Drago

Sicilian Celestino Drago hasn't lost his touch since opening his flagship restaurant in Santa Monica back in 1991. The affable chef has the ability to take rustic Sicilian ingredients and create sophisticated dishes that appeal to a hip L.A. crowd. The restaurant is sleek yet comfortable, with whitewashed walls, blonde wood highlights and a gracefully arched ceiling. It's an environment that wins style points without distracting from the kitchen's impressive creations.

For many, Drago joins Valentino on a very short list of premier Italian restaurants in L.A. Among the memorable starters are beef carpaccio with celery root and seared foie gras, a wild mushroom timbale bathed in a luxurious Fontina cheese fondue, and buttery burrata cheese stuffed with caponata and prosciutto. Fettuccine with a venison ragoût, spaghetti alla bottarga (with dried tuna roe, a favorite Sicilian ingredient), and risotto with wild mushrooms and Mascarpone are among the many great pastas, while Sicilian-style rabbit and wonderful fresh fish stand out among entrées.

Desserts, including a stellar panna cotta, are not to be missed. The wine list provides a wealth of hard-to-find Italian gems and has earned an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.