Dining Alone Restaurants

Up the stairs of the Via Rodeo, on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive is 208 Rodeo. A quaint and casual fine dining experience, 208 Rodeo has elegant outdoor patio dining that is perfect for people watching or just relaxing with old friends. The restaurant serves modern American cuisine made up of eclectic influences from around the world. Chef Alejandro Arrieta focuses on technique and ingredients when dishing up his signature cuisine. With a varied selection from the breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert menu, 208 Rodeo gives those looking to take a respite from the hustle of Rodeo …

D’Cache is a Toluca Lake local’s go-to spot for modern Spanish cuisine. This colorful restaurant is hidden in strip mall, and once diners step into the Spanish cottage, the lush décor and live music transports them on an exotic Latin vacation. Seated at comfy stuffed chairs or out on the enclosed patio, guests enjoy D’Cache’s take on modern Latin fusion cuisine in the form of tapas, pizettes, sandwiches, and entrees. Of its expansive menu, it is the tapas selection that keeps patrons returning for more. With options like Costillas Cubanas de Lechon, Baby Back Ribs in a Pasilla Honey B.B.Q. …

Bamboo Café combines Vietnamese cuisine and stylish décor together to create a tranquil escape to a faraway land for Simi Valley locals. Hidden behind a façade of bamboo trunks awaits a healthy approach to Vietnamese classics. Starter favorites include standard Spring Rolls, and the Beef or Chicken Salad. Pho lovers have their choice of meats, but the pride of the restaurant is the Bamboo Café Noodle Soup, featuring Filet Mignon, Shrimp, and Beef in a tasty broth with Rice Noodles.Plastered around the restaurant are photos of Pho enthusiasts who conquered the “Pho Real” challenge by finishing a hefty bowl of …

Sleek, sexy, and chic, Nirvana in Beverly Hills takes fine dining to the next level. With comfortable sofas and canopy beds, Nirvana offers some of Beverly Hills' most enticing Indian cuisine. Diners can enjoy the warmth of the fireplace on their breezy patio while partaking in the lounge atmosphere and romantic ambiance of the Kama Sutra themed restaurant. A treat for the senses as much as for the palate, a koi pond, statue of Ganesha, and an indoor “stream” all add to the unique atmosphere present at Nirvana. The next time the appetite calls for Indian food, and the senses …

For a causal night out with family or friends, Chi Chi’s Pizza is the place. This Italian-American restaurant dishes up hungry patrons in the Simi Valley area an assortment of sandwiches, pastas, and pizza in a bustling environment. In the pasta department, Chi Chi’s homemade Spaghetti, Springs, Shells, Rigatoni, and Whole Wheat noodles are smothered with sauce. Pizza lovers can create the pizza pie of their dreams by pilling toppings ranging from classic pepperoni, to anchovies, to Fried Jalapeño peppers, for an extra kick. Those looking for the American side of the menu can order the “Famous Golden Pressure Fried …

Inspired by the hospitable aspects of traditional Italian dining, Nonna of Italy offers a variety of delicious pastas, salads, soups, and deserts for both lunch and dinner. Enjoy Chef Kieth Silverton's innovative take on classic Italian dishes. The restaurant allows for people watching from the patio in the historic Sunset Strip area of West Hollywood. From the wood-fired pizzas, fine seafood, and crispy calamari, to the Apple Tarte Tatin, Chocolate Fondant and the other ever-popular desserts, Nonna of Italy prides itself on its traditional hospitality and traditional Hollywood style.

The Farm of Beverly Hills offers a California spin on classic down home cooking. Taking an innovative approach to everyday American comfort foods, The Farm of Beverly Hills’ breakfast favorites include the Farmer’s Benedict and Huevos Rancheros. Lunch sees staples such as The Farm Classic Cheeseburger, Meatloaf Sandwich, and Maple Baked Salmon Salad. Dinner features the renown Dill Pickle Fried Chicken and Farm Chicken Pot Pie. The Famous Farm Brownie will satiate any chocoholic’s sweet tooth. An array of options is available for every meal, and each menu throughout the day features the freshest ingredients available. For food that satisfies …

Just North of the University of Southern California on South Union Avenue, Bacaro LA Wine Bar serves California Fusion cuisine and fine wine. A nice selection of European and domestic wines as well as imported and craft beers are available. Plates are served tapas style and include customer favorites such as Bacon & Brie Pizza, Lamb Stuffed Eggplant, The Bacaro Burger, and Nutella Panini. Happy Hour between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday is a crowd favorite and features all plates for only $5! The place is popular with the local students, so a quiet evening may be …

With nearly every new restaurant offering some sort of fusion cuisine today, Sam’s by the Beach rises above the rest and delivers fresh, smart food in an intimate neighborhood setting just off Pacific Coast Highway. The seasonal menu includes traditional California basics that seem familiar until the taste reveals unique Mediterranean details. The unassuming outside belies the quiet romance waiting inside. Dedicated staff members cater to your every dining need, implementing a special menu if requested and treating each patron as a regular. Visit this surprising getaway to relearn all your old favorites.

