WestsideLisa's Profile
Santa Barbara with kids?
We went to Pascucci tonight. They were friendly and kid-friendly (kids menu, booster seat, etc.) The view was great. We sat at a patio table, and could hear someone playing his guitar on State St.
I wasn't super hungry, so I ordered the blackened ahi salad. The fish was a bit over cooked for my taste, as I had asked for it seared rare. It was more like medium than rare. My husband had a risotto, which was a bit salty. But he enjoyed it.
Overall, we really enjoyed the atmosphere and friendly service. It was a really short walk from our hotel, so that was great.. The food was just okay, though. Really, it was fine for what we were looking for. Thanks for the recommendation!
Santa Barbara with kids?
Thank you so much for your help! Pascucci's looks like a great choice, especially if the food is a step up from Aldo's (?) Silvergreens looks like a great concept, but might be a tiny bit too casual for our one SB dinner this trip. Thanks again!
One other note...I know down here in Los Angeles, a lot of restaurants have children's menus but don't post them on their websites. They are usually printed on paper rather than as part of the "real" menu, and I guess they just don't bother to scan and post the paper ones.
Santa Barbara with kids?
Is it possible places have children's menus, but you just don't know about it because you don't visit with kids? We went to Enterprise Fish Co last time we were in town, and they had a children's menu. We didn't really enjoy our meal, but they did have a menu ;-)
Chains serve their purpose, but since we only have one dinner in town, I wanted to try something unique to SB.
Thanks for your help!
Santa Barbara with kids?
Good question as to what "kid friendly" might mean. I can only answer for myself, the mom of a 4 year old. For us, it absolutely does NOT mean Chuck E Cheese! If we wanted to go there (but we don't...unless we are forced to for a birthday party), we wouldn't post on Chowhound to find it. Likewise, if we wanted a family friendly chain restaurant (Chili's, CPK, Outback), we could find that on our own.
So when I ask for kid-friendly on Chow, I am looking for a non-chain, causal restaurant that has a children's menu. That is the ideal. Having a children's menu is one sure fire way to know that a restaurant is kid friendly. But it's not necessarily a deal breaker if they don't have one, as sometimes you can just share a meal. This is especially true with restaurants serving family style...I've never seen a kid's menu at a Chinese restaurant, as it's not necessary. If there's something for the child to look at (people walking down the street, someone playing music, etc.), that's a plus, but for us, it's more important to have a kid-friendly menu. A place with a really happening/loud bar scene is not kid-friendly. A lively buzz, as you put it, would be fine...but our one 4 year old really doesn't make a lot of noise believe it or not!
So, in summary, kid friendly for us means casual, non-chain, not a "night club" or big bar scene, and a children's menu if at all possible.
Santa Barbara with kids?
Thank you! I remember going to Aldo's in the mid-80's when I was at UCSB. It's still there, huh? That must mean something! I am going to check out all of your suggestions. Thanks!
Santa Barbara with kids?
I'm replying to bump this up, as I have the same question. I'm just looking for one kid-friendly dinner on a Sunday night. We are staying on State near Carrillo, so I know we are close to Paseo Nuevo but I don't really want carry-out food. Maybe American or Italian? Thanks.
Lobster at The Palm in WeHo
Has anyone been lately? We were big fans for many years, but the last time we went (almost a year ago), the lobster was just plain bad. It was overcooked (burned, really)...so bad that the manager said he had to take a chisel to it in order to even get the meat out of the claw. They cooked new lobsters for us, and while they were better, they still weren't great.
I'm on the fence. Do I try again, and chalk it up to a bad night? Or do I stay away, and simply mourn the passing of what used to be my favorite place for lobster? It's expensive, so I'm a little nervous about taking the risk!
Holiday Gift Certificate Help
I appreciate all of the help and insight. I decided I wanted something not too "fancy", and with minimal out of pocket. Unless someone tells me "don't do it!", I'm going with Animal.
Holiday Gift Certificate Help
But it's not where "could" we go...it's where "should" we go? If someone were giving you the gift certificate, which restaurant would you choose?
Holiday Gift Certificate Help
It would be for 2 people. It doesn't have to cover the entire meal, but I would like to try to keep the out of pocket to around $50-$75.
Holiday Gift Certificate Help
My out-of-town in-laws want to get me a restaurant gift certificate as a holiday gift. I'm guessing it will be in the $150-$200 range. I would love some help picking a place! Location is no issue, and open to all cuisines. Will order 2 glasses of wine, not a bottle (wine list is not at the top of the list...food is). Been to Spago, Hatfield's, Josie, Jar, AOC, Water Grill...was thinking maybe Osteria Mozza, but not sure. Cut and Providence would be too expensive, I think. What say you, oh helpful 'Hounds?
50th Anniversary Party
I looked at their site, and it doesn't look like they serve lunch. Or did I miss something? I agree that the food MUST be better than the country club!
Depending on where in Alexandria, I actually think it could work as it would be less than a 15 minute drive. So I'm open to suggestions there as well.
Thanks everyone!
50th Anniversary Party
Thanks for the suggestion. I mapped it out, and it looks to be about a half hour away...which I think is too much for this particular crowd. But thank you for the suggestion!
50th Anniversary Party
Is the budget the reason it doesn't work? If so, we are flexible on that.
50th Anniversary Party
It does not need to be "formal", but I would like it to be nice (e.g. maybe "business casual' in nature). There are going to be a lot of people in their late 60's and 70's as well as some kids, so I want something relatively tame...maybe sticking to American or Italian, nothing exotic. We are flexible on budget, but was hoping for something around $25/person to include all food & soft drinks...will pay additional for alcohol, tax & tip.
