Expert Picks: Gale Anne Hurd

36 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105 (map)

"A wonderful little bistro in an alley off Colorado Blvd in Old Town Pasadena. It has a terrific atmosphere, delicious crepes (the Florentine is my favorite) and reminds me of being in Paris. The staff is terrific and very welcoming."

1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108 (map)

"The Huntington has it all! Founded in 1919 by railroad magnate Henry Huntington, it encompasses 120 acres of exquisite gardens. The art collection includes Thomas Gainsborough's famous "The Blue Boy" and Edward Hopper's "The Long Leg." Their unsurpassed manuscript collection includes a 1455 Gutenberg Bible -- and Charles Bukowski's papers."

8164 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (map)

"This is my choice for a romantic dinner for two, although I've equally enjoyed larger parties here. This gem of a restaurant brings back wonderful memories of Provence, with its beautiful garden courtyard, adobe interior, delicious cuisine and impeccable service. You can't go wrong here."

1630 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041 (map)

"Behind an unassuming storefront you'll find one of the best bars in Los Angeles. Inside, I feel as if I've been transported to a cozy mountain lodge, apres-ski. If this place can't get you to relax and enjoy the evening, no place can."

54 E 1st St, New York, NY 10003 (map)

"Chef and owner Gabrielle Hamilton takes comfort food to an entirely new level. No bland food here, with delicious spaghetti carbonara, multiple takes on bloody marys, and a monte cristo sandwich that will have you coming back again and again."

3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (map)

"This is Daniel Boulud's take on a French Brasserie, set at Steve Wynn's opulent new Las Vegas hotel. Looking out on the hotel's lagoon, the restaurant has one of my favorite hamburgers: The DB Burger is stuffed with short ribs, foie gras and black truffles. What's not to love?"

437 S Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (map)

"The exquisite interior--designed by my favorite restaurant designer, Sat Garg--combined with modern California cuisine makes this high-end restaurant a must-visit. Chef Wade Hageman uses fresh local ingredients with the sensibility of a classic French approach to fine dining."

120 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013 (map)

"This amazing TriBeCa restaurant, with its two vaulted ceiling dining rooms ? one ivory, the other crimson ? is truly beautiful. Chef David Bouley's cooking is delicious, featuring exquisitely layered flavors."

Market and Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105 (map)

"Nirvana for the foodie! Located in an exquisite old ferry building perched on San Francisco Bay at the foot of Market Street, you'll find a veritable cornucopia of restaurants and vendors of all sizes and specialties. There is also a Farmers Market twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays."

1144 Ocean Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (map)

"Vix is over the top and proud of it. If you're living large, check out this restaurant with its eclectic menu that features spicy flavors from around the globe. Their Kopi Luwak espresso is made from the rarest coffee beans (and comes with a signed certificate attesting to same). Wow."

676 N St Clair St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

"Owned by Executive Chef Rick Tramonto, the award-winning chef and self-proclaimed 'mad scientist' and a magician, and his partner, Executive Pastry Chef Gale Grand, Tru is a home run. Their deceptively simple yet exquisite food looks ?and tastes ? like works of art, but without the stuffy pretentiousness."

3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (map)

"James Beard Award-winning chef Tom Colicchio's take on a steakhouse is a winner. Featuring Kobe Beef as well as a variety of seafood and steaks, Colicchio's approach is simple yet refined. The ingredients come from small family farms, which is a great way to support our nation's farmers and ranchers."

454 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

"My favorite place to hang out during the annual Comic-Con convention. Located in an historic warehouse in the former Red Light District, Stingaree has terrific decor, which includes a waterfall, rooftop cabanas, a fire pit and many levels of tables and private dining areas. A guaranteed fun evening."

12 Fourth St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (map)

"While filming Ang Lee's 'The Hulk,' I stayed [at the Hotel Palomar] and fell in love with the cuisine. Returning recently, I was even more impressed by the food Chef Melissa Perello prepared, who was named one of 'Food & Wine's' Best New Chefs. The restaurant has an impressive 1,400 bottle wine list."

10 Columbus Cir, 4th Fl, New York, NY 10019 (map)

"Who doesn?t love Thomas Keller? From his Michelin-starred Napa restaurant French Laundry to Manhattan's jewel, Per Se, Keller's cuisine can't be beat. If you can afford the best, and it is indeed expensive (with a $210 prix-fixe as the base, going up to and beyond $350) Per Se is worth the price."