Dakota   

Continuing Hollywood's speedy upswing into something far more evolved than a mere tourist destination is Dakota, a super-swanky steakhouse cooked up by Tim and Liza Goodell (Meson G), breathing renewed vigor into the legendary Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Caught a bit between the old world and new, Dakota is splashed in a coat of warm chocolate browns and is awash in hushed ambient lighting gratis Dodd Mitchell's dignified, yet minimal, American design. As you sit on suede and leather banquettes that are so spacious they feel like futons, a more-than-generous menu keeps classic steak seekers and the seafaring quite satisfied. There are even a slew of unpredictable sides/appetizers, such as the truffle-parmesan fries (decadent), black mission figs filled with prosciutto (unique) and grilled portobellos (tender and flawless). The crowd at Dakota is unapologetically hip, meaning you're bound to see more than a few people that stand out as much as the bacon-wrapped rabbit saddle. As the hotel's main restaurant, it serves three meals a day; but if you're there for dinner, you can't help but wonder what this place looks like at 6:30AM when the curtains open. If that's your situation then maybe the New York steak and eggs is right for you. Only drawback is the valet, which can keep you waiting for an almost uncomfortable period of time.