By Stefanie Phillips
West Hollywood, California
is full of busy restaurants, especially in the Hollywood area. The 90038 Zip code covers much of the West Hollywood section of Los Angeles, near Beverly Hills. The area hosts some of the most popular, busiest restaurants in the city, and they're run by some of the most talented chefs.
Larchmont Grill
Larchmont Grill prides itself on a "back to basics" style of service, with a contemporary twist on American food. Named Open Table.com's Diner's Choice in 2009, the restaurant is comfortable and the waitstaff is friendly. Located in a busy section of West Hollywood, Larchmont Grill serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 5:30 to 9:30 on Sunday. Starters include artichoke crab dip, calamari and pork belly. They're priced from $12 to $15 in 2010. Soups and salads are also available. The dinner menu offers three sections: seafood, with salmon, scallops and trout; meat, with braised short ribs, grilled lamb chops and filet mignon, to name a few. Pasta offerings include bolognese, sweet potato gnocchi and lobster mac and cheese. Entrees cost about $24 on average. The dessert standout is the chocolate covered bananas for $9. A three-course prix fixe menu with a glass of wine is also available for $35. The wine includes selections from California, Italy and New Zealand.
Larchmont Grill
5750 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 464-4277
larchmontgrill.com
Osteria Mozza
Osertia Mozza is the result of collaboration between Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich, son of chef Lidia Bastianich. The trio is also responsible for Pizzeria Mozza, also located in Los Angeles. This Italian restaurant is open daily for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays 5 to 11 p.m. and Sundays 5 to 10 p.m. The menu is traditional Italian. Highlights include San Daniele prosciutto, smoked trout salad, a mozzarella bar with several tasting options, butternut squash ravioli, grilled orata and roasted pork loin. Prices range from $10 to $18 for appetizers and $25 to $50 for entrees in 2010. The portions are known to be ample, and its dishes have been lauded in Food & Wine Magazine and in the Los Angeles Times. Wine selections come straight from the Mario Batali and Bastianich vineyards.
Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 297-0100
mozza-la.com
Grub
Grub is run by Denise DeCarlo and Betty Fraser of "Top Chef" fame. The pair wanted to create a restaurant that felt like home, a tough undertaking for a city like Los Angeles. The result is what they call "California comfort food." Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with eggs, French toast and sandwich selections. Grub was named Best Breakfast in Los Angeles by Citysearch in 2009. Lunch is served daily from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and includes several vegetarian options, as well as burgers, soups, chili and the reportedly addicting bacon quesadillas. Items on the menu are reasonably priced from $9 to $20 in 2010. Be sure to try the homemade Lemon Basil Champagne Cocktail.
Grub
911 Seward St.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 461-FOOD (3663)
grub-la.com
Resources
About the Author:
Stefanie Phillips has been writing since 1999. Her work appears in The Citizen, Record Enterprise, Meredith News and Winnisquam Echo. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing from Plymouth State University and a Master of Science degree in organizational communications and public relations from Northeastern University. She is currently working in public relations in Boston.
Photo Credits:
hollywood image by Byron Moore from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
