| L.A. has a lot to offer. The City of Angels is | | | | Blvd.7. Mr. Chows: Another place for elbow-rubbing |
| always on-the-go and seemingly driven by glitz | | | | in Tinseltown. In Beverly Hills, the hotspots cool |
| and glamour. And if you're willing to fight the | | | | off fast, but this place has held its see and |
| traffic, you'll find some of the world's best | | | | be-seen for what-seems-like eternity (Mr. Chows |
| restaurants, shopping and attractions - from | | | | opened in 1973). Your Chinese food is "all grown |
| studio tours to museums, from beaches to | | | | up" and fancy here - Chows offers excellent |
| piers.L.A. is the epitome of big, bold and beautiful - | | | | dishes that will leave you wanting more (you must |
| and most of the hobbies in this town hover | | | | order the green prawns marinated in a spinach |
| around "the scene". So, if you've had your share | | | | dressing and the grilled filet mignon). Psst... the |
| of the beach, head inland to tour the star-studded | | | | best nights for celebrity star-sightings are |
| Sunset Boulevard or Melrose Avenue - and keep | | | | Wednesdays and Thursdays. And you'll |
| your eyes out! Since the restaurants and bars | | | | alwaysknow the caliber of celebs inside by the |
| drive the social hustle n' bustle, you'd better allow | | | | number of paparazzi reading their fortune cookies |
| yourself that afternoon power-nap if you want to | | | | along the sidewalk. Mr. Chows is located at 344 N. |
| keep up with the cool kids.Remember: the stars | | | | Camden Dr. (and Wilshire Boulevard).8. The Little |
| come out at night - this is LA after all. This town | | | | Door: (La Brea/Miracle Mile) Looking for a romantic |
| seems to shimmer after sundown... you can rock | | | | hideaway amid the hustle and bustle of L.A.? The |
| it out on the Sunset Strip or club it up in | | | | Little Door (house-turned-restaurant) is your |
| Hollywood. So, if you like your bars cool, your | | | | answer - just make sure you can find the place. |
| martinis dry, and your restaurants scrumptious, | | | | With indoor and outdoor seating, this little place |
| make sure you've got your wallet, your appetite | | | | doesn't advertise, nor does it allow publicity - yes, |
| and your energy for your night on the town | | | | it's that good! After you make your way past the |
| Hollywood style.Here's our insiders guide to some | | | | two simple wooden doors, you'll find a romantic |
| of the best restaurants and nightlife options. Know | | | | courtyard with canopy seating, a garden, twinkling |
| this: fights broke out between our editorial staff | | | | candles, and an impeccable menu. The Little Door |
| when somebody foolishly suggested we limit our | | | | can be found at 8164 W. Third St. (Crescent |
| journeyPod Picks in L.A. to only 10 Restaurants | | | | Heights Blvd.).9. Sushi Nozawa: (Studio City) Yes, |
| and 10 Bars. We had so much fun tearing it up in | | | | it's in a strip mall (located at 11288 Ventura Blvd.). |
| Tinseltown that we had to go with 15 selections in | | | | And, yes - the lights are brighter than the mid |
| each category. Of course, another fight ensued | | | | afternoon sun. But, take it from us, the decor isn't |
| when we tried to assign numbers to all of these | | | | what matters - the sushi is what's important. And |
| hotspots -- so cooler heads prevailed and we | | | | what's a little abuse as you order (word on the |
| have since removed the rankings.Be assured of | | | | street is someone was once kicked out for |
| one thing... all 30 of these places are ridiculously | | | | requesting California rolls!), as long as you get to |
| fantabulous and require your own A-game. Maybe | | | | eat some of the best sushi this side of Tokyo!10. |
| even after a night on the town, you too will | | | | Angelini Osteria: (La Brea/Miracle Mile) Mama mia - |
| understand why even people in the biz think | | | | now that's amore! From the paper-thin pizza to |
