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What You're Eating: dineLA Restaurant Week Picks

dineLA
(credit: Discover Los Angeles)

DineLA's Restaurant Week brings with it over 300 restaurants participating in one of Los Angeles' most exciting culinary events. This year, it's bound to be bigger than ever with restaurants throughout the city turning out their special menus. We've narrowed down the impossible list with our favorites. For a full guide, visit the Guide to dineLA.

Oliver's Prime Steakhouse
(credit: Oliver's Prime Steakhouse)

Oliver's Prime Steakhouse
8462 Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 491-9003
www.oliversprime.com

Home to Oliver's Prime Steakhouse, The Grafton on Sunset's restaurant opened just this April and has quickly become the place where patrons experience fine dining with an intimate ambiance and the occasional celebrity sighting. Be sure to arrive early though and pay a visit to Bar 20, where you can socialize at the hottest new bar on the Sunset strip, featuring modern décor, craft cocktails, a fine wine menu.

Stand-out dishes: Grilled Summer Peaches and Burrata; Petit Filet Mignon with sautéed spinach and mashed potato; Roasted Mary's Chicken with mustard spaetzle, Granny Smith apple; and deconstructed Bread Pudding made with brioche sticks, house-whipped chocolate chip whipped cream, a smooth crème anglaise and "cinnamon smoke" under glass. Serving three-courses for dinner ($45) only. Wine pairing is not available. Reservations are recommended.

 Fundamental LA
(credit: Fundamental LA)

Fundamental LA
Fundamental LA
1303 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 444-7581
www.fundamental-la.com

Made with the freshest farmer's market ingredients available, Fundamental LA serves creative Contemporary American Cuisine. With produce that is inspired by the seasons and cooked using precise artistry to bring out the best the ingredients have to offer, the restaurant has made sure to also get beer and wine from their favorite regions to help compliment the meal. Says the restaurant, "Through the food, the wine, and the experience, we've tried to create a place where we'd want to dine with good friends. We hope you feel the same."

Stand-out dishes: Kampachi Sashimi with apple, mustard, avocado, cilantro & chili lime; Melon Soup with mint yogurt; Roasted Beets with watermelon radish, orange, mache, and goat cheese beignet; "Kung Pao" Sweetbreads with haricot vert, water chestnuts, cashew and basil; the "California Bouillabaisse" with monkfish, tiger shrimp, mussels, heirloom tomato and rouille; and Yuzu Curd with hazelnut brittle and meringue for dessert. Serving three-courses for lunch ($15) and dinner ($35). Wine pairing available for an additional $18. Reservations are recommended.

Craft Restaurants
(credit: Craft Restaurants)

Craft Los Angeles
10100 Constellation Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 279-4180
www.craftrestaurants.com

Founded by five time recipient of the James Beard Foundation for his accomplishments in cooking, Chef Tom Colicchio of Craft Los Angeles, creates culinary experiences for guests by "Serving delicious food and beverage and warm hospitality whether it's in a formal dining room or at a picnic table in a parking lot." It's safe to say, Craft Los Angeles is a very far cry from a picnic table though. The space is a true dream to dine in and the food is simply delicious.

Stand-out dishes: Smoked Cauliflower with hummus, sesame and sunflower; Petrale Sole with corn relish & green beans; Jidori Chicken with cranberry beans & peppers; Beef Short Rib Gemelli with Tuscan kale & parmesan; and Peach Upside Down Cake or Chocolate Baked Alaska for dessert. The restaurant is serving two-courses during lunch ($25) and three-courses at dinner ($45). Wine / beverage pairing is not available. Reservations are recommended.

napa valley grille dineLA summer restaurant
(credit: Napa Valley Grille)

Napa Valley Grille
1100 Glendon Ave #100
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 824-3322
www.napavalleygrille.com/westwood/

In honor of Summer dineLA Restaurant Week, Napa Valley Grille is introducing a special tasting menu from July 14th through the 27th. Executive Chef Taylor Boudreaux will be crafing a rustic prix-fixe two-course lunch ($20) and a three-course dinner ($35) with menu items featuring locally sourced ingredients, delicious handmade pastas and more. The restaurant will be featuring simple dishes from scratch such as a Beer Braised Short Rib sandwiched between an artisan Milk Bun, Clam Capellini with handmade pasta and a truly mouthwatering Bread Pudding which will be topped with housemade marshmallows. Additional dishes will be available as well including a chopped kale salad with quinoa, almonds, parmesan, raisins and a lemon vinaigrette as well as a grilled pork chop with rosemary rub and an apple gallette with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Hakkasan
(credit: Hakkasan)

Hakkasan Beverly Hills
233 N Beverly Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 888-8661
www.hakkasan.com

Serving up modern Cantonese cuisine, Hakkasan offers dim sum with extensive wine and sake programs in a relaxed setting. The exotic sights, sounds and smells only heightens the overall experience making it one of the best places for Asian inspired cooking in Los Angeles. For those looking for contemporary Chinese fare with delectable flavors, this Beverly Hills eatery is the perfect option.

