Head over to the Culver City gallery openings, and be sure and stop into this gem of a bar before or after. It's got a charming patio, space for dancing, and every time I go I meet at least one of the artists showing in the neighborhood...

Go on... indulge yourself. Theirs are the best cakes in town. My personal favorite... three-berry cake.

8360 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90069

This is just about the most sumptuous and among the most authentic Italian food in Los Angeles. I would suggest you reserve a trip here for a special date, an anniversary, birthday, etc. It's romantic, small (book ahead) and wonderful. [more...]

Bottle Rock is the best of all worlds for wine enthusiasts. This both a wine bar and a retail store. Unusual wines from around the world. This is a perfect place [more...]

The Red Lion is not just a place to eat. You have three levels of dining - the top of which is a wonderful beer garden, the likes of which you will not find [more...]

Amazing view of the beach. Romantic feel. Good food and wine. Superb date restaurant.

40 S. Locust Ave
The Breakers
Long Beach

After you have their punch, the aquarium looks even cooler

4501 Rosemead Blvd.
Rosemead

This pizza is not only inexpensive, it's damn tasty.
Don't go at 1:00-- it's packed with assistants from the talent agencies.

240 S. Beverly Dr in Beverly Hills

My friend raves about this place- his favorite hangout, the Roosterfish. He's a westside, laid back kind of guy, and he takes his buttoned up, Hollywood-esque boyfriends here.

Pool tables and a large bar.

1302 Abbot Kinney [more...]

Hot place to sit outside and drink, but you have to be on the list.

7213 W. Sunset

Relax with a 36 inch glass of brew outside.

401 Shoreline Village Dr.
Long Beach

Deliberate, but delicious.

12244 W. Pico Blvd
LA

The first good place we found in LA to get BBQ. Being from the south, we are hard to please when it comes to this type of food, so we were beyond pleased to find this smokehouse.

2209 Honolulu Ave.
Montrose CA

Gooooood ribs and steak. Cozy, polished feeling.

5800 E. 2nd St. in Long Beach

Casual casual BBQ in Santa Monica. Had a following for yrs b/c it's seriously yummy. If your date is any fun, they'll appreciate this place.

225 26th St. Santa Monica

Rarely do you go to a bbq restaurant that's clean and well run. But this is one of them. It's a tacky, but fun setting.

189 the Grove Dr.
LA

DOwn home feeling bbq. Not fancy. But if your date expects fancy from bbq, then maaaaybe he/she isn't the brightest anyway.

Recommended b/c good bbq is hard to find in a big city.

444 Lincoln Blvd in Venice

Featured in Swingers, this bar shot to fame in the last 10 yrs. Even though the hype died down, this place is still a good one for drinks and an eclectic crowd.

1760 N. Vermont Ave
LA

Amazing teas, desserts, and appetisers, as well as cocktails in this lavish setting.

300 S. Doheny Dr. in LA

A bar in which you can actually have a conversation, and escape without someone else's martini splashed on your clothing.

9641 Sunset Blvd in Beverly Hills