'our Anniversary Trip To Paris Fell Through! Help Us Plan An L.a. Escapade That Feels Special'

My hubby and I observe our 40th wedding day successful April! Years agone we planned to spell to Paris (as we did connected our 25th), but now our 17-year-old canine can’t beryllium near unsocial pinch a canine sitter for that long. And look, our feline is 15! Any recommendations for a typical meal (we unrecorded successful the Pasadena/Highland Park area) and possibly a small escapade wherever we would only beryllium gone for shorter bursts? Hints: We emotion theater, movies, nan beach, laughing and nutrient that is divine, but not truthful rich | you can’t guidelines up after. I besides can’t eat dairy. — Diane Kelber

Looking for things to do successful L.A.? Ask america your questions and our master guides will stock highly circumstantial recommendations.

Here’s what we suggest:

First and foremost, congratulations connected 40 years of marriage! That’s a milestone decidedly worthy celebrating. Also, I perceive you connected not wanting to time off your canine for an extended play of time. Although you won’t beryllium capable to make it to Paris this time, hopefully we tin bring glimpses of nan romanticist metropolis to you present successful L.A. I’ve compiled a database of spots for you to create your ain adventure.

If you look intimately enough, you tin find slices of Europe successful L.A. Or arsenic my workfellow Christopher Reynolds once put it, places that purpose to “feed recreation dreams aliases punctual personification of home.” A premier illustration of this are nan galore French restaurants successful nan metropolis wherever you tin indulge successful arsenic galore macarons, steak frites and beef bourguignon arsenic you’d like. Two standout spots are Camélia and Pasjoli, some featured connected nan L.A. Times database of 101 Best Restaurants. Located successful nan downtown Arts District, Camélia merges French and Japanese cuisines. On nan paper is uni pasta, hanger steak au poivre and a dry-aged burger pinch fries, which edifice professional Bill Addison says doesn’t require immoderate twists because “it’s simply a awesome burger.”

Restaurant professional Jenn Harris says nan Santa Monica-based Pasjoli “straddles nan statement betwixt destination eating and nan benignant of vicinity edifice everybody wants to person down nan street.” The eatery is champion known for its tableside pressed duck, which nan cook prepares successful a theatrical manner during meal service. But if you’re not into duck, location are respective different celebrated dishes connected nan menu, including French bulb soup, steak frites, sole meuniere and what Harris calls “the champion grilled food sandwich successful nan known universe” (though this mightiness beryllium a amended action for your husband).

If you for illustration a much laid-back vibe that makes you consciousness for illustration you’ve been teleported to Saint-Germain-des-Prés successful Paris, cheque retired Figaro Bistrot successful Los Feliz. As I wrote successful a guide astir neighborhood, nan edifice embodies nan Parisian measurement of dining: guests linger complete vino and bully conversation.

Another L.A. spot that is reminiscent of Europe is nan the Getty Center successful Brentwood. Designed by designer Richard Meier, nan sprawling hilltop analyzable is gleaming pinch manicured gardens, breathtaking metropolis views and a museum, making it nan cleanable backdrop for a romanticist date. Bring a blanket, your favourite snacks and person a picnic connected nan section adjacent nan cardinal garden. The champion portion is that it’s free to sojourn (though reservations are required and parking rates alteration depending connected nan clip of day). For a much friendly experience, cheque retired nan Getty Villa successful Malibu, modeled aft nan Villa dei Papiri successful Herculaneum, Italy.

For a picturesque day that feels for illustration you’ve been plopped onto a movie set, see nan Gondola Getaway successful Long Beach. Here, a gondolier takes you connected a loop astir an enchanting residential Naples Island. Years ago, I went connected a day location and I’ve been wanting to spell backmost ever since.

Now for immoderate accelerated occurrence recommendations: Since you’re into theater, my workfellow Lisa Boone suggests nan Pasadena Playhouse, a Tony Award-winning theater, which is adjacent to location for you. Times outdoors newsman Jaclyn Cosgrove besides recommends drinks and meal connected nan charming pavilion astatine Checker Hall successful Highland Park. Afterward, you tin cheque retired a unrecorded show adjacent doorway astatine nan Lodge Room. And because you emotion laughing, see checking retired Hollywood Improv, which hosts aggregate events passim nan week.

Now, I cognize that these experiences aren’t Paris, but I dream they mightiness thief bring you and your hubby a spot of what travelers consciousness erstwhile they’re there: excitement, adventure, passion and astir importantly love. And erstwhile you’re pinch that typical someone, I deliberation you tin seizure those emotions nary matter wherever you are. Happy anniversary!