Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
132
and topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. All is eaten with your hands—a sensual
experience that grows on you as the night progresses.
7651 Sunset Blv d. (at Stanley A ve.), Los Angeles.
&
323/876-7651.
www.darmaghrebrestaurant.com.
Reservations recommended. Fixed-price dinner $37. DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 6-11pm; Sat 5:30-11pm; Sun
5:30-10:30pm. Valet parking $4.50.
Grace
NEW AMERICAN This lovely space r un by husband-and-wife team
Neal (chef ) and Amy Knoll F raser is one of the best r estaurants in town. High ceilings,
well-spaced tables, and soothing ear th tones ev oke a r elaxed atmospher e. The menu
changes regularly but you might find a roast beet salad with grilled radicchio and onion
marmalade, pumpkin risotto with sea ur chin and sw eet Maine shrimp, and a beautiful
plate of foie gras ser ved both as a pâté and sautéed with pistachio-cocoa nib cr ust and a
dab of huckleberr y compote. Entrees include generous servings of wild-boar tenderloin
with violet mustard sauce, and slow-braised pork shank with smoked shallots and cider-
sage sauce. The coup de grâce of our unriv aled meal was a sublime warm Cajeta br ead
pudding topped with pumpkin-seed ice cr eam. Yes, it's expensive, but if you're going to
splurge on a meal in L.A., G race is where I'd go.
7360 Beverly Blvd. (at N. Fuller Ave.), Los Angeles.
&
323/934-4400.
www.gracerestaurant.com. Reser-
vations r ecommended. M ain c ourses $26-$38. AE, DC, DISC, MC,
V. Tues-Thurs 6-10:30pm; F ri-Sat
6-11pm; Sun 6-10pm. Valet parking $5.50.
Katana Robata & Sushi Bar
TRADITIONAL JAP ANESE/SUSHI In the
City of S ushi y ou need to stand out fr om the cr owd if y ou want to r un a successful
Japanese r estaurant. And that 's just what they did at Katana. The r estaurant has sex
appeal with steel beams, metallic scr eens, exotic woods, and worn brick, and a fantastic
patio o verlooking the S unset S trip. Katana is kno wn for its
robata-yaki,
a traditional
Japanese style of cooking where meats, fish, and vegetables are cooked on small bamboo
skewers over imported
bincho tan
coal that imparts a unique smoky essence to the food.
The sushi is very good, but it's the incredibly flavorful skewers that you'll want to sample:
foie gras and asparagus wrapped with filet mignon, fresh lobster with a peppercorn-miso
glaze, giant sear ed scallops with shiitake mushr ooms, K urobuta por k and pineapple
drizzled with plum sauce. B e sure to start the adventure with a $15 S ake Sampler and a
glass of their house-special Red Sun beer, brewed exclusively for the restaurant.
8439 W Sunset Blv d. (near La Cienega Blv d.), West Hollywood.
&
323/650-8585.
www.katanarobata.
com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $11-$44. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Dinner Sun-Mon 6-11pm;
Tues-Wed 6-11:30pm; Thurs-Sat 6pm-12:30am. Valet parking $7.
Katsuya Hollywood
JAPANESE Anchoring the corner of H ollywood and
Vine, this über-hip restaurant has all the L.A. foodies and snooties agog. The decor is an
intriguing mix of gleaming white leather and chr ome furniture, overblown images of a
geisha's facial par ts, and a sinister black banner bearing the
kanji
symbol for Katsuya.
Katsuya's must-try signature dishes include the crispy rice with spicy tuna, the Kobe filet
with foie gras and plum soy sauce, and the baked white fish with truffle in a shell of salt.
Reservations may be difficult to get, par ticularly on a w eekend night, so be sur e to call
as far in advance as possible, and then fight y our way through the paparazzi staked out-
side on your way in.
6300 Hollywood Blvd. (at Vine St.), Hollywood.
&
323/871-8777.
www.sbe.com/katsuya. Reservations
recommended. Main courses $12-$28. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11am-3pm and 5pm-midnight;
Sat-Sun 11am-1am. Valet parking $8.
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