Anniversary Dinner

[Surfingonsinewaves]

hi there
First post, visiting from the UK hoping for a little help! We are celebrating our first anniversary on Sunday 25th, this Sunday. Well be staying in West Hollywood and want to find something special for dinner. Appreciate issues might be short Notice for booking and that it is Sunday. But looking for something fine dining, probably a tasting menu of some kind or small plates ideally and with a really nice ambience either classic or with a bit of modern wow factor OK. Current candidates are Spago, Scarpetta, Melisse (bit far maybe?) LQSK (does anyone know if they are open ATM, no phone answer...) Picca, Bazaar (no Sunday's?) also Providence looks strong?
All help appreciated, promise I'll give you London tips if you are in need :-)

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Picca
9575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

[scottca075]

My top three would be Spago, especially in the courtyard, Melisse and Providence. All are the top of their game in LA. They are LA's versions of Le Gavroche or La Tante Claire (RIP).

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[johnnyshungry]

Another vote for Spago, Providence and my #1 is Saam's at the bazaar.
They do do brunch at Bazaar

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[BSW6490]

Go with Spago and sit on the patio. You are in the heart of Beverly Hills and can have a nice walk before or after.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[Surfingonsinewaves]

OK, we are currently leaning towards Hatfield's, like the fact it is a younger chef and have read great things about the tasting menu in various places. 3* in LA Times too. Also cost is slightly less so more for wine.. Someone tell me if we are really doing the wrong thing..!
Thx for all tips

[perk]

You'll always get varying opinions on this board; it's part of the fun of it. Viva la debate! But you really can't go wrong with any of the restaurants recommended here. Someone else's idea of perfect may not be yours. So if your instinct says Hatfield's....go with it. You're definitely going to have a very good experience....so celebrate and enjoy!

[Surfingonsinewaves]

Thanks for that, and thanks to everyone. I think final decision will be made today and i'll stop driving myself crazy! Much appreciate all the feedback. Wish we had a site like this in the UK! I'll report back

[wienermobile]

But you do have a site just like this in the UK at this link:
http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/42
I used it last year when I went to London and it was great.

[Surfingonsinewaves]

ah, many thanks!

[TailbackU]

I don't think you can go wrong with any of these places mentioned. Hatfields is lovely and one of the better "bargains" in the city. While I'm sure you won't be disappointed with your dinner at Hatfields, I do feel like the level of cooking and service is a notch below Providence and Spago, but the price also reflects that.

Having said that, no matter where you choose to go, enjoy and have fun!

[eder]

Go with your first instinct. Spago is quintessential California. The venue is fantastic; ask to be seated in the patio. Their tasting menu has been reviewed many times here and has consistently received top accolades. It can be paired with wine as well. Melisse is on par but too far away, too French and probably too stuffy for even a Brit....Providence is local to WeHo, is top rated but is fish-centric. Scarpetta has an excellent pasta dish in their basil spaghetti but don't eat any of their meat dishes..

Cheers.

[Surfingonsinewaves]

Wow, everyone has a different opinion. The choice is still pretty tough. Has anyone got an opinion on Hatfields by the way? Tasting menu looks good..

[Ciao Bob]

For sure go to Spago, the tasting menu sounds like what you want, but a la carte is excellent as well.
Visiting LA and looking for fine dining, small plates and a modern WOW factor that's the place. After many years of going I never am un-wow-ed by the room, the creativity and quality of the food, celeb/tycoon sightings and saying "Hi"to Wolfgang Puck. It is not old and tired, as many expect it to be, despite its long and storied history. Providence is, indeed, excellent but it has nothing that is going to make you remember your LA trip like Spago will.
Hatfields is good, but not that great. Neither is Scarpetta. Both would be very poor choices, IMHO.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[Surfingonsinewaves]

Thanks for that, didn't know Wolfgang Puck was actually in the kitchen there. Is he regularly? I think both Spago and Providence look a cut above the rest, interested you don't think Providence as memorable..

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[wienermobile]

The Providence tasting menu is the best meal I've ever had in Los Angeles.

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Providence
5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

[ipsedixit]

Puck is there, sometimes. But rarely, if ever, to cook.

[Ciao Bob]

He is there 90% of the evenings to say hello to customers.
I think Providence is memorable...very memorable....just not as memorable to me as Spago.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[ipsedixit]

Take a look at Saddle Peak Lodge
www.saddlepeaklodge.com

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Saddle Peak Lodge
419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302

[BombayUpWithaTwist]

We were just at Saddle Peak Lodge for our anniversary on Fri night and loved it :o)

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Saddle Peak Lodge
419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302

[wienermobile]

Wonderful food in a one of a kind remarkable setting at Saddle Peak Lodge. You will feel like you are 100 miles out of LA.

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Saddle Peak Lodge
419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302

[loblaw]

and in reality you will only be 30 miles out.

[maudies5]

I am putting myself in your place. Therefore, I would choose Scarpetta. Not only is the restaurant beautiful, the food wonderful, but after you dine, you can walk all over the Beverly Hills shopping area. Great for people watching and window shopping. There is nothing around Providence or Melisse, if you care to walk after dining. I believe that the combination of fine food, fine ambience and a good walk afterwards is a perfect combination Happy Anniversary

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Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[Surfingonsinewaves]

Thanks for that, an interesting perspective a walk does sound good and Scarpetta is also high on the list, the decision just got a bit harder!

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Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[perk]

I love the food at Scarpetta....but had horrible service there. I've talked to other friends who have had miserable service as well. I agree with the locations comments....but I think the service is just hit or miss.

[perk]

Providence is a terrific place to celebrate a special night (or any night for that matter). The chef's specialty is seafood....tasting menu is lovely. Always interesting wine pairings. Bazaar would also fit the bill...though Saam (the room for tasting menus) is not open on Sundays. Spago is always lovely....as is Melisse. Picca is a bit more casual. I don't know LQSK...but it certainly has fans here. Not sure if it's a special occasion restaurant, though. If you end up at Providence....tell them it's a special night and you're in from the UK. They'll take good care.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Picca
9575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

[Surfingonsinewaves]

Thanks for that, really nice run down. Providence is definitely a front runner at the moment!