Dating comes with enough pressure already. So sit back, relax, and let us tell you where to drink, dine and connect. Cheers!
Bicyclette
Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke’s newest Parisian-inspired eatery provides an exemplary balance between Paris’ emblematic bistro culture and California’s fresh ingredients. The space features two main dining areas: Bicyclette Bistro and the upstairs Bicyclette Restaurant–which will debut later this year. Start with a creative cocktail then move onto the main event. Menu items include yellowfin tuna “steak” tartare, bouillabaisse (with rock cod, mussels, clams and prawns) and beef short rib a la bourguignonne with potato mousseline. 9575 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, bicyclettela.com
Crustacean
Treat your date to a meal at this celebrity hotspot, where chef and founder Helene An’s modern Vietnamese menu takes centerstage. Popular dishes include AN’s Famous Garlic Noodles, AN’s Famous Garlic Rice and AN’s Famous Garlic Roasted Dungeness Crab. Don’t forget to stop by their AN the Go bar, with Sommelier selected TO-GO wines and cocktails. 468 N. Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, crustaceanbh.com
Dear John’s
Once owned by Frank Sinatra’s pal Johnny Harlowe, Dear John’s is the perfect location to enjoy date night in a dark, sexy location steeped in history. Revered chefs and entrepreneurs Hans Röckenwagner and Josiah Citrin have reopened this iconic spot, complete with a classic American menu and traditional cocktail list (consisting of sparkling, white, rose and red wines). Try the New York strip, ribeye or lobster thermidor and pair with delicious sides, from German potatoes to sauteed mushrooms with herb butter. 11208 Culver Blvd., Culver City, dearjohnsbar.com
Gigi’s
This contemporary and chic neighborhood bistro, courtesy of Alexander Wilmot (owner and operator) and business partner Samantha Ressler, is situated in the heart of Hollywood and offers a Californian interpretation of French cuisine. The menu, from executive chef Matt Bollinger, includes a seafood tower (with oysters, scallops, shrimp and crab louie), whole roasted branzino with brown butter, lemon and capers and elegant cocktails. This romantic ambiance of this new L.A. hotspot is sure to impress. 904 N. Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles, gigis.la
Girl & The Goat
Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard’s award-winning restaurant brings the bold flavors of its Chicago flagship to the Arts District—while crafting new dishes inspired by the Golden State’s local produce. Treat your date to a pork belly salad (with green mango, pickled fresnos, shrimp rice and coconut crunch), pan-roasted scallops with chili relish and peanut-pepita crunch or goat curry (with masa chips, radish and pickled veggies) at this vibrant, bustling DTLA resto, currently one of the city’s toughest reservations to snag. 555-3 Mateo St., Los Angeles girlandthegoat.com/los-angeles
République
Another of Walter and Margarita Manzke’s projects, this stylish French restaurant—which also hosts a bakery and cocktail bar—has taken over a building built by Charlie Chaplin and designed by Roy Seldon Price in 1928. Treat your date to breakfast for lunch—breakfast is served until 2PM—including chia seed pudding, potato pancake and kimchi fried rice, while lunch (available after 11AM) offers a Cuban sandwich, dry-aged beef burger and more. Make sure to also give their cocktails, fresh juices and smoothies, coffee and tea a try. 624 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, republiquela.com
Mélisse
Consider date night at Chef Josiah Citrin’s 14-seat restaurant, where you can choose among a la carte or prix fixe menus, guided by chefs and sommeliers for an unforgettable adventure. The modern and classic techniques shine through the five-canapes, nine-course tasting menu showcasing flavors from around the globe. End the 2.5 hour experience on a sweet note with a ½ bottle of sweet wine from the extensive wine list. 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, citrinandmelisse.com
Nobu Malibu
Experience chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Japanese delicacies in this stunning beachfront space. Choose from cold dishes (monkfish pate with caviar, lobster shiitake salad with spicy lemon dressing and whitefish arugula with jalapeno dressing), sashimi tacos (tuna, lobster, uni and more), hot dishes (black cod with miso, creamy spicy snow crab, rosemary panko crusted New Zealand lamb chop) or treat your date to one of chef’s multi-course tasting menus. The views—of the ocean and the celeb clientele—are always top notch. 22706 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, noburestaurants.com/malibu/home
Olivetta
Open for fine dining and late-night cocktails, this coastal European restaurant is ideal for a 21+ date night. Executive chef Michael Fiorelli utilizes old-world ingredients and preparation styles to create Greek, Italian and Spanish dishes—all with a Californian spin. Award-winning mixologist Melina Meza curated the bar program, which perfectly complements Fiorelli’s Mediterranean menu, and preeminent Sommelier Eric Railsback crafted the wine program (from bright and natural wines to vintage burgundy). 9010 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, olivetta.la
Photography by: Freddy G/Unsplash
