Los Angeles' Best First Date Spot 2008

Hip Silver Lake neighborhood restaurant cooks up “Chicano cuisine” and great drink prices.

Reviews:

• “Brunch!!! The best kept secret in LA!!!”
• “Potato Cheddar Tacos”
• “pickles? who knew?”
• “Over priced drinks, very slow but great salsa.”
• “soooo glad we decided to go out!”

Tips: Open for brunch and offering afternoon taco specials. Malo also offers a Happy Hour Mon-Fri 5-7pm. Every Monday is $1 taco night all night.

Malo or email Malo

East meets West at this revamped Melrose favorite, where an NYC-style grill makes an affable showcase for seasonal California fare.

Reviews:

• “You’ll love this place … TRUST ME!”
• “Nice place to eat and relax”
• “Terrific!”
• “Make It Yourself Sandwiches”
• “Worst restaurant EVER!”

Tips: Another Arango special to remain are the off-menu barbecued ribs, which are a favorite among longtime loyal customers.

Melrose Bar & Grill

Still trendy, this Mexican haunt nourishes the Eastside hipster’s hankering for food and fun.

Reviews:

• “Good, Lethal Drinks, Food so-so”
• “Disappointment”
• “Mole Verde”
• “Our favorite Mexican Resturant”
• “Good food; terrible customer service”

Tips: Order fresh tamales during autumn and spring. You can get either chicken tamales wrapped in green corn or black mole tamales wrapped in banana leaves.

Mexico City

Hiply stylish neighborhood cafe focused around Italian specialties, artisan cheese and charcuterie.

Reviews:

• “A Charming, Flavor-Focused Experience…BYOB”
• “Amazing Cheeses!!! "
• “Cheese… YUMMY”
• “favorite casual restaurant”
• “Worst Pasta Ever!”

Cube at divine pasta Co. or email Cube at divine pasta Co.

Ex-Le Colonial chef spruces up Silver Lake with a casually chic Vietnamese diner.

Reviews:

• “Fun with Vietnamese food!”
• “Great food, bad service.”
• “Stylish & Homey”
• “Great Healthy Food, Fun Urban Neighborhood Joint, and Yes Crappy Service**”
• “I love the shaking beef!”

Gingergrass

A local trattoria atmosphere at Beverly Hills prices.

Reviews:

• “YUM!! 10 Stars ++++++++++++++++”
• “Solid Italian food in Beverly Hills.”
• “Good Lunch spot”
• “Reservations don’t mean anything”
• “A Hidden Gem”

Tips: Great Italian desserts are made fresh every day. The tiramisu is light and delightful.

Il Pastaio

Everyday American fare goes global and gourmet, morning, noon and night.

Reviews:

• “Cheese plate!!!”
• “food is pretty good but the prices are too high for what you get”
• “Disappointment”
• “Awesome wine and cheese!”
• “BEST 2nd date place!”

Tips: A long counter with red leather bar stools is a great place to linger over wine and cheese, grab a quick breakfast or burger.

BLD

Casual date spot along Larchmont with festive atmosphere and sharable portions.

Reviews:

• “My favorite greek place!”
• “way too expensive for the quality”
• “Very romantic spot”
• “Food was good, Service was horrible”
• “Crappy Service for Mediocre Food”

Tips: Metered parking can be found along Larchmont Boulevard.

Le Petit Greek

Frilly French parlor offering pastries and coffee, sandwiches and salads, and breakfast and brunch.

Reviews:

• “Kitschy, Cool French hideaway”
• “Solid Standby”
• “Owners treat guests like family!”
• “Good food, atmosphere and celeb watching.”
• “Carrot Muffins Rock!”

Tips: Weekend breakfast and brunch tends to be the busiest time—try a weekday visit if you’re not willing to wait and hassle with parking.

La Conversation

Upscale dating and mingling spot for Eastsiders who’ve outgrown Spaceland.

Reviews:

• “Going back for more.”
• “Love to hate it”
• “What happened to this place?”
• “It’s Still OK”
• “Used to be better!”

Tips: Street parking is scarce, so take advantage of the free valet.

Mixville

Original Chinois on Main chef helms Culver City’s first destination restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Poor service etiquette”
• “Nice relaxing dinner”
• “Best choice for pan-asian in Culver City.”
• “Pan-Asian cuisine with a flair in Culver City, and easy parking”
• “Great Fresh, Creative, Clean Food”

Tips: There’s no restroom inside the restaurant. You’ll have to walk outside to an annexed building.

Beacon or email Beacon