There are nearly 10,000 full-service restaurants in Los Angeles, so finding the perfect spot for a romantic Valentine's Day meal can be tricky. Here are eight worth some love:
Little Door: Brentwood/Santa Monica Border
This beloved WeHo restaurant now has a westside outpost offering the best atmosphere for romance in the city: A dimly lit patio lined with trees, terra cotta tiles, and plenty of nooks and crannies for cuddling. The large plates of Mediterranean food are perfect for sharing. Since they’re cooking only a (pricey) three-course tasting menu on February 14th, we recommend celebrating your love on Friday night or on Sunday. ($$$) / Website
Love & Salt: Manhattan Beach
Chef Michael Fiorelli — last seen at Terranea Resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula — brings pig ears, pizza, and pasta to the South Bay. Yes, this causal eatery is a bit noisy by the open bar, but that only adds to the energy. Grab a banquette seat along the far wall and order a bottle of the house red, then split a duck-egg pizza with pancetta, bucatini with fennel sausage and black kale, or the crispy fried pig ears with buttermilk aioli. ($$) / Website
Redbird: Downtown
Chef Neal Fraser had one of the most anticipated openings in years with this sleek, modern lounge in the historic Vibiana Cathedral building downtown. There are plenty of sofas for quiet conversation, but the showstopper is the open-air main dining room. Order a Russian Spring with vodka, champagne, lemon, raspberry, and cassis. The mini chicken pot pie is adorable and lighter than you’d think, but so is the gnocchi sardi with Maine lobster, nettles, and black trumpets. Split the duck breast with Hoppin' John and a duck leg chorizo before ending the night with a bourbon chocolate caramel bar. ($$$) / Website
Butchers and Barber’s: Hollywood
This place delivers a cozy pub atmosphere from the Houston Brothers, who are responsible for some of the city’s best bars. For their first full-fledged eatery, they focus on veggies – from sunchokes to haricort vert — but don’t miss the roast chicken with French curry. If you just want to pop by the bar for a drink, be sure to hit the popcorn with rosemary and thyme oil, but beware: there is also roasted garlic in the mix. ($$) / Website
Terrine: West Hollywood
This new California bistro was opened in the old PaneVino space and boasts one of the best patios in town for intimate dining. The front room and bar are also seductive options. There you can canoodle over the impressive charcuterie plate, which is more than enough for two and only $26. Another idea: stop in for brunch on Saturday to sample fried chicken and grits, house smoked brisket hash, and the fluffiest vanilla battered French toast with sea-salt caramel frosting I’ve ever tasted. ($$) / Website
Spaghettini and the Dave Koz Lounge: Beverly Hills
Dinner-and-a-show is back at this retro Mad Men-style hip super club from musician Dave Koz of 94.7 The Wave. Order a stiff martini, New York strip steak, and heaping plates of spaghetti and meatballs while a sax player serenades you. There will be two shows on Valentine’s Day: vocalist and trumpeter Ilya Serov at 7 p.m., and Grammy-nominated bassist Nathan East at 10 p.m. ($$$) / Website
Tacoteca: Santa Monica
Mezcal is smoky and sexy, but so is a corner booth in a taco bar. The man behind Umami Burger, Adam Fleischman, along with chef Ricardo Diaz (of Guisados and Cook’s Tortas), has brought bold south-of-the-border flavors to the Westside. The décor is a bit sparse, but you’ll want to focus on the food, the drinks, and your date anyway. Start with a Maria Savila cocktail (mezcal, Chareau aloe liqueur with a lemon twist, and an aloe vera garnish) followed by a round of dry aged chorizo tacos with farmers' market cheese and avocado salsa. For a real kick, the carne asada with Mexican chimichurri and roasted red peppers will make your mouth tingle, but follow that up with a crispy chicharrón quesadilla in a corn tortilla with queso Oaxaca. ($) / Website
Barrel & Ashes: Studio City
Nothing says ‘love’ like sharing some fall-off-the-bone BBQ pork spare ribs chased by a tasty, sweet Hoe Cake and a few brews. Chef Timothy Hollingsworth and chef Rory Herrmann from French Laundry and Bouchon Bistro, respectively, have pooled their talents for a lively valley eatery where smoked meats are plentiful. Try to nab the corner seat on the far right of the entrance for a little more elbow room — essential when tackling the tender brisket or pulled pork sandwich. ($) / Website
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