Special Occasion Restaurants

Since its opening in 1975, More Than Waffles has been serving some of Los Angeles’ most delicious breakfast items. This family owned and operated restaurant continues to carry on the tradition of high quality home-style cooking that is a main source of the restaurant’s popularity. It’s décor is that of a personal dining room or kitchen with wooden tables and chairs inside and umbrella covered tables and patio furniture outside on the restaurant’s front deck. Located inside the Encino Town center, at the corner of Ventura Blvd. and Louise Avenue, More Than Waffles has expanded their original menu which consisted …

Through exquisite culinary flavorings and technique, Bossa Nova provides guests with a sumptuous menu designed to give the absolute Brazilian experience. Delectable meals are made more delicious as the relaxing environment allows one to take pleasure in their fare, a characteristic that has led Bossa Nova’s four locations (Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills) to win a loyal crowd of patrons. You may even catch some Hollywood insiders and incognito stars enjoying grilled meats and Brazilian favorites. Come and allow Bossa Nova to satisfy your culinary cravings!

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.

With an amazing 360-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and Los Angeles county as well as a history that dates back to 1926, The Sky Room atop the Breakers Hotel is a timeless Los Angeles landmark. Classic Art Deco décor transports diners to the Supper Club era of the 1920's and 30's, when dining out was synonymous with elegance and style. The menu offers French infused California cuisine with elegantly presented dishes that include Maine lobster and Colorado rack of lamb along with an inspired collection of wine that compliments Chef Juan Carlos's menu. Fine china, linens, and crystal hark …

Engine Co. No. 28 is an American restaurant reminiscent of the classic grills of San Francisco and New York with its mahogany booths, granite bar, and Ella Fitzgerald music in the background. This Los Angeles landmark is set in a beautifully restored 1912 Los Angeles firehouse. Inspired by traditional firehouse cooking, Engine Co.’s menu features a wide variety of timeless American fare. Dishes are inventive, delicious, and full of fresh ingredients. Step back in time as you dine at this authentic firehouse still complete with its original fire pole and brick walls.

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 …

Located in the heart of downtown Fullerton, The Cellar is located in the basement of downtown Fullerton’s historic three-story Villa del Sol, the setting is reminiscent of the Old Europe. With a heavy-beamed ceiling, stone walls, and crystal chandeliers, the restaurant promises an intimate and romantic setting. The Old-World charm extends to the French-inspired menu, with courses such as lobster bisque and Norwegian smoked salmon. The exquisite fine dining experience is crowned by the Cellar's award-winning wine collection featuring an extensive selection of over 1400 wines.

Cima Restaurant at Pacific Palms Resort offers guests one of the area's most exciting restaurants. Diners will enjoy an eclectic menu featuring Pacific Fusion cuisine during the week. Saturday night features an “East Meets West Buffet” with buffet favorites such as lobster, prime rib, and sushi. The Sunday California Champagne Brunch is a great way for families to get together and enjoy a meal without the limitations of having to order off a menu. Offering a lively atmosphere with impeccable service, majestic views, and an expansive deck for outdoor dining, Cima is perfect for a casual diner or corporate gathering.

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 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 …

The Golden Truffle is a unique bistro known for its innovative fusion menu, which includes a mixture of Asian, French, Spanish, and Caribbean-influenced dishes from Chef Alan Greeley. The menu changes daily with whatever the freshest ingredients available are, but favorite items include Jamaican Jerk Chicken Salad and Rosemary Roasted Spring Lamb Loin with Vegetable Soufflé and Mushroom Meat Juices. With such a wide array of dishes to choose from, The Golden Truffle keeps its clientele curious. An extensive and award winning wine list featuring French and Californian selections to compliment the exciting menu.

Located on Alamitos Bay, McKenna’s is scenic and serene as diners overlook the peaceful Pacific while delighting in fresh seafood and succulent prime steaks. Although it resides in the midst of bustling Los Angeles, the tranquil eatery allows guests to experience the al fresco ambiance of sailing lofts as the fresh breezes roll in from the picturesque horizon cooling the grand deck. Lighting up the stage five nights a week, eclectic vocal, guitar, and jazz add smooth harmonic vibes to the relaxed atmosphere, entertaining patrons as they choose from a diverse menu with dishes such as the delicious Hawaiian Ahi …

