3 Stars Restaurants

Moonshadows has been a Malibu institution since the 1960s, primarily due to the sweeping views of the Pacific. On weekdays, the restaurant is popular with locals and beachgoers. On weekends, the lounge and patio fill with a glitzier crowd that’s craving nightlife. The menu found new life in 2003 with the addition of Chef Joachim Weritz. The native German infuses Asian and Mediterranean influences in contemporary California dishes like sake braised short ribs and crispy panko fried oysters with mirin-passion fruit mignonette. Managing Partner Andrea Bullo fine-tuned a 130-bottle wine list and garnered a 2007 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence." Learn More »

Family owned since 1948, Yamashiro is one Los Angeles landmark that continues to be both relevant and even cutting edge, while remaining true to its rich heritage. This restaurant and event venue not only serves up some of the most breathtaking views in the city, but it also draws in the crowds with its Asian inspired menu – dishes like the aromatic Truffle Hamachi and the decadent Wagyu Steak on a Himalayan Salt Plate prove that there is nothing conventional about their classic specialties. Yamashiro also boasts a Koi pond, which is surrounded by manicured gardens that also serve as … Learn More »

Cima Restaurant at Pacific Palms Resort offers guests one of the area's most exciting restaurants. Diners will enjoy an eclectic menu featuring Pacific Fusion cuisine during the week. Saturday night features an “East Meets West Buffet” with buffet favorites such as lobster, prime rib, and sushi. The Sunday California Champagne Brunch is a great way for families to get together and enjoy a meal without the limitations of having to order off a menu. Offering a lively atmosphere with impeccable service, majestic views, and an expansive deck for outdoor dining, Cima is perfect for a casual diner or corporate gathering. Learn More »

The Dal Rae is the Southern California restaurant where 1950s classics still reign. Lobster Thermidor, Pepper Steak, Chateaubriand, Prime Rib, Fresh Fish, Rack of Lamb, Steak Diane, and Cherries Jubilee prepared tableside are among more than 100 items on a truly retro menu, complete with some of the city's best martinis. The kitchen uses only the aged prime beef and the freshest seafood available, so it is no wonder this Rico Rivera institution continues to be a community favorite. The Piano Bar features live music Wednesday through Saturday to entertain those looking to unwind while enjoying a cocktail. Come experience … Learn More »

Deep in the heart of Hollywood, four-year old Cinespace is a unique venue that features traditional favorites in a modern atmosphere. Customers can choose to sit in the futuristic-feeling lounge, the open-air patio or the dark and moody screening room. The latter option features a free, intimate film-viewing experience. Executive Chef Stephen Rea’s movie-themed menu is a combination of modern takes on both American and Californian staples. Specialty cocktails are served at the full bar, and a DJ performs live nightly. Learn More »

Housed in an old canning building overlooking the Newport harbor, the Cannery is a historical landmark reminiscent of the days when Newport harbor became a hub of the fishing industry. Along with an extensive seafood selection, the menu features traditional steaks and chops, along with a sushi and raw bar. The Cannery has five different dining areas which offer stunning views, including a outdoor patio and an Asian dining room with a full Japanese menu. Learn More »

For 30 years Café Pierre has offered the Manhattan Beach area consistent, authentic, and exciting cuisine. The restaurant has perfected the seamless integration of food and service, stemming from Chef and Owner Guy Gabriele’s passion for food and wine. The menu is mostly French and Italian, with subtle influences from Asia, South America, and the Middle East. Dishes such as Steak au Poivre and Linguini Frutti di Mare remain authentic to their traditional roots while integrating Gabriele’s signature twist on each dish. Recognizing the pleasures in pairing food and wine, Café Pierre offers an engaging wine list with over 600 … Learn More »

For over fifty years, the Buggy Whip has remained a prime destination for fine dining in Los Angeles. The classic cuisine and even more classic atmosphere hark back to an older time, when dining was entwined with elegance. Diners may savor an old-fashioned cocktail before favorites such as aged Filet Mignon and stone crab claws, all the while relaxing among regal red leather booths while live piano plays every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the background. Especially in trend-conscious LA, The Buggy Whip's reliability and consistency can be quite refreshing. Learn More »

This New York-style bistro has become a popular hangout for locals and late-night diners. The massive dining room features high ceilings and a gorgeous art-deco bar, which gives a festive atmosphere. The classic American fare gets a modern twist with such dishes as Mac & Cheese with white cheddar, asiago, and goat cheese, and the Flat Iron Steak with Bleu Cheese Fries. Regulars also return for the attentive staffs’ service, as well as the delicious food. The restaurant is open until 2am so swing by after a night out to people watch on the outdoor patio and grab some satisfying … Learn More »

Located in a converted house on Glenneyre Street in Laguna Beach, Cafe Zoolu is at one with the surrounding neighborhood and its residence. Located next to a local health club and only two blocks from the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Café Zoolu is noted among locals for a magnificent appeal drawn from the location, the décor, and the food. Great veal chops, and world famous grilled swordfish are what have earned Café Zoolu its high regard and recognition. The cozy restaurant has only 11 tables, so reservations are mandatory for those looking to dine on the fresh seafood and … Learn More »

