The Brief

There’s a lot of pressure to make the perfect plan for Valentine’s Day. Many service industry veterans say it ties with New Year’s Eve as the most chaotic night of the year to work.

We asked Angelenos what they think is the most romantic restaurant in the city. Check it out what we found... as they say, the answers might surprise you.

Some say they’re drawn to a dimly lit room to hold hands over the table; others say it’s a night to impress with a big-name restaurant with an even bigger view. And for the more low-key, less is more, with a penchant for walk-in-only, casual spots with dishes that evoke nostalgia and don’t break the bank.

If you’re still on the hunt for plans, why not take some inspiration directly from your fellow food lovers.

Monsieur Marcel (The Orginal Farmers Market)

Forget the stuffy, white tablecloth French fine dining of yesteryear. Monsieur Marcel, in the Original Farmer’s Market, got a thumbs up for authentic Parisian bistro flair. It’s an outdoor, casual environment emphasizing classic recipes. No TikTok trends here. Warm up with steak frites, roast chicken, or beef bourguignon ($28-$39).

An accordion player will set the mood on Valentine's Day, starting at 5:45 p.m. It’s easy to head to a second location for a drink or dessert with ample offerings under the Farmer’s Market roof.

Bottega Louie (West Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles)

Love requires patience. So does Bottega Louie’s chocolate souffle ($16). Both are worth waiting for, we’re told.

The Italian restaurant opened downtown in 2009, an early adopter in revitalizing the area for foodies. It serves Italian classics: pizza, pasta and proteins ($22 - $60), while its bakery is best known for its colorful macarons ($8 for 2). The West Hollywood location is bright and airy, while downtown is a sprawling open concept with marble floors.

For a romantic indulgence, the carbonara pasta topped with a poached egg ($32) and vodka sauce pizza ($30) are good choices for a Valentine’s Day date. Once you’re neck-deep in cheese and conversation, waiting 20 minutes for the souffle will feel like nothing.

The Ivy (West Hollywood)

Roses are the most popular flower in Valentine’s Day bouquets. They’re also the only flower on display at the Ivy. Each table is covered in rainbow arrangements, bursting from the restaurant’s signature hand-painted ceramic vases.

Some may associate the 40-plus-year-old restaurant with power lunches of the '90s and 2000s and tourist stops of today, but the ambiance and people watching — and service — continue to hold up. Enjoy favorites like the grilled vegetable salad ($40+) and homemade pasta with lobster and Ivy pink sauce served in a giant lobster shell ($66). The spot is best for lunch; opt for the colorful patio seating. The indoor seating feels like a European vacation home if it's too chilly.

Irie (West Hollywood)

Branded matches at PleasureMed.

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Brian Feinzimer

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LAist

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This smoker’s paradise offers something different from any Valentine’s Day dinner you’ve had. Not a high concept pizza or fusion menu, but the ability to legally consume cannabis indoors as you nosh.

After choosing a joint from Irie’s budtender menu to pass with your partner, enjoy California farmer’s market cuisine. The restaurant offers pre-fixe menus and programming for both Galentine's, on Feb. 12, and Valentine's, Feb. 14 and 15. Keep an eye out for the salmon, served with labneh, cucumber, caperberry, fennel and parsley ($36).

Part of West Hollywood’s growing cannabis tourism, the restaurant is in a compound that includes a bar, dispensary and erotic store. It might be the perfect combination for Valentine’s Day.

H2O Sushi & Izakaya (Northridge)

Can you find romance in a strip mall? Out-of-towners may be doubtful, but this is L.A., and it’s what's on the inside that counts.

Head to the San Fernando Valley, where we got an endorsement for H20 Sushi’s “high-quality fish in a modern space” for $38.99 per person. If your sweetheart’s appetite outweighs their need for ambiance, H20’s all-you-can-eat menu is a romantic grand gesture. No price gouging or limited menu for Valentine’s Day here.

Olivetta (West Hollywood)

There’s nothing like a good leather booth. Still even large parties will be jealous of the cozy two-top tables at Olivetta, a coastal Italian restaurant in a bungalow on Melrose. Dim lighting and luxe furnishings like velvet chairs and art deco wallpaper conjure a grown-up and sexy air fit for a romantic dinner for two.

If your date’s love language is being spoiled, there are caviar bumps ($25 for 4 ounces) on the menu and pasta with a supplemental bone marrow “luge” that’s poured on top tableside ($58). One person told us they’d order the lamb bolognese pasta ($38) and kindly refuse to share.

Donna's (Echo Park)

If your idea of a Valentine’s Day dinner is sharing spaghetti and meatballs a la "Lady and the Tramp," try Donna’s on Sunset ($26). We’re told its dim lighting and classic menu make it just the right level of “bougie” for Valentine’s Day, without feeling forced.

The Italian-American restaurant takes inspiration from classic East Coast red sauce joints, made with prime California ingredients. Other "Sopranos"-approved dishes that are equally sharable include veal picatta ($35) and chicken parmesan ($32).

Lawry’s the Prime Rib (Beverly Hills)

If you’re looking for an excuse to dress up, Lawry’s has a dress code. Take a break from February’s sweatpants lineup and commit to the bit at this classy staple that’s been in town for nearly 100 years for good reason.

The classic prime rib joint on La Cienega’s famed Restaurant Row is a trip back in time. Enjoy prime rib with salad, mashed potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding on the side (plates start at $53). Experienced eaters will add creamed corn or spinach.

House of Pies (Los Feliz)

Dinner at 8 p.m. might be considered a romantic hour to many, but at House of Pies, date night can go as late as 1 a.m. Whether you’re on a budget, have the evening stacked with plans like a concert or movie, or simply have to work that night, the Los Feliz diner and bakery is a retro, no-frills option for an a la mode nightcap.

One suggestion was to skip the dinner and go straight for coffee and pie in the wee hours. There’s a variety of fruit, cream, meringue and custard pies baked in-house daily, like a slice of butter pecan pie ($6). With two forks, of course.

Jersey Mikes (various locations)

Perhaps the most, um, eclectic pick we heard. Whether it’s your first holiday together or your 40th, one way to keep it casual (the relationship, or the holiday celebration) is to split a sandwich. If you can agree on which fixin’s to put on your sandwich, it’s always a good sign. Relationships don’t work when it’s my way or the highway, but perhaps “Mike’s Way” (lettuce, tomato, onion, and a signature blend of olive oil, red wine vinegar and spices) will bring you closer together. Particularly on top of the No. 7, turkey with provolone ($9 and up), we’re told.

While picnic locations like Barnsdall Art Park can help set the mood, when your sandwich partner in crime is really the one, “any curb will do.”