J Restaurant and Lounge

Gigantic entertainment complexes are nothing new in Los Angeles, but J Restaurant and Lounge may have upped the ante a tad. Located at the site of the legendary Little J’s (where Natalie Cole and Stevie Wonder are reputed to have hung out), the new and improved J Restaurant probably should have been named ‘Big J’s.’ The sprawling brick building houses two floors, three bars, an open air smoking lounge and a 10,000-square foot patio that frequently hosts live music and celebrity DJ’s. Just a hop, skip and a jump from the Staples Center, J’s Restaurant is a popular pre- and post-game or show hangout. A full menu is served, although J’s appears to be geared more around drinking and dancing than eating. If you have the appetite and the bankroll for it, $50 steaks with wasabi whipped mashed potatoes are available. But it might be more fun to just bring a cigar and a fine cognac out to the smoking patio.