October 21, 2009

M Bar Los Angeles

Owner Joe Reynolds transformed a strip-mall Romanian restaurant into a cross between an old-school Hollywood haunt and a gussied-up basement rec room with a basic Italian menu and some sort of entertainment (comedy, dramedy, live music) six nights a week.

  Hollywood, Culture, Dinner Theater, Experimental

September 28, 2009

AK Restaurant + Bar Los Angeles

Satisfy a Swede tooth with Scandinavian-leaning dishes (aquavit-cured salmon, meatballs with lingonberry preserve) and beyond at this sleek bar and resto with a beachy vibe.

  Venice, Food & Drink

September 24, 2009

Mandrake Los Angeles

  Hayden Tract, Food & Drink, Artsy, Boozehound

September 8, 2009

5th Amendment Alehouse Los Angeles

Everyone’s invited to this international sausage party. Everyone who thinks twenty craft beers on draught and another 40 by the bottle are a good thing, anyway.

  Downtown Santa Monica, Food & Drink, Great for Dudes, Watch the Game

September 8, 2009

Hotel Erwin Los Angeles

Move over, Lords of Dogtown. Venice Beach has a new king: Part beach house, part art gallery, the latest boutique lodge from design-conscious Joie de Vivre offers travelers a comfy place to crash with fresh, seasonal American fare and cocktails from Hash restaurant and spectactular views from rooftop bar High.

  Venice, Food & Drink, Beachy, Great View

September 8, 2009

Jones Los Angeles

Rock ’n’ roll will never die. Neither will this joint. Consider a late-night pasta to soak up the stiff drinks.

  Hollywood, Food & Drink, Classic Cocktails, Late Night

September 8, 2009

The Tasting Kitchen Los Angeles

When life hands you lemons (or a shell of a restaurant that’s been abruptly vacated due to irreconcilable culinary differences), make lemonade (as in a new chef and team creating a special test menu that changes its offerings, wines, and cocktails every week until things setttle down).

  Venice, Food & Drink, Neighborhood Gem

September 8, 2009

The Roger Room Los Angeles

An old-fashioned bar for a newfangled time. Behind the fortune-teller front, find a turn-of-the-century-style hideaway where you can knock back inventive takes on classic cocktails like Japanese Maple and Flim Flam with a selective crowd all night long.

  Beverly Center, Food & Drink, Classic Cocktails, Old School

September 8, 2009

Bottega Louie Los Angeles

  Downtown Los Angeles, Food & Drink, Brunch, Italian Charm