Winning Wine List Restaurants

Adelmo Zarif’s restaurant has occupied a dazzling Art Deco space in downtown’s historic core since moving from West Hollywood in May 1997. Cicada fills the bottom two stories of the Oviatt Building, featuring towering mahogany pillars, plenty of gold, and pristine white tablecloths. Cicada is a fine-dining establishment that’s especially popular for birthdays, weddings and the occasional marriage proposal. Tokyo native Suzay Cha prepares northern Italian cuisine with Asian accents. The menu changes twice a year, but typically includes Ahi Tuna Tartar with Avocado, Piquillo Peppers and Wasabi Caviar and Pappardelle with Filet Mignon Bolognese Sauce. Learn More »

Ristorante Mamma Gina has been serving authentic Florentine cuisine in Italy since 1956 and in California since 1986. Located in Palm Desert, this restaurant offers a wine bar with an exceptional happy hour menu that runs from opening until closing. The lunch and dinner menu is comprised of soups, salads, appetizers, Paninis, pastas, and entrees. The Brodetto Di Pesce Fresco is a specialty: Cioppino style fish stew with fresh catch of the day, calamari, mussels, clams, scallops, and shrimp in a light saffron and tomato sauce. Another favorite is the Gnocchi Al Gorgonzola: Homemade potato dumplings with a gorgonzola cheese … 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 »

Toscana sits in the heart of Brentwood and offers simply delicious Northern Italian dishes. Wrapped in posters of old Italy, the dining room has a rustic decor and low key atmosphere. Try such dishes as Brasato Al Barolo, braised beef with Barolo wine served with spinach and mashed potatoes, or the San Pietro Al Limone, John Dory with lemon and capers. Toscana even has their own cookbook available for those who want to try to cook up some of these delightful dishes in their own home. They even offer take-out for any item on the menu! Give your taste buds … Learn More »

Boasting a decidedly contemporary and chic décor, BOA Steakhouse is a refreshingly unpretentious steakhouse. Serving classic steakhouse fare in a particularly un-classic setting, BOA brings a fresh, modern face to the “surf and turf” dining concept. While you’ll find all the old favorites—petit filet mignon, dry-aged New York strip, Maine and Australian lobster—creative fare also peppers the menu. Begin with the Table-Side Prime Steak Tartare, and then move on to favorites like the Chilean Sea Bass and the American Kobe Beef Flat Iron Steak. But the ultimate decadence may just be the foie gras butter you’ll find gracing your Kobe … Learn More »

The cozy and urban Madeo features a warm and comforting atmosphere, with an immense wood bar and curved booths set among old black-and-white photos of old Italy. The immensely popular hangout offers a varied selection of Northern Italian cuisine, with dishes that include mouth watering veal-stuffed ravioli, classic pizza Margherita, and whole striped bass. The made in-house desserts are the finale to this authentic show, with delights such as mille-feuille with pastry cream and ricotta cheesecake. Learn More »

Chef-owner Sal Marino, has delighted Los Angelenos for the past decade with his contemporary, market-driven approach to traditional Italian cuisine. Centrally located near the intersection of the 10 and 405 freeways, Il Grano draws a steady crowd of well-heeled Westsiders craving pristine crudo, house-made pastas, and unpretentious entrees. He writes a new menu every month, to capitalize on “whatever swims in the ocean and grows on Mother Earth.” Noted sommelier Peter Birmingham keeps pace with inspired wine pairings and pastry chef Corinne Sidelsrud’s desserts share Marino's seasonal approach, minus the swimming ingredients. Learn More »

Dining at Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills is an opulent experience. Dishes feature the highest quality ingredients, cooked to perfection, and served in generous portions. Start off with their creamy lobster bisque and then try the “Chef’s Cut” New York Strip. The ambiance is full of high energy with an undertone of elegance, with dark wood and subdued lighting throughout the dining room. Live entertainment and an extensive wine list add the final changes to an already exquisite dining experience. For a night of elegant dining in a luxurious setting, try Mastro’s Steakhouse. Learn More »

Since opening in 1956, La Scala has been popular with locals and entertainment industry types alike, with its comfortable red booths and drawings of Hollywood figures lining the walls. Traditional Italian fare is complimented by an exceptional wine list supplied by Owner Jean Leon’s personal vineyard, Chateau Leon, in Spain. The restaurant is revered for its Chopped Salad, but other menu highlights include the Steamed Mussles served in a broth of garlic, white wine, and tomato sauce, and the Tiramisu served with fresh whipped cream and berries. The quality of ingredients has never faltered in the restaurant’s long history, and … Learn More »