| "Entourage" seems so real...Restaurants1. Koi: | | | | the garlic-infused lasagna, everything here is |
| (West Hollywood) If your goal is to spot | | | | scrumptious - though you may not guess it at |
| Hollywood's A-list of celebrities, make reservations | | | | first, as you waltz your way into the unassuming, |
| at L.A.'s hottest Asian-fusion restaurant where | | | | often congested dining room in one of L.A.'s most |
| you go to see and be seen. Though service might | | | | celebrated Italian restaurants. Not only will you be |
| be rushed sometimes, who really cares? The food | | | | greeted like family, you'll be offered a menu filled |
| is just too damn good. A welcome relief from the | | | | with some serious selections - don't forget to pay |
| hectic Melrose scene, Koi is a haven of feng-shui | | | | special attention to the desserts. You may even |
| elements (candles, water and open patios). Here's | | | | be privy to Justin Timberlake and his girl, |
| a tip: request one of the horseshoe booths on the | | | | Cameron, dining here (since this place tops their |
| back patio. Located at 730 N. La Cienega Blvd | | | | list). Located at 7313 Beverly Blvd. and Poinsettia |
| (between Melrose Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd.)..2. | | | | Ave.11. Sushi Roku: (West Hollywood) The |
| Morton's The Steakhouse: (West Hollywood) | | | | beautiful interior is as noticeable as the people |
| Legendary for its Oscar-night parties, star-struck | | | | who flock here - many Hollywood deals ensue |
| celebrity watchers can often see their favorite | | | | over the innovative and succulent sushi dishes. |
| actors in culinary repose at this Tinseltown | | | | The "Cali touch" is evident in every dish, and the |
| power-elite restaurant. Do not, we repeat - do | | | | sake/beer options are limitless. Don't even think |
| not confuse this with the Arnie Morton's of | | | | about leaving without tasting the scallop dynamite, |
| Chicago steakhouse chain. And, if you have | | | | the espresso profiteroles and the "Roppongi" (a |
| enough room after you've chow'd down the | | | | mouth-watering mixture of vodka and sake |
| hearty dry-aged steak you came here for, order | | | | served with a ginger stick). And, don't bother |
| the banana-walnut beignets with vanilla ice cream | | | | arriving without a reservation. Located at 8445 W. |
| and caramel sauce or the warm | | | | 3rd St. (between N. La Cienaga Blvd. and S. Croft |
| melt-in-your-mouth chocolate espresso cake. | | | | Ave.).12. Matsuhisa: (Beverly Hills) If you love your |
| Morton's can be found at 8764 Melrose Ave. (and | | | | sushi and don't mind adventure - don't walk, run |
| Robertson Blvd.).3. The Ivy: (West Hollywood) | | | | to this place. With groundbreaking cuisine, |
| Dealmakers and dream-makers dine at this | | | | Matsuhisa offers more than 100 dishes. If you let |
| cottage with white picket fence (this is where | | | | us do your ordering, we are going with the |
| most celebrities go when they actually want to | | | | unforgettable omakase tasting menu which begins |
| get photographed by the always-lurking paparazzi). | | | | with master chef Nobu Matsuhisa's signature cold |
| While the shabby-chic furnishings (think antique | | | | dishes and ends with a procession of cooked |
| French furniture that needs painting) may not be | | | | dishes like Kobe beef and black cod in miso. |
| all that inspiring, the traditional American | | | | Though the setting is modest, do not be fooled! |
| comfort-food is. Just make sure you taste the | | | | The sushi here is as-good-as-it-gets. Matsuhisa is |
| Caesar salad (the-most-perfect one we've ever | | | | located at 129 N. La Cienaga Blvd. (and Wilshire |
| eaten) before you let yourself be seduced by the | | | | Blvd.).13. La Terza: (Beverly Hills) Sophisticated - |
| decadent desserts. Look closely for the sign (it's | | | | Italian - Simplicity. Attached to the Orlando Hotel |