Stand-out dishes include: Hakka Steamed Dim Sum Platter; Stir-fry Mushroom Lettuce Wrap with pistachio and pine nut; Spicy wild curry prawns with lily bulb and almond flakes; Sanpei corn fed chicken claypot; and a selection of housemade macaroons for dessert. Serving three-courses dinner ($45) only. Wine pairing available for an additional $35. Reservations are recommended.

Mo-Chica
(credit: Mo-Chica)

Mo-Chica
514 W 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 622-3744
www.mo-chica.com

For those who closely follow L.A.'s culinary community it will come as no big surprise that Chef Ricardo Zarate's Mo-chica is on this must-try list. This excitingly vibrant, downtown eatery serves up the most delicious traditional Peruvian comfort food with innovative modern twists.

Stand-out dishes: Chilled Corn Chowder with red pepper choclo relish, watercress and spiced cancha; Papa A La Huancaina with yellow and purple potatoes, green beans, black olives, mix greens, pancetta vinaigrette; Sudado de Branzino with Aji panca seaweed broth, wilted kale, cherry tomatoes, fried yucca and lime wedge; and Tres Leches Cakes with Pisco mascerated blueberry for dessert. Serving three-courses for lunch ($25) and dinner ($35). Wine pairing not available. Reservations are recommended.

 CAFE del REY
(credit: CAFE del REY)

CAFE del REY
4451 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 823-6395
www.cafedelreymarina.com

Those seeking Mediterranean fare for Restaurant Week will be quite satisfied with the menus CAFE del REY has designed for this two-week event. Taking pride in using robust, yet clean flavors, Southern California's premier waterfront dining destination is spotlighting a few of Executive Chef Chuck Abair's most popular dishes.

Stand-out dishes: Spiced Carrot Soup with curry crème fraîche; Truffle Pizza with truffle cream, caramelized onion, truffle peeling and fresh thyme; Steak Sandwich with arugula, horseradish cream, crispy onions and brioche bun; Seafood Paella with couscous, mussels, scallops, assorted fish and piquillo pepper; and Cherry Lemonade Semifredo with cherry compote and streusel for dessert. Serving three-courses for lunch ($25) and dinner ($45). Wine / beverage pairing is not available. Reservations are recommended.

Tagine Beverly Hills
(credit: Tagine Beverly Hills)

Tagine Beverly Hills
132 N Robertson
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(310) 360-7535
www.taginebeverlyhills.com

The "Moroccan hideaway in the heart of Beverly Hills," has designed an absolutely incredible dinner menu this summer for dineL.A. Chef Ben's special creations perfectly captures the warm vibe of Tagine Beverly Hills as he welcomes guests to dine on his modern take of traditional Moroccan cuisine. There is no denying what a special place Tagine Beverly Hills is as diners often find themselves already thinking about what they will be ordering their next visit even before the small plates are served!

Stand-out dishes: Maine Lobster served with French Fries; New Zealand Lamb Chops marinated in the seven spices, sautéed Brussels sprouts, shiitake mushrooms and green onion; and Lemon Sorbet with fresh fruit of the day on a bed of champagne. Serving three-courses dinner ($45) only. Wine / beverage / signature cocktail pairing suggestions available for additional. Reservations are recommended.

Bourbon Steak House - Mina Group
(credit: Mina Group)

Bourbon Steak Los Angeles
237 S Brand Blvd
Glendale, CA 91204
(818) 839-4130
www.michaelmina.net

Focusing on seasonal ingredients with all natural, organic, grass fed and hormone-free cuts of beef, Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak, is not only known for their exceptional flavors, but their unique table side presentations and "Treat Trolley" filled with beautiful desserts. One more unique cart to keep your eye out for is the Bourbon Cart available with flights smoked table side.

Stand-out dishes: Wood-Grilled Lamb Meatballs with fingerling potato, broccoli rabe, roasted eggplant and romesco; Brentwood Corn Velouté with grilled prawn, Padrón chile and cilantro, Brandt Farms Bavette Steak with whipped potato purée, horseradish and parsley salad; Braised Pork Belly with miso butterscotch, charred spring onion, lacinato kale and white grits; followed by Vanilla Custard with marcona streusel for dessert. Serving three-courses for dinner ($45) only. Wine pairing available for an additional $20. Reservations are recommended.

What are your favorite restaurants during dineLA Restaurant Week? Share in the comments below!
Nicole Standley a.k.a. JetSet Mom, is a social influencer + lifestylist covering luxury travel, fine-dining, fashion & pop culture for The JetSet Family. Follow her latest travels and escapades on Instagram, Google+ and Twitter.
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