Alto

Walking into Alto feels like stepping into a luxury hunting lodge somewhere in Patagonia. This upscale Studio City spot, helmed by chefs from Argentina and Uruguay with fine dining backgrounds, centers everything around a towering two-tiered brasero with leaping flames and glowing embers. If you’re seated nearby, expect your forehead to glisten from the heat—it’s all part of the experience.

The evening begins in the front bar where mixologists craft elaborate cocktails using unexpected ingredients like sourdough-washed whiskey, magnolia nectar, and corn salt. Drinks might arrive in a traditional mate gourd or topped with a smoke bubble you pop with your nose. It’s theatrical and delicious, setting the stage for what’s to come. The pork txuleta is the standout protein—a massive chop cured in kombu that tastes like the world’s best applewood-smoked bacon with an oceanic depth. Don’t skip the piquillo peppers confited in beef tallow until they spread like butter; they’re arguably the best bite in the house.

This is the kind of place where you come to watch the show unfold while spending freely. The cave-like dining room frames the blazing hearth at one end, and your server becomes your trusted guide through an extensive menu. The bread service—while pricey at $14-17 per selection—delivers glorious bites like cheese-laced chipa with tomato butter and flaky criollo with herb butter.

For anyone tired of the typical steakhouse experience with its predictable wedge salads and creamed spinach, Alto offers something genuinely different. It’s a splurge-worthy destination perfect for special occasions, impressive client dinners, or dates where you want to make a lasting impression. Just come prepared for the adventure—and the bill.