Seal the Deal Meals: The Haute 5 Places to Power Lunch in L.A.

Pitching a new project, especially in this town, isn’t easy. There’s so much to think about: first it’s who you know, then it’s what you drive, from there it’s how you dress, where you eat, and what you thought of the last blockbuster that came out. Only once you’ve passed those tests do you really have an audience with any of LA’s power players. That’s why we’ve come up with a list to rid you of the stress of suggesting a lunch spot (should you choose the wrong one). Here they are: some of LA’s most haute power lunch spots that really show you mean business.

Osteria Mozza

When you want to butter someone up, there’s little that works as well as a touch of la dolce vita.  Before pitching your multi-million dollar idea to a potential investor, wouldn’t you rather order him some Burrata from a Mozzarella Bar or maybe some Grilled Quail wrapped in Pancetta?  He or she will be much more in the mood to accept your proposal with a healthy dose of Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton’s Italian cuisine at Osteria Mozza.  If you can hear each other over the madness next door (and if you wear jeans to work), Pizzeria Mozza will do the trick as well.

Osteria Mozza is located at 6602 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles.  (323) 297-0100

Grill on the Alley

For over 25 years, the Grill on the Alley has been hosting celebrities, socialites, and power suits alike.  Locals call it simply The Grill, and its name alone conjures memories of classic American cuisine and images of deals being made and/or broken.  The Peppered Filet Medallions can always sweeten a lunch meeting gone sour while the Pan Fried Whitefish is a perfect dish for a nervous stomach – worry not, if you suggested a place like The Grill, you’ve already won half the battle.

The Grill on the Alley is located at 9560 Dayton Way in Beverly Hills.  (310) 276-0615

Spago

The quintessential Los Angeles restaurant, run by one of LA’s master chefs Wolfgang Puck, serves their famous Cote de Boeuf for Two and their Beet Layer Cake to some of LA’s most powerful players.  Sitting down in the courtyard toward the front versus the larger booths in the back, for example, may send a particular message to the regulars.  It all depends on how private you’d like your conversation to be.  Put it this way, letting a couple of Kumamoto oysters slide down between looks at your companies expense reports may be best done toward the back (a popular choice with regular diner Sidney Poitier), while that Lobster Cobb Salad and a light talk about your forthcoming raise may be better suited to the front courtyard.  Location, location, location.

Spago is located at 176 N. Canon Drive in Beverly Hills (310) 385-0880

Barneys Greengrass

If your power lunch is more like a power “quick bite between meetings,” Barneys Greengrass is the perfect spot.  Located on the top floor of Barneys in Beverly Hills, its menu is full of delicious and healthy salads, breakfast all day, and an impressively long list of smoked fish.  Grab a table outside so you can catch the lovely view of the hills above Sunset Blvd. and have a chat with that colleague or client who is on the fence, but basically playing for your team.  Their White Fish Tuna Salad will have you coming back for more.  As will their French fries.

Barneys Greengrass is located in Barneys New York at 9570 Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills (310) 777-5877

Zucca

Need we remind you that a fool proof way of using food to your advantage is to go Italian? Pick your out of town client up from the Biltmore (obviously) and head to Zucca Ristorante, another jewel in Patina’s shining crown of downtown LA restaurants.  As opposed to its mastery of French cuisine at Patina, though, Zucca offers traditional Italian fare in a gorgeous setting that feels very much like a New York bistro.  Everything from the Polpettine (Tuscan meatballs) to their Grilled Chicken have a delightfully simple taste, which signifies Italian food done well.  If Zucca doesn’t help your case, we’re not sure what will.

Zucca is located at 801 S. Figueroa St. in Downtown LA (213) 614-7800