12 of So Cal’s Most Decadent Restaurants

Some people eat at upscale dining establishments all the time.  For others, it is reserved for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries or promotions.  Either way, there are certain restaurants that send a message.  These are restaurants that go above and beyond when it comes to service, presentation, awards received, quality of ingredients and are often a difficult reservation to come by.  If you have recently met a very special woman, or have been married to one for many years, there will be times when you really need to wow her and show her just how special she is.  We have comprised a list of 12 restaurants throughout Southern California that will do just that.  

SAN DIEGO

The Little Italy neighborhood, just outside downtown, has become a hotbed for restaurants on the cutting edge of the culinary world.  Three of our top San Diego picks are in and around Little Italy and the fourth is situated on the property of one of the most luxurious hotels in the County, The Fairmont Grand, Del Mar.

1. Juniper & Ivy – Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Restaurant for 2019. Located at 2228 Kettner Blvd in the Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego.  Menu highlights include: A Yellowtail Tostada, the Black Cod and the Japanese Banana Cheesecake.  (They also have a secret menu item that is the head chef’s take on the In and Out Burger).
2. Animae – Chef Brian Malarkey’s Newest Concept.  Chef Malarkey has a kingdom of restaurants in San Diego and Las Vegas but this one is the most innovative and exciting of them all.  Located at 969 Pacific Highway in downtown San Diego.  Menu highlights include: the Ora King Salmon, the Snake River Farms Wagyu Filet and the Black Garlic Udon Noodle.
3. Born & Raised – San Diego’s most extravagant Steakhouse.  Stop here for some caviar and a glass of bubbly on the rooftop bar before being seated in the stunning main dining room.  Located at 1909 India Street in the Little Italy Neighborhood of San Diego.  Menu highlights include: The Caviar Service, the Dirty Hashbrowns and the Steak Sampler.
4. Addison at the Grand Del Mar – San Diego’s only Michelin Star awarded restaurant, and the head chef is local San Diegan William Bradley.  The crown jewel of the San Diego restaurant scene.  Located at 5200 Grand Del Mar Way in the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Choose from a 5 or 10-Course Tasting Menu.

ORANGE COUNTY

San Diego’s affluent neighbor to the North has its own unique take on fine dining.  The proximity to the beautiful coastline places a lot of focus on seafood, sushi and the best of both worlds, Surf & Turf.  Three of our top picks are in the upscale beach community of Newport Beach and the final pick is one of the few OC restaurants to have received a Michelin Star.

1. Hana Re – Michelin Star award winning sushi restaurant.  If you have not experienced sushi Omakase style, this is the place to start.  The best thing one can do when ordering sushi is to let the chef decide.  Located at 2930 Bristol Street in Costa Mesa.  Menu options are the Chef’s Omakase or the Hana re Tasting Course.
2. Mastros Ocean Club – Regal Steak & Seafood establishment with stellar views. Mastros has several locations but despite being a chain, the service and dining selections are unparalleled.  Located at 8112 East Coast Highway in Newport Beach.  Menu highlights include: The Blue Point Oysters on the Half Shell, the broiled live Maine Lobster and the bone-in KC Strip.
3. Andrea at the Resort at Pelican Hill – Old world meets new world Italian fare.  Once you have a dish from Andrea Ristorante, you’ll never want to eat Italian anywhere else.  Located at 22701 Pelican Hill Road South at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach.  Menu highlights include: The Crispy Carciofi and Prosciutto salad, the Dover Sole carved tableside and house-made gelato.
4. Javier’s – Innovative and upscale Mexican fare in a contemporary and elegant setting.  Javier’s palate pleasing dishes pair perfectly with their artisan margaritas.  They also have an extensive Scotch and Tequila menu.  Located at 7832 Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach. Menu highlights include: The Trio de Ceviche, the Cabo Azul, the Chile Negro and the Jalapeno Margarita.

LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles is a mecca for all things exquisite, and the restaurants are no exception.  You could eat out every day for a year in LA and never have a bad meal.  To narrow the list down to only four is not only difficult but must be prefaced by the fact that the restaurant scene in LA rivals that of San Francisco, New York, and even Paris.  So, once you have tried these four gems, there will still be a whole new culinary world to explore in the City of Angels.

1. CUT by Wolfgang Puck – Michelin Star award-winning steakhouse by world-renowned Chef, Wolfgang Puck.  Prepare for a palate explosion as you taste some the most magical meal you may ever experience.  Located at 9500 Wilshire Blvd on the property of the also world-renowned Beverly Wilshire.  Menu highlights include: The Bone Marrow Flan, the Pan Roasted, 2 Pound Maine Lobster and the 48-ounce Beef Tomahawk Chop (meant for sharing, of course). 
2. Melisse – A 2 Star Michelin award-winning restaurant.  The decadent menu changes with the seasons and the wine list is one of the most impressive in the world.  Located at 1104 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica.  Enjoy a Chef directed tasting menu along with a Sommelier to guide you through the wine pairings.  An ethereal dining experience.  
3. N/Naka – Michelin Star award-winning restaurant by Chef Niki Nakayama.  Indulge in a sushi experience like no other.  Located at 3455 S. Overland Ave in Los Angeles.  Indulge in the traditional Tasting Menu (we recommend adding the Sake/Wine pairing for maximum enjoyment) or the Vegetarian Tasting Menu.
4. Vespertine – A 2 Star Michelin award-winning restaurant. An ever-evolving symphony of inspiring flavors.   Located at 3599 Hayden Avenue in the Waffle Building in Culver City.  Reserve your table and experience one of the most revolutionary Tasting Menus in the world.

When the time comes and you are searching for that perfect place to treat a very special someone to a culinary adventure, start exploring the amazing places on this list.  Make sure to plan ahead, as reservations at many of these restaurants book months in advance.  If you are traveling into town for a special occasion or are lucky enough to be a Southern California local, dining at any of these magnificent places will offer an amazing journey for your palate and provide a fantastic experience that is best shared.