We know how difficult it can be to get out for a date — with your partner, your buddies or just yourself — once you become a parent. But as the voices behind L.A. Parent (and busy moms and dads ourselves), we implore you to make time for more dates this season — Valentine’s Day and beyond.
The romantic version of the word “date” hails from the Latin word “data,” which means “to give.” As parents and caregivers (that word “give” is sewn into both words — one obvious, one more subtle), to be intentional about dating is a gift to ourselves and, ultimately, our children.
Below are some of our favorite spots in our beloved city.
A supper club in View Park
One of my favorite spots is Somerville, a jazz-infused supper club that nods to L.A.’s bygone Central Avenue era. It’s located on the busy corner of Slauson and Overhill avenues in View Park, close enough for my husband and me to walk to in this neighborhood that was featured in HBO’s “Insecure,” created by actress Issa Rae. In fact, Rae is one of the co-owners of this space that glows with amber light, velvet seating and rich wood accents — the kind of room that makes you want to linger a little longer than you planned. Inspired by the historic Dunbar Hotel, originally known as Hotel Somerville, the restaurant feels like a modern love letter to that vibrant Black arts scene of the 1920s and ’30s, so you want to dress up at least a little before sauntering through its grand doors.
The food is elevated and comforting: organic roasted chicken and braised ribs, alongside culinary surprises such as the collard green lasagna and the fried chicken and caviar sliders. When the live music kicks up, you’re wrapped in this intimate, cinematic atmosphere that’s perfect for sinking into conversation — and a cocktail or two.
–Cassandra Lane
A vineyard escape in Westlake Village
My absolute favorite spot for a cozy date night — with my husband, my adult daughters or friends — is The Stonehaus in Westlake Village. In about 15 minutes on the 101 freeway from our house in the West Valley, we are transported to our own Italian enoteca with its stone façade and tile roof set among olive trees, twinkling lights and a 1.5-acre vineyard with views of the Santa Monica Mountains. On weekend nights, there is often live music. We usually sample a few wines in the tasting room, then grab a glass of our favorite one, order a thin-crust pizza to share with some salads and find a table on the patio near the waterfall or next to a firepit.
This charming spot feels like a rustic Tuscan country house, and it’s all about savoring cheese, charcuterie plates and California and international wines. You can meander through the vineyard, play bocce ball or sit and sip by the outdoor stone fireplace for hours. I love that this place is always bustling with couples, families with young kids and dogs and groups of friends at big picnic tables. I love how simultaneously cozy and far away I feel here. I can come every weekend because it just doesn’t get old.
–Elena Epstein
A walkable night in Chinatown
With two young kids, our date nights are rare, so we try to maximize any stolen evenings by going to nearby areas where we can eat, drink and do something fun within a mile radius. One favorite is Chinatown: grabbing dim sum from Golden Dragon Restaurant, exploring the galleries on Chung King Road during First Fridays and ending with craft cocktails and dancing (if we’re feeling ambitious) or lounging (let’s be real) at General Lee’s, a historic two-story bar with a stylish, old-school Chinatown vibe.
–Nina Harada
A classic romance in Beverly Hills
One of my go-to date night spots is Il Cielo, an Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills. Il Cielo, also known as “The Sky,” is adorned with twinkling lights throughout the restaurant. The inside has several private dining rooms, including one with an open roof. Outside, trees decorate the patio, giving a romantic and secluded feeling.
The food is remarkable. The Caesar salad and salmon are my favorites on the menu. We celebrated my grandmothers 80th birthday with a surprise party years ago, and recently celebrated my 40th birthday at Il Cielo with my family. They made a homemade vanilla cake with real flowers covering the cake. It was incredible.
–Chelsea Parrish
A casual cantina in Calabasas
If we have an opportunity to get out for a good dinner, my go-to is Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas. With its Old West motif and casual atmosphere, we usually sit outside and have a beverage or two before sharing a (large) plate of sizzling chicken fajitas. I’ve had lots of stuff on the menu — and all of it is good — but the fajitas and margaritas keep us coming back.
Eating such delicious food while sitting on the patio is so relaxing. I prefer the weeknights because they’re less crowded, but we like to meet friends there, and I’ve been known to catch a good basketball or football game at their bar, which has more TVs than I can count. They have live music on the weekends, too. Hard to go wrong.
–Ron Epstein
A hidden jazz lounge in Santa Monica
The perfect date night spot doesn’t exist — scratch that! The Georgian Room in Santa Monica actually is the perfect date night spot, as it gives both couples and families the chance to experience the thrill of a hidden historic gem. Located below The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica — a fully restored 1933 Art Deco hotel on Ocean Avenue overlooking the Pier — the Italian steakhouse and jazz bar has a private club meets speakeasy feel (no photos allowed), with swanky, velvet touches and candlelit, cozy booths and tables, mirroring its Golden Age heyday, when celebs like Clark Gable and Judy Garland were regulars.
Weekdays through Saturdays, it’s exclusively adults-only, so you can leave the kids at home for a romantic and retro night out to sample impeccable martinis or the 48-oz TGR dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye. But on Sunday evenings, the elegant room transforms into a more casual destination, featuring its Spaghetti Sundays tradition — a hearty, family-style prix-fixe supper, complete with red-checkered tablecloths. (Yes, you and your kids can wear jeans, and regulars proudly sport their red-and-white Sunday Spaghetti Club caps at the table.)
Executive Chef Carolynn Spence outdoes herself with the most addictively delicious spaghetti dinner in Los Angeles, alongside sumptuous, pillowy and savory house-made garlic bread and a tangy red dipping sauce; a light yet robust chopped Caesar salad; classic spaghetti and red sauce and your choice of Grandpa Tony’s Meatballs, chicken parmesan or eggplant parmesan. Other menu items are add-ons, including branzino and the New York strip steak. The cherry on top for kids of all ages: huge, warm chocolate fudge brownies with vanilla gelato and chocolate chip cookies.
–Michele Raphael
Story written by L.A. Parent Publisher Ron Epstein, Creative Director Elena Epstein, Editor-in-Chief Cassandra Lane, Digital Editor Nina Harada, Account Executive Chelsea Parrish and Michele Raphael, a frequent contributor.
