Dinner with the Parents

Marea is a fancy Italian seafood restaurant in Beverly Hills that’s perfect for a pasta-filled meal where someone else is paying.

This Din Tai Fung in Santa Monica is special—it’s the chain’s first location where you can eat expertly folded xiao long bao while gazing at an ocean view.

This dinner-only Thai spot serves dressed-up versions of traditional dishes in a charmingly decorated dining room.

Bello by Sandro Nardone is an upscale Italian spot in Newport Beach with solid appetizers and a huge wine list.

Koast is an upscale seafood spot on Melrose with good food and a mellow, almost-too-quiet dining room.

Loquita is a tapas restaurant with a great patio in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, and a very good upscale dinner option.

Muse is an upscale French spot in Santa Monica with old-school flourishes that feel fresh.

Four Seasons is an iconic hotel in Beverly Hills that particularly great during the holidays.

If you’re looking for a nice, upscale dinner option in Montrose, Backbone is your best bet.

Houston's Pasadena is a reliable, seemingly upscale chain that's perfect for a celebration. Or anything, really.

Hillstone in Santa Monica is one of the few chain restaurants in LA worth getting excited about.

Khinkali House in Glendale is home to Georgian soup dumplings and a quiet patio for a low-key date night.

This sophisticated French-Japanese spot in the Arts District oozes grown-up brasserie charm. It’s perfect for a special occasion or date.

Socalo is a casual Mexican spot in Santa Monica with strong margaritas, a long taco menu, and lots of cute chihuahua portraits.

Peppone is a charming red sauce Italian spot that’s very expensive but fun and delicious.

Solidarity is a solid, old-school Polish restaurant in Santa Monica with a lively back patio.

Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica has aged into a worn-in neighborhood spot that does farm-to-table as well as any place in LA.

Ronan is a fantastic pizzeria on Melrose that's always easy to get into.

If you want red meat and a martini on Ventura Blvd., get it at BLVD Steak in Sherman Oaks.

Hank's is a sleek American bistro in Pacific Palisades that's the best dinner spot in the neighborhood.

Young King serves very good Korean-style Chinese food on Olympic in Koreatown.

Aleppo’s Kitchen is a fantastic Syrian restaurant in Anaheim with a big patio ideal for groups.

Horses is a bistro in Hollywood with an anything-is-possible-tonight feel and interesting food that’s kind of French and kind of Californian.

Calo Kitchen is the best place for an easy, stress-free group dinner in El Segundo.

Sushi note is part sushi spot, part wine bar, and unlike any other place to eat raw fish in the city.