tantalum Stylish venue with harbor views offers Pacific Rim–California cuisine (wok-fired chicken wraps; crispy whole Thai snapper; Asian spiced rib-eye). Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 6272 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, 562.431.1414 $$ Map O17
www.tantalumrestaurant.com

More CALIFORNIA CUISINE

Akwa Cal-Asian. Upstairs: Large, secluded, happening patio. Downstairs: laid-back sushi bar. Lunch weekdays; dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 1413 5th St., Santa Monica, 310.656.9688 $$ Map L8

Blue on Blue Ode to mid-century modernism and modern American cuisine, on poolside Lucite or in pool-view cabanas. Breakfast, lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) Avalon Hotel, 9400 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.277.5221 $$$ Map J11

Breeze Creative “grill cuisine,” plus sushi bar. Fabulous desserts. Distinctive décor. All meals daily. (All major cards) Century Plaza Hotel & Spa, 2025 Ave. of the Stars, Century City, 310.551.3334 $$$ Map J11

Cafe Rodeo Intimate artsy room; distinctive California comfort fare. Bar 360. All meals daily. (All major cards) Luxe Hotel, 360 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.273.0300 $$ Map J11

Chaya Venice Pacific Rim fusion in sleek setting; fine sushi bar. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (AE, DC, MC, V) 110 Navy St., Venice, 310.396.1179 $$ Map M9

Chaya Brasserie Franco-Asian fare and ambience attracts the beautiful people and their agents. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 8741 Alden Drive, West Hollywood, 310.859.8833 $$ Map I11

Checkers Luxurious dining room, creative menu at Hilton Checkers. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) 535 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.891.0519 $$ Map H16

Chez Melange Eclectic restaurant at Palos Verdes Inn is a mélange that works. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) 1716 Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, 310.540.1222 $$
Map M13

Chinois on Main Arguably Wolfgang Puck’s most innovative. East meets West in (noisy) culinary explosion. Lunch Wed.-Fri.; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 2709 Main St., Santa Monica, 310.392.9025 $$$ Map M8

Doug Arango’s Casual, cozy Palm Desert transplant; Cal fare with Northern Italian accent. Lunch Mon.–Fri.; dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 8826 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.278.3684 $$ Map I12

Geoffrey’s Prettiest patio in paradise? 180-degree Pacific views; creative seafood. Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner nightly; brunch Sun. (All major cards) 27400 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 310.457.1519 $$$ Map northwest of K7

Gina Lee’s Bistro Unassuming but daring Cal-Asian eatery is among the South Bay’s finest. Dinner Tues.–Sun. (All major cards) 211 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach, 310.375.4462 $$ Map N13

Hal’s Bar & Grill Innovative and terrific. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) 1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.396.3105 $$ Map M9

Inn of the Seventh Ray Gourmet organic cuisine, creekside. Fish, natural meat/poultry, vegan/vegetarian. Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner nightly; Sun. brunch. (All major cards) 128 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga, 310.455.1311 $$ Map B1

Jer-ne Culinary new world offers best of fusion cuisine. Desserts earn raves, too. All meals daily. (All major cards) Ritz-Carlton, 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310.823.1700. $$$ Map N9

Joe’s Boisterous benchmark of Cal cuisine. Lunch, dinner Tues.–Sun.; brunch weekends. (AE, MC, V) 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.399.5811 $$ Map M9

Mako Lively Cal-Asian plates for sharing: jellyfish-crabmeat salad, crispy oysters with tapenade. Lunch Wed.-Fri.; dinner Mon.-Sat. (All major cards) 225 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.288.8338 $$$ Map J11

Max Andre Guerrero (Linq) defies easy Cal-Asian
classification at his restaurant over Sepulveda Pass. Lunch Tues.–Fri.; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 13355 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818.784.2915 $$$ Map G10

Napa Valley Grille Chef Anne Conness updates wine country-inspired cuisine. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (AE, MC, V) 1100 Glendon Ave., Westwood, 310.824.3322 $$ Map J10

Native Foods Vegetarian fare. There’s no poultry or meat in the Save the Chicken salad and Philly peppersteak sandwich. Lunch, dinner daily. (AE, MC, V) 11101/2 Gayley Ave., Westwood, 310.209.1055 $ Map J10

