Where To Take Her

Because every man needs a plan, and some of us need that plan with pretty pictures, we present Where to Take Her: a series that answers a gentleman’s most pressing lifestyle questions and recurs whenever we get around to it. Next up: the city’s best new restaurants, by occasion. Bon appétit.

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Key

Corazón y Miel – Bell – Chef Eduardo Ruiz’s Mexican gastropub in Bell (10 minutes east of Downtown) has quickly become a foodie Mecca. Expect carnitas terrine, chicken hearts in honey and spicy tequila cocktails.

East Borough – Culver City – New from the Superba guys, this Vietnamese charmer serves up Daikon rice cakes with soft eggs, baby octopus over roasted Brussels and spicy cocktails. Grab a seat on the patio.

Herringbone – WeHo – Top Chef finalist Brian Malarkey heads up Herringbone, now open in the former Asia de Cuba spot on the rooftop of the Mondrian in West Hollywood, so you’ll be enjoying the lamb and tuna tartare while overlooking the Sunset Strip.

Lucky Duck – Silverlake – Yeah, it’s in a strip mall in Hipsterville, but the new bistro from the One Square guys is quaint, tiled and free of clichés. On the menu: braised beef shank ravioli and small plot New World wines.  

Maude – Beverly Hills – Chef Curtis Stone’s new spot offers a nine-course menu that rotates monthly around a theme. Book now for April. The theme? Peas.

Pizzeria Il Fico – Beverly Hills – Perhaps the city’s best kept secret, serving Pugliese-style Italian like Neapolitan pies, duck ragu and exceptional wines in an intimate, modish setting. And you can actually hear each other talk — not always a given. 

République – Hancock Park – There’s a reason A-listers come to République. The gothic decor and French-American country cuisine (duck confit, succulent rotisserie chicken, charcuterie boards) all live up to the hype. Let sommelier Taylor Parsons pick your vino. He’s the man.

Scopa Italian Roots – Venice – Scopa is replacing Gjelina as the place lithe and leggy Venice birds flock to, mostly because its spacious, warmly lit dining hall serves cocktails from two Pour Vous alums. The meatball hero with stracciatella is a must.

Urasawa – Beverly Hills – You’ll spend a grand at Chef Hiro Urasawa’s 10-seat sushi bar, but between the sensational sushi (sliced to look like flower petals) and elaborate presentation (served in hand-carved ice bowls), only your accountant will be disappointed.