New Spring Dishes at The Nice Guy

Tucked behind an unassuming entrance on La Cienega, The Nice Guy continues to thrive as one of Los Angeles’ most popular dinner-and-late-night destinations. It’s part restaurant, part lounge, and part private Hollywood party. It’s a very good Italian supper club combined with a velvet-draped speakeasy. It’s also both a celebrity hangout and an old Hollywood style dining destination.

Inside is very dark, illuminated by flickering candles, low amber lighting, and the glow from the marble-and-brass bar that anchors the dining room. Plush booths curve around the space, creating pockets for conversation while live musicians and jazz-inspired sets drift through the background. Early evening energy is romantic and intimate and late hours change into a lively buzzy social scene.

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While many guests arrive for the atmosphere, the food is what is really outstanding about The Nice Guy. Chef Nick Intonti has created a menu full of Italian comfort food where every dish is worth ordering. Appetizers include burrata and prosciutto with spring pea pesto; spicy shrimp scampi; fried calamari; beef carpaccio with herb aioli; tuna crudo with pickled chili and citrus and Molinari’s meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce. There is a large variety of pizzas including a margherita, pepperoni, mushroom with porcini cream, lobster in vodka sauce and black truffle bianca. Pastas include cacio e pepe; rigatoni bolognaise mushroom risotto with spring peas and truffle butter; spaghetti pomodoro; fusilli wit sausage, black truffle cream and peas; and a spicy lobster bucatini with Calabrian chili. Main courses include a big burger with maple glazed bacon; eggplant parmesan; pan roasted branzino with fennel, green olive and lemon; chicken parmesan; chicken piccata; porcini rubbed skirt steak; ribeye with balsamic brown butter and lamb chops with aged balsamic. Sides include truffle fries, fried potatoes with peppers and mint salsa verde, charred broccolini, and roasted Brussels sprouts with Caesar dressing and feta.

Desserts include a delicious pistachio panna cotta, affogato, chocolate chip bread pudding, chocolate chip cookies, tiramisu and sorbet.

The bar deserves its own spotlight with original cocktails including their Kiss of Sun with vodka, limoncello, bergamot, lemon and peach bitters; Champagne Papi with gin, brut, peach liqueur, mango, lemon and honey and their La Dolce Vita with tequila, raspberry, lemon and ramazzotti.

Like many h.wood Group venues, exclusivity are part of the brand identity. Upon entrance is a sign proclaiming “No Photos,” which keeps the Old Hollywood feel and welcomes conversation rather than Instagram imaging. In an era dominated by bright dining rooms and social-media-first restaurants, this Italian hideaway remains committed to mood, mystery, and atmosphere.

The Nice Guy is located at 401 N. La Cienega Boulevard, 310.360.9500.