In a city where restaurants vie for celebrity patronage and flashy presentations sometimes precede flavor, The Palm Steakhouse in West Hollywood remains the unpretentious favorite of locals and celebrities alike. Since its opening in 1975, The Palm has been garnering a crowd of devoted followers with its simple, stunning presentations of high quality meat, seafood, and favorite Italian classics, like Veal Scallopine and Linguini with Clam Sauce. Its lively atmosphere, generous portions, and highly attentive service make The Palm an ideal destination for a special occasion dinner, even as the relaxed bar scene invites old friends to re-connect over a … Learn More »

The tradition of Fogo de Chão came from the countryside of Brazil, where the founding brothers perfected their native technique of roasting meat over open fire pits. This unique steakhouse provides an ambiance like no other with historical wall murals, enhanced by dark Brazilian tones, taking the guests into the heart of Gaucho culture. Patrons can choose from a medley of dishes or a prix-fixe sampling of the entire menu. The menu features unlimited servings of 15 different delectable cuts of meats, each with a multiplicity of complementing wines from all over the world, giving the guest the ideal balance … Learn More »

On Melrose, along a popular strip of hip West Hollywood restaurants, Lucques retains its standing as an ideal spot for lunch, dinner, and drinks. In its eighth year, the restaurant excels with its short-list of savory French-Mediterranean cuisine combining subtle, yet distinct, flavors with fish, poultry, and meat. Executive Chef Suzanne Goin uses seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are inventive, fresh, and flavorful. While not extensive, the selections are sufficiently unique to appease finicky Angelenos and most likely tantalize them to return. The wine list is extensive and hand selected by co-owner Caroline Styne. Learn More »

Nick & Stef’s has a contemporary, urban take on the traditional steakhouse, with a dramatic view of downtown Los Angeles lining one wall, and an aging room and wine room set inside another. Besides all those prime cuts of beef, the menu offers seafood, pasta, and even some vegetarian options for steak shy diners. The word here is choice, and twelve is the number, with twelve appetizers, twelve vegetable dishes, twelve potato options, and twelve sauces to select. Should it be for a pre-concert dinner, a business meeting with clients, or a romantic night out with that special someone, Nick … Learn More »

Hush, named for its understated elegance and simplicity, blends extraordinary contemporary American Cuisine, an expansive world-class wine collection and a welcome atmosphere that is sure to satisfy the most discriminating palates. Learn More »

Pinot Bistro offers a charming intimate setting to enjoy classic bistro fare along with contemporary California creations. With an extensive wine list, daily specials incorporating seasonal ingredients, and truly Parisian atmosphere, it is no wonder Pinot Bistro is a favorite neighborhood restaurant. Sample a signature dish such as crispy whitefish with brandade potatoes amid the dark wood paneling, black and white tiled floors, and mustard colored walls and you will feel as if you have been transported to France. Learn More »

Chef Celestino Drago has been cooking up some of the best Italian food in Los Angeles since 1991. This jewel in Santa Monica has been wowing critics and locals alike ever since. Drago offers private dining and catering to accommodate those special events and occasions. Try their Tortelloni, which is filled with pumpkin, sage, butter and parmesan cheese or the Petto Di Pollo, a tomato and parmesan crusted chicken breast, broccoli, peewee potato in a prosciutto parmesan sauce. The cozy ambience along with the classic atmosphere and delicious food creates an unforgettable experience. Learn More »

Entering this urban oasis, diners are first greeted by a bubbling stone fountain. The transcendent atmosphere continues into Sona's dining room, featuring a candlelit bar, minimalist decor and unadorned concrete walls. The menu focuses on dramatic and inspiring dishes, collaborations between Chefs and owners David and Michelle Myers that reveal their attention to quality ingredients and to detail. The wine list is predominantly Californian and French, offering a unique selection of intricate wines that can only add to Sona's exquisite dining experience. Learn More »

Award Winning Food and Wine are just a few reasons why Christy's Ristorante continues to be a Local hot spot when it comes to fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. Chef Miguel Aburto sources the highest quality meats and produce for his dishes while desserts and breads are both made fresh daily. Learn More »

One step inside from the bustle of Melrose takes you into Dolce, a trendy Italian restaurant with a cozy dark decor and some fantastic people watching. Known for its ambiance, tasty Italian classics, and hip crowd, Dolce is perfect for a romantic date, or a pre-club meal. From the traditional Pesto Gnocchi and Osso Bucco to the more fusion-based Tuna Tartare and Mango Bruschetta, Dolce's menu caters to all tastes and appetites. Drink options include a full wine list, including selections by the glass, as well as a large selection of cocktails. It is certain that Dolce's decor and ambiance … Learn More »