Romantic Lion:Lionel Richie takes girlfriend Lisa Parisa to dinner

It's just three weeks before the reboot of American Idol bursts back on to the screen.

And new judge Lionel Richie made the most of some down time by enjoying dinner with his longtime girlfriend Lisa Parisa and friends at Nobu in Malibu on Thursday evening.

The 68-year-old singer-songwriter and producer was all smiles as he and his group made their way to the valet station to pick up their cars.

The Dancing On The Ceiling hitmaker was dressed in a black leather jacket, black T-shirt. black jeans and shoes.

Lisa, who is many years younger than her beau, wore skin-tight, cropped black pants and a distinctive coat woven in black and white with a fringe that swept the floor despite adding inches to her height in stiletto ankle boots.