Dining Guides Romantic Restaurants

In Los Angeles, fabulous patios aren't exactly a rarity. Nor are PDA-heavy playpens. But what turns you—or, more importantly, your date—on? Whether it's candlelight, seclusion, low-key fun, the scent of power or that indefinable sense of whispered promise, each of these restaurants promise some kind of enchanted evening. —Lonny Pugh

The Little Door

Oscar-winning actors, trendy French chefs and English royalty have all been drawn to this romantic garden hideaway.

Catch

Get seduced by the sea at this elegant restaurant inside the Hotel Casa Del Mar. Couples who drink too much wine could get a room upstairs. Just sayin'.

Cliff's Edge

Cool points go to the person who takes a wide-eyed innocent to this hidden-away Eastside spot. (There's no sign, just an anonymous parking lot with a door in back.) The food we've sampled ranges from satisfactory to just OK, but the large, multileveled patio is truly gasp-worthy. A bottle of wine lasts a whole summer night for the mix of indie twentysomethings, mellow grandparents and accented Europeans—whether or not it's actually summer.

Falcon

This chic patio ain't bad either, but the blazers, babes and BlackBerries here seem light years from Cliff's Edge. Trophy dates meet up with trolling execs of all sexual preferences while beauties of both genders pursue the Hollywood dream. The scene is energetic and the food, somewhat surprisingly, is quite good.

Grace

Chef Neal Fraser recently became the first Los Angeles chef to win "Iron Chef America." If conversation reaches a standstill between courses in this pleasant Beverly Boulevard dining room, that factoid might come in handy.

Nirvana Restaurant & Lounge

Kama sutra-inspired menu, fertility sculptures along the walls, four-poster beds, candlelight: This Indian restaurant really wants diners to get it on.

The Dining Room

The crowd is very, shall we say, conservative, but chef Craig Strong is endlessly inventive, and the grounds of the just-renovated Ritz-Carlton are lush and expansive. A hand-in-hand stroll is mandatory.

Figaro Bistrot

Near Vermont Avenue's three-screen theater that remains a favorite despite its iPod-sized screens is this charming pocket of France that's perfect for the "dinner" half of "dinner and a movie." Cloaked in darkness, nearby diners retain privacy even if they're close enough to inadvertently elbow.

Wilshire Restaurant

There are three things that make this Westside restaurant romantic: The patio, the patio and the patio.

10.

The Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air

Many an anniversary has been toasted on the bougainvillea-lined terrace at this classic dining option, itself a testament to longevity.

11.

Hatfield's

Lush décor, sumptuous foliage and a hot scene? Nope, not even a little bit. At this husband-and-wife-run find, the focus is on the fantastic food; still, the stark décor has its own sense of postmodern romance.

12.

Tower Bar

Pure Hollywood decadence abounds at this restaurant inside the Art Deco landmark formerly called the Argyle, but previously and once again known as Sunset Tower. While dining with Anna Wintour, Tom Ford lasciviously told owner Jeff Klein that the cotes de boeuf was the best thing he'd ever put in his mouth.

13.

Valentino

How do you say "romantic alcoves" in Italian?

14.

BIN 8945

Hand over the menus. Submit to a tasting. Let the wine man do his job. Grab your lover's hand with a casual nonchalance. Pat it sweetly, knowing you'll score later.

15.

Cube

With just a few tables inside (the patio isn't as charming), this LA.com favorite isn't one we share with too many people, for fear of overcrowding. Consider yourself lucky to be reading this.

16.

Il Cielo

The website has fake shooting stars. Enough said.

17.

Opus Restaurant

Foodies rave, critics praise, and tables remain available. Sometimes a tragedy is the most romantic thing of all.

18.

Royale

In a former ballroom hidden from the street, history pulses through high arches and swirls around '20s-themed gin cocktails. Like Opus, this one hasn't caught on yet—and sometimes it's nice to not have to shout at your date, no?

19.

Tasca

Cute couples loudly coo over small plates at this raucous but sweet wine bar.

20.

Sona

A pinnacle of Los Angeles dining, this restaurant is known for special-occasion finery. We are so totally hot right now.

just to add to the growing number of people who noticed the site changes....dont know why the changes were made but CHANGE IT BACK--PLEASE!!

Posted 03/27/08 10:03PM PDT by Nikki

the list of restaurants is actually very helpful. For some neighborhood information, discounts and other search options, you can try out http://www.boorah.com/restaurants/c/877/CA/Los-Angeles.html

Posted 03/17/08 01:50PM PDT by Nagaraju

agreed. this site used to be hands down the best --simple and easy to navigate. they have wrecked it.

Posted 01/16/08 04:21PM PST by fb

Davinci - Beverly Hills One of my favorite resurants, very quiet, and the food is fantastic. Must say the deserts are excellent.

Posted 12/01/07 06:46AM PST by Nick Zaferes

I agree agree agree. This site could be the best. I can't understand why it's hard to use.

Posted 11/17/07 01:09PM PST by ray burns

Completely agree! That was the whole reason to use LA.com. Now it is no better than City Search.

Posted 11/07/07 03:43PM PST by Adriana

Why have the feature where you can search by neighborhood, feature, cuisine etc but it doesn't work? Frustrating!

Posted 08/28/07 05:00PM PDT by

Ditto. This is useless.

Posted 08/24/07 07:55PM PDT by Lori

i was wondering the same thing! i loved LA.COM specifically for it's search by neighborhood option.

Posted 08/22/07 12:11PM PDT by rachel glaub

whatever happened to the searchable guide by neighborhoods, etc? la.com used to be the bomb but now I'm stuck looking up menupages la to figure out where to go to eat... bummer.

Posted 08/18/07 03:01PM PDT by eliza randall

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Romantic Restaurants

Romantic Restaurants