Quiet Conversation Restaurants

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 »

Located in West Hollywood at the corner of Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard, Cecconi is a classic Italian restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as cicchetti (Italian tapas). You can enjoy a meal inside the refined dining area within the main restaurant, on the terrace, or at the bar with its wood-burning oven. With its simply prepared Venetian-influenced food and drink, Cecconi is the place to go to if you want some fine dining food that is affordable, as it is focused in serving you the finest in quality ingredients. Learn More »

Mori Sushi exudes an elegance and class that sums up the Los Angeles dining scene, but brings eastern culinary traditions to brilliant life with their selection of dishes. Serving up fresh, quality sushi daily, plus premium lunch specials based on traditional Japanese recipes. Mori Sushi also features a private dining venue for special events and private parties. Though sushi is plentiful in Los Angeles, Mori Sushi boasts a certain simplistic confidence and variety, all of which make this establishment unique. Learn More »

The mere sight of Bistro du Soleil’s exterior peaks the appetite. A slight wedge of a building splashed in country yellow and blue, Bistro du Soleil evokes the comfort of a French cottage in the easygoing beach community of Playa Del Rey. The menu features a number of French Classics, splashed with some So-Cal twists. Patrons can choose between French Onion Soup or Black Bean with lime and sour cream. Brie cheese is nestled atop juicy bistro burgers or slipped into pear quesadillas. Bistro du Soleil provides a touch of Europe in a comfortable beach setting. The food teeters between … Learn More »

Bill McCormick and Doug Schmick have spent over three decades building and creating a seafood-based restaurant. The Beverly Hills location of the popular franchise resides on the ritziest stretch of Rodeo Drive. Tourists and locals alike populate the plush patio to people-watch and enjoy impeccably-sourced fish, crustaceans, and bivalves; the restaurant offers a different selection of seafood every day, depending on what’s in season. Don’t leave without trying a dessert, such as their Upside Down Apple Pie with caramelized walnut crust and dulce de leche ice cream. When you’re hungry for seafood, stop by McCormick and Schmick and enjoy scrumptious … Learn More »

A hop, skip, and a jump down from the main thoroughfare of Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica, you'll find La Botte. Meaning “wine bottle” in Italian, La Botte is owner Stefano de Lorenzo’s upgraded version of his popular, postage-stamp-sized Piccolo Ristorante in neighboring Venice. The wine concept glows in a warmly elegant décor of variegated wine stained wood flooring and wine cask wainscoting. A “vino paradiso” exists in La Botte’s 1,600 bottles of wine. Chef Luigi Fineo creatively infuses contemporary freshness into the Northern Italian appetizers, pasta, and entrees for an authentic Italian dining experience that will have you … Learn More »

Ready for a bit of old world European charm? Look no further than Il Tramezzino. The quaint Italian café is a genuine place of culinary mastery and excellence. The restaurant distinguished itself amongst its Beverly Hills neighbors on “Restaurant Row” by preparing custom baked goods and traditional Italian cuisine. They have an extensive menu that is every bit as creative as it is delicious. Il Tramezzino invites guests to enjoy a temporary European vacation as they dine in a familial, laid back atmosphere with superb service. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, delivers and caters. Head out to one … 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 »

Asanebo dishes gourmet Japanese cuisine to the crowds of Studio City. Tucked into a strip mall, the exterior of Asanebo mirrors the surplus of similar restaurants around town, yet hidden behind the window blinds awaits a luscious Japanese sushi experience. This classy and engaging restaurant differs vastly from other places, from its simple but creative food presentation, to its sophisticated décor. While the menu features signature pieces such as Seared Toro with Fresh Seaweed Sauce, and a selection of cooked and raw dishes, it is the Omakase option that makes Asanebo a top rated spot. This Japanese version of a … Learn More »

BottleRock’s philosophy is simple: “passion about wine, beer, food, and the subtle intermingling and fusion of tastes.” This idea pervades the entirety of the wine bar’s menu. Bottle Rock presents an extensive wine list alongside an inventive selection of appetizers, entrees, desserts, and cheeses. The Los Angeles hotspot has two locations: one in Downtown and the other in Culver City. Both locations are part tasting room, part wine retailer, and part quick bites. BottleRock also carries handcrafted beers and sake, and the venue encourages guests to explore new flavors and combinations. Their food menu changes seasonally and is presented to … Learn More »

La Traviata is opulent and ornate, a place where guests can lavishly celebrate the grandest of occasions. The restaurant’s décor pays homage to the style of the nineteenth-century opera house, with crystal chandeliers, sweeping silk drapes, high ceilings, and ornate inlaid wood. The opera theme continues to the entertainment, with live piano nightly, and piano-accompanied vocalists on Fridays and Saturdays. But where homage to the past permeates the ambiance, the menu is refreshingly modern, an inspired blend of unique, novel creations such as Kumquat Coco Prawns and house-made smoked Duck Ravioli, peppered with fresh takes on Italian classics such as … Learn More »

