Dine alongside stars, stylists, paparazzi and journalists at the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City. During awards season, the hotel’s Mari restaurant, lobby and event rooms often buzz with celebrities.

The white interior at Mari is bright and elegant. (photo by Jill Weinlein)

At the hotel’s club-like Copper Lounge bar, enjoy an aperitif. As I waited for the rest of my party to arrive, I tried the bar’s new Valentine’s Day cocktail called the Rosé Mule. It’s like a Moscow Mule made with Hangar 1 rosé-infused vodka, rose water, thyme simple syrup, a squeeze of lemon and a splash of ginger beer. It was refreshing and pretty too.

When my party arrived, we were led to a table in the elegantly white Mari dining room for dinner. After looking over the menu, which fea­tures California cuisine blended with global flavors, we started with a couple appetizers, including the fresh Kumamoto oysters served with a sake cocktail sauce and blood orange caviar. We also tried the Brussels sprouts, which were flashed fried and tossed with a zesty yuzu vinaigrette. Topping it off, roasted pistachios sprinkled with chili added a crunchy and pleasing texture.

I was particularly impressed with the roasted bone marrow served to spread on sourdough toast with onion jam. It had a slightly nutty taste with a delicate texture. Another favorite was the vinegary Filipino-style tuna ceviche with crunchy taro chips.

The menu also includes vegan options, such as the layered zucchi­ni and eggplant lasagna, which my vegan friend was happy to see. The dish was filled with creamy tofu ricotta and topped with bright red marinara and plant-based cashew Parmesan cheese for an innovative twist on the Italian classic.

We shared a seafood paella with grilled prawns, mussels, clams, squid and chorizo on saffron risotto. It was flavorful and large enough for all of us.

We then finished on a sweet note with scoops of homemade Tahitian vanilla, banana and Nutella, choco­late, and matcha mint ice cream, as well as the dairy-free vegan coconut, strawberry and mango sor­bet. After a spicy meal, the treat was perfect for cooling off.

For Valentine’s Day, Mari is rolling out the red carpet and treat­ing everyone like a star. The roman­tic three-course dinner is $55 per person. The menu features a starter choice between Kumamoto oysters or roasted bone marrow toast. Entrées include a herb butter Manhattan-cut New York strip with charred broccolini, fried shallots and horseradish pomme purée, or a fresh simmered snapper topped with a sake soy glaze and fried tofu salad. Finish with a chocolate cake with crème fraîche ice cream or a special white chocolate dessert with rose, raspberry and pistachio. Pair your dinner with a festive glass of bubbly Chandon rosé or the Valenthyme’s Day Bubbles cocktail made with Chandon sparkling wine, thyme and macerated cranberries. $$ 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, (310)284-6536.