L.A. Times Concierge: '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 present our 17-year-old canine can’t beryllium near unsocial with a canine sitter for that long. And look, our feline is 15! Any recommendations for a peculiar meal (we unrecorded successful the Pasadena/Highland Park area) and possibly a small escapade wherever we would lone beryllium gone for shorter bursts? Hints: We emotion theater, movies, the beach, laughing and nutrient that is divine, but not truthful affluent you can’t basal up after. I besides can’t devour dairy. — Diane Kelber

Looking for things to bash successful L.A.? Ask america your questions and our adept guides volition 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 permission your canine for an extended play of time. Although you won’t beryllium capable to marque it to Paris this time, hopefully we tin bring glimpses of the romanticist metropolis to you present successful L.A. I’ve compiled a database of spots for you to make your ain adventure.

If you look intimately enough, you tin find slices of Europe successful L.A. Or arsenic my workfellow Christopher Reynolds erstwhile enactment it, places that purpose to “feed question dreams oregon punctual idiosyncratic of home.” A premier illustration of this are the galore French restaurants successful the 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 the L.A. Times database of 101 Best Restaurants. Located successful the downtown Arts District, Camélia merges French and Japanese cuisines. On the paper is uni pasta, hanger steak au poivre and a dry-aged burger with fries, which edifice professional Bill Addison says doesn’t necessitate immoderate twists due to the fact that “it’s simply a fantastic burger.”

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

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

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

For a picturesque day that feels similar you’ve been plopped onto a movie set, see the 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 determination 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 the 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 the charming balcony astatine Checker Hall successful Highland Park. Afterward, you tin cheque retired a unrecorded amusement adjacent doorway astatine the Lodge Room. And due to the fact that you emotion laughing, see checking retired Hollywood Improv, which hosts aggregate events passim the week.

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