Cobras & Matadors - La Brea

Much to the delight of those who frequent the perennially packed Cobras & Matadors tapas joints in West Hollywood and Silverlake, owner Steve Arroyo has opened a third location on La Brea. Offering the same tasty tapas in a mellower neighborhood spot, diners can enjoy shorter lines, ample street parking and—unlike the original Beverly Blvd location—a liquor license (hello, sangria!) Exuding a lived-in warmth, the tiny, 52-person capacity restaurant is adorned with ox blood red leather banquettes, pressed copper walls, flea-market scavenged artwork and an open kitchen with chefs cooking under suspended paella pans. Join stylishly scruffy hipsters noshing on old favorites—cured pork loin appetizer, spicy patatas bravas, Spanish sausage with garlic puree—as well as new mini-bites from the revamped menu, including ‘drunken’ goat cheese with Sherry-poached cherries and Rioja-braised short ribs. Leave room for dessert; their signature churros with hot chocolate sauce will have you murmuring a satisfied ‘Ole!’ - Sumyi Khong

Pizzeria Mozza

Open since late 2006, Pizzeria Mozza—the brainchild of celeb chefs, Mario Batali (Babbo, Otto) and Nancy Silverton (La Brea Bakery, Campanile)—is still the most buzzed about pizza joint in town. Often booked solid a month in advance (reservations are essential), the pizzeria and wine bar is a popular spot for Melrose scenesters, foodies and the celeb crowd. With brash tomato-red walls, closely packed tables and happy chatter from diners, the bustling 96-capacity eatery exudes a vibrant energy. And the pizza? Arguably the best in L.A. Popular pies include the rustic-style, homemade fennel sausage with panna, garlic clams studded with pecorino cheese, and squash blossoms topped with dollops of creamy burrata cheese. But the real star is the wood-oven baked dough; Silverton spent a year tinkering with her recipe—and her perfectionism paid off. The complex crust is divine; chewy, airy and satisfying crispy in the same bite. - Sumyi Khong

The Foundry

Part old school bistro, part jazz club, The Foundry on Melrose is a grown-up addition to Melrose Ave’s vast roster of restaurants. Snazzy without being stuffy, the Art Deco-inspired dining room features chocolate leather banquettes, a gleaming mahogany piano bar and frosted chandeliers salvaged from the ‘30’s. Patrons can also dine al fresco in the back patio, warmed by a flickering outdoor fireplace. Buzzing most nights with hoppin’ live jazz and chatter, sophisticated 30-somethings dine on Chef Eric Greenspan’s (Meson G, Patina) Modern American fare. The mid-priced menu changes weekly, but sample offerings include yellowtail sashimi with sea urchin gratin, short ribs with smoky cheddar grits and Chef Greenspan’s signature crispy pork belly appetizer. Check out The Foundry’s weekly Jazz Series on Thursdays; the restaurant and lounge transforms into an elegant absinthe den, serving specialty cocktails featuring the potent green spirit. - Sumyi Khong

Cafe des Artistes

Tucked away on a quiet street off Sunset Blvd—and further concealed behind an ivy-draped exterior—Café des Artistes feels like a secret hidden gem despite its well-established status. Serving up unfussy Country French fare accompanied by an expansive French and Napa-leaning wine list, the Hollywood hideaway is popular with industry execs, French ex-pats and couples on a romantic rendezvous. Bistro faves—moule frites, cassoulet with duck confit, fromage-laden mac’n’cheese and steak tartare prepared tableside—are first rate. However, the main attraction is Café des Artiste’s stunning garden courtyard. The dreamy, Euro-inflected setting—flickering lanterns, mosaic tile-topped tables, framed mirrors and paintings hanging from fairy-lit branches of leafy ficus trees—makes it easy for patrons to pretend they’re dining in the Loire Valley rather than smack dab in the middle of Hollywood. - Sumyi Khong

Beso

While some celeb-fronted restaurants offer more style over substance, the hype over Eva Longoria’s Beso (which means ‘kiss’ in Spanish) isn’t mere lip service. Longoria lends some glamour—and family recipes—to the Latin-influenced restaurant but smartly teams up with award-winning chef, Todd English for heightened culinary cred. Embodying the actress’ dramatic flair, the sexy and spacious dining room features glitzy crystal chandeliers, backlit draperies, caramel-colored crocodile booths and a flickering wall of candles by the bar. Mini-tacos gussied up with crab and bacon, chili-rubbed skirt steak, crispy duck flautas and artichoke guacamole from Longoria’s own secret recipe have earned fans from A-listers such as Jennifer Aniston and Orlando Bloom. The upstairs VIP lounge is invite-only, but there is plenty of action in the downstairs bar with singles mingling over dangerously delicious, sun-kissed cocktails made from exotic guava and fresh papaya juices - Sumyi Khong

BLT Steak

The West Coast debut of New York’s celebrated BLT Steak restaurant is the latest in a string of high class, high protein steakhouses to open in Hollywood. Although entirely revamped—the space used to house the legendary Le Dome restaurant—BLT Steak’s grand butterscotch suede banquettes, polished ebony tables and impeccable service channels the same sophisticated, old-Hollywood spirit of its predecessor. The raw bar oyster platters and kampachi with kumquat confit appetizer are top-notch starters but here, it’s all about the giant slabs of steak; share-worthy cuts include the perfectly seared 40oz Porterhouse for two or house specialty double sirloin; both tender enough for a butter knife. After filling up on complementary giant-sized gruyere popovers and crispy skillet hash browns, dessert may seem excessive. However, it’s worth loosening your belt for pastry chef, Danielle Keane’s innovative sweets, such as the raspberry-orange sundae with fresh-baked madeleines. - Sumyi Khong