Best Places to Kiss

La Boheme

Sparkly chandeliers, crackling fireplaces and crushed velvet drapes are just some of the dramatic accoutrements of La Boheme. This is fine dining in grand, operatic style, assembled as only a good set designer could; if you’re hoping to impress your date, you can do no better than this. Soaring ceilings and huge mirrors complete the atmosphere, making you feel as if you’ve just stepped into an elaborate gothic castle. Chef Peter Maher has created a menu to match the ambience; flavors of the Mediterranean and France are evident everywhere, deftly blended with seasonal California ingredients. His seafood dishes in particular are not to be missed, and don’t leave without sharing the warm chocolate soufflé cake, so meltingly rich that you’ll nearly swoon. One order of Hollywood make-believe… coming right up!

Il Cielo

Sometimes a place sweeps you off your feet, and other times it delights you with its careful attention to detail. Il Cielo is the latter, a cozy haven perfect for sharing an intimate, satisfying meal with the person you love. The charismatic owner, Pasquale Vericella, has created a menu inspired by his Northern Italian roots –creamy risottos, homemade pastas and savory meat dishes, all accented with farm-fresh vegetables like eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes. The flavor combinations are comforting and rustic, without the pretension found at so many “hip” restaurants. The two outdoor dining patios are covered with ivy and flowering vines, peppered with little white lights that add twinkly, romantic warmth. Nearly every table is a good one, whether inside or out, a perfect spot to hold hands and whisper sweet nothings. No wonder this is such a coveted spot for weddings and receptions. Insider tip: if by some chance you’re staying at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons across the street, take advantage of the complimentary limousine service that will deliver you right to the ivy-covered front door of Il Cielo.

The Little Door

Part of fun in dining at the Little Door lies in finding the hidden, unmarked entrance that gives the restaurant its name. Slip inside the battered, wooden Third St. doors and you’ll discover an enchanted courtyard with flickering candles and a gently bubbling fountain, like something out of a Spanish-Mediterranean dream. The menu changes frequently, but always employs aromatic, sensual ingredients, replete with herbs and aromatic spices, from basil to lemon verbena to star anise. The food is an artful blend of French, Moroccan and Spanish flavors and the wine list is excellent; even better, nearly every selection is offered by the glass. Do note that the seating is exceedingly cozy, so if you’re looking for privacy, go on a Sunday night – Friday and Saturday are hectic and might not be the best choice for you. Warning: the restaurant charges a hefty fee for no-shows, so don’t make the mistake of changing your mind at the last minute!

Restaurant Halie

If your idea of romance does not include twinkling lights and lots of ivy, we’d like to suggest a sleek alternative: Restaurant Halie. This restaurant is housed in a historic red brick building, erected in 1929, which Einstein used to haunt when he worked on various projects with the U.S. Navy. The interior is cool and polished, with gleaming wood walls, plush booths and moody photography. The minimalist décor feels more opulent than sparse, with a distinctly urban feel. Chef Claud Beltran, formerly with Thomas Keller of French Laundry fame, has brought a northern California sensibility to the menu; unsurprisingly, it has a noticeable French accent. Watch for deft stylings with seasonal vegetables, from velvety soups to colorful salads, and dare to try some of the unusual fish that pops up, always assembled in unusually delicious ways. The wine list is satisfactory, with the best values to be found in the California section.

L’Orangerie

For an opulent, indulgent, expensive dinner, you can do no better than L’Orangerie. Located on the north end of La Cienega, the entrance is bedecked with trailing vines and warm lights, and the inside is a feast of lavish color and texture and sound. Even the most discerning Frenchman could find little to sniff at here; the dining room feels as if it is in the middle of a garden. A piano nestles into one corner, and its ivories are tickled all evening long for the enjoyment of diners; opulent displays of fresh flowers are placed in several locations throughout the rooms; each linen-covered table is adorned with a flickering candle. The menu is filled with sensual treats, as befits such a lavish setting; from caviar to foie gras to lobster, it’s all here. We recommend that you and your amour make a night out of it; dress up in your finest, walk arm-in-arm through the glass doors, and begin your feast with champagne and caviar, taking care that your toast involves the word “love.” As you wind down your slow, leisurely dinner, deliberate over the dessert selection – the towering chocolate soufflé is highly recommended – and linger over your espresso as you gaze into each others eyes… Because if you can’t actually be in Versaille, this is most certainly the next best thing.

The Stinking Rose

How could the executive chef of the Stinking Rose fail to mention his own restaurant?! You might not consider garlic to be the most romantic food, but have you heard of its aphrodisiac qualities? Ooooh, that’s right. The nutty, spicy flavor of these bulbs is bound to bring out the tiger in the most sedate of kittens. The Stinking Rose menu is filled with delectable goodies, from a savory, finger-licking garlic-roasted Dungeness Crab to a mouth-meltingly tender pork osso-bucco. The portions are generous and the ambience is fun and festive, perfect for a night of people-watching and good eating. When you arrive, head to the Gar-Bar to enjoy a cocktail around the crackling fireplace, then snuggle up in one of the plush booths in the Michelangelo room, or settle into the Chianti room, lit only by candlelight. The good news is that you’re guaranteed to be safe from vampires during your evening here, so you can focus all of your attention on each other!