Special Occasion Restaurants

Homemade pasta and a flair for the less-familiar cuisine of Coastal Northern Italy are the hallmarks of this unassuming and friendly Trattoria located on a quiet, tree-lined street near Old Town Pasadena. Diners are treated to delicacies such as fresh fish, venison medallions, stewed tripe, and whipped salted cod as well as more traditional fare of assorted fresh pastas. The small restaurant (17 tables in all) has a comforting feel, with cozy banquettes, sound-absorbing carpeted floors, white walls, and white linens. With ample space between the tables, it doesn't feel cramped. Servers are knowledgeable and friendly.

Spark Woodfire Grill serves all the great food you’d want in a fine steak restaurant, in a chic, laid back atmosphere. With partner locations in Studio City and Huntington Beach, Spark is known for its open-hearth wood fire oven, mesquite grill, and steak broiler. The menu features fine steaks, but also offers home-cooking favorites you might not expect. Hamburgers, baby back ribs, lasagna, and a selection of wood fired pizzas offer a range of dinner options. Located in West Los Angeles near Beverly Hills, Spark has a full bar with a great happy hour and extensive facilities for private parties …

One step inside from the bustle of Melrose takes you into Dolce, a trendy Italian restaurant with a cozy dark decor and some fantastic people watching. Known for its ambiance, tasty Italian classics, and hip crowd, Dolce is perfect for a romantic date, or a pre-club meal. From the traditional Pesto Gnocchi and Osso Bucco to the more fusion-based Tuna Tartare and Mango Bruschetta, Dolce's menu caters to all tastes and appetites. Drink options include a full wine list, including selections by the glass, as well as a large selection of cocktails. It is certain that Dolce's decor and ambiance …

Tantra restaurant, located in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, is owner Navraj Singh’s most generous gift to the community. Beginning at the ornate, hammered-metal doors and continuing throughout is an opulence that far exceeds any expectation. This gorgeous space was designed by Sat Garg of Akar Studios in Santa Monica, and is profoundly beautiful. It is a setting that perfectly compliments Chef Sanjay Kumar’s masterful preparations. His menu is a sophisticated mélange of traditional Indian cuisine and contemporary ingredients, with a broad range of tandoori dishes from the north and masala based dishes from the south of India.

Hollywood’s Bella Cucina Italiana is just steps from the city’s iconic “Walk of Fame” and an Oscar’s throw from glamorous Kodak Theatre. The restaurant draws a modern, hip, and eclectic crowd keen on casual cucina dining. The menu dishes up classic pasta favorites and sumptuous Southern Italian entrees. Bella Cucina Italiana is a member of Los Angeles’ Dolce Group. Balancing a hip lounge with cozy, unpretentious dining, Bella mixes it up with a modern take on the classic trattoria.

Falcon’s location, on a nondescript stretch of Sunset Boulevard, is unassuming, but once inside, it’s a different story—the glamorous Dodd Mitchell design provides the perfect setting for drinking or dining. Indeed, although Falcon has built a reputation for its nightlife, the restaurant’s food is worthy of a trip in its own right. The focus of the succinct but wide-ranging menu is fresh, seasonal ingredients, and the dishes are fancy enough to gain interest, but not overworked. The wine list, too, is thoughtfully chosen, covering the globe but specializing in California.

When looking for the freshest seafood, Red Fish is the place to dine. Red Fish serves a variety of seafood and shellfish that is brought in daily from local seafood markets from the west coast as well as the famous Fulton Fish Market in New York City. The Mesquite Grilled Organic Salmon is the restaurant’s most popular dish. Grilled lemons accompany the salmon which caramelize from the heat and complement the fish with their sweet juice. If guests prefer non-seafood entrees, the menu offers prime meat options. Red Fish offers a serene setting with white curtains and dark redwood tabletops …

Melograno is centrally located on Hollywood Boulevard, a few blocks west of Vine; although the area is not synonymous with fine dining, the cuisine here is worth an excursion. Owned by chef Alberto Lazzarino and his sommelier/business partner, Giuseppe Cossu, Melograno is focused specifically on Northern Italian cuisine from the Piedmont region. This means rich, authentic dishes such as house-made agnolotti with black truffles and carnaroli rice risotto with wild mushrooms. Lazzarino and Cossu bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from their respective disciplines and by joining forces, provide Los Angeles with an original and adventurous spin on Italian …

