Here’s where to go on Date Night in Studio City that Feels New

Studio City is a Los Angeles neighborhood located in the San Fernando Valley. It’s nestled between Toluca Lake and Sherman Oaks and is below North Hollywood. As the name suggests, it’s named after the studio lot that was established in the area, now known as CBS/Radford. Now that you know where you are, it’s time to know where to go on date night in Studio City.

Restaurants in Studio City

The restaurants in Studio City are overwhelmingly located on a stretch of Ventura Boulevard. They tend to be a mix of trendy second locations and restaurants that have been there for decades. The vibe overall is casual, even if you’re dropping a few hundred for dinner. There is a lot of Sushi, including one I’ll be reviewing in this post, with a price point below Asanebo and more around Leona’s Sushi House – both in the Michelin guide.

For A Casual Date Night that feels Fancy, Yume Sushi

Yume Sushi is one of those places where you’re not sure if you’ve overdressed – but it’s date night, so you sort of want to. The quality of the food is excellent, and the sushi combinations are very unique.

Instead of Miso Soup, try the Chilean Sea Bass Soup with mushrooms, which can easily be split between two guests.

When you get to Appetizers, try Crispy Rice Spicy Shrimp instead of Spicy Tuna.

There is a large variety of Sushi, Specialty Rolls, and Sashimi Specials, so a little bit of everything is the way to go.

2 Pieces of Toro Sushi to Start will give you a sense of the nature of the restaurant.

The Citrus Roll is very refreshing, and the Green Dragon, which is filled with blue crab instead of spicy tuna, is a must-order. There’s also a Seabass Roll if you didn’t have the soup at the beginning.

You also can’t go wrong with a Sashimi Special, with fish cut impossibly thin and topped with caviar, truffle, or serrano peppers.

As far as Drinks, they have a large variety of Sake, along with Wine, Beer, and Non-Alcoholic Beverages like Yuzu Soda and Green Tea.

Expect to spend between $120 and $150 for two people if you pull out all the stops.

For When You’re Craving Pizza, but it’s Date Night: Roberta’s or Prince Street.

It’s not a coincidence that some of the best pizza in Los Angeles has found its way to Studio City for their second locations. Go to Prince Street if you’re craving a thicker Sicilian Square Pie and Roberta’s if you’re looking for something thin and light. Neither of these has dining rooms worth writing home about, though, so you’re going to have to pair it with something a little more decadent — more on that later :).

Expect to spend between $40 and $50 for two people. This isn’t Dominos.

For a Classic Night Out without the Kids: Firefly

Firefly has been buzzing around for decades because it’s that perfect blend of ambiance and good eating. You feel like you’re having dinner in a lounge, which is why it’s more fun if it’s just the adults.

The food is American, with dishes like Mary’s Duck Breast and Steak Frites – but if you have the time to really sit and enjoy yourself – go with the Chef’s Prix-Fixe ($78).

Appetizers include the Bigeye Tuna Tartare or Meatballs; Entreés are Atlantic Salmon or Mushroom Pappardelle along with the ones I listed above; and Dessert includes Molten Chocolate or Sticky Toffee Cake. The Steak Frites is $48 on its own, so depending on what you order, you can really get the value of choosing three courses; also, it makes date night feel more special.

For Really Good Pasta: Uovo

Uovo is designed with date night in mind because all their Tasting Menus are meant to be shared between two guests. The Classic includes Yellowtail Crudo, Pomodorini e Basilico, Vongole, and Pomodoro and finishes with a Tiramisu al cucchiaio for $34 a person. The Cheese & Truffle and The Regional are just $3 more and include different pasta choices.

For When Money is No Object: Asanebo

If you want to impress your partner, take them to Asanebo for a dazzling array of Omakase Sushi options. Opened since 1991, Chef Tetsuya Nakao helped pave the way for upscale Sushi in Los Angeles, and while he remains a figurehead, he allows other chefs to shine.

The price of an omakase isn’t advertised, but for about $200 a person, you can eat everything on the menu. The atmosphere is “strip mall chic,” but everything looks better after dark.

For a Hidden Gem of a Date Night in Studio City: Velvet Martini Lounge

The Velvet Martini Lounge opened just this year, but it feels like a hidden gem that’s just been recently discovered. Located above the Italian restaurant Vitellos, it’s a jazz bar that harkens back to Old Hollywood and conveniently opens at 5 p.m. This is great if you have kids and can’t stay out all night, but FYI, the music doesn’t start until at least 7 p.m. There are no windows, so it’s a little like Las Vegas, but the endless night justifies a 5 p.m. Martini.

There’s even a speakeasy-style bar inside the lounge called The Rendition Room, where you should go if you care more about cocktails than music.

Food is offered if you’d like to make the Velvet Martini Lounge your only stop of the night, but I recommend sticking to just drinks if you can. The 2-hour maximum time per table makes that an easy choice.

Reservations are a must at both – especially The Rendition Room – but there’s nothing like a nightcap to cap off date night.