Gemell’s Restaurant has been serving the citizens of Dana Point fine French cuisine for over a decade. Owner and Executive Chef Byron Gemmell is one of Orange Counties culinary elite, and his namesake restaurant reflects his depth of experience and knowledge with the dishes the serves that keep guests returning time and again. Patrons rave about the Lobster Bisque, Lamb, and Chocolate Soufflé, but with a full lunch menu, and Sunday Brunch as well, the dinner menu is not the only star in Gemell’s sky. The cozy dining room is the perfect venue for a meal with that special someone, …

A premier full service dinner house since 1965, The Rusty Pelican is a Newport Beach landmark. The charming waterfront cottage features fresh seafood prepared in innovative ways, with dishes like "The Flagship”, a fresh brandy-herb marinated piece of mahi mahi dusted with cajun spices and Kentucky bourbon sauce. Serving lunch Monday through Saturday, a Sunday brunch, and the ever-popular weekday Happy Hour, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs lounge, The Rusty Pelican is a great place to take in the sights of the harbor. The warm and inviting atmosphere, with its skylights and cathedral ceilings, and waterfront …

Adelmo Zarif’s restaurant has occupied a dazzling Art Deco space in downtown’s historic core since moving from West Hollywood in May 1997. Cicada fills the bottom two stories of the Oviatt Building, featuring towering mahogany pillars, plenty of gold, and pristine white tablecloths. Cicada is a fine-dining establishment that’s especially popular for birthdays, weddings and the occasional marriage proposal. Tokyo native Suzay Cha prepares northern Italian cuisine with Asian accents. The menu changes twice a year, but typically includes Ahi Tuna Tartar with Avocado, Piquillo Peppers and Wasabi Caviar and Pappardelle with Filet Mignon Bolognese Sauce.

Opened in March 2005, Ocean and Vine is located in the gorgeous Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, next to Santa Monica pier. The swanky lobby sets the scene for an upmarket experience. The split-level, low-ceilinged room is attractive; the top level is dominated by a steel chimneyed fire pit, with striking artworks adding to the ‘wow’ factor. The cuisine, from Head Chef Robert Trester under the watch of Executive Chef Gregg Wangard, is Californian; each dish a showcase of local, seasonal ingredients. Dishes are near-faultless, and although prices are high, it’s worth coming here for a splurge or special occasion.

Mori Sushi exudes an elegance and class that sums up the Los Angeles dining scene, but brings eastern culinary traditions to brilliant life with their selection of dishes. Serving up fresh, quality sushi daily, plus premium lunch specials based on traditional Japanese recipes. Mori Sushi also features a private dining venue for special events and private parties. Though sushi is plentiful in Los Angeles, Mori Sushi boasts a certain simplistic confidence and variety, all of which make this establishment unique.

Crustacean in Beverly Hills offers award-winning Euro-Vietnamese cuisine in a stunning atmosphere. Entering through the cocktail lounge, guests first experience the restaurants famous “walk on water” as they follow a weaving path atop a floor-level aquarium to the main dining room. Seated amid French-Colonial décor, the menu entices the senses with selections such as Shaken Beef flambéed in Chardonnay and Rice Ravioli in a soy-sesame emulsion. Dishes “From An’s Secret Kitchen” are especially enticing; although the entire menu, down to the desserts, demonstrates a talented mastering of unique fusion cuisine. The excellent wine menu contains recommended pairings listed beneath each …

Offering modern American cuisine, The Belvedere has long been regarded as one of the finest restaurants in Los Angeles. Serving up unique dishes alongside impeccable service and sophisticated atmosphere is what keeps this hotspot as popular as ever as each year passes. Under the direction of Executive Chef Bill Bracken, The Belvedere was recently voted "Best Hotel Restaurant in the Continental US and Canada" by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, and it is the only hotel restaurant in North America with a AAA Five Diamond Award. Come see what everyone is talking about at The Belvedere.

With its stunning ocean vistas, island décor, and fruity cocktails, Duke’s Malibu is a relaxing paradise. Duke’s is popular with both tourists and locals, providing a laid-back escape from the flurry of everyday stresses. Named after surfing and swimming legend Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, this Malibu homage brings Duke’s distinctly Hawaiian legacy of island fun and beach culture to the spectacular Malibu coast. With their feet buried in the sand, and their bellies full of the freshest seafood, diners at Duke’s satisfy their wanderlust for tropical getaways without having to stray far from the bright lights of Los Angeles.