Thanks!
50th Anniversary Party
Bumping up since there were no replies. Did I post on the wrong board? Or...maybe I'm looking for something that doesn't exist in the Arlington area? Thanks.
50th Anniversary Party
I'm in Los Angeles, trying to help plan a 50th anniversary celebration in the Arlington area. The party will be a luncheon on a Saturday in July, with approximately 40 guests (including some children). I am looking for a restaurant that has a private room and solid food...it doesn't have to be the best food in the world, but I'm hoping for a step up from banquet food.
To put things in perspective, the top contender right now is the Army Navy Country Club. The guests of honor are members, so there is a push to have the event there. I think it will be very expensive for yucky banquet food. Please help me...if I have no better suggestions, then I will be destined to eat rubber chicken and wilted salad! Something near Crystal City, Shirlington, etc., would be ideal.
Thanks!
Scottsdale for 5th Anniversary
I will give it another try, and appreciate all of the help from this board!
And, yes, the Canyon Suites was over the top!
Scottsdale for 5th Anniversary
We were not the only ones waiting at T. Cook's. There were 3 or 4 parties waiting in the bar area, and all were seated somewhere between 8:15-8:20. I'm guessing they were all 8:00 reservations, but no way to be sure. I think the food would fall into the "fair to good" range for our meal. Service was excellent, and the dessert was very good.
I forgot to mention that we had lunch at Cowboy Ciao. Kind of a funky place...wasn't quite sure what to make of the menu, but that chopped salad was unique and tasty!
We still had a wonderful trip. And while this is off topic, if you ever get to stay at the Canyon Suites, it's wonderful!
Scottsdale for 5th Anniversary
Thanks for the info. We actually just got back from our trip -- ended up at T. Cook's for our anniversary dinner and Los Sombreros for our casual Saturday dinner.
Honestly, we weren't blown away by the food at either location. They were both "fine", but really nothing spectacular IMO.
T. Cook's: We had to wait a little more than 15 minutes for our 8:00 reservation, so that didn't start out on the best of notes. It was puzzling, as there were many open tables. Once we were seated, the service was excellent. The table was decorated for our anniversary, and our server was very informative. He also hooked us up with LOTS of extra wine, so that was a plus. I started with the crab cake, which I did not care for. It was very, very crispy/crunchy, and didn't really have any flavor. DH had the short rib ravioli to start, and it was also bland. The sauce was not to our liking either. For entrees, I had the paella and DH had the duck. The paella was enormous. Seriously...could have been shared by 4 people. It was tasty, and packed with fun things. I enjoyed it, but it didn't rock my world. DH enjoyed his duck. I tasted it, and thought it was just okay. We shared some chocolate dessert, which was quite good.
Los Sombreros was a bit pricey for Mexican food, but it also wasn't your typical rice-and-beans kind of place. DH had the lamb shank and I had the carnitas. Both were plentiful and tasty. I thought the chips and tortillas were both mediocre. They just didn't taste homemade to me.
Overall, the food choices were fine for us. Both restaurants were convenient to our hotel, and we had nice meals.
Thanks for all of the recommendations! We really had a wonderful weekend in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale for 5th Anniversary
Does anyone know if there is a decent Mexican casual restaurant for our Saturday night dinner? Something nea-ish to the hotel would be great. Thanks!
Indian in SFV
I've been many times...they actually have a location in Encino now (haven't been to that one though). I'd love to go there, but the person coming from Burbank (who then needs to go to Simi Valley) just can't make the drive that night. We really need something in the East Valley :-)
Thanks!
Indian in SFV
Hmm...okay in a pinch doesn't sound so great. Woodlands is too much of a hike on a weeknight for the person coming from Burbank. It would take her forever to get there.
Any other ideas?
Indian in SFV
Looking for good Indian food in the East Valley (one person is coming from Burbank, the others from Encino/Sherman Oaks...so maybe Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Studio City, etc.).
Is Bollywood Cafe in Studio City any good? Any other ideas?
Thanks.
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Bollywood Cafe
11101 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
Rice & Beans in the Valley
I would not only order the rice and beans again, but I want to go back to La Fogata to try the food. When I was waiting for my order, I saw the other food going by...and it looked good to me.
Refried beans, IMO, have more flavor than black beans. I had intended to get the former when I posted the question on this board. But when I got to the restaurant, the employee asked which I wanted. I decided to go with the more healthy/less flavorful option since I knew the people I was buying for were all watching their weight :-) But if it had been just for me, I would have chosen refried with the cheese!
Looking forward to going back sometime. I also noticed a place called Delimex near by...that might be interesting too.
Rice & Beans in the Valley
Ended up at La Fogata, as it was geographically desirable and looked good. Just got some black beans and rice. Nothing earth-shattering, but everyone seemed happy with the food.
Thanks for the rec.
Rice & Beans in the Valley
Thanks. I just need enough for 4-5 people...not a party tray or anything.
Mexican Rice & Beans
I'm looking for take-out, family-sized Mexican rice & beans for tonight. If I have to go the chain route, which of the usual suspects has the best?
Rice & Beans in the Valley
I'm looking for take-out, family-sized Mexican rice & beans for tonight. Obviously, there are chains options such as Baja Fresh or Poquito Mas. But is there anything better than this somewhere in the Sherman Oaks/Van Nuys/Encino area?
