A twice-annual event, it's once again January in Los Angeles, and that means dineLA restaurant week is back with deals for diners. Nearly two weeks long, this is a prime time to try out new restaurants in far-flung parts of the city. Perhaps it's that chic restaurant in Venice or that charming date spot in the Eastside that's put together a reasonable prix fixe menu. There are a multitude of choices, from high to low, though many places just seem to dial it in because they know the average diner just wants chicken or salmon. To counter that, Eater has rummaged through the list and put together the 20 Best Picks for this Winter's dineLA, which runs from January 20-31. Lunch menus are priced at $15, $20, and $25, and dinner ranges from $25 to $85.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69951017/1-Screen_20Captures10dinela2014.0.0.0.jpg)
The 20 Best Picks for dineLA Restaurant Week, Winter '14

Cliff's Edge
Chef Vartan Abgaryan's refined, seasonal cooking at this Silver Lake classic makes it easy to tailor a three course meal with enough variety to give a two or four top a nice overview of the menu. Abgaryan's strength is subtly incorporating spices and flavors from a range of cuisines with strong technique.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049723/02-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2093329_20AM.0.0.jpg)
CUT
This modern steakhouse in Beverly Hills has a pretty hefty $85 menu that has everything from apps, seafood, and of course, perfectly cooked steak.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049725/01-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2022002_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Patina
This fine dining stalwart in Downtown still has some of the most approach high-end cooking in the city, and the five course, $85 menu is a great way to get reacquainted with this level of cuisine.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049729/04-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2093728_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Bouchon
Thomas Keller's upscale bistro in the heart of Beverly Hills is doing a very nice $45 dinner menu offering slight twists on French classics like mushroom risotto, coq au vin, and more.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049735/03-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2093346_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Craft
A perennial favorite during restaurant week, Craft melds comfort cooking with fantastic seasonal ingredients in a space that's one of the most impressive in the city. Throw in fantastic service, and it's hard not to laud the likes of pork with polenta and brussels leaves or duck sausage with lentils.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049739/05-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2093741_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Hamasaku
The lunch special here is a nice way to abscond to a corner of a rather nondescript strip mall near Century City. The 8 piece nigiri lunch comes with a hand roll, appetizer, and mochi ice cream.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049743/06-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2093808_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Picca Peruvian Cantina
This five course dinner special at Ricardo Zarate's modern Peruvian restaurant includes ceviche, arroz con pollo, pig trotter stew, and short rib with quinoa salad. Wash it down with Julian Cox's excellent cocktails.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049745/07-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2093835_20AM.0.0.jpg)
The Bazaar by José Andrés
One of the best interiors in the city, The Bazaar still makes solid interpretations of Spanish tapas. The flexible dineLA menu starts with a choice of bagel and lox cone or the famous "Philly" cheesesteak, plus three more dishes from the expansive bill of fare.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049747/08-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2093852_20AM.0.0.jpg)
The Wallace
This new Culver City restaurant features a nice selection of seasonal small plates like grilled hangar steak, braised pork cheeks, gruyere popovers and more for $45. Dessert included as well.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049749/09-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2093908_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air
The menu doesn't have as much selection, but the impressive space and terrific service more than make up. Plus a roasted kohlrabi soup, baked diver scallops or slow braised short ribs is likely to make it memorable evening dining in Bel Air.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049751/10-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094624_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Melisse Restaurant
This fine dining restaurant is often one of the most expensive places to dine in the city, but for $85, a five course bonanza awaits. Think wagyu beef tartare, tea smoked short ribs, and a chocolate peanut butter dessert in one of the most elegant dining rooms anywhere.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049753/11-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094148_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Black Hogg
This inventive Silver Lake restaurant pairs flavors from around the world in approach small plates like pork belly taco, garlic scallion string beans, jerk chicken with coconut rice, and lechon asado fries, all for a reasonable $35 a head.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049755/12-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094221_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Sotto
This Southern Italian restaurant still makes some of the best pasta in the city, in a fantastic underground space. The $35 menu includes a warm octopus salad, rigatoni with chicken liver ragu, and either a glass of wine, or choice of dessert.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049759/13-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094234_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Warren's Blackboard
This new comfort food entrant in the Valley by chef Warren Schwartz is a temporary affair until the more permanent concept comes along. Until then, try the hankerchief pasta with lamb neck ragu or diver scallops with kabocha squash risotto.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049765/14-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094250_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Waterloo & City
This true gastropub in Culver City has a $35 menu boasting pork wellington, hand-rolled rigatoni, and asparagus frisee salad in an expansive dining room that lets you stretch out and enjoy a comfortable dinner.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049777/15-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094306_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Also featured in:
Mud Hen Tavern
Susan Feniger retooled restaurant on Highland has a very inexpensive $25 dinner boasting green eggs & ham, lamb meatballs, and a cheeseburger featuring a Lindy & Grundy blend of grass-fed beef.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049783/16-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094317_20AM.0.0.jpg)
TLT Food
This inexpensive eatery in Westwood offers a salad, two tacos, an entree like blue crab grilled cheese or ahi tuna tostada, a choice of side, drinks and dessert. It's honestly enough for two people to share.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049789/17-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094329_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Also featured in:
The Larder at Burton Way
For just $25, enjoy a nice weeknight-friendly dinner of mac & cheese, market salad, lamb meatballs with bucatini, and a seasonal fruit buckle for dessert.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049795/18-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094341_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Hostaria Del Piccolo
A very reasonably priced $25 dinner can be had at this Santa Monica Italian restaurant, which includes fresh ricotta with seasonal mushrooms, a choice of pizza or pasta (think squid ink tagliolini) and a traditional dessert.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049801/19-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094355_20AM.0.0.jpg)
Also featured in:
Taberna Arros y Vi
This Spanish tapas spot has a $25 dinner with the likes of green lip mussels, bone-in rib eye chop steak, pork belly potatas bravas, and a cinnamon brioche bread pudding.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62049805/20-Fullscreen_20capture_201142014_2094414_20AM.0.0.jpg)