Best Date Night Spots in Los Angeles

Bar Etoile is a French bistro in East Hollywood with a polished look and a welcoming feel. Banquettes and a horseshoe-shaped bar set the room, and soft jazz plays while couples sip gimlets. The bistro has a Paris feel. It also fits a date that is a step up from a first coffee. We recommend the thick, crispy housemade potato chips and the beef tartare, cut in small squares that are easy to share. The steak frites is enough food for two.

RVR is a Japanese izakaya in Venice from the former Gjelina chef, and it works as a sexy Westside dinner destination. The room is dark, moody, and modern. Japanese California cooking drives the seasonal menu, which includes ramen, handrolls, charcoal-grilled meats, and Japanese-inspired cocktails. We recommend the salty rainbow platter and the giant mushrooms in salty miso butter, which eat like a steak. Reservations open 30 days ahead at midnight. Brunch gets you in without the dinner wait.

Sushi Note brings together two date night favorites, sushi and great wine, in an intimate Sherman Oaks setting. The sleek, minimalist dining room features a sushi counter where you can watch the chefs at work, while the sommelier helps you find the perfect pairing. Go for the omakase experience, featuring 12 pieces of sushi, a handroll and dessert, or order à la carte from a menu of sushi, sashimi and small plates. With wines from Burgundy to Santa Barbara, it's the kind of place where you'll want to settle in and stay awhile.

San Damian is an upscale seafood restaurant on Abbot Kinney in Venice, from the chef behind Damian, with a Sea of Cortez feel. Candlelight makes the room read as sexy on its own, and mezcal cocktails at the bar are a good way to start. Ceviche, aguachile, and tuna tostadas are among the dishes, and the grilled prawns come charred and smoky outside and silky within. Housemade tepaches are on offer as a zero-proof drink.

Baby Bistro is a Craftsman house on a hilly side street in Chinatown, built for couples and known for its wine. The cozy bungalow has a romantic feel. The menu is six dishes meant to be shared between two, including country bread with a bright orange cheese spread and a squid and cucumber salad with spicy yuzu kosho vinaigrette. A pine nut cookie ends the meal. Dinners tend to run late because no one wants to leave.

The Tsubaki team opened Camélia, a French-Japanese brasserie in the Arts District, and its lighting keeps the room warm and sultry. Polished and confident, it suits a high-energy, upscale dinner on a date night or special occasion. The dishes are French with Japanese touches, and the roast chicken is perfectly done. Save room for the warm chocolate soufflé, which is excellent but small.

Camphor is a French bistro in the Arts District that pairs fancy food with an easygoing feel, and it suits date nights and special occasions. The scallop-filled pasta half-moons with a vinegary beurre blanc are a highlight, and the burger is a standout too. An elegant snow cone palate cleanser finishes the meal.

Carlitos Gardel is an old-school Argentinian steakhouse on Melrose in Beverly Grove, a fit for special occasions and dinner with the parents. Antique mirrors line the dining room, while the patio is strung with lights. The prime ribeye is a highlight, and the house chimichurri comes with complimentary bread. Save room for the tableside dessert platter.

Gwen is an art deco steakhouse on Sunset in Hollywood with a strong neighborhood following, made for a special occasion or a fine dining splurge. The room is on-theme but subdued and classy. The lamb has a pistachio crust and a smoky, slightly gamey flavor. Dinner is served Tuesday through Sunday, and the restaurant is closed Mondays.

Sam's Place is a relaxed, unpretentious wine bar in Highland Park with a short plate menu and a small natural wine list. The low-lit room has a 1970s basement style, which suits a date night. We recommend starting with the vermouth spritz made with Spanish mineral water, and the cornichon butter is a favorite. The 10-ounce bavette steak is the standout dish.