The Downtown Los Angeles location of the esteemed Palm empire of restaurants offers fine steaks, seafood, and Italian specialties in a posh setting. Located at 1100 Flower Street in an enormous space, formerly a Packard car dealership, the Palm Downtown is the largest in the country. Since 2002 The Palm Downtown has managed to execute the same stellar food that original owners Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi started serving three generations ago in New York City. Today, The Palm Restaurants are still a family business run by the original owners’ great-great-grandsons. Learn More »

Whether you are out on the town for a lively night of entertainment or you’re settling in for a lazy Sunday with the morning paper, Café Montana is eager to suit the occasion with its subtle SoCal charm and distinguished California cuisine menu. Weekend visitors may savor the thoughtful brunch menu that caters to multiple palates and diets. Dishes like the Lox Benedict and the Montana Angus Beef Burger are worth getting out of bed for. The evening menu is equally eclectic and satisfying with highlights like the Seared Scallops, the Pumpkin Ravioli, and the Blackened Prime Rib. And did … Learn More »

Your senses may revel in the stunningly engaging décor and modern Japanese cuisine menu presented at Katsuya. Executive Chef Katsuya masterfully crafts traditional sushi rolls and distinctive specialty dishes to please more seasoned and fresh palates alike. Dishes like the Crispy Rice and Spicy Tuna and the Kobe Filet with Foie Gras have developed their own loyal following. Chef Katsuya’s artful menu is complemented and heightened by the truly innovative and equally satisfying décor of designer Philippe Starck. Striking contrasts of black and white capture snippets of moments for patrons to muse over as they dine in the appetizing “wooden … Learn More »

Beacon stands as a go-to destination for innovative Asian cuisine that seamlessly marries traditional technique with visionary flavors. Chef Matsusaka utilizes years of experience as both a classic and avant-garde chef to create a menu that is equally inviting as it is adventurous. Dishes like the Green Tea Soba Noodle Salad and the Miso Braised Shortribs shine in the stark yet comforting décor of the restaurant’s main dining space. Bare cement walls stand tall along floor-to-ceiling windows that wash the entire space in warm light, while the outdoor patio provides a relaxed and lively spot to savor the fine Asian … Learn More »

Famed Chef Todd English pairs up with Hollywood darling Eva Longoria Parker to introduce us to Beso, a glamorous and refined restaurant serving up fine fusion cuisine with a side of glitz nightly. Step into Beso and be seduced by the lush and invocative palette of deep crimsons, rich wood tones, and alluring leather upholstery. The menu infuses Latin-inspired flavors with Middle-Eastern flare for a tantalizing array of meat and seafood selections. Eva’s Tortilla Soup is a comforting bowl of spice and the Beso Paella is an invigorating melding of surf and turf. Every bite glistens like the crystal chandelier … Learn More »

Bloom Café was born from the vision and inspiration of Arnaud Palatan and Jean Louis Bartoli. Answering the call for inviting local organic fare, Bloom Café offers an airy and calming space to savor a menu created around locally grown ingredients and invigorating flavors. Cool your head with one of the many fresh smoothies blended daily, and satisfy your taste buds with a crunchy sandwich, comforting bowl of pasta, or steaming pizza. Breakfast diners may be drawn to the Simple Tofu Scramble, the Chicken Chorizo Burrito, or the Fresh Blueberry French Toast. Other favorites include the Greek Lamb Burger and … Learn More »

Located in the heart of Sherman Oaks, Pita Kitchen is the Middle Eastern restaurant that will appeal to both the healthy and the food connoisseur. All dishes are available in choices of lamb, beef/or chicken, and served with yogurt-based dressings such as tahini and tzatziki sauces. With hearty and hefty portions, diners looking for healthier changes in their diet will find the Pita Kitchen an apt choice. The restaurant can accommodate around 30-35 people including outdoor seating. But with the hustle and bustle of the popular eatery and the warm-friendly banter from the servers, makes this rather small setting all … Learn More »

A local favorite known for its relaxed urban style, Tender Greens, remains committed to locally grown organic ingredients of the finest caliber. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of salads, soups, sandwiches, and pastries that bring a little taste of home to their guests. Food is prepared fresh daily in house and is always refreshingly satisfying and delicious. Tender Greens has multiple locations throughout California and provides patrons with a casual, comfortable, and cozy eatery in which they can grab a bite before a movie or after a show or simply go out on a nice date. The ambiance is … Learn More »