Dining Guides

Dining - Dining Guides

Dinner and the Grove

Dinner and the Grove
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Inside the theme park outdoor mall known as The Grove, there is a Cheesecake Factory and a Haagen Dazs and a Du-Par's. There are also restaurants to which you'd actually want to take a date, be they authentic French, saliva-inducing Mexican, or breezy steakhouse. Many more respectable options are just a short stroll away (watch those hands, mister). —Lonny Pugh

 

1.

monsieur marcel pain vin et fromage

In the historic Farmers Market next to which the decidedly non-historic Grove was built, classic options abound: This French pocket inside the Farmers Market is always lively.

2.

Loteria Grill

Don't let the look of the place scare you. The mole sauce at this taco stand, also in the Farmers Market, is highly appreciated in foodie circles. And foodies take their mole very, very seriously.

3.

Whisper Lounge

Hidden relatively away from the madness on one of the mall's quieter cobblestone walks, this indoor-outdoor steakhouse serves consistent cuisine and tasty cocktails. Live music helps class it up.

4.

Hatfield's

North of the mall, on the restaurant-choked Beverly Boulevard, this charming restaurant requires reservations and is more appropriate before seeing an Oscar contender than a Hostel ripoff.

5.

Grace

Again, think Helen Mirren, not Elisha Cuthbert.

6.

Cobras & Matadors

Tapas, good conversation about Cate Blanchett's acting chops, and a bottle of wine purchased from the shop next door: All can be had here. The only problem is that the sidewalk tables (the best and most sought-after) can't be reserved.

7.

Buddha's Belly

Always busy, always pleasant, always casual and reasonably priced. Bonus points for a sighting of Tori Spelling or Paul Rudd.

8.

BLD

Be it a pajama matinee (a favorite LA.com tradition) or Saturday-evening date night, the charming but low-key BLD is open before, during and after the movie. The walk isn't far, especially in track pants.

9.

Celadon Galerie Culinaire

This fairly new addition to the Third Street scene is just off Fairfax—quality enough to impress the date but close enough to catch the 7:15.