The phrase “hidden gem,” while now obscenely overused, might have been originally coined for Cliff’s Edge in Silver Lake. If there’s a more romantic garden outside of Eden, we haven’t seen it. And hidden it is: You can spot the place from the street, but once you walk through the door behind the valet lot, the restaurant unfolds like a midcentury fairy tale involving lots of rattan chairs, geometric tapestries and a long and lovely Redwood bar. The mission here is to score a spot on the patio, a two-level expanse anchored by a sprawling ficus tree strung with soft bulbs and circled by man-eating clamshells holding tea lights, where you can get into an even better fantasy—executive chef Hugues Quintard’s blend of French and Italian food rendered in perfect California style. Spicy ahi tuna tartare comes with mango and a sesame seaweed salad; a roma tomato confit on polenta croutons sparkles with microgreens, pesto and burrata. Pastas are sublime, from the simple spaghetti aglio e olio to a bountiful plate of pappardelle with braised oxtail. Rainbow trout, sea bass, and braised short ribs with honey bourbon barbecue sauce are entrées that will keep you at the table for a while—and maybe let Valentine’s Day come early this year.

Roma tomato confit, burrata, microgreens, pesto
Polenta cake, tarragon sauce, forest mushrooms, shaved Parmesan
Braised oxtail pappardelle, oxtail jus, cherry tomatoes
Pumpkin ravioli with sage and brown butter, sautéed spinach
Braised boneless short rib, fingerling potatoes, mushrooms
view full menu here

There’s really no debate here: Anywhere on the patio is the place to be.

Cliff’s patio is pet friendly, and canines are welcome. No doubt Lady and the Tramp have already booked for Valentine’s Day.

dinner: Mon.–Thurs. 6 PM–10:30 PM; Fri.–Sat. 6 PM–11 PM
brunch: Sat.–Sun. 11 AM–3 PM
no dinner service on Sunday

$14 (spaghetti with garlic and olive oil) to $28 (filet mignon)