Republic

Conveniently located by nearby hotspots Area, Koi and STK, Republic is a reliably hip restaurant and lounge for a pre-club meal and drinks. The main dining room, with its high ceilings, fire pit and 20-foot wine tower, sets a grand atmosphere for the equally ambitious menu (the owners of Republic also own the opulent Romanov restaurant in Studio City). Plates are hearty—Colorado lamb rack, BBQ pork osso bucco and even oven roasted ostrich filet. If you don’t want to venture too far for a night out, check out Republic’s adjoining club and bar.

Update: Eater LA reported August 6th that former La Cienega hotspot Republic has shut down "for a month or so" and will re-emerge as "more nightclubby" than before.  The Guide has confirmed the temporary closure, and by fall, Republic will be known as Ta 2.  The Russian-themed Republic may be no longer, but the restaurant and lounge plans to re-launch this fall as "Ta 2" with an all-new design scheme.  More details as we get them in.

Update #2: Republic is now permantently closed and will not reopen under the name Ta 2.  Locks have been changed, and building owners have re-taken possesion of the La Cienega property, according to sources.  We will keep you posted as to what goes into the space, but it looks like now it will not be a Mikayel Israyelan-owned venture.