Hollywood’s Top 5 Restaurants: Where Glamour Meets Good Cooking
October 8, 2009
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Los Angeles
• 0 Comments
Hollywood’s long legacy of glitz, glamour, and demanding actresses means it’s always been at the forefront of the country’s culinary scene. You can visit the tiny café where Sophia Loren used to come for Italian home cooking or follow in the dining footsteps of more modern stars like Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon. Away from the surf-town atmosphere, Hollywood serves more formal diners looking for culinary treats. And, with a huge variety of ethnic food to match Los Angeles’ diverse population, Hollywood’s restaurants are some of the best in the country.
Hungry Cat
Hungry Cat serves up sassy cocktails and serious seafood. Hollywood regulars love to belly up to the bar and order off the restaurant’s raw menu, including oysters, crab, and shrimp (no cooking necessary). The Hungry Cat also specializes in unique cocktails and small-producer wines that pair well with prix fixe lunch and dinner options.
This airy, open space is a favorite brunch spot for folks returning from a morning at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market.
Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘n Waffles
For a truly Southern cooking experience in the heart of Hollywood, check out Roscoe’s. This moderately priced café sees customers like Snoop Dogg and Oprah Winfrey stopping in for late night snacks (they’re open until 4am). In addition to classic chicken and waffle combos, customers also keep coming back for the macaroni and cheese.
A Los Angeles institution, Roscoe’s bucks modern culinary trends and serves up comfort food with style.
Magnolia
Chic, candlelit décor provides an unusual backdrop for a menu full of American classics. BLTs pair with Cobb salads and strip steaks come topped with French fries. But the cooking is nothing to laugh at—customers return for the Magnolia Burger and the elegant ambience.
Magnolia is a classic culinary favorite for many Los Angeles entertainment-seekers, in easy walking distance of both cinemas and theaters.
Osteria Mozza
This long-awaited nouveau Italian hot spot might require a reservation made well in advance, but it’s well worth it to enjoy Hollywood-style cooking from famed chefs Nancy Silverton, Joseph Bastianich, and Mario Batali. Customers savor culinary delights from the Mozzarella Bar (with 15 different cheese options) as well as a huge pasta and entrée menu.
This Hollywood favorite also offers periodic wine tasting dinners and private dining in the Primo Ministri room.
Providence
Culinary accolades have been heaped on this posh Hollywood spot from the likes of Gourmet Magazine and the James Beard Foundation. Indeed, the totally upscale cooking available at Providence is a mix of pure seafood and international flavors, and for diners interested the restaurants’ sources, the menu tells you exactly where in the world your entrée is coming from.
Los Angeles diners can expect simple decadence at Providence, which, for a few extra dollars, is worth the culinary pleasure.