Bit of Bohemia in Silver Lake, Los Feliz Areas

One of the older neighborhoods of Los Angeles, the Los Feliz/Silver Lake area between Echo Park to the east and Hollywood to the west, is full of little places for late-night dining. Convenient from Downtown, Hollywood or a show at the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park, the area is a uniquely Bohemian mix of residential and commercial streets to the north of Sunset Boulevard, and stays wide awake until late almost every night.

However, the popular artist’s cafe, the Onyx in the Vista Theater building, is closing down. But try one of the following restaurants for late-night dining or drinks:

Sarno’s Caffe Dell Opera Restaurant, 1712 N. Vermont Ave., (213) 662-3403. Open weekdays until 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday till 1 a.m. Parking in back. Reservations are a must. This popular restaurant, which features piano and singing seven nights a week, is almost always packed, but worth a short wait. Recommended by the owner is the Baked Oven Chicken, marinated overnight and served with special sauce. Beer and wine. Casual.

Palermo Italian Restaurant, 1858 N. Vermont Ave., (213) 663-1178. Open Fridays and Saturdays until 11:30 p.m., weekdays to 10:30. Parking in back of building and on street. Reservations are not accepted. This is also a popular restaurant, small and intimate, so expect to wait. Specialty of the house: Baked Mostaccioli (pasta) with red clam sauce. Beer and wine.

La Villa Taxco, 4444 W. Sunset Blvd., (213) 665-5751. Open weekdays till 11 p.m., Fridays until 1 a.m. and Saturdays till midnight. Reservations for dinner recommended. Valet parking. A large restaurant with a full cocktail bar, there’s rarely a wait here, though it’s often crowded. The specialties are Sizzling Fajitas, beef, chicken, shrimp or any combination thereof.

Michael’s Los Feliz Restaurant, 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., (213) 665-1181. Open weekdays until 11:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays till midnight; reservations suggested. Valet parking. Nightly musical entertainment is provided for dancing and listening. The specialty is prime rib. But also try seafood specials, such as deep-fried shrimp in rice-beer batter. Cocktail bar.

El Chavo, 4441 W. Sunset Blvd., (213) 664-0871. Open till 11 p.m. weekdays, Fridays and Saturdays to midnight. No reservations or credit cards accepted. Parking in back. Locally famous for its margaritas, El Chavo has a large selection of Spanish and Mexican food. Try the Chicken Sonora: poached chicken sauteed with bacon, chilis, tomatoes, onions and ripe olives. Cocktail bar.

Gloria’s Cafe, 3603 W. Sunset Blvd., (213) 664-5732. Open weekdays until 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays till 11 p.m. Parking in back. Reservations recommended--it’s small but popular. (A deep blue neon sign makes it hard to miss.) Gloria’s serves a variety of American dishes, but specialties are Cajun chicken fettuccine and Cajun-style meatloaf. Beer and wine.

El Cid Show Restaurant, 4212 W. Sunset Blvd., (213) 668-0318. Open until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays and midnight Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday--but sometimes closes earlier during the week, so call ahead; closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Reservations recommended. Ample street parking. El Cid occupies a Historical Landmark building, being the site of the first Hollywood sound studio, built in 1903 by D. W. Griffith. This popular Spanish restaurant features original flamenco dancing and music. There is a $7 show charge if you are not dining. The specialty is paella, “A Feast From Spain”: bay shrimp, lobster, clams, squid, scallops, mussels, pork, chicken and assorted vegetables served with saffron rice. Cocktail bar.