ElissaInPlaya's Profile
Breakfast/brunch near Playa del Rey
It's not Mozza, but I like it. Easy parking, comfortable seating, nice menu, full-bar, relaxed vibe, usually no-wait, nice outdoor space, great service, delicious desserts, and fancy coffee drinks. I like 26 Beach, but Piknic's salads and brunch items (ricotta pancakes!) are nearly as tasty in a more relaxed environment.
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26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292
Piknic Restaurant
13020 Pacific Promenade, Playa Vista, CA 90094
New Yorker looking for one restaurant to represent LA
Some great recommendations here:
I second (in order of my preference): Lazy Ox, Gjelina and Lucques. I also recommend Father's Office in Culver City on Helms. (Lots of good food..not just burgers); easy to get into, no reservations, good value, and nice outdoor patio.
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Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Father's Office
3229 Helms Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Lunch--fine dining experience, good value (Friday)
Scarpetta at the Montage might be lovely -- if you can go to Beverly Hills.
http://www.montagebeverlyhills.com/beverly-hills-restaurant-menus.php
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Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
looking for killer bar food
Yeah, before Minotaur, it was Chloe. Both nice spots with decent clientele. Local rumor is that the landlord is greedy and raises rent to untenable levels after a year or two.
The Market at Santa Monica Place
There was a great line about this in a recent Sunset magazine article comparing the SF food scene to the LA food scene. The take-away was that the L.A. food scene is huge, vibrant, diverse and delicious and that Angelenos think "SF is a nice place to spend a weekend."
looking for killer bar food
It's in my hood and NEVER has fewer than 300 people trying to sit on each stool. O.k. maybe 200. :( Anyway, Prince of Whales next door has decent burgers.
Playa Del Rey - House Sitting
That's the right place Paul....http://www.tandooraindia.com/ is the link. Don't know why I mis named it. Nice people, great food. My good friend from Hyperbaad says it's the best place north of Cerritos for homestyle (i.e. not so oily) Indian food.
Playa Del Rey - House Sitting
No, Not really. Although the bar can make a martini and serve you coconut shrimp in a major pinch. I have hoped for years that perhaps it would become something great.
Group Birthday--bar or restaurant locations in WLA/SM/Venice (and maybe WeHo?)
Thanks for reporting back. I'm glad you had a good party! I haven't tried Salute yet, but plan to.
I also wanted to add The Six, on Pico, to this thread. I tried it on Saturday night with a friend and really liked the atmosphere, food, and moderate prices.
Playa Del Rey - House Sitting
I have been to Outlaws a few times. It's a good, local place to take men that like meat. I literally chuckled when I read Westsidegal's comment on Outlaws - totally NOT her kind of place. But, the beer list is long, the prices are reasonable, the potatoes are hot and the ribs are tasty.
Playa Del Rey - House Sitting
No, I never have. I guess I didn't know that they sold breakfast to non-guests. I will investigate and report back if they do.
Playa Del Rey - House Sitting
Great delivery from India's Tandori Oven, Singapore Express, and Alejo's. Market - I like Bristol Farms in Westchester. Breakfast ...I second Cafe Milan, but really just go to Felicia's for coffee and the vibe. 26 Beach in MdR or North End Cafe in MB or good localish breakfast options.
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26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292
Singapore Express
4248 Lincoln Blvd, Marina Dl Rey, CA 90292
Cafe Milan
205 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Marina del Rey tasty eats - walkable?
I second Mendocino Farms. I heartily enjoyed my Sophisticated Chicken Salad there last night. Delicious.
I like C&O's garlic rolls too...but when I am forced to go to C&O, i order a plain spinach salad and wine...then feast on the rolls:) Nothing else is worth the price/quality/taste/calories.
