Quiet Conversation Restaurants

Combine custom pool tables, a full bar and kitchen, plush couches, and a mural with unique lighting and you’ve just entered The Rack. The Rack is situated in the heart of Woodland Hills at the Promenade shopping center. This hip venue is open daily and serves everything from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to brunch, cocktails, drink specials, and late night snacks. The Rack’s executive chef stirs up creative dishes and drinks that are an innovative fusion of Californian and European flavors and cuisines. In addition, on the last Thursday of every month, The Rack hosts an event known as The …

If you’re in the valley and searching for a trendy and sophisticated hangout for the evening, head to Rocco’s Tavern in Studio City. This rapidly expanding Los Angeles rendezvous is located on Ventura Boulevard at Whitsett Avenue. Rocco’s Tavern is open for lunch, dinner, drinks, and late night fare daily. Their menu is full of Italian favorites and they have a full bar along with 20 beers on tap, more in bottles, and a respectable wine list. Rocco’s has both indoor and outdoor patio seating accompanied by a mixture of bar stools, booths, and tables. The décor is simple yet …

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 …

Dining at the Monsoon Café is a relaxing, spiritual experience provided by a unique atmosphere and fresh food. Even before diners walk through the door they are hypnotized by a pair of soothing yet intriguing eyes that adorn the front of the restaurant. The restaurant itself looks like a two story Eastern temple high ceilings and dazzling lighting fixtures, with lots of gold trim adorning columns and walls alike. There is plenty of seating in an open courtyard, with plenty of shade for even the sunniest days. Night is an exciting time at the Monsoon Café, with Salsa lessons and …

Gordon Ramsay lends his name and influence to the London West Hollywood’s newest fine dining addition. Channeling the celebrity chef, Executive Chef Andy Cook combines the sublime pleasures of haute cuisine with the freshest California produce for an approachably refined taste. Diners can choose from an array of a la carte options, or can place themselves in the capable hands of Chef Cook’s team by opting for market specials and tasting menus that highlight the best of the seasons. The décor acts as an excellent platform for showcasing the menu, blending opulent gold and crystal with comfortable banquettes for an …

Downtown receives a touch of dining genius with the establishment of Bottega Louie. This traditional Italian café and gourmet market invites visitors to linger a while over hand-crafted pastries, specially coordinated entrée dishes, and stone oven pizzas; then they may humor their own culinary inspirations by perusing the market’s selection of artisanal cheeses, infused oils, pastas, meats, and other hard-to-find items. Head Chef Sam Marvin takes care to ensure his menu pleases the most discerning palates: Pasta dishes are served in slightly more petite portions to encourage patrons to sample any of the many tasty side dishes.

Gaze out over the waters of Marina Del Rey, and nestle in for a rousing seafood-inspired dining experience at Shanghai Red’s. The restaurant’s Polynesian, Victorian, and contemporary architectural elements complement the similarly diverse and refined menu, and the welcoming lounge and cocktail patios invite guests to linger a while and truly savor the reprieve. Weekends are reserved for an award-winning champagne brunch that boasts both traditional brunch items and a selection of ethnic specialties; nightly delights include dishes like the Spicy Ratatouille Pasta, the Blackened Swordfish Steak, and the Sizzling Top Sirloin.

Reminiscent of iconic wharfside eateries lining the Pacific coast, Enterprise Fish Co. maintains an air of nautical authenticity that prizes its fare above all. The interior of the dining space lends itself to rustic elegance with exposed beams and brick walls that highlight contemporary touches like the lively exhibition kitchen centered in the room. Similarly, traditional seaside specialties like the Mesquite Grilled Prawns mingle with dishes like the Ginger Soy Glazed Alaskan Halibut for a well-rounded and satisfying menu. Surf and Turf revelry is also found in selections such as the 8 oz Top Sirloin and Spicy Garlic Prawns and …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Welcome to the Persian cuisine of Darya. The distinctive home-style menu features recipes dating back centuries. The meats, grains, herbs, fruits, vegetables, and spices in these dishes combine to create a sum far greater than its parts. The food is aromatic and flavorful, yet subtle. Darya offers authentic dishes native to specific regions, with spices and flavors, which reflect each area's unique accent.

