Top 7 restaurant rows in SoCal

If you're hungry but you're not sure what you're in the mood for, restaurant rows are a perfect option.

They serve up a little bit of everything with something to suit every taste and price level.

La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills is home to Tokyo Table, Matsuhisa, and the Stinking Rose. Most have come and gone over the years, but it's Lawry's that has remained a constant.

"Certainly the anchor of L.A.'s original restaurant row," says Tara de Lis, Citysearch editor. "In fact, this landmark stretch started in 1938 when Lawry's opened."

"I think it's the food quality, I think it's the owners, I think it's our staff, our co-workers, their attitude. And it's our guests that continually come back and get what they expect," says Todd Johnson, general manager of Lawry's.

The spinning bowl salad is prepared tableside and the prime rib is carved to order.

Old Town Pasadena is also a popular dining destination.

"And what they really mean is Colorado Boulevard, that's really the heart of the city and it's a Citysearch favorite," says de Lis. "It's walkable, it's safe, it's family-friendly. There's everything there from wine bars to popular local chains, like Barney's Beanery and Mi Piacci."

Melrose Avenue near La Cienega Boulevard has been a hot bed to some of L.A.'s top restaurant scenes for years.

"Lucques, Ago, Urth Cafe. And there are some really notable newcomers as well: Taste, certainly, Melrose Bar and Grill, and Comme Ca. I mean, this place is a zoo every night," says de Lis.

Notable dishes at the French brasserie are the bouillabaisse, duck confit, and escargot.

Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach serves as a mid-way point between Orange and L.A. counties.

"It's a nice community. You're either going to come down south, or you're going to go up north, instead of driving all the way up to L.A. You know, sometimes traffic can be a little bit much," says Randy Montoya, chef de cuisine at Tracht's.

"For Spanish food it's Sevilla. There's Italian at L'Opera. Citysearch favorite chef, Suzanne Tracht from Jar on Beverly, opened a version of that also called Tracht's," says de Lis.

"I really didn't start to learn about Long Beach until I put a restaurant here," says Suzanne Tracht. "And, you know, I was very excited. I think we brought something to the community and to the hotel."

Rounding out the Citysearch top 7 restaurant rows are: Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, Sawtelle Boulevard in Los Angeles, and Hillhurst Avenue in Los Angeles.

In Orange County, there's Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano.

And in the Inland Empire, head to State Street in Redlands.

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For more information about the top 7 restaurant rows in Southern California visit Citysearch's Web site at losangeles.citysearch.com.

 

La Cienega Boulevard
La Cienega Blvd. & Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90069

Colorado Boulevard
Colorado Blvd. & Fair Oaks Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105

Melrose Avenue
Melrose Ave. & La Cienega Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Pine Avenue
Pine Ave. & E Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802

Sawtelle Boulevard
Sawtelle Blvd. & La Grange Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Ventura Boulevard
Ventura Blvd. & Woodman Ave.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Hillhurst Avenue
Hillhurst Ave. & Ambrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Camino Capistrano
Camino Capistrano & Hwy 74
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

State Street
State St. & Fifth St.
Redlands, CA 92373

 

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local, jane monreal

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