Winning Wine List Restaurants

Located in Santa Monica, Melisse combines the sophistication of traditional French cuisine with contemporary American sensibilities, resulting in a truly elegant experience. The two-star Michelin rated restaurant features a menu reflecting seasonal and specialty items carefully selected and intricately prepared by Chef Josiah Citrin and his skilled kitchen staff. The Truffle Risotto carnaroli rice, mascarpone and shaved black truffles and the Broccoli & Quail Egg Agnolotti, young broccoli, brown butter and shaved black truffles are popular with guests. Dessert selections include Sticky Toffee Pudding and a classic Apple Tart. For an experience in refined French American cuisine, Melisse in Santa … Learn More »

Offering modern American cuisine, The Belvedere has long been regarded as one of the finest restaurants in Los Angeles. Serving up unique dishes alongside impeccable service and sophisticated atmosphere is what keeps this hotspot as popular as ever as each year passes. Under the direction of Executive Chef Bill Bracken, The Belvedere was recently voted "Best Hotel Restaurant in the Continental US and Canada" by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, and it is the only hotel restaurant in North America with a AAA Five Diamond Award. Come see what everyone is talking about at The Belvedere. Learn More »

Dining on the patio of Café Pinot gives guests a grand view of the urban skyline and the lush romantic Central Library garden located in Downtown LA. Enjoy warm afternoons and summer nights out on the terrace, while eating Café Pinot’s French-California cuisine. This restaurant is perfect for dining before an event at the Staples Center or the Music Center because of its close location. A delicious Café Pinot dish to try is the Three Mustard- Crusted Farm-Raised Rotisserie Chicken with crispy Pinot fries. If guests decide to have lunch at Café Pinot, then get the Pan-Seared Prime Hanger Steak … Learn More »

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 »

Since 1979, Michael's has presented modern American cuisine with a French influence. The decor is light and airy, with a spacious, uncluttered dining room featuring modern art from an array of great contemporary artists. The lush, serene patio garden allows guests a chance to enjoy the Southern California weather while dining. An extensive wine list includes more than eight hundred labels from California, France, Italy, and wine growing regions from across the globe. The secluded garden, landscaped with a variety of trees, exotic flowers, and flowing fountains, creates an ambience ideal for a garden party, a relaxing meal, or romantic … 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 »

Focusing on fresh, quality ingredients, Water Grill offers some of the most exquisite seafood in Southern California. The secret is in the quality, as well as in Executive Chef Davide LeFevre’s respectful preparations that allow natural flavors to shine. Warm décor, cozy booths, and colorful art ensure ultimate comfort, while temptations like Dungeness and Blue Crab Cake with lime-yogurt cucumber sauce and herbed cous cous and Butter Poached Maine Lobster with morel mushrooms, haricot verts and crispy shallots offer decadent indulgence. 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

One of LA's most exciting jazz spaces, Vibrato Grill Jazz embraces its guests with a warm and elegant interior, a state of the art sound design, and world-class music. The savory menu of contemporary American cuisine features prime steaks, mint-crusted ahi-tuna, and a wide variety of colorful desserts, while the expansive bar offers refreshing signature cocktails. Vibrato offers a unique and rare space where where jazz aficionados and food connoisseurs will feel equally at home. 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 »

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 »