The First Cabin, located in the Balboa Bay Club and Resort, perfectly captures the essence of the Newport Harbor with its panoramic bay views. The menu offers classic Californian cuisine, with dishes such as creamy lobster bisque and beef tenderloin. Complimented by a wide selection of more than 600 wines, including vintages from around the world, The First Cabin received praise for its wine collection with awards from both Wine Spectator and the Distinguished Restaurants of North America. Chef Josef Lageder uses only the freshest ingredients the season has to offer for the menu, and even offers a special wellness …

Once surrounded by an enormous orange grove, this landmark jewel was built as a family home in 1909. The Victorian decor exhibits extravagance and splendor; with warm tones accented by soft lighting and tapestries exude elegance. The atmosphere is only outdone by the kitchen’s French-influenced Northern Italian fare. The menu is peppered with fame and glamour, with playfully-named dishes such as Sophia Loren Caviar and Cartier Calamari. With 12 private rooms, the White House is ideally suited for private parties and groups; while the elegant ambiance makes the White House an excellent destination for any special occasion, large or small.

The Orange County Mining Co. is located in the hills, boasts a panoramic view of Orange County. In the tradition of the mining days of Silverado Canyon, the restaurant is patterned after the steak houses and saloons frequented by the prospectors of old. The Orange County mining Co. sits upon the old silver mine sites of the canyon. Relics displayed within the restaurant's interior are genuine artifacts of the mining era. The kitchen serves hearty American fare such as steaks, grilled chicken, and seafood. The full bar refreshes guests thirsts with traditional cocktails as well as bottled and draught beer …

After seven years of success in the North Hollywood Arts District, Paul Hibler and David Sanfield took their Pitfire Pizza concept downtown in 2005. Across from St. Vibiana’s Cathedral and in the shadow of skyscrapers, office workers flood this modern Italian café at lunch for thin-crust pizzas, hearty pastas, and market-fresh salads. At night and on weekends, the rush subsides and Pitfire offers a more relaxed dining experience with the same value. Order at the counter, where a board lists seasonal specials and fresh-baked desserts are on display. To drink, there’s fresh sangria and watermelon lemonade, plus wine and beer.

Hidden from the desert heat the Steakhouse at the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs is a carnivore’s oasis. Dimly lit, The Steakhouse contrasts against the vivid sunshine of the surrounding environment, and brightens diner’s palates with succulent meat and seafood entrees. From the first glance of the backlighted menu, The Steakhouse at Spa Resort Casino lives up to its name as a meat eater’s paradise. The list of appetizers covers dishes from the earth and the sea, with options like Jumbo Sea Scallops to Escargot with garlic butter, Brie and sourdough bread. The main entrée selection boasts traditional cuts …

For delectable fusion cuisine, blending flavors of the Pacific Rim, Provence, and Tuscany, travel no further than Restaurant Christine. Chef and Owner Christine Brown created an eclectic menu that is both unique and flavorful, incorporating Asian, Mediterranean and French influences to offer a wide variety of tastes. Located in Torrance near the foot of Rolling Hills, Restaurant Christine feels like a cozy Mediterranean villa, and provides a relaxed setting to enjoy a meal with friends and family or perhaps celebrate a special occasion. A reasonably priced wine list, friendly service, and excellent fare make Restaurant Christine an experience worth repeating.

For sharp and flavorful Asian dishes that render a taste of the east, Pearl Dragon can offer something special for everyone. The sleek, dramatic decor and chic bar scene draw a stylish crowd to this industry hangout, which offers the only full bar in Pacific Palisades. The Pearl Dragon's elegant yet laid back atmosphere, with potted bamboo and gleaming wood tables, is well suited for crowds coming for the lobster specialty dishes, sushi and Pan-Asian entrees. This elegant and modern décor enhances the fine dining atmosphere, and when paired with Pearl Dragon’s entrees and appetizers, a little taste of the …

La Taquiza No. 2 on South Figueroa and West 30th Street, serves authentic Mexican cuisine just one block from the campus of the University of Southern California. La Tqquiza No. 2 delights students and neighborhood locals alike with its fresh, south of the border cuisine. The originator of the Mulita, which is like a combination taco and quesadilla, this tasty treat features two handmade corn tortillas with the diner’s choice of meat, melted jack cheese, and guacamole. The fresh salsa bar offers a wide range of sauces and accouterments, including avocado sauce, an orange sauce, as well as roasted garlic …

La Bohème rhapsodizes with a quintuplet of dazzling crystal chandeliers looming majestically overhead in a large, yet intimate two-tiered dining space. The semi-private booths downstairs and the rock star booths upstairs, along with the opulent ruby-red décor glimmering softly under the glow of two huge open fireplaces make this seductive bistro one of the a romantic destinations in L.A. Guests are also welcome to dine on the Garden Patio, Café La Boheme’s own al fresco paradise, where they can bask in the warmth of a beautiful fireplace framed by roses and greenery. For more casual diners, the bar lounge offers …

Urasawa in Beverly Hills offers one of the most exclusive Japanese dining experiences in California. The tiny establishment, which seats about 10 people at a time, has no menu; rather diners are presented 29 courses of owner and Chef Hiroyuki Urasawa's triumphant Kaizeki preparations. The formal meal presents a succession of small and meticulous dishes, each carefully crafted to accentuate the natural flavors of seasonal ingredients, many of which have been flown in from Japan earlier in the day. Chef Urasawa’s attention to detail stretches beyond the plate, with 300-year old antique tableware and an exclusively French wine list. It …

In this confection of a restaurant, Il Cielo presents a wondrously elegant and stunningly romantic setting that is sure to bewitch even the most cosmopolitan of patrons. Owner and Executive Chef Pasquale Vericella has meticulously created a destination restaurant where guests can bask in the charms of Il Cielo’s visual beauty and revel in its exquisite Northern Italian cuisine. Nestled in a residential area of fabled Beverly Hills a couple miles east of Rodeo Drive, Il Cielo beguiles guests with a captivating romantic beauty created by its casually elegant décor, twinkling lights, and lush foliage.