"What It Is: The Nice Guy opened in 2014 and is one of the few LA clubstaurants that can rightfully claim to be just as popular now as it was back then. The tiny, bungalow-like space on La Cienega is constantly filled with eager, well-dressed 25-year-olds whose parents are definitely covering rent as well as the occasional celebrity there to promote a product line. Verdict: This might be the only spot on the guide where we’d go solely for the food. The Italian-leaning menu isn’t redefining the cuisine, but the fact that you’re served pizza that comes out nicely charred and the rigatoni arrives al dente is, in the world of clubstaurants, basically like getting past the door guy in flip flops—a rarity. If you arrive at The Nice Guy before 10pm, you’ll actually find a dimly lit, somewhat romantic restaurant. After 10pm, it quickly adopts the feel of one of those lawless Laurel Canyon house parties where everyone gets an invite from someone else, but no one actually knows who lives there. " - brant cox
