Dolce

Dolce can lay claim to being L.A.’s first scene-y Italian restaurant. Whether that’s good or bad may depend on your perspective. For purists, it’s probably not their thing. For the young and the hip, the striving and modelizing, it’s all that and more. Operated by the Dolce Group, which also runs Geisha House and Ketchup among others, the concept has been cloned and recreated in cities like Reno and Huntsville, with more planned. All’ Angelo, Ago, Angelini Osteria, it is not. But as a trendy destination dining spot, it’s a place to dress up and show off. The food is not really the point, and even if it’s good enough, with prices like these you might be expecting more. The menu features all the Italian classics, and dishes like the fried calamari, seared scallop scampi and pumpkin ravioli always connect. Not that this crowd is much into wine as the allure of fancy cocktails surely takes over, but there is a 2,000-bottle wine cellar and a sommelier to guide you through it if you so desire. While its peak may have already come and gone, some people still enjoy the comfort food favorites with a clubby feel.

TIPS: Birthday revelers, beware: There is a whopping $35 cake-cutting fee. On Mondays, all food is half off.