Nic's Restaurant & Martini Lounge

Parking: Valet
Happy Hour Celeb-Spotting, Bar Scene, Laid Back Casual Moderately noisy

Aside from being one of L.A.'s most entertaining chefs, owner Larry Nicola is also one of the most talented. Nic's, his sleek restaurant/martini lounge in the heart of Beverly Hills, is a modern-day rendition of a supper club from a bygone Hollywood era, without appearing pretentious. Plush, roomy booths, candle-lit tables with buttercup yellow linen, and a collection of eclectic art make the room inviting to a diverse crowd. Live jazz, R&B and other musical performances keep the place humming on weekends -- the perfect scene in which to nurse a chocolate or Tangerine Dream martini from the restaurant's innovative bar.

Nicola's New American cooking is infused with any number of ethnic influences, which keeps it interesting and contemporary. Starters include deliciously rich gnocchi with morel mushrooms in Champagne cream, peppered ahi with grapefruit, soy and tamarind, and Nicola's famous sautéed oysters on spinach with walnuts and garlic. Grilled rib-eye, sesame-flavored salmon with ginger beer butter, and rack of lamb are available as entrées.

In the bar area, pop into the VODBOX, a walk-in refrigerator (don't worry, Nic's provides faux fur coats for patrons to wear) to taste exotic vodkas.

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