Peking Duck, Wolfgang Puck’s WP24
For dineLA.com
There’s a bond that’s forged anytime you break bread with another person, but this is especially true of individual dishes and full meals intended to be consumed by a duo. Because sometimes “eating for two” has a totally different connotation, whether it’s a first date, a special occasion or just a spontaneous night on the town.
The Four Season’s signature restaurant, Culina (300 South Doheny Dr, Beverly Hills, 310.860.4000), specializes in artisanal Italian fare with a nod to seasonal California cuisine sensibilities. Prepared tableside, the panzanella salad “per due” is composed of fresh heirloom tomatoes, watermelon, cucumber, red onions, rustic bread cubes and ricotta. For a “bread salad,” it’s surprisingly light and refreshing. 
As La Cachette Bistro (1733 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, 310.434.9509) continues to evolve, first from its original elegant fine dining outpost in Century City to a more casual but still highly praised bistro, the latest initiative is a focus on what chef/owner Jean Francois Meteigner call “French-infused tapas.” Rotating dishes may include bacon-wrapped Medjool dates stuffed with blue cheese; cured trout with crème fraiche, capers and dill; and roast beef tartine with horseradish. For $70, couples can enjoy a chef’s choice of 10 “petite plates.” For eating extremists, The Gorbals (501 S Spring St, Downtown, 213.488.3408) is a must-stop downtown. Out-and-proud lovers of innards lead the rallying cry to bring back the braised lamb neck with creamy oats for two—the menu is ever rotating. Also popular, the pig’s head, or “pig’s face,” as it’s sometimes cheekily nicknamed.
At the London West Hollywood (1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, 310.358.7788), a “fireside bites” menu is served on the panoramic rooftop. Among popular dishes is a baked brie for two, served with accompaniments of honeycomb, dried fruits, Marcona almonds—and breathtaking views.
Another cheese-centric dish, the “mozzarella di bufala experience” at Obika Mozzarella Bar (10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste 206, Century City, 310.556.2452) includes three different preparations: classic, smoked and a creamy stracciatella of burrata. There’s also the option of adding sides such as pesto, organic vegetables or salumi. 
BLT (8720 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, 310.360.1950) on the Sunset Strip does a great double porterhouse, with each side sliced into pieces to more easily facilitate access to the two different T-bone cuts of fillet and strip steak. The meat is seasoned simply with salt, pepper and butter, so that quality stands on its own.
Just down the street, the Sunset Marquis’ restaurant, which is known plainly as “Restaurant" (1200 Alta Loma Rd, West Hollywood, 310.358.3759), is something of a sleeper hit. Many people don’t know it’s even there—but the food is destination-worthy. Chef Guillaume Burlion’s “statement plate,” a massive, 32-ounce Tomahawk Prime rib chop is divinely juicy and delicious. Served bone-in, it’s hard to resist the urge to go all Bam Bam with the Flintsones-like cut. Sides are more manageable—crisp pillows of pommes soufflé and butternut squash.
In addition to a regular menu of French brasserie favorites, Bouchon (235 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, 310.271.9910) also offers semi-regular specials as certain product and proteins become available. One of the more popular is the luxurious veal chateaubriand for two; the dish enjoys a recurring role as a blackboard feature, though plating largely depends on the season—presentations vary from red curry squash to black winter truffles. Advises chef Rory Herrmann, “You can always find out what [dish] we’re doing for two by calling in. Sometimes it’s a loup de mer (sea bass) or cote de boeuf (beef rib), so it’s not just the prep that changes but the protein, too.
Carlitos Gardel’s (7963 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, 323.655.0891) hearty sampler platter is called the “parrillada Argentina,” and includes a mix of grilled sweetbreads, chorizo, short ribs, strip steak and the incredibly authentic blood sausage, a surprisingly sweet mix of pork, blood pudding, cinnamon and cloves in natural casing. 
