Love is in the air this Valentine’s season, and downtown Los Angeles is ready to ignite the spark with a range of romantic experiences. From the historic grandeur of Hotel Per LA and the Biltmore to the culinary delights of Settecento the city offers something for every couple. Here’s a list of romantic places that are sure to sweep any couple off their feet.
Romance From Top to Bottom at Hotel Per LA
Photo courtesy of Hotel Per LA
This Valentine’s season, explore Hotel Per La from its captivating depths to its breathtaking heights. This iconic downtown LA gem, in the Finance District, is housed in the beautifully restored Giannini building of 1922, offering an unforgettable romantic experience for anyone seeking a dash of history with the spice of modern elegance.
The romantic journey begins within the elegant mahogany and Tiffany lamps of Ristorante Per L’Ora. Formerly the Bank of Italy, its soaring pillars rise to 20-foot ceilings, adorned with intricate gold detailing, making Ristorante Per L’Ora a feast for all the senses. There’s even a one hundred-year-old vault in the basement upon which to store your love.
Beginning Thursday, Feb 13th, expect a specially curated four-course prix fixed menu with delectable plates of fine Italian cuisine, including Squid Ink Lobster Agnolotti en Brodo, Fennel, confit tomato, herb pesto followed by two days of handmade pastas, seafood, and sultry poultry like Sicilian Duck served with turnips, apple celery root puree, aceto balsamico, duck jus, butternut squash, brown butter sage, pepitas, and parmesan, followed by a decadent dessert, all perfectly paired with fine Italian wines.
The soft lighting and the murmur of conversation create an intimate ambiance, perfect for sneaking kisses across the table.
Ascend to Bar Clara, the hotel’s rooftop oasis. As the sun sets, relax under a canopy of stars in a private cabana. On Saturday, February 15th, until 10pm, alongside its regular menu, Bar Clara will serve Carrot ginger soup, Winter vegetable tempura, Steak and frites and Flourless chocolate cake.
Bar Clara’s heated pool shimmers under the moonlight, surrounded by panoramic city views. Be sure to ask for the Gods’ blessing—no Cupid here, just Orcus, the Roman God of the underworld, to make sure to keep those promises, or else. https://hotelperla.com
Popping the Question at Settocento Ristorante
Photo Courtesy of Settocento
Romance is on the menu at downtown’s newest Italian ristorante, Settecento, now open in the courtyard of the Central Library built in 1926.
A leisurely walk through the labyrinth of Maguire Gardens leads to Settecento, where guests are greeted by an atmosphere that is both elegant and welcoming. Imported Italian marble, antique books, Italian Renaissance artwork, and a chandelier of wind instruments contribute to the restaurant’s unique timeless charm.
Settecento’s menu, created by Italian Executive Chefs Francesco Angri and Pizzaiolo Mario Orsini, pays tribute to Italy’s rich culinary heritage.
Begin with fine wines, imported beers, or expertly crafted cocktails perfect for building up the nerves. Menu highlights include Fiorentina, a porterhouse steak served with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables; Pollo Arrosto, a wood-fired 24-hour marinated whole chicken with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables, perfect for sharing; and Spaghetti alla Chitarra alle Vongole, with parsley, oil, garlic, chili pepper, and wine sauce, where pasta strings meet at the lips.
The setting is perfect for sharing whispers and stolen glances. The live music serenades diners with classic Italian melodies, creating moments so ripe for popping the question. Settecento provides an exceptional setting, ideal for a proposal that will be treasured for a lifetime. https://www.settecentodtla.com
Raw Love & Tribal Bites at Sama Handroll & Grill
Photo courtesy of Sama Handroll & Grill
Downtown Arts District has a vibrant history etched into every brick, steel, and wooden beam. From its industrial beginnings to its current status as a thriving community hub, the district that has constantly evolved adds yet another layer to its rich industrial tapestry: the newly opened culinary sensation, Sama Handroll & Grill.
Founded by Chef Lester Lai, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate originating from San Gabriel, Sama showcases a menu where passion meets precision. From signature hand rolls to robata-grilled delicacies like the succulent 48-hour Wagyu short rib and the delicate miso cod, each bite is a special opportunity to delve deeper and deeper into primal instinct.
Ooh baby, we like it raw!
Take Sama’s Ikura Don, for instance, which features three varieties of salmon roe, topped with a raw egg (now considered a rare delicacy).
This dish, like many others, ventures off the beaten path. The same goes for Sama’s seared toro, topped with grated cured egg yolk and green onion.
To top it off, the restaurant’s design by Kamus + Keller offers a 14-seat hand roll bar with a front row seating. Sitting side by side what greater opportunity for whispering sweet nothings or nibbling an ear? Sama could just become the place where the primal, unbridled intensity of new love and sushi mastery collide.
The Magic of David Minkin and the Supernatural at the Biltmore
Photo courtesy of David Minkin
Love is timeless, isn’t it? Like stepping back in time, hand-in-hand, into the grandeur of the Biltmore, a downtown landmark hotel that has witnessed countless love stories unfold within its walls.
From its elegant ballrooms to its hidden corners, the Biltmore exudes an aura of old-world charm, setting the stage for a truly enchanting evening.
It’s enchanting, alright! Built in 1923, legend has it century-old whispers can be heard from its gilded walls. Perhaps those whispers will add a thrilling chill to your romantic evening.
The legendary Gallery Bar, where the spirits (and we do mean spirits) of generations past mingle with the present, where clinking glasses and hushed conversations create a vibrant buzz, is a perfect prelude to a night of magic and enchantment to come.
Then, with a poof of smoke (and two front-row tickets), enter David Minkin’s Victorian parlor, a world of wonder taking place almost nightly within the Biltmore’s historic Corinthian Room.
David Minkin is an International Champion of Close-Up Magic. He doesn’t just perform tricks; he weaves narratives, sharing personal stories that resonate with the human experience. His magic isn’t just about illusion; it’s about connection. Creating an atmosphere of intimacy and awe, where the impossible seems, for a moment, within reach, dates will find themselves leaning closer, drawn into his world of mystery.
From mind-bending card tricks to illusions that defy explanation, Minkin’s performance, like love itself, is a journey into the realm of the supernatural.
