 We've always enjoyed immersing ourselves in the atmosphere of this comfortable and romantic restaurant, with its lushly landscaped dining area that exemplifies the Southern California lifestyle at its best. The garden setting is encompassed by trees, while contemporary art adorns the lounge at the entrance. Restaurateur Michael McCarty is a pioneer of California cuisine and mentor to some of L.A.'s finest chefs, and his establishment has become a culinary landmark and local treasure. The restaurant's adherence to a well-earned reputation for quality market-fresh ingredients and creativity on the plate means that the kitchen, overseen by executive chef John-Carlos Kuramoto, consistently turns out inventive California cuisine. Starters especially reflect the bounty of the season with options like asparagus risotto topped with salsa verde or a salad of pickled beets, farro, tarragon, caraway croutons and crème fraîche vinaigrette. Alongside the signature Sonoma duck confit, guests might find mains such as Mediterranean loup de mer served with housemade pappardelle, English peas and Nueske's bacon. You'll probably be completely satisfied long before dessert, but if you've got room, try the Harry's Berries strawberry Pavlova or "Michael's Famous Cookie Plate" offering an assortment of sweets. In addition to being a renowned restaurateur, McCarty also has a passion for wine. Selections from his three-acre estate, The Malibu Vineyard, often appear on the sophisticated wine list that is curated by general manager Andrew Turner. Diners browse through the seven hundred options on iPads --- another forward-thinking move. With continuous innovation like this plus lovely scenery, Michael's has made itself a magnet for local celebrities and power players.
|
Send to Phone 
Michael's Restaurant is one of our 2012
| Top 10 LA Business Restaurants
| Top 10 LA California Cuisine Restaurants
| Top 10 LA Outdoor Dining Restaurants
| Top 10 LA Mother's Day Brunch Restaurants
| Top 10 LA Craft Cocktail Bars & Restaurants
|
• For more information on Michael's restaurant, read GAYOT's blog.
Watch Michael McCarty talk about his 2007 Pinot Noir wine on GAYOT.com's YouTube channel.
Visit the photo gallery of Michael's restaurant.
Hungry for a hamburger? From simple patties with a pickle to gourmet takes by top toques, we've compiled lists of the Top 10 Burgers in cities across the USA, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