A pale palette of cream tones bathes the walls in subtle elegance, while the rich leather upholstery and wood seating invite visitors to settle in for the evening. 3 on Fourth exudes a kind of seamlessly simple elegance that carries over from the stunning second-floor railing to the thoughtful and varied menu. American, Asian, and European cuisine are all represented on the daily changing menu; and they are married by an equally comprehensive drink selection of wine, beer, and sake. Patrons may construct a traditional dining experience around three courses, or they are welcome to mix and match the many …

Why confine oneself to only tasting one region of Italy’s fine cuisine when we may savor the many flavors that make the country the dining destination of the world? i. Cugini serves up authentic specialties from Sicily, Sardinia, Naples, and Tuscany in a dining space fit for the Amalfi Coast. Once visitors enter the restaurant, passing the luscious display of fresh fish and the open kitchen, they begin to understand what sets i. Cugini apart. The extensive seafood selection offers the unique opportunity for patrons to dine as native Italians do – the salt-cured whole cooked fish are favorites, and …

This modern American steakhouse owes its charm and signature style largely to Executive Chef and Partner Laurent Tourondel. Chef Tourondel showcases his years of experience working with both classic French techniques and innovative contemporary methods in this French bistro-inspired urban steakhouse menu. Seafood enthusiasts and devout carnivores alike may appreciate the spread he’s laid out – the raw bar selection boasts delights like the Oysters, Littleneck Clams, and Jonah Crab Claws, and Kobe beef polishes the rich assortment of tasty prime cuts. Also, satisfying sides like the Jalapeno Mashed Potatoes and the Stuffed Squash Blossoms offer another element of satisfaction.

Two floors and 25,000 square feet of sprawling entertainment space establish J Lounge in a league all its own. Rich tones of chocolate and deep burgundy carry through this multifaceted venue, and provide an air of elegant exuberance. Visitors may dine in the white linen clad dining room or on the adjoining patio complete with a massive fire pit. Complementing the exquisitely detailed décor is a menu that highlights similarly thoughtful and flavorful dishes. Favorites include the Fritto Misto Tempura, the Crispy Grilled Salmon, and the Braised Beef Short Ribs. An impressive specialty drink and wine selection provides a fitting …

“Garden fresh” takes on new significance when one realizes that much of the produce used in the Terra kitchen comes straight from Owner and Chef Chris Bocchino’s garden. Local and organic-minded providers source the items Chef Bocchino cannot grow, and his meat and fish are chosen with like care. And while the thoughtful California cuisine menu boasts an inspiring degree of attention to detail, the restaurant’s décor is similarly lighthearted and refined. A large stained glass window bathes the bar in warm comforting light, and Old World charm marries with contemporary touches for a welcoming space to feast in.

Gonpachi is styled both in space and cuisine, bringing a traditional Japanese dining experience to the heart of Beverly Hills. A wide spacious dining room with two-story-high ceilings and the clean cut counter space at the sushi bar create a peaceful dining experience. Private rooms, each a different color, play on the comfort of a Japanese home. A chic black bar reflects a Japanese garden, allowing guests to wander through the terrace overlooking a serene pond. Fresh ingredients are flown in from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, and fresh soba noodles are hand-made in the restaurant. Masterful Japanese meals are created and …

The Grand Lux brings warmth and personality to fine dining. With themes from the Old World cafes, The Grand Lux’s lavish motifs are an escape from the ordinary. All-marble tabletops and floors, hand-blown glass fixtures, and intricate mosaics highly define the pure splendor of the café’s Venetian color scheme. Designed by the creators of The Cheesecake Factory, who travelled the world to bring you this ornately detailed and extravagant restaurant, this elaborately themed restaurant will not only be a feast for your eyes, but also for your tummy. Choose from an array of over 150 delicious and unique menu selections. …

This business was reported as PERMANENTLY CLOSED. Pacific by NoRu offers a fresh, balanced, coastal-inspired culinary experience that explores what local flavor truly is. Founded by residents who have lived and understand that what this area represents is an opportunity to share good nature, great people, and amazing food with its patrons. Please visit, dine, and enjoy Pacific’s balance of excellent food, a love for nature, and great people. Won "Best New Restaurant" in Ventura County voted on by VC Reporter for 2019/2020. See you soon at Pacific by NoRu.

We closed our business, Le Petit Greek, on December 31st, 2023, after 35 years of operation. Thank you all for your support and patronage over the years!

This venue is no longer open.

This restaurant is closed.

This venue is no longer open.