Winning Wine List Restaurants

Focusing on fresh, quality ingredients, Water Grill offers some of the most exquisite seafood in Southern California. The secret is in the quality, as well as in Executive Chef Davide LeFevre’s respectful preparations that allow natural flavors to shine. Warm décor, cozy booths, and colorful art ensure ultimate comfort, while temptations like Dungeness and Blue Crab Cake with lime-yogurt cucumber sauce and herbed cous cous and Butter Poached Maine Lobster with morel mushrooms, haricot verts and crispy shallots offer decadent indulgence. Learn More »

Boasting a decidedly contemporary and chic décor, BOA Steakhouse is a refreshingly unpretentious steakhouse. Serving classic steakhouse fare in a particularly un-classic setting, BOA brings a fresh, modern face to the “surf and turf” dining concept. While you’ll find all the old favorites—petit filet mignon, dry-aged New York strip, Maine and Australian lobster—creative fare also peppers the menu. Begin with the Table-Side Prime Steak Tartare, and then move on to favorites like the Chilean Sea Bass and the American Kobe Beef Flat Iron Steak. But the ultimate decadence may just be the foie gras butter you’ll find gracing your Kobe … Learn More »

Patina in Downtown Los Angeles holds the philosophy that a selection of fresh, quality ingredients is the most important factor to a good dish. This guides the kitchen staff in practice, as they creatively and skillfully fuse quality ingredients with exceptional technique and stunning presentation. The result is dishes such as Herb Steamed Wild Bass with yellow “brandywine” heirloom tomato broth, sauce vierge, braised scallions, and tomato fondue, and Scottish Pheasant with Savoy cabbage timbale, rustic bread dumplings and juniper berry reduction. The dining experience is peppered with details that make for a truly elegant meal, from the caviar and … Learn More »

On Melrose, along a popular strip of hip West Hollywood restaurants, Lucques retains its standing as an ideal spot for lunch, dinner, and drinks. In its eighth year, the restaurant excels with its short-list of savory French-Mediterranean cuisine combining subtle, yet distinct, flavors with fish, poultry, and meat. Executive Chef Suzanne Goin uses seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are inventive, fresh, and flavorful. While not extensive, the selections are sufficiently unique to appease finicky Angelenos and most likely tantalize them to return. The wine list is extensive and hand selected by co-owner Caroline Styne. Learn More »

The tradition of Fogo de Chão came from the countryside of Brazil, where the founding brothers perfected their native technique of roasting meat over open fire pits. This unique steakhouse provides an ambiance like no other with historical wall murals, enhanced by dark Brazilian tones, taking the guests into the heart of Gaucho culture. Patrons can choose from a medley of dishes or a prix-fixe sampling of the entire menu. The menu features unlimited servings of 15 different delectable cuts of meats, each with a multiplicity of complementing wines from all over the world, giving the guest the ideal balance … Learn More »

The cozy and urban Madeo features a warm and comforting atmosphere, with an immense wood bar and curved booths set among old black-and-white photos of old Italy. The immensely popular hangout offers a varied selection of Northern Italian cuisine, with dishes that include mouth watering veal-stuffed ravioli, classic pizza Margherita, and whole striped bass. The made in-house desserts are the finale to this authentic show, with delights such as mille-feuille with pastry cream and ricotta cheesecake. Learn More »

In a city where restaurants vie for celebrity patronage and flashy presentations sometimes precede flavor, The Palm Steakhouse in West Hollywood remains the unpretentious favorite of locals and celebrities alike. Since its opening in 1975, The Palm has been garnering a crowd of devoted followers with its simple, stunning presentations of high quality meat, seafood, and favorite Italian classics, like Veal Scallopine and Linguini with Clam Sauce. Its lively atmosphere, generous portions, and highly attentive service make The Palm an ideal destination for a special occasion dinner, even as the relaxed bar scene invites old friends to re-connect over a … Learn More »

555 East is a classic steak house, full of old world style, charm, and superior beef. Dedicated to the art of dining well, 555 East offers choice cuts of USDA Prime beef prepared to perfection, complemented by a wine list with over 600 selections. In addition to succulent and tender steaks, the menu boasts a varied offering of appetizers and accompaniments, from grilled artichokes to fresh oysters, as well as equally succulent seafood, live Maine lobster, and Colorado Rack of Lamb. The ambiance is classic and charming, with marble floors and wood paneling, and on most evenings a low buzz … Learn More »

Joe’s is an intimate, neighborhood spot in Venice Beach serving delectable French-California cuisine. The restaurant’s namesake and Chef, Joe Miller, offers and innovative, seasonal menu with dishes such as Kurobuta Pork Loin & Red Roasted Pork Belly with autumn shell beans, roasted onion, and tamarind mustard jus, and Porcini Mushroom Ravioli with wild mushrooms, reggiano parmesan broth, and white truffles. The restaurant’s wine list offers a collection of quality vintages from small boutique wineries, housed in the newly renovated 2,000 bottle wine cellar. The dining room offers a comfortable yet upscale setting, while the outdoor patio, complete with a calming … Learn More »

