In cold weather, the cabana-like patio (like all cabana-like patios forced to utilize plastic walls) isn't the most inviting spot around, and the indoor dining room is tiny. Thankfully, cold weather isn't a problem during most seasons in our city.

When the sun beams warmly on the shoulders of tourist throngs snapping photos of the music-fueled moving water in the courtyard of The Grove, there's a certain charm in following a lesser-travelled corridor to hear Whisper Lounge's piano player. (As far as we know, has never belted out "That's Amore.") We're still in Disneyland mall territory here, but the indoor-outdoor atmosphere, good drinks and steakhouse favorites at Whisper Lounge feel removed enough for a decent candlelit dinner, happy-hour fuel-up, or post-movie cocktail. Appetizers like tuna three ways are tasty if slight (most appetizers hover around the $15 mark); entrees, however, are generously portioned. Three steak options—filet, black angus New York, bone-in Kansas City rib-eye—are complemented by herb-crusted pork tenderloin cedar-plank roasted wild salmon, a burger, and spinach-and-ricotta ravioli. Service is smart and friendly: Our waitress wasn't afraid to make a face (and offer another suggestion) when we asked about a particular cocktail, and our hostess, like our dining companion, admitted to being frequently distracted by the view of the shoe department at the newly opened Barneys CO-OP.  —Lonny Pugh