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Discover Los AngelesLubov Azria's Picks for dineLA's Restaurant Week
Lubov Azria is the Chief Creative Officer of BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP. Established in 1989 in Los Angeles by Founder and CEO Max Azria, BCBGMAXAZRIA is recognized globally for its high-quality, chic and sophisticated offerings. Lubov joined the company as a designer in 1991 and was named Creative Director in 1996. During Lubov’s tenure, the BCBGMAXAZRIA brand has evolved from an emerging contemporary line to one of America's leading design houses, with collections that include evening dresses, denim, outerwear, footwear, swimwear, handbags and small leather goods. In recognition of her accomplishments as a designer and creative leader, Lubov was inducted into the CFDA in 2010.
In honor of dineLA’s Winter 2014 Restaurant Week, Lubov Azria picks some of her favorites, ranging from casual dining to high end restaurants.
Ca' del Sole
Designed to evoke the welcoming ambiance of a Venetian country inn, Ca’ del Sole has been serving traditional Northern Italian cuisine for 20 years. Conveniently located just minutes from Universal Studios Hollywood, the family-friendly ristorante boasts a 700-bottle wine list and offers al fresco dining on a lush, newly-renovated patio with private cabanas.
Located at the iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine, The Redbury offers stylish accommodations in the heart of Tinseltown, with spacious guest suites that provide a home-like atmosphere during stays of any length. Tucked within the hotel, Cleo entices guests with the intoxicating aroma of nouveau Middle Eastern cuisine that wafts out of executive chef Danny Elmaleh's open kitchen.
Chef David Myers recently gave his West Hollywood French brasserie a refresh, collaborating with chef de cuisine, Attila Bollok on a new seasonal, shareable menu. The 18A cocktail menu, launched by renowned mixologist Sam Ross when Comme Ça opened in 2007, likewise received an update.
Opened in 1948, Dominick’s was the ultra-exclusive hangout for Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and many other stars in the 1950s and 60s. The restaurant’s current proprietors, Warner Ebbink and Brandon Boudet - they also own Little Dom’s and 101 Coffee Shop - renovated the historic space and instilled the spirit of Old Hollywood with a vintage black-and-white tiled floor, deep red leather booths, and framed photos of famous Dominick’s guests. The low-lit back patio is one of LA’s most romantic dining spots.
Fred 62
Opened in 1997, Fred 62 serves the vibrant, diverse Los Feliz neighborhood 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The interior has a funky, retro-diner design complete with chrome toasters on every table. Chef and co-founder Fred Eric offers his contemporary version of a classic diner menu, which also includes “Freshwiches” (Asian-inspired spring roll wraps); healthy options with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free items; daily “Fred Plate” specials; “Fred’s TV Dinners”; and a “Night Owl” menu served from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
The Little Door
Discreetly located on West Third Street, The Little Door serves rustic Mediterranean cuisine in a warm and inviting “secret garden” space. Enter through simple wooden doors, and decide whether you want to sit in the patio, the Winter Garden, the Piano Room or the Blue Room. The menu features items made with organic seasonal ingredients, creatively prepared and presented in an intimate, romantic setting.
Lucques
Located in West Hollywood, Lucques features chef Suzanne Goin’s exceptional seasonal fare in a warm and sophisticated setting that was once silent film star Harold Lloyd's carriage house. Sunday Suppers - a three course, prix fixe dinner for $45 a person - have a devoted following and inspired Goin’s cookbook of the same name.
Mr. Chow - Malibu
The newest outpost of the high end Chinese restaurant group is located in the Malibu Country Mart. Mr. Chow Malibu serves a menu that combines authentic old Beijing, original recipes, and signature dishes such as chicken satay, Mr. Chow Noodles, Ma Mignon and the famed Beijing Duck. The nightly handmade noodle show is presented at every Mr. Chow location since the London location opened in 1968.
Located in the Montage Beverly Hills and adjacent to the Beverly Canon Gardens, Scarpetta Los Angeles features chef/owner Scott Conant’s modern interpretations of Italian classics. Scarpetta’s signature dish is the spaghetti with tomato and basil, a deceptively simple version that elevates the humble pasta dish to a sublime experience.
At Sotto, chefs Zach Pollack and Steve Samson feature a market-driven menu of regionally-inspired Southern Italian dishes, including fresh housemade pastas and Neapolitan pizza cooked in an artisan wood burning oven. The massive, hand-made oven - the first of its kind in Los Angeles - was built on-site by Neapolitan craftsmen using traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation. The food is complemented by a seasonal cocktail program created by Julian Cox, who builds on classic recipes and utilizes familiar and obscure Italian liqueurs.
SUGARFISH by Sushi Nozawa | Beverly Hills
SUGARFISH is the brainchild of acclaimed sushi chef Kazunori Nozawa, featuring a simplified menu with no American-style rolls or fusion dishes, and no visible sushi chefs behind the sushi bar. Diners choose from three core menus called Trust Me’s, Nozawa's take on traditional Japanese omakase. SUGARFISH Beverly Hills features Nozawa Bar, a hidden gem discreetly located inside the restaurant, with just 10 seats and only two seatings per day.
Tavern
The third restaurant from chef Suzanne Goin and sommelier Caroline Styne - the pair behind Lucques and AOC - brings their signature food and style to the Westside community of Brentwood. The airy, garden-like dining room is an ideal setting for the upscale clientele to enjoy farm-to-table seasonal dishes, take-away delicacies from The Larder, and an inspired beverage program.
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