Since opening in 1956, La Scala has been popular with locals and entertainment industry types alike, with its comfortable red booths and drawings of Hollywood figures lining the walls. Traditional Italian fare is complimented by an exceptional wine list supplied by Owner Jean Leon’s personal vineyard, Chateau Leon, in Spain. The restaurant is revered for its Chopped Salad, but other menu highlights include the Steamed Mussles served in a broth of garlic, white wine, and tomato sauce, and the Tiramisu served with fresh whipped cream and berries. The quality of ingredients has never faltered in the restaurant’s long history, and … Learn More »

Dining at Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills is an opulent experience. Dishes feature the highest quality ingredients, cooked to perfection, and served in generous portions. Start off with their creamy lobster bisque and then try the “Chef’s Cut” New York Strip. The ambiance is full of high energy with an undertone of elegance, with dark wood and subdued lighting throughout the dining room. Live entertainment and an extensive wine list add the final changes to an already exquisite dining experience. For a night of elegant dining in a luxurious setting, try Mastro’s Steakhouse. Learn More »

Chef-owner Sal Marino, has delighted Los Angelenos for the past decade with his contemporary, market-driven approach to traditional Italian cuisine. Centrally located near the intersection of the 10 and 405 freeways, Il Grano draws a steady crowd of well-heeled Westsiders craving pristine crudo, house-made pastas, and unpretentious entrees. He writes a new menu every month, to capitalize on “whatever swims in the ocean and grows on Mother Earth.” Noted sommelier Peter Birmingham keeps pace with inspired wine pairings and pastry chef Corinne Sidelsrud’s desserts share Marino's seasonal approach, minus the swimming ingredients. Learn More »

Toscana sits in the heart of Brentwood and offers simply delicious Northern Italian dishes. Wrapped in posters of old Italy, the dining room has a rustic decor and low key atmosphere. Try such dishes as Brasato Al Barolo, braised beef with Barolo wine served with spinach and mashed potatoes, or the San Pietro Al Limone, John Dory with lemon and capers. Toscana even has their own cookbook available for those who want to try to cook up some of these delightful dishes in their own home. They even offer take-out for any item on the menu! Give your taste buds … Learn More »

Moonshadows has been a Malibu institution since the 1960s, primarily due to the sweeping views of the Pacific. On weekdays, the restaurant is popular with locals and beachgoers. On weekends, the lounge and patio fill with a glitzier crowd that’s craving nightlife. The menu found new life in 2003 with the addition of Chef Joachim Weritz. The native German infuses Asian and Mediterranean influences in contemporary California dishes like sake braised short ribs and crispy panko fried oysters with mirin-passion fruit mignonette. Managing Partner Andrea Bullo fine-tuned a 130-bottle wine list and garnered a 2007 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence." Learn More »

One of LA's most exciting jazz spaces, Vibrato Grill Jazz embraces its guests with a warm and elegant interior, a state of the art sound design, and world-class music. The savory menu of contemporary American cuisine features prime steaks, mint-crusted ahi-tuna, and a wide variety of colorful desserts, while the expansive bar offers refreshing signature cocktails. Vibrato offers a unique and rare space where where jazz aficionados and food connoisseurs will feel equally at home. Learn More »

The restaurant exclusively features specially selected and aged USDA prime beef. In addition, there are live Maine lobsters, Alaskan king crab, fresh seafood, double-cut lamb chops, pork, veal and rotisserie. While enjoying the stylish, contemporary craftsman motif, the discriminating diner can select from an extensive wine list (recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence) or enjoy one of the many premium single-malt Scotches or martinis. There is also a patio for dining. Learn More »

Since 1979, Michael's has presented modern American cuisine with a French influence. The decor is light and airy, with a spacious, uncluttered dining room featuring modern art from an array of great contemporary artists. The lush, serene patio garden allows guests a chance to enjoy the Southern California weather while dining. An extensive wine list includes more than eight hundred labels from California, France, Italy, and wine growing regions from across the globe. The secluded garden, landscaped with a variety of trees, exotic flowers, and flowing fountains, creates an ambience ideal for a garden party, a relaxing meal, or romantic … Learn More »

Nick & Stef’s has a contemporary, urban take on the traditional steakhouse, with a dramatic view of downtown Los Angeles lining one wall, and an aging room and wine room set inside another. Besides all those prime cuts of beef, the menu offers seafood, pasta, and even some vegetarian options for steak shy diners. The word here is choice, and twelve is the number, with twelve appetizers, twelve vegetable dishes, twelve potato options, and twelve sauces to select. Should it be for a pre-concert dinner, a business meeting with clients, or a romantic night out with that special someone, Nick … Learn More »

Campanile opened in 1989. Since then both Campanile has been the recipient of numerous awards and nominations, including Los Angeles Culinary Master of the Year. Campanile offers a friendly atmosphere with plenty of menu options to please almost any palate. Enjoy such dishes as the Pan Roasted Stripped Bass and Kabocha Squash and Ricotta Ravioli. Campanile is great for family and friends to come together and enjoy a good meal and the company of one another. Try Campanile today and your taste buds will thank you. Learn More »