Private Room Restaurants

Once surrounded by an enormous orange grove, this landmark jewel was built as a family home in 1909. The Victorian decor exhibits extravagance and splendor; with warm tones accented by soft lighting and tapestries exude elegance. The atmosphere is only outdone by the kitchen’s French-influenced Northern Italian fare. The menu is peppered with fame and glamour, with playfully-named dishes such as Sophia Loren Caviar and Cartier Calamari. With 12 private rooms, the White House is ideally suited for private parties and groups; while the elegant ambiance makes the White House an excellent destination for any special occasion, large or small. Learn More »

The First Cabin, located in the Balboa Bay Club and Resort, perfectly captures the essence of the Newport Harbor with its panoramic bay views. The menu offers classic Californian cuisine, with dishes such as creamy lobster bisque and beef tenderloin. Complimented by a wide selection of more than 600 wines, including vintages from around the world, The First Cabin received praise for its wine collection with awards from both Wine Spectator and the Distinguished Restaurants of North America. Chef Josef Lageder uses only the freshest ingredients the season has to offer for the menu, and even offers a special wellness … Learn More »

The Golden Truffle is a unique bistro known for its innovative fusion menu, which includes a mixture of Asian, French, Spanish, and Caribbean-influenced dishes from Chef Alan Greeley. The menu changes daily with whatever the freshest ingredients available are, but favorite items include Jamaican Jerk Chicken Salad and Rosemary Roasted Spring Lamb Loin with Vegetable Soufflé and Mushroom Meat Juices. With such a wide array of dishes to choose from, The Golden Truffle keeps its clientele curious. An extensive and award winning wine list featuring French and Californian selections to compliment the exciting menu. Learn More »

Located on Alamitos Bay, McKenna’s is scenic and serene as diners overlook the peaceful Pacific while delighting in fresh seafood and succulent prime steaks. Although it resides in the midst of bustling Los Angeles, the tranquil eatery allows guests to experience the al fresco ambiance of sailing lofts as the fresh breezes roll in from the picturesque horizon cooling the grand deck. Lighting up the stage five nights a week, eclectic vocal, guitar, and jazz add smooth harmonic vibes to the relaxed atmosphere, entertaining patrons as they choose from a diverse menu with dishes such as the delicious Hawaiian Ahi … Learn More »

Gemell’s Restaurant has been serving the citizens of Dana Point fine French cuisine for over a decade. Owner and Executive Chef Byron Gemmell is one of Orange Counties culinary elite, and his namesake restaurant reflects his depth of experience and knowledge with the dishes the serves that keep guests returning time and again. Patrons rave about the Lobster Bisque, Lamb, and Chocolate Soufflé, but with a full lunch menu, and Sunday Brunch as well, the dinner menu is not the only star in Gemell’s sky. The cozy dining room is the perfect venue for a meal with that special someone, … Learn More »

If your idea of a great meal is garlic, garlic, and more garlic, head to Restaurant Row on La Cienega and visit The Stinking Rose. Executive Chef and owner Andrea Froncillo has created a garlic lover’s paradise, featuring great food in a wildly fun, garlic-themed atmosphere. Fantastic for large parties, the restaurant boasts a varied menu with specialties including roasted crab, prime rib, pastas, and giant tureens of steamed clams, all bathed in garlic. Don’t forget to visit "Dracula’s Grotto," one of many ornately decorated rooms, and to try Gilroy’s Famous Garlic Ice Cream. Learn More »

Situated in Manhattan Beach's downtown area, just a block away from the pier, Rock’ N Fish is a local favorite offering a classic New Orleans styled dining room. Surrounded by tall ceilings and hand painted murals, the area appeals to a variety of moods and tastes. Oak grilled fish, signature sandwiches, and Alaskan king crab are some of the menu's highlights. The bar offers the restaurant’s signature "Navy Grog" drink as well as one of the most extensive wine lists in the area. For a fine meal, strong drinks, and a great time, check out Rock’ N Fish! Learn More »

Rogelio and Janet Huidobro opened the first Café Sevilla in 1987, honoring their homeland with a Spanish restaurant in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. After finding additional success in Riverside, they launched in downtown Long Beach in 2006. Mid week, the old-world setting draws business types. Weekends attract a younger crowd for upstairs dancing and dinner shows. Café Sevilla specializes in pans of paella and traditional Spanish tapas. The reasonably priced wine list is especially strong on full-bodied Spanish reds like Tempranillo and Torre Oria. Learn More »

Tucked amid the beautifully landscaped grounds of Heisler Park just steps from the Pacific, the stunning location of Las Brisas in Laguna Beach is worth a trip in itself. Once you arrive, prepare to be swept away not only by the gorgeous ocean views, but by a romantic setting, gracious service, and an enticing menu of Mexican Riviara cuisine. Chef Aurelio Sanchez’s menu is a treasure trove of culinary history, with recipes culled from the 3,000 miles of Mexico’s west coast. Specialty dishes include feisty Camarones Tampiquenos, prawns sautéed in spicy chardonnay-garlic sauce, and Tostones de Tenera, veal medallions topped … Learn More »

With a décor that emits an early 70’s vibe and a compelling menu of American comfort food from Chef Vania Almeida, The Second Story Restaurant at The Belamar Hotel, situated less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean, draws a mix of hotel guests, locals, and neighborhood business people. Second Story serves three meals daily, with the most ambitious food surfacing at night, highlighted by horseradish crusted Alaskan halibut with organic mushroom risotto and honey roasted chicken breast with Parmesan polenta and roasted pistachio Brussels sprouts. The happy hour runs seven days a week and features 50% off numerous drink … Learn More »