Chameau offers exotic southern French and Moroccan cuisine while using the freshest ingredients. The menu is seasonal and changes every three months. This restaurant makes its own bread, handmade couscous from semolina, fresh yogurt, creams, and vinegars. Couscous is their specialty and is created in many variations. The atmosphere is very colorful with bright reds and blues that illuminate the restaurant. The décor is detailed with a Moroccan style. If guests would like to take a piece of this French-Moroccan cuisine home, marinated olives, harissa sauce, preserved lemon dip, eggplant dip, and argan oil are available for purchase. Learn More »

Located in the trendy Melrose district of West Hollywood, Pizzeria Mozza touts some of the biggest names in the culinary world: founding partners Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. With a trio like that at the helm, you know you can expect something good. If you’re not feeling like pizza try Nancy’s chopped salad or Monday’s dish of the day, featuring Ricotta cannelloni. With a fun, informal atmosphere Mozza offers the opportunity for a fantastic meal. Avoid the hassle of waiting and be sure to book in advance. Learn More »

Sushi Chef Hiro Nishimura’s restaurant certainly lives up to his name. The atmosphere here is soothing and intimate; to get to the restaurant diners walk through a Japanese garden out front. Amid the minimally decorated dining room, the sushi shines, with Chef Nishimura’s master hand creating some of the best sushi and sashimi in Los Angeles. In addition to sushi, hot Japanese dishes are also served, although it is the raw creations particularly the succulent toro, that have built Nishimura’s flawless reputation. Learn More »

At Xiomara Melrose, Executive Chef and owner Xiomara Ardolina masterfully crafts exotic, Cuban-influenced dishes that pay homage to the home cooking she grew up with. A hint of fine dining mingles with authentic and flavorful Cuban traditions, resulting in such diverse dishes as Nicaraguan Skirt Steak with huitlacoche and blue cheese mashed potatoes, and Chino Latino Pan Seared Duck Breast atop a sautéed plantain and portobello mushroom with soy ginger cilantro sauce. Almost everything is house made, right down to the fresh squeezed cane juice in the famous mojitos. While situated in a prime location in the middle of Melrose … Learn More »

Sparkling lights line the welcoming patio at Il Piccolino Trattoria where the atmosphere is cozy and romantic. The menu offers a range of both casual and exquisite Italian fare, and the service is some of the most gracious around. The kitchen utilizes organic, local, and sustainable produce when possible. The house bread is vegan and the only cooking oil used is extra virgin olive oil, be it for dressing, cooking or frying. Other fine attentions to detail include Balsamic vinegar aged at least a decade, natural gray sea salt, daily fresh seafood, and house made salad dressings. With an eye … Learn More »

The Ivy’s disarmingly rustic décor and chic Californian twist on American comfort food entice both L.A.’s rich and famous, and their adoring public. The charming white picket fence and fragrant roses of its front patio evoke a by-gone era of simplicity and nostalgia, a glaring, but welcome contradiction amidst the ultra-chic posturing of Beverly Hills. The Ivy’s menu is made similarly appealing by its culinary juxtapositions, creating a balance between hearty comfort and refreshing innovation. The Ivy’s star-studded people watching possibilities, its quaintly romantic atmosphere, and its deeply satisfying cuisine ensure a dining experience that is both delightfully homey and … Learn More »

Chef Suzanne Tracht’s has rejuvenated proverbial American cuisine through her newest bistro, Jar, creating tangy and zestful editions of classic favorites. Her signature Kansas City Steak and Prime Porterhouse can be sided with her award winning French Fries, made scrumptious by being dusted with garlic and parsley, or the Creamy Spinach, both buttery and rich. The delectable menu ties in well with the warm setting, wrapped in browns and hues of orange. The minimalist décor allows one to experience the retro-modish theme of Jar’s 1940’s-premised dining room. Come enjoy this new twist on American cuisine. Learn More »

Set in a cozy yet elegant atmosphere reminiscent of Hollywood's past, The Tower Bar offers knockout views of the city coupled with an exclusive atmosphere. A live pianist hammers out famous jazz tunes while stylish diners chat over elegant cocktails, before being served selections from Chef Dakota Weiss's elegant menu. The cuisine is light French and Italian-inspired California cuisine, and the wine list offers a perfect pairing for entrees ranging from Sautéed Ruby Red Snapper to Braised Short Ribs. A "no cell phones, no photographs" policy makes the dining room a safe haven for even the most famous of celebrities, … Learn More »

Kate Mantilini in Beverly Hills is not just another diner it is a local landmark. Proprietors Harry and Marilyn Lewis established Kate Mantilini in 1987 after selling their first foray into the restaurant business, Hamburger Hamlet, which the couple opened together in 1950. The menu at Kate Mantilini is extensive, with deli classics, gourmet diet fare, mountainous salads, and refined entrees like pork chops and frog legs. Open from early morning to late at night, and always packed with celebrities, wheeling-and-dealing producers, post-theater diners, and retirees, this upscale yet casual joint has something for everyone. Breakfast is served all day, … Learn More »