Nine Thirty Seasonal California cuisine amid stunning décor at hip hotel. All meals daily. (All major cards) W Hotel, 930 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, 310.208.8765 $$$ Map N9

Nook Bistro Stylish new venue in strip mall serves eclectic American bistro fare. Lunch weekdays; dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 11628 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A., 310.207.5160 $$ Map L9

Oceanfront Casa del Mar’s elegant, cozy dining room offers panoramic Pacific vistas, Cal-American fare. (All major cards) Lunch, dinner daily; Sun. brunch. 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, 310.581.5533 $$$ Map M8

Ocean & Vine Farmers market–inspired cuisine in lovely room with coastal view. All meals daily. (All major cards) Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.576.3180. $$$ Map L8

One Pico Great view, exceptional kitchen. Relaxed, romantic, upbeat room with monolithic limestone fireplace. New chef. Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner nightly; Sun. brunch. (All major cards) Shutters on the Beach hotel, 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.587.1717 $$$ Map M8

Opus Bar & Grill New chef Jacob Ramos adds crab cake with kumquat gazpacho; chipotle- and Zinfandel-braised short ribs. Stylish digs adjacent to Wiltern Theatre. Dinner Mon.–Sat. (MC, V) 3760 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 213.738.1600 $$$ Map N16

Parkway Grill Chef David Tarrin updates menu at one of Pasadena’s best restaurants. Handsome dining room. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (AE, MC, V) 510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena, 626.795.1001 $$$ Map N16

Polo Lounge Legendary celebrity watering hole. Excellent cuisine; great patio and great people-watching. All meals daily. (All major cards) Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.276.2251 $$$ Map I11

The Restaurant at the Hotel Bel-Air Inventive cuisine in idyllic setting, seemingly a million miles from nearby Sunset Boulevard. The bar, like a library with fireplace, is an L.A. classic. All meals daily. (All major cards) 701 Stone Canyon Road, Bel-Air, 310.472.5234 $$$$ Map I10

Restaurant at the Getty Center Chic glass-walled room with spectacular vantages. Imaginative “progressive California” cuisine. (All major cards) Lunch Tues.-Sat., dinner Fri.-Sat.; Sun. brunch. 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A., 310.440.6810 $$$ Map H9

Schatzi on Main Restaurant founded by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver serves Arnold’s favorite dishes. Dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) 3110 Main St., Santa Monica, 310.399.4800 $$ Map M8

Smeraldi’s Biltmore classics (Caesar salad, crab cakes) plus Peking duck rillettes, veal-and-ricotta meatballs. All meals daily. (All major cards) Millennium Biltmore, 506 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.612.1562 $$ Map I16

Spago Beverly Hills There are Spagos from Maui to Vegas, but Wolfgang Puck’s flagship is the most impressive. Chef Lee Hefter and pastry chef Sherry Yard are amazing. Lunch, dinner nightly. (All major cards) 176 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.385.0880 $$$ Map I11

Table 8 Shimmering environment from chef Govind Armstrong. Off-menu: dry herb- and kosher salt–encrusted, roasted 30-oz. porterhouse for two. Dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 7661 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, 323.782.8258 $$$ Map I13

Traxx Deco-inspired restaurant offers quiet elegance amid bustle of Union Station. Tuna tartare napoleon; tamarind-glazed escolar. Lunch weekdays; dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 800 N. Alameda St., downtown, 213.625.1999 $$$ Map H17

Vert Wolfgang Puck’s Cal. brasserie. Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.491.1300 $$$ Map H13

Violet Small-plate restaurant serves seasonal, often organic Cal fare that’s sophisticated, casual, well-priced. Lunch Tues.–Fri.; dinner Tues.–Sun. (All major cards) 3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.453.9113 $$ Map L9
SYMBOL KEY
Credit Cards Price Range
AE American Express $ under $15
MC Mastercard $$ under $30
V Visa $$$ under $50
DC Diners Club $$$$ over $50

American • Brew Pubs • British • California Cuisine • Chinese • Clubs/Supper Clubs • Continental • Dessert • Eclectic • French • Indian • International • Italian • Japanese • Korean • Latin/Cuban • Mediterranean • Mexican/Southwestern • Moroccan • Pan-Asian • Polynesian • Seafood • Spanish • Steak • Thai • Vietnamese