A South Bay fixture since 1991, laid-back Lido di Manhattan occupies a commanding corner site. The restaurant is bright and open, with artwork by local artist Monica Farrell. The cuisine is California-Italian, with a heavier lean towards the latter. Signature dishes such as lobster won ton tacos, angel hair pasta with jumbo scallops and tiger prawns and charbroiled filet mignon showcase fresh ingredients. The sweet selection of Desserts are all made in house. Wine buffs will find plenty to please, while cocktail lovers can work their way through the lengthy list. A calendar of cooking classes and events keeps things … Learn More »

Tanzore fuses traditional Indian culture with artistic modernity, creating a bold, brilliant ambiance full of energy and zeal. The upscale setting offers guests the choice of indoor patio, sleek lounge, or the luxurious white-marble bar, as well as the main and private dining rooms. One can never go wrong by trying one of their Tiffin to-go lunch boxes or their unique desserts such as the cinnamon poached kashmir pear. Diners are surrounded by an assortment of Indian beats, big screen Bollywood cinema, and native dancing. Who knew eating could be so fun and exciting! Learn More »

Its sleek, artsy aesthetic, chic clientele, and inventive twists on traditional Chinese cuisine have distinguished Mr. Chow as a Beverly Hills hot spot. Avid art collector, restaurateur, and self-proclaimed Renaissance man, Michael Chow has a sixth sense for detecting the direction of cultural zeitgeists, producing numerous restaurants that instantly become magnets for all who are harbingers of cool. Mr. Chow’s Beverly Hills location is no exception, attracting celebrities, artists, and their adoring public. With its stylish black and white décor, original Andy Warhols, and mouthwateringly decadent dishes, even the most proletariat of diners can treat themselves to a night of … Learn More »

Katana is a chic assault on the senses. Like an industrial, futuristic Zen temple, Katana’s steel and wood décor juxtaposes urban grit with delicate sophistication. Its staggering menu presents a delightfully daunting selection of treats, through which diners are free to sample with reckless abandon. Katana features two distinctive styles of Japanese cuisine: the familiar sushi bar, and the more novel robata bar, which features tapas-like Japanese barbeque. Food is sculpted skillfully with almost architectural heights, echoing the artistic details of the surrounding environment. With one of Los Angeles’ only sake sommeliers and a sake selection as distinguished as its … Learn More »

Wilshire elevates the warmth of a neighborhood restaurant to the elegance of haute cuisine. Thomas Schoos’ décor skillfully balances the historic, rough hewn architecture with opulent materials, juxtaposing exposed brick walls with lush leather, hard wood, and amber lighting. Chef Andrew Kirschner’s California fusion menu reinforces the ideal of local sophistication, emphasizing organic ingredients from local producers. Although local in origin, Kirschner’s creations are anything but ordinary, elevating fresh, seasonal ingredients to the heights of epicurean refinement. The outdoor garden and fire-heated private terrace provide a refreshing dose of greenery in Santa Monica’s urban landscape. Learn More »

The newest incarnation of Tom Colicchio’s New York institution, Craft Los Angeles offers a welcome oasis of East Coast gourmanderie. Best known as a recurring judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” Colicchio and his culinary team elevate the hearty simplicity of American cuisine to the heights of sophisticated artistry. The expansive, family-style menu can be as overwhelming as it is pleasing, with bounteous rewards for those who dive in wholeheartedly. The perfect finale to the meal is one of Pastry Chef Catherine Schimenti’s sweet and savory concoctions. The vast dining room with its golden accents and minimalist décor presents a clean … Learn More »

Located next to the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster has gorgeous sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Palisades Park. This restaurant offers locals and visitors the freshest seasonal seafood available. For a fulfilling lobster and shellfish experience, try the “Santa Monica Style” Cioppino. This dish includes Alaskan king crab, American lobster, black mussels, manila clams, tiger shrimp, big eye tuna, Catalina white Seabass, saffron rice, and garlic cheese toast points. Another dish to check out is the Three Peppercorn Seared Rare Hawaiian Big Eye Tuna served with hearts of palm and shrimp salad, spicy sesame vinaigrette & tobiko … Learn More »

The Buffalo Club looks like your typical bar from the street, but on the inside it is transformed into a restaurant that looks like the inside of an old classic railway car. There are burgundy booths, antique mirrors, and mahogany that give off a dark and intimate setting. The Buffalo Club also has an outdoor patio where guest can dine among Chinese silk lanterns, soft lighting and a beautiful garden setting. This restaurant presents guests with regional American cuisine while taking inspiration from the South, New England, the Southwest, and California. One of their most popular dishes is the Chicken … Learn More »

Matsuhisa located in Beverly Hills is a popular sushi restaurant among locals and celebrities. This sushi restaurant is owned by Executive Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who owns several other successful restaurants around the world. The menu offers more than 100 dishes, but most people order the omakase tasting menu, featuring the chef's choice of sushi. The chef creates unusual and interesting dishes by combining Japanese food with South American spices and salsas. Be sure to make a reservation a week in advance because Matsuhisa has a small dining room. Their signature dishes to try are the toro with caviar and the … Learn More »

Nestled discreetly above the intersection of PCH and Main Street in Huntington Beach, you will find Spark Woodfire Grill. Specializing in contemporary American cuisine and a California-driven wine list, Spark offers an upscale casual setting and inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean and Huntington Beach Pier. One of three Spark restaurants, the menu at the Huntington location is focused on steak, chops and seafood. Noteworthy features include the 1600 degree steak broiler which cooks meat to perfection and creates intense flavor. Also, the restaurant boasts a large heated terrace that is perfect for enjoying your meal while watching the sunset. Learn More »