Hatfields - Amuse Bouche - Shots of Cauliflower soup and deviled quail eggs. :)
Fraiche (9411 Culver Blvd.)(Culver City)(Expensive) – This is a relatively new restaurant that was just named Best New Restaurant in Los Angeles Magazine, which may explain the recent difficulties in getting a reservation or snatching a seat at the bar. Kudos on their success! The restaurant has a chic, open-spaced interior, but manages to remain cozy too. Yet, what keeps me coming back for more are the wonderful, simple and fresh food, nice wine selection and interesting cocktails. Service has always been good and friendly, but the hostess can be a bit rude sometimes. I particularly enjoy dining at the bar or cute patio area. Recommendations: All their pastas, steak frites, branzino.
Osteria Mozza (6602 Melrose Ave.
Hatfields - Scallops topped with a bed of green apple foam. (and a bite of my friend's seared foie gras)
)( Hollywood)(Expensive) – I am in love with Mario Batali and was so thrilled he joined up with Nancy Silverton to open up this restaurant (next to their other venture Pizzeria Mozza). The pastas, cheese (there's a mozzarella bar!) and desserts are divine. I still crave the orriechette daily…yum…Reservations can be tough, but the bar is first come first serve, so if you don't mind the wait, you can snag a seat. Bonus – lots of celebrity sightings. Recommendations: Everything! Nice selection of wines. Check out my review: http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/16517/Osteria-Mozza-Los-Angeles-1
A.O.C. (8022 W. 3rd)(WeHo)(Expensive) – After all these years, I still think this is the best wine bar in town.
Hatfields - Lamp chop encrusted with sweetened panko crust over a puree of vegetables.
Great selection and variety of wines accompanied by delicious little plates of culinary delights. Reservations are tough, but the bar is first come first serve. Recommendations: bacon-wrapped dates, cheese courses, lamb skewers.
Hatfields (7458 Beverly Blvd.)(WeHo)(Expensive) – The food here is creative and wonderfully fresh and flavorful. They keep a keen eye on local seasonal produce, and offer the best flavors from such ingredients to their patrons. Very cozy, intimate restaurant. Recommendations: Everything is quite good, but love the crab salad and beignets.
Katana (8439 W.
Hatfields - my friend's halibut.
Sunset Blvd.)(WeHo)(Expensive) – This is one of those rare trendy places that actually has good food. Some may be surprised to find this on my top list, but I cannot get enough of their miso glazed tempura shrimp with asparagus and mushroom and the spicy tuna on grilled rice cakes. So delicious! I normally just order these and munch happily all night. Nice range of cocktails. Bonus – it has a fun bar vibe and is right across the street from Sky Bar. Downside – you are surrounded by wannabe actresses/models that are size negative zero. Not sure why they are there since they are obviously not eating…
Mastros Steakhouse (246 N. Canon Dr.)(Beverly Hills)(Very Expensive) – I am a total steak and martini girl and I love love love this place! It's what a steakhouse should be like – great cuts of meat, lots of yummy side dishes and amazing martinis – with a touch of kitsch thrown in with their live music upstairs.
Corn soup with fritter - so sweet and yummy! (no dairy) (Fraiche)
(Nothing beats a 60+ year old man singing Livin La Vida Loca with an electronic piano … so funny…) I always feel like I've traveled back to a more glamorous time and place when I dine here. There's also lots of celebrity sightings here, but I'm usually too distracted by my food to notice. Recommendations: Bone-in Ribeye Steak, Filet Mignon, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Creamed Corn, Creamed Spinach, Oysters, Onion Rings, Vodka martinis.
Bastide (8475 Melrose Place)(Beverly Hills)(Very Expensive). This is a truly amazing dining experience and should be reserved for special occasions (since it's so expensive, but also because it's just so splendid that you want to savor every minute of your 3-hour meal). There are only a few choices – the 4 course prix fixe or the 7 course prix fixe (there's also a vegetarian option); and it's pretty much a mystery what you'll be served so you really do need to trust the chef! Since the menu changes, I can't offer specific recommendations other than that everything I had was super good. Check out my review. http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/17616
