The Barish

Step into The Barish and you’ll understand why the phrase “Old Hollywood” still carries weight. Nestled inside the legendary Hollywood Roosevelt—the venue that hosted the very first Academy Awards—this Italian steakhouse from celebrated chef Nancy Silverton captures that timeless glamour without feeling like a dusty relic. The grand dining room features ornate chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and a sweeping marble bar where well-dressed patrons sip martinis with purpose. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to dress up.

The menu showcases Silverton’s mastery of Italian-American classics with a few surprises. The steak tartare stands out as a must-order, arriving deconstructed with piles of buckwheat, mustard seeds, and kohlrabi, accompanied by shiso leaves for building your own little wraps. It’s aromatic, bright, and completely different from the typical preparation. The pizza fritta delivers pure comfort—a giant pocket of crispy fried dough topped with an absurd amount of fresh ricotta. And the rigatoni stuffed with squash and goat cheese tastes like the holidays in pasta form.

The experience at The Barish strikes a particular balance. It lacks the rowdy energy of some Hollywood haunts and isn’t trying to be overtly sexy or sceney. Instead, it delivers something increasingly rare: a dining room that makes you feel genuinely special from the moment you walk through the door. Start with their namesake martini, fennel-forward and refreshing, and end with the silky olive oil gelato.

Whether you’re entertaining clients who need convincing that LA knows fine dining, taking parents somewhere impressive, or simply want an excuse to get dressed up and enjoy an excellent meal, The Barish delivers. It’s pre-theater dining at its best, a proper occasion restaurant that leaves you thinking about the food long after you’ve left.