First & Hope is the kind of ultra swank hotspot that’s begging you to come and play on a night out. A glitzy “supper club” where the hostess wears a pearl colored gown, live jazz filters through the joint, and a purplish flush from the chrome and LED lights illuminates the tables. This new downtown restaurant, across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, couples flashy ambiance with proto-Southern tavern food, and it’s working.

Inside you’ll find an L-shaped dining room filled with stylish booths and banquettes, large chandeliers, and a well dressed staff. The fully stocked bar is complemented by pearlescent walls and a curved ceiling. And to add to the glam, Mad Men assistant costume ...