Good-looking people, a beautiful atmostphere, gorgeously plated food: Ysabel is that woman you see on the street who straight-up stops you in your tracks. Thankfully, there's more to this West Hollywood restaurant than twinkling tea lights and Prada clutches. Chef Alison Trent spent time at Bouchon, French Laundry and Providence before making her way to Ysabel, and her culinary pedigree shows. Tuna crudo is accented by thin curls of cucumber and a sprinkling of cilantro, grilled flatbread comes topped with green mole and queso fresco, and a fantastic steak tartare is only made better with a heaping pile of perfectly crisp French fries beside it. Pasta is made in-house, so you'd be wise to order the squid ink spaghetti carbonara (far better than the one you might find at your neighborhood trattoria) or a sweet butternut squash variety.
A hefty cocktail list hosts some true stunners: the namesake libation featurs vodka, golden balsamic, strawberry and cracked pepper. but there is plenty of wine, too, including Ysabel's own brand: Chateau L'acoste. The only better way to finish off the meal is with dessert—maybe a banana bread pudding—and a hundred selfies taken on the see-and-be-seen staircase outside.