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 …

La Bohème rhapsodizes with a quintuplet of dazzling crystal chandeliers looming majestically overhead in a large, yet intimate two-tiered dining space. The semi-private booths downstairs and the rock star booths upstairs, along with the opulent ruby-red décor glimmering softly under the glow of two huge open fireplaces make this seductive bistro one of the a romantic destinations in L.A. Guests are also welcome to dine on the Garden Patio, Café La Boheme’s own al fresco paradise, where they can bask in the warmth of a beautiful fireplace framed by roses and greenery. For more casual diners, the bar lounge offers …

Sparkling lights line the welcoming patio at Il Piccolino Trattoria where the atmosphere is cozy and romantic. The menu offers a range of both casual and exquisite Italian fare, and the service is some of the most gracious around. The kitchen utilizes organic, local, and sustainable produce when possible. The house bread is vegan and the only cooking oil used is extra virgin olive oil, be it for dressing, cooking or frying. Other fine attentions to detail include Balsamic vinegar aged at least a decade, natural gray sea salt, daily fresh seafood, and house made salad dressings. With an eye …

A slice of Old Hollywood, Dan Tana’s is still a place to grab a hearty bite to eat while gazing at the stars of the big screen. For more than 45 years, this Hollywood institution has served patrons heaping portions of Italian fare. The staff at Dan Tana’s is nearly as renowned as the client list, Mike the bartender, regarded by many patrons as a Los Angeles treasure, still serves up stiff drinks to those looking to whet their whistles while waiting for a table. Reservations are mandatory, as the restaurant is on the small side, and demand always outstrips …

At Xiomara Melrose, Executive Chef and owner Xiomara Ardolina masterfully crafts exotic, Cuban-influenced dishes that pay homage to the home cooking she grew up with. A hint of fine dining mingles with authentic and flavorful Cuban traditions, resulting in such diverse dishes as Nicaraguan Skirt Steak with huitlacoche and blue cheese mashed potatoes, and Chino Latino Pan Seared Duck Breast atop a sautéed plantain and portobello mushroom with soy ginger cilantro sauce. Almost everything is house made, right down to the fresh squeezed cane juice in the famous mojitos. While situated in a prime location in the middle of Melrose …

For over fifty years, the Buggy Whip has remained a prime destination for fine dining in Los Angeles. The classic cuisine and even more classic atmosphere hark back to an older time, when dining was entwined with elegance. Diners may savor an old-fashioned cocktail before favorites such as aged Filet Mignon and stone crab claws, all the while relaxing among regal red leather booths while live piano plays every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the background. Especially in trend-conscious LA, The Buggy Whip's reliability and consistency can be quite refreshing.

La Serenata celebrates fine Mexican cuisine and quality service. As a family affair that has lasted over 20 years, this popular eatery has expanded to three locations and continues to draw a loyal following. Jose Rodriguez is the visionary and chef, using his creativity and commitment to authenticity to construct flavorful and healthy dishes. The traditional and less nutritious use of lard has been substituted for olive oil in favorites like their fish tacos and salmon enchiladas. Rodriguez also prides himself for their unique mole sauce, which introduces a slightly sweet presence to the chicken specialty. The décor exerts simple …

Located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles’ Theatre District, Noe has established itself as an elegant oasis in the midst of the city’s hustle and bustle since opening in July 2003. Executive Chef Rebert Gadsby's acclaimed "Progressive American" cuisine marries a gentle Japanese aesthetic with French-inspired dramatic artistry. This new age bistro offers a fresh and frequently changing menu that has earned the restaurant many accolades. Impressing diners and critics alike, this gourmet eatery is intricate in the detail of its décor and food.They even have an extensive wine list and unique cocktails. Enjoy a sophisticated, satisfying, and beautifully …