| hidden in the ivy) as you stroll up to 113 N. | | | | (formerly the Beverly Plaza), this multi-tiered, |
| Robertson Blvd. and Alden Dr.4. Dolce Enoteca: | | | | multi-faceted restaurant is flawless, in its menu |
| (West Hollywood) Talk about the quintessential | | | | selections and design. Tuesdays are "Tavola |
| celeb-hot spot (Ashton Kutcher - and about half | | | | Italiana" night, when chef Nancy Silverton cooks |
| the cast of "That 70's Show" - owns it)! | | | | up a table of antipasto choices in the middle of |
| Hollywood heavy-hitters lounge in big booths and | | | | the restaurant. No reservations are taken here - |
| enjoy the sexy decor of black leather and marble. | | | | so it's on a first-come, first-serve basis (and |
| Nibble on Italian-style tapas -perfect for sharing. | | | | definitely worth showing up for!) La Terza is |
| Make sure you try the Risotto entrée with | | | | located at 8384 W. Third St. (at Orlando).14. |
| Gorgonzola, and save enough room for the | | | | Massimo Ristorante and Bar: (Beverly Hills) Feel |
| sumptuously rich ricotta cheese custard for | | | | like a taste of Tuscany? Massimo, located just off |
| dessert. Located at 8184 Melrose Ave. and | | | | Rodeo Drive in the heart of Beverly Hills (9513 S. |
| Sweetzer Ave..5. Dan Tana's: (West Hollywood) | | | | Santa Monica Blvd.) is graced with celebrities and |
| Who says LA doesn't have good Italian food? | | | | entertainment folk who are deep-rooted fans of |
| Walking into this restaurant is like entering a time | | | | Chef Massimo Ormani's authentic fare. Try the |
| warp back to 1950's NYC. The old Hollywood | | | | famous all-beef Bolognese dish. FYI: Massimo has |
| atmosphere is matched only by the food (simply | | | | most recently been on NBC's show "Recipe T.V." |
| delicious and loaded with garlic). Hollywood moguls, | | | | featuring the world's greatest Chefs.15. A.O.C.: (La |
| actors, screenwriters (and wannabes in all three | | | | Brea/Miracle Mile) Perhaps not the first tapas |
| aforementioned categories) flock for Spaghetti | | | | restaurant in the city, but definitely the hottest! If |
| Carbonara and Shrimp Diavolo. Since a reservation | | | | grazing is an art form to you, A.O.C. is the place |
| here is still one ofthe hardest to get in town, be | | | | to be... sleek, modern and chic, the gang here is |
| flexible on timing (psst...eating late here is better | | | | pure Hollywood glam. Almost everyone here looks |
| anyway). Located at 9071 Santa Monica Blvd. at | | | | and parties like a rock star regardless -- and they |
| Doheny Dr..6. Asia de Cuba: (West Hollywood) Feel | | | | all come for the extensive wine list and the |
| like rubbing elbows with Hollywood's elite? Then | | | | Mediterranean-influenced small plates. The menu |
| head over to the place that has been doing Fusion | | | | changes daily, but be assured that each dish is |
| since before "fusion" was even its own type of | | | | savored by all. A.O.C. is located at 8022 W. 3rd St. |
| food category. Asia de Cuba is Sunset Strip's | | | | (and Crescent is the only place you need to visit |
| entry for Asian-Latino fusion, the menu choices | | | | for information on the trendiest bars and |
| range from big (to bigger) budget portions served | | | | restaurants, the most luxurious hotels, and the |
| family-style (try the savory calamari salad and | | | | most exclusive parties and shops for |
| finger-lickin' good coconut layer cake). You can | | | | discriminating travelers. Visit for the lowdown on |
| choose to sit indoors or out - but keep in mind | | | | where to go in Atlanta, New York, Miami, LA and |
| that the outdoor patio offers spectacular views | | | | other major cities around the world, and listing to |
| and is one of the best in L.A. At night, Asia de | | | | our monthly travel podcast for the best in upscale |
| Cuba is transformed into a luxuriously sexy soiree. | | | | travel and entertainment. |
| Located inside the Mondrian at 8440 Sunset | | | | |