Really Romantic Rest. with good food in LA

[djblisk]

Hi guys,

I need to take the girl out to a great restaurant. We are pretty adventurous and are avid sushi eaters. I need recommendations for a great restaurant (food wise) that has a lot of ambiance. I don't mean old school ambiance, but really cool ambiance. Also, I'm over those hollywood places where the ambiance is crap becuase they are so busy and the food, marginal at best. Can you help? I was thinking Nobu in Malibu, any other places in Malibu, pacific palisades or in Hollywood. Need a great place.

[yummyyumyum]

I am curious if you are talking about Valentines or another night? I just found your post after I asked specifically about Providence here on the boards. What and where did you hear info that helped make your choice?

[djblisk]

I just made reservations for Providence. What do you guys think?

[DanaB]

Excellent choice. I had a wonderful, romantic dinner at Providence last year. We had the tasting menu with wine pairings, and it was both delicious and a beautiful meal in a really special setting.

[pinotgrisgirl]

I third Josie -- great place. Sushi -- well there is Hamasaku which, although being located in a strip mall on Santa Monica Blvd. is a bit deceiving, is excellent and if you can get one of the corner tables, has potential for being romantic. It is a bit of a scene but the sushi is exceptional.

[djblisk]

I just researched Nobu and it doesn't look that great at all, plus I'm a fan of Matsuhisa and anything less would be crappy. I will check out Providence since I love seafood. Anybody have any good experiences at "the little door"?

[jvozoff]

My husband and I went to The Little Door for the first time last weekend and were underwhelmed. We were looking for great food in a romantic setting and were disappointed on both counts. The menu was predictable and dull - I couldn't find anything I wanted to order. The food was unremarkable - we had a butter lettuce/blood orange/avocado salad, pumpkin ravioli, moroccan stew, and bouillabaisse - all were mediocre...and expensive. They don't serve cocktails, which isn't a criticism, but good to know if you like to start the evening with a nice chilly Manhattan. They've crowded tables into every available space and we were shoulder-to-shoulder with our neighbors. The service was attentive, but somewhat condescending, and not all that knowledgeable/helpful. It's a pretty setting, though. After reading the posts about Doughboys' red velvet cake this week, I wish we'd eaten there - we walked past on the way to/from The Little Door and the diners there looked much happier than we were.

[Frank_Santa_Monica]

Man, I don't know if I consider Nobu romantic. Quaint on a good day, maybe. It might be cool if they know you there.

Might want to consider the patio at The Viceroy in Santa Monica. I think rain is coming this weekend, though.

[balzachertz]

Romantic and Sushi don't really go together but:

Try the Hump at Santa Monica airport - good sushi while watching the planes take off and land. It is definitely interesting.

Also, Katsuya in Brentwood is , ahem, interesting as well.

[wilafur]

katsu-ya is far from romantic. unless you consider a drunken meat market romantic. =)

[fooddude37]

Went to the Hump a while ago. Top notch. Interesting atmosphere.

[wideeyedraven]

Two ideas: One, eat at Via Veneto on Main street. The atmosphere is super romantic and the food is amazing. Not cheap but worth every dime, imho. Another is providence where the focus is seafood, cooked and raw. It is a bit of a foodie thing but it is among the best in Los Angeles. (the atmosphere is suepr romantic). Bonus: ortolan.

[fooddude37]

I had a romantic dinner at Josie some time ago. Most on this board would recommend it, I think. It's small, dark, cushy seating, was quiet the night I went. Food was quite good. The seppia with lentils was excellent.

Is it just me or does anyone else have a hard time with having a romantic dinner at sushi bars? I'm probably way too in my head, but I get distracted at sushi bars. I stare constantly at what the chef is doing and have a hard time holding a conversation. I'm not sure I'd ever want to sit at a table for sushi...I find service is much better at the bar. The bright lights, stark surroundings don't generally illicit romantic feelings for me...

[jhulla]

Second Josie's. A great night -- food was excellent. Atmosphere was perfect.

[jflo]

I have always enjoyed Geoffrey's in Malibu for a romantic ocean view.

[esculent]

if you do nobu malibu (and i do enjoy it, although others on here don't) then be sure to sit on the patio where it is quieter and dimmer but still fairly warm (lots of heaters)