There are numerous options not far from Wilshire and Grand that are better than Casa and just as expensive if not more reasonably priced:
Drago Centro
Chaya
Bottega Louie
Ciudad
The Must
Water Grill
Kendall's
Colori Kitchen
Pete's
Rivera
Cork Bar

Bloom Cafe is solid and pretty close.
5544 Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
90019

It's good. I had the rare beef pho the other day and a pork bahn mi last night. nothing special but reasonable and good.

I made a trip from the westside a few saturdays ago. Although the ultimate goal was drinks at Varnish, which we found out opens at 8pm, we arrived at 6 thirsty and in need of a bite. First, the drinks at Cole's were fantastic. Everything from the 1926 Cosmo to the Old Fashioned and Death in the Afternoon were expertly crafted by the bartendar and full of flavor. More importantly, the double dipped turkey sandwich was delicious. The meat, encased in sturdy roll, was moist and sliced to not too thick/not too thin. Finally, the decor is great. Unlike Phillipes which is great for a quick meal before a game or when I'm downtown, Cole's is built for the long haul. We spent two hours drinking and eating, and were as relaxed as can be.

If you add to that the fact that Varnish is encased in the rear of Cole's, there's really little reason to go to Phillipe's (outside of the parking situation which can be trying on Main street).

Does anyone know when/why Danube on Westwood Blvd. closed?

RFD; Native Foods; Rawvolution; Bulan Thai..

Purgatory Pizza dishes out some of the best pizza in all of los angeles. www.eatpurgatory.com

they kept me going through my last year of law school.

as far as good vegetarian options: Real Food Daily; Grace; urth caffe...

You might want to try Hatfields or Grace...though they are probably considered "mid city" or "fairfax district" they can both be in that price range.

Another great option that is completely within that price range is AMMO. it is on Highland just north of Santa Monica. So a bit out of the way based on your logistics, but well worth it. They've got a new chef from l'bernadine and have received rave reviews...plus after eating there a few times the past month i can say the food is consistently delicious.

As for Grill on the Alley v. Jar...two totally different environments...and Grill is not inexpensive.

I will attest to the excellence that is Rawvolution. I've eaten there a number of times and have never had a complaint. The Almond Butter sandwhich is out of control and the raw pizzas are delicious.

I ate at Lola's a couple of weeks ago and it was horrible. I got a burger and fries and a martini. The burger was tasteless and the fries were soggy. Certainly not worth they price of admission.

I was disappointed when I checked out Melrose B & G last year. I was a huge fan of the previous restaurant...Doug Arangos...for its pork chop and steak, so I went in with similar expectations. Maybe I shouldn't have...but then again, maybe it was my choices. Ill gladly try it again thought, the beer and wine list more than made up for my poor choices and the people I was with seemed to enjoy it all.

its my vote for the best pizza delivery available downtown. their el diablo sauce is spicy --- very spicy--- but its a wicked nice touch. They deliver to Loyola Law School and have never let me down with respect to taste, quality of ingredients and timeliness. I'd suggest either (i) tomatoes, garlic and basil with the el diablo or (ii) sausage, green peppers and onions with the el diablo. Had a pie with the regular sauce the other day and its delicious but once you go diablo you won't go back unless you're not for spicy.

I'll second Table 8...the bar menu is consistently good and the drinks are solid. Bar at Craft...though I'm not sure that either of these count since they are "upscale." For dive bar St. Nicks on Third makes solid burgers and interesting fries that are sort of like potato sticks...not to mention they only serve doubles and they are $7...

they had one of the few respectable pies in the city...and they were around the corner from my gfs. now i guess i'll have to venture to vitos...

Is Lamonica's downtown related to Lamonica's in westwood and do they deliver?

I just finished up my first Purgatory Pizza pie of the new year and was wondering if anyone had found any other solid pizza shops in downtown. I know numero uno and the array of chains, and I've suffered through many Rocket Pizzas (not to mention their weak delivery zone)...I was wondering if there were other favorites or styles to try that are as good as or better than Purgatory.

Kings Road = amazing coffee and oatmeal, average otherwise.

the word is that Mode opened today at 11. Has anyone gone?

Arabiata works well if you like a kick. Or Purgatory pizza downtown makes an "el diablo sauce" which is their regular sauce infused with chili paste.

as for sauces without a kick, I'm not too sure. Rao's is great but rather expensive.

I stopped by while walking my dog tonight. Unfortunately, what I was told was very disappointing. Much like Father's Office, Terroni will not accommodate with respect to the menu--it is all "as is.' So if you have dietary restrictions, especially with respect to milk, meat or the like, fuhgettaboutit. As for the opening, it is Monday. The inside looked great!

I just got back home from Urasawa. I cannot stress this enough: once you go you'll never look back. Money comes and goes but memories last a life time. Eating at Urasawa is a forever moment.

I'm so stoked to be going tomorrow night!

I went on Saturday and ate there. El Diablo sauce, Sausage and Green Peppers. Good stuff. The restaurant is a converted bakery store front. Nothing proper yet. The signage hasn't event changed. Pizza still rocked and the sauce was hot as hell.

Melisse tasting menu.

I went last Monday. Everything we had was great. However, the standouts were as follows: (i) Carpaccio with Crispy Oysters; (ii) Roasted octopus; (iii) Venison; (iv) Leek and Duck Confit Risotto.

yea, just a light dusting of cheese, so its not exactly a grandma slice which from what i always understood was a thin crust square of sicilian.

yes

tomato pie is sort of like Sicilian style crust that hasn't risen. It's thicker than thin, cut in squares, light dusting of parmesan and this one has some greens. and yes, it is the joint on melrose...mind you, I am limiting any approval to their tomato pie.

#1 Albano's
#2 Purgatory Pizza (delivery only)
#3 Mulberry Street

Addendum: the Tomato Pie at the aptly named "Tomato Pie" is the closest thing I've been able to find out here to the Tomato Pie I ate growing up outside of Philly. Just get it served at room temp...its solid and does the job.