Cicada Restaurant

The deco-style building that now houses Cicada Restaurant was originally built in 1928 for one of downtown L.A.’s most expensive haberdasheries. Hats are no longer the fashion accessories they once were, but food never goes out of style. As part of the burgeoning downtown culinary scene, Cicada has moved in with a menu that bursts with Northern Italian fare, not to mention an impressive wine list. The restaurant has preserved the original elegance of the venue, from the ornate crystal entryway to the embellished woodwork and high ceilings lit by mellow yellow chandeliers and other antique lighting fixtures. The vibe is distinctly retro, with a Frank Sinatra sound-alike crooning old time hits every Thursday night. The pastas are highly recommended but entrees like the marinated Nova-Scotia sea bass with plum sauce and the grilled lamb chop with carved corn and date pancake are what keep people coming back.