Los Angeles' Best Anniversary Restaurant 2008

Serenade your lover—or investor—in this lush, twinkling Italian courtyard.

Reviews:

• “Amazing Restaurant!!!”
• “all-around consistent, & romantic too!”
• “#1 intimate Resturant”
• “Avoid like the plague.”
• “HORRIBLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Tips: Every Wednesday starting May 14, Enjoy “Dining Under the Stars” with live music by Marco Masinato.

Il Cielo or email Il Cielo

Authentic Italian cuisine in a tight, but romantic setting.

Reviews:

• “eating while being rushed by the WAITERS”
• “Horrible Customer Service”
• “Seafood Salad!”
• “Never again!”
• “A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL DINING EXPERIENCE”

Tips: Make a reservation, especially on the weekends. The restaurant is small, popular and lacking a foyer or bar to comfortably wait for a table.

Via Veneto

Romantic hidden paradise presents elegant French and Mediterranean dishes among candlelit gardens, fountains and fire.

Reviews:

• “What??? Romantic yes, delicious, a far cry….”
• “* Good but not worth the money, must be hype! *”
• “a non-smokers nightmare! "
• “Romantic date place”
• “romantic – great date spot”

Tips: There’s a corkage fee of $25 for wine and $30 for champagne, and a minimum of $25 per person for dinner. Smoking is permitted in the open air dining room—make reservations accordingly.

The Little Door

The chef is more famous than the glossy clientele, but it’s the sparkling cuisine that deserves top billing.

Reviews:

• “Very Questionable Establishment and OVER HYPED!!!!!!!!”
• “HIGHLY Recommended”
• “Defines fine dining "
• “wonderful experience”
• “The Legend Continues”

Tips: A lunch meal also offers endless people-watching, stellar food and the I’ve-been-there boast for a lower price tag.

Spago Beverly Hills

Michael Cimarusti’s French-influenced seafood creations return the original Patina location to its culinary glory days.

Reviews:

• “A superb dining experience that has no competition!”
• “Best Chef Course Experience”
• “expensive great experience”
• “Delicious tasty entrees”
• “One of the best experiences in Los Angeles for fine dinning.”

Tips: The main room is the epicenter of the action, but can get loud on busy nights—request seating in the patio room for a more intimate experience. Don’t get relegated to the small, remote alcove behind the bar.

Providence or email Providence

Time stands still at this meat-eaters’ paradise.

Reviews:

• “BEST PRIME RIB!”
• “Good food!”
• “definitely only go for prime rib”
• “Cream corn, yorkshire pudding and their seasoning meat”
• “Pretty good but nothing great”

Tips: If you order the Diamond Jim Brady cut, the busboy will bag the rib bone so you can take it home to Fido.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib or email Lawry’s The Prime Rib

Transcendent cuisine served in an austere, Zen-inspired space.

Reviews:

• “Pure art”
• “Truly the BEST! "
• “SONA”
• “Yes, Sona IS that good!”
• “What a JOKE!!”

Tips: Overwhelmed by the choices for dinner? Tour the menu and order a six- or nine-course tasting menu ($89 and $125).

Sona

A businessman’s favorite with French fare that’s as kind to your bottom as it is to your bottom line.

Reviews:

• “Very good but pricey”
• “La Cahette Restaurant”
• “Welcome to Wonderland”
• “Such a Delightful Meal!!”
• “HORRIBLE RESTAURANT – EVEN CHEESECAKE FACTORY IS BETTER!”

Tips: Bring your own bottle—La Cachette offers $1 corkage on Sundays.

La Cachette Restaurant

Husband and wife chef/pastry chef team brings 50-seat, modern American eatery to Beverly Boulevard’s Restaurant Row.

Reviews:

• “a gem of a place”
• “No doubt good food – but not the greatest room”
• “Pushing Tables Much Too Hard”
• “Had to go after seeing on Daniel “After Hours”"
• “Great dining experience in LA”

Tips: Reservations are essential, especially on weekends, given the limited seating capacity.

Hatfield’s

Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton’s stylish Melrose restaurant highlights a dynamic mozzarella bar and ravishing Italian cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Rudest, stupidest staff ever”
• “Overrated and Disappointing, There Are Way Better Italian Restaurants In L.A.”
• “big fan of mario batali !!”
• “Terrible food, top notch service”
• “Month’s wait was certainly not worth it…”

Tips: Reservations are taken one calendar month out starting at 10am, but seats at the mozzarella bar and the regular bar are reserved for walk-ins.

Osteria Mozza