At Wolfgang Puck’s WP24 (900 W Olympic Blvd, Downtown, 213.743.8824), traditional Asian dishes are elevated—in both ingredient quality and 24-story views. The plucky Peking duck for two is beautifully presented at the table before being beautifully and skillfully carved. Its crisp but tender texture is spot-on.
At Comme Ca (8479 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, 323.782.1104), the regular Monday night special is a whole roasted and brined chicken for two. The bird is beautifully cooked—particularly the dark meat from the thigh and drumstick regions. Best of all, it comes with a box of trimmings and a recipe for stock.
As part of the special “winter duos” menu, JiRaffe (502 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, 310.917.6671) is offering a bouillabaisse for two featuring Alaskan King crab, rock shrimp, salmon, monkfish, little neck clams, mussels, carrots, saffron, potatoes, fennel and a Pernod lobster sauce. A cast iron skillet is presented tableside.
A nice way to experience trendy STK (755 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, 310.659.3535) is during happy hour, when a couple of the regular entrees are offered as part of the “perfect for a pair” section of the menu. Particularly good is the Asian-influenced New Zealand pink snapper, which is dressed in a ponzu and Shitake brown butter sauce and garnished with braised green scallions.
No, it wasn’t an overload of “to kill ya” that led to this level of exaggeration. The “el gigante burrito” at Hollywood’s casually hip Te’Kila (6541 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, 323.960.2404) is actually the size and shape of a human limb, and according to the menu, packed with “a whole lot of everything.” Ingredients can change according to availability, but typically “everything” consists of a trio of meat, cheese, rice, beans, salsa, guacamole and even French fries.
Bombay Palace (8690 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310.659.9944) has been a Beverly Hills institution for a quarter century. One of the best ways to experience a cross-section of its flavorful Indian food is via the “palace feast.” The full meal begins with vegetable samosas, then proceeds into a generous entrée spread of meaty kebabs, aromatic spinach and lamb, and chicken tikka masala. There are also vegetables, naan, rice and raita. For dessert, the pistachio ice cream is a lightly sweet sendoff.
Similarly, Morton’s (3400 W Olive Ave, Burbank, 818.238.0424) “steak and seafood for two” is the steakhouse’s signature prix-fixe menu. It begins with a choice of house or Caesar salad, then onto two single-cut filets. Guests can also choose any two of the following: broiled sea scallops, colossal shrimp Alexander or jumbo lump crab cake. For dessert, it’s either hot chocolate cake, Key lime pie or crème brulee.
Surfas (8777 W. Washington Blvd, Culver City, 310.558.1458) is a mecca for food lovers, be it for its outstanding cheese selection or high-quality cookware for aspiring home chefs. There’s a café as well, where you can pick up all the necessities for a gourmet outing. The “easy, breezy picnic for two” includes two Panini sandwiches, two salads, a house-made pickle, two cookies or two canales, and water or soda. There’s also a “deluxe it” option involving wine, unbreakable glasses and a tablecloth.
Nothing says puppy love like an old-fashioned sundae for two. Couples playing it coy can enjoy just this dish at WeHo’s fashionable Koi (730 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, 310.659.9449) restaurant. Here, two scoops each of vanilla and chocolate ice cream are served with a decadent array of cream puffs, brownie squares, mixed crumbles, caramel and chocolate sauces, honey filo, a banana, whipped cream and more.
For a more grown up dessert, Taste on Melrose (8454 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, 323.852.6888) does up a Nutella cognac fondue for two. Dippers are typically homemade and include toffee popcorn, fig biscotti, olive oil and tangerine pound cake, marshmallows and berries. 
The Avalon Hotel’s poolside eatery, Oliverio (9400 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310.277.5221), offers a chocolate buffet playfully known as the “choco-Sutra,” with an array of desserts such as triple chocolate truffle pizza, white chocolate martinis and pot de crème. Special pricing is available for couples. 
For a taste of Milan in Santa Monica, the “castagne e vine brulee” at Locanda del Lago (231 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, 310.451.3525) consists of roasted imported Italian chestnuts served alongside two glasses of the restaurant’s signature warm spiced wine.
