He thought Fogo de Chao was a great idea. Thanks to all for your suggestions. I will let y'all know how it was.

That's actually very funny! Thanks but I don't have enough miles.

He thinks it takes too long to eat out. He likes to get food, eat it and go. He doesn't get the whole social aspect. And we love to eat out as does his sister. Wish that was not the case.

Funny, we've been talking about going there for years. Now our daughter lives walking distance from there (she works @ Cedars). Good idea! Not Mongolian but better for us. Not sure we can convince him but worth a shot. Thanks again.

Thanks very much for the feedback! Or is it feedbag?

Big Wok seems to be the overwhelming choice. Is it worth a 60 mile drive? I'll do it gladly if it is but from reading yelp (I know, consider the source) I'm not sure.

Our teenage son is not a big fan of eating out but he loves the Mongolian Barbeque in Thousand Oaks. For his birthday this weekend we want to take him to a quality one in Los Angeles. Any ideas? He's not a particularly big eater but I understand that the All-U-Can-Eat craze is big in this style.

Pacific's Edge: 5+ stars for food, -1 for service. Strange how a place with such superb food and views (now there's a combo of words rarely seen in the same sentence) places so little emphasis on the quality of service. Arrive about 1 hour before sunset and marvel at view, then after sunset watch the bats fly in the illuminated darkness. Really.
Basil: Top quality dishes in a very, very small space at reasonable prices. Dishes are very fresh and locally sourced.
Nepenthe: About 45 mins south of Carmel. Try and luck out with a warm sunny day and you will enjoy a great daytime dining experience. Food is what it is, stick with what they do well. Cocktails, sandwiches and salads. Enjoy the view, its why you are there.
Abalonetti: Monterey Fisherman's Wharf. OK, its in a tourist trap. But 99 cent fanny bays?? There were great, fresh and cheap. Can't buy that for less in the store. Dishes are perfectly prepared here and drink specials abound. Register online and get free app.

Thanks for the quick reply. My daughter leaves in that area and has an out of town guest from Pensacola, FLA wanting authentic Chinese.

I need recommendations for good/great Chinese food in Robertson/Olympic area within 10 miles. And its just 2 people so please keep that in mind. Large groups are always better as one can order more dishes to sample.

A year from now in LA? Surely you jest. Restaurants come and go here like mad, even the very good ones, and some good ones are not so good in a short time. Today, I recommend Fraiche in Culver City, AOC in Fairfax (small plates), Mastros in BH for steak (have not been to Cut but it is supposed to be very good), Spago tasting menu with wine pairing remains the best dinner we have had. If you want a view of Pacific, Geoffrey's of Malibu is best, with Paradise Cove very cool view but just beach food. Remind me again in Winter. LA is a great food town despite rumors to the contrary. You must also go to Pinks for a late nite hot dog experience 2nd to none. Oh, Crustacean and Grace also not to be missed. Valentino in West LA has best wine list you've ever seen and food to match, depending on what is special. I hope this gives you something to think about. Campanille also good for typcially Italianized California, but its not fine dining.

Thanks very much for your reply. Funny thing is, I checked my reservations again and realized I had already booked Talula's for Sunday brunch! I must have heard from somewhere that it was the place to go...now its confirmed.
Yes, I realize that Ortanique is in Coral Gables but we have a car so I'm looking forward to it. I hope its worth the drive, since any drive now needs to be worth something....

Wow!!! This is amazing, what a list. Thanks very much. If you ever come to LA and need to find places to go, let me know and I'll try to help. Or Vegas... but that's been and being covered extensively.

My wife and I will be traveling to South Beach (4 nights) and Key West (3 nights) from Southern California in mid-June and want some ideas for Cuban food, interesting/unusual places to eat and Sunday brunch. We will have a car and we are fairly adventurous but would prefer to stay close to South Beach (I try not call it SoBe). We have reservations at Emerils, Ortanique, Sardinia and Prime 112 for now. The Cuban place would likely be for lunch but we're open for making changes to our arrangements. We're staying near 10th and Collins so I hope that's going to be a good spot for most places to walk to whenever possible. One of our favorite restaurants in LA is (soon to be was) Table 8 so that may help steer us in the right direction. We somehow plan to stop at Table 8 in Miami as well.

So, what is the "grandiose resto"? We will be in Vegas Aug 16-19 and would like to know....I plan on dining at Bouchon 1 night and Alex the other.