I also like 26 Beach, Tasting Kitchen, Gjelina, Cafe Del Rey, margaritas at Baja Cantina, and sushi at Tjusi No Hana
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26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292
Cafe Del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Baja Cantina
311 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Tasting Kitchen
1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90291
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Group Birthday--bar or restaurant locations in WLA/SM/Venice (and maybe WeHo?)
I really like Beachwood for this. I was there last week and LOVED the new menu -- lots of love in that kitchen right now. A cabana at Whist or the patio at Wilshire also sound good to me. Also, have you considered The Tasting Kitchen?
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Tasting Kitchen
1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90291
cafe del rey has a new pastry chef too
I have amazing memories of the black forest cake at the European Cake Gallery in Point Loma (San Deigo)
Lunch spot for a baby shower
Definitely call Fritto Misto in Santa Monica. I think they might be willing to let you use their back room and help you create a reasonable menu and/or buffet. I have had parties there in the past (although smaller), and used them for catering once. They are lovely to work with and the food is delicious and light; perfect for a baby shower in my opinion.
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Fritto Misto
601 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Less expensive high-quality produce?
Oh, I also think that Ralph's has upped its game lately. I am finding more organic, and California produce there, at (slightly?) higher quality.
Less expensive high-quality produce?
The Santa Monica farmer's markets are priced for Santa Monica, unfortunately. Mar Vista on Sundays seems more affordable. The West LA farmer's market is substandard and not from local farms.
Marina Farms has great quality and is affordable. I shop there often. However, the produce is not as fresh and thus will not keep as long as farmer's market produce. My advice is to go at least every week, and plan to eat really ripe fruit in one or 2 days.
Also, the best quality is with local, seasonal produce, although Marina Farms also sells some imported/non-local produce (25% or so). Provenance is clearly labeled.
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Marina Farms
5454 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Waterloo & City or Animal Restaurant for Friday night?
I would go based on geographical desireability. Also, W&C has a full bar with interesting cocktails:)
ISO WILD BRUNCH PARTY RESTAURANT A LA NYC STYLE
Hamburger Mary's in West Hollywood has a drag brunch with bottomless mimosas. Pretty fun!
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Hamburger Mary's
8288 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Something besides Gjelina
Mendocino Farms in Marina del Rey - casual, but delicious!
Smoked Marlin - anyone know where to find it in L.A.?
I would call the Whole Foods in El Segundo. They sell a lot of different "smoked" meats, so they would probably smoke a marlin for you.
Tender, Juicy and Crisp? Roast Chicken Battle - Melisse, Costco, Pollo Ala Brasa, Rustic Canyon, Zankou, A Frame, Gjelina, Marouch, Lola's, and more! [Review] w/ Pics!
Wasn't Rustic Canyon one of the top choices in your Burger Wars?
Also, I noticed on Saturday night that Waterloo & City is doing a whole chicken now too. Guess they are responding to A-Frame's chix. (Although I'm NOT recommending that anyone new visit this place; it's too crowded already. Thx;)
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A-Frame
12565 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, USA
Tender, Juicy and Crisp? Roast Chicken Battle - Melisse, Costco, Pollo Ala Brasa, Rustic Canyon, Zankou, A Frame, Gjelina, Marouch, Lola's, and more! [Review] w/ Pics!
AWESOME! Thank you.
Help -- need 2pm lunch place today near(ish) Bev Hills to take visiting Belgian friend--
Kiyokawa on Robertson would be great. Cabbage Patch on Beverly Drive is more casual and closer. I like Frida too, although it's good Mexican for BH, it's not great Mexican. Tavern in Brentwood is only about 3 miles away and would be nice for a more upscale lunch.
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Cabbage Patch
214 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA
Can you help me narrow down my choices?
Church & State is good French bistro food, but more traditional than inventive, and may be out of the original poster's budget.
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Church & State
1850 Industrial Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Can you help me narrow down my choices?
I think the happy hour (with food) at Chaya downtown is fantastic, and a fun casual option that is lighter and different from lots of the other places on your list.
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Chaya
525 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
