Vinoteque has the kind of comfort where one wants to stay a little longer rather than leaving after the last course. It has the comfort that keeps you lingering until the chef sends out his last dessert. At first glance one thinks the walls are made of bottles of wines, as in "Vino-therapy" and the unusual decorated mirrors attract glances. Other things of interest are the attractive drop lamps set in front of the ceiling with recessed lighting. All the seating are padded on wooden chairs, matching the floors.

I found a little house built in 1908 that was made into a restaurant with all the charm one could ask for. It's called "Ado" in Venice. The kitchen is downstairs with a dining room above. It's decked out in chocolate walls of wood, and everything is wooden - exposed beams and wooden floors - along with large sconces, the walls a'la candlelight. There's one table downstairs next to the kitchen.

Emphasis on quality and value anchors bold newcomer to OC's dining scene. Affordable luxury with a modern American flavor is the mark of the newest landmark on the restaurat scene. Industry veteran Mo Iqbal is the mind behind the 233 seat independent enterprise that blends three potent trends; spring, enlightened American comfort, and extensive wine offerings in a casual setting. The 4685 square=foot site is located adjacent to the cinema multiplex in the stadium promenade entertainment center.

Andre's in the Town & Country Market, (across from Farmer’s Mkt) has delicious tasting platters at such low prices, that it would be almost impossible for a person living alone to eat this well. It's a Los Angeles landmark cafeteria offering daily specials like baked chicken with pasta or ravioli for $7, add a bowl of soup or a salad, for another dollar and enjoy a fine dinner. Or steamed salmon with rice pilaf and vegetables, $8. It's $7 for Veal Parmigiana with spaghetti and/or ravioli.

Hotel Shangri-La, Santa Monica’s iconic architectural gem, has opened its first restaurant, "The Dining Room". Owned by veteran restaurateur and nightlife impresario, Marc Smith, who also designed the 71-room hotel, has put in their first restaurant, sort of American with a California fresh feel. This ocean front restaurant will be the place to be seen while enjoying the cuisine of one of the West coast’s top chefs.

Bravo for an evening of dining at the Century Plaza Hotel surrounded in lushly simple friendly décor, spaciously comfortable, with large booths and beautifully upholstered banquettes. The tables are smartly set with crisp linens and candlelight bouncing off pale green glass settings. Everything is part of an accompaniment to something else, such as plates that complement the foods, and waiters in black aprons, adding drama to the reddish tan and beige blended room.

Lawry’s Carvery will be opening in Downtown Los Angeles’s Live sports and entertainment complex. Before or after a game, concert or movie, treat yourself to their delicious hand-carved sandwiches, hearty platter meals, salads and soup. You can enjoy your meal or snack in the dining room or on the siewalk patio, (perfect for people watching). Like the original Lawry’s Carvery in Costa Mesa, also South Coast Plaza and Lawry’s Carvery at Westfield Century City, the newest member is a quick casual restaurant inspired by the popular Ale & Sandwich bars at the Tam O’Shanter and Lawry’s The Prime Rib in Chicago, Dallas and Las Vegas.

Buca di Beppo opened its doors in Santa Monica nine years ago and the crowds came. Although it's furnished like a one‑of‑a‑kind restaurant, Buca is a collection of neighborhood places that have created an atmosphere of shark‑frenzy. It’s tongue‑in‑cheek humor and portions of food that could feed the entire "old neighborhood" in the Southern part of Italy. 

The food is great tasting Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Thai, along with fun cocktails! This place is intimately boutique and really takes you to another land through their décor. I enjoyed dining under a grassy roofed thatch hut while sitting in the banquette section. There are ceiling lights reflecting on interesting art, and the walls of brown are combined with straw-grass, matching padded dark woods. The most unusual chandeliers hang over the beautiful display of sushi.