Looking for fun, tapas, wine, ambiance

Thanks for your response Emme. We ended up going to Tasca but unfortunately I wasn't impressed. The ambiance was just so-so, the service was lackluster, the food was average BUT the wine was pretty decent.

After reading all the positive reviews I was pretty disappointed. I guess what I'm looking for is a place to take friends, a date, out of town guests etc. that's a little more interesting w/ great food, great service, interesting and authentic decor and ambiance (not like the Penthouse in SM -- that was another disappointment -- it felt very contrived).

I don't mind quirky or off the beaten path, in fact I like finding little treasures in LA. Unfortunately, Tasca didn't quite cut it for me. It was just a little neighborhood wine bar with really nothing special to offer. I had a great time w/ my friend but we both left wanting something a little more. Just thought I'd leave my honest review.

Thanks for your help. I'll try Bazaar or C&M next time.

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Looking for fun, tapas, wine, ambiance

My best friend and I are looking to go out and enjoy the L.A. dining scene...something we rarely get a chance to do these days. We are two 40 something year olds who are looking for a great place to unwind, have a few glasses of wine, and tapas with a great sexy atmosphere. Preferred location: Miracle Mile/3rd Street/Beverly, Silverlake/Los Feliz, or Santa Monica.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Last minute HELP: Downtown Culver City

Hi, I'm taking my best friend out for her bday tonight w/ her teenage son. She loves downtown Culver City as do I, now I'm just trying to select a place that we'll all enjoy that isn't too pricey. I've looked thru the board and all I can find are the more pricey restaurants. They look great but they exceed my budget. I would like to spend no more than $120 or so for the three of us. Many thanks for your help.

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

ISO Resto to celebrate college bound student

Good value is a good idea. I thought of CDR but I thought the menu was asian fusion, which is not our favorite, particularly for brunch. Ideally, we'd probably prefer the four seasons style brunch for its variety but it's so darn pricey!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

ISO Resto to celebrate college bound student

That sounds like a great idea -- thanks Molly!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

ISO Resto to celebrate college bound student

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Our plans have changed slightly. Rather than dinner I'll be taking them out for a Sunday brunch. There will be five of us with one teenage young man among us so hoping to select something not too frou frou. Good food, nice ambiance, a nice garden setting w/ delicious food would be ideal. But not too formal as we will likely be taking photos throughout, having gifts opened, lots of conversation, etc.

This is my short list for now: Four Seasons (seems too formal, not to mention $$$), Bel Air (same downside as FS), Getty Restaurant (a little stiff), Inn at the Seventh Ray (possibly too frou frou for the young man). Any thoughts please?

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Cooking Classes

I have a friend who took a baking class at Gourmandise and she loved it.

http://www.gourmandisedesserts.com/

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

ISO Resto to celebrate college bound student

Your post actually made me laugh. Oki Dog would definitely be disgusting and not special for any of us! :) Mozza is a good choice but so hard to get reservations, especially since we'll be doing this Friday or Sunday. I don't know the specific tastes of an 18 year old. I'm just looking for something fun and memorable that would mark this occasion nicely. A "sceney" environment appropriate for someone 18 w/ nice ambiance would be ideal. It doesn't have to be super expensive (in fact I prefer it not be...she's heading to college, not graduating). I just want to avoid restaurants like Louise's, Ruby Tuesday, etc. and give her and her Mom a nice evening out. Many thanks for any help you can provide.

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

ISO Resto to celebrate college bound student

My best friend's daughter is on her way to college back east later this month and I want to take her and few friends out for a fun dinner before she leaves. Would love to find someplace uniquely LA. Any suggestions?

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Mastro's or BOA in SM?

Thanks everyone. I was leaning toward Mastro's and your responses confirm it.

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Mastro's or BOA in SM?

I've been going back and forth as to what restaurant to take an out of town guest. I tried getting reservations at Cut but was unsuccessful. So now I've narrowed my choices down to Mastro's in Beverly Hills or Boa in Santa Monica. We have reservations for this weekend so I'll cancel one or the other. I'm looking for opinions on which resto an out of towner would appreciate most? Thanks!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Need to find resto similar to Prime Rib in DC.

I tried getting a reservation at Cut for Friday evening but they have nothing :(

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Need great food and fun place in/around Dana Point

One of my favorite places in Dana Point is the charming little french bistro Bonjour Cafe. I've been going there for years. They only serve breakfast & lunch and it's consistently good and unpretentious -- a very understated South OC vibe. I wish there was a place similar in LA. Website: http://www.bonjourcafe.com/index.html

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Need to find resto similar to Prime Rib in DC.

Thanks Paul. Now I'm leaning toward Cut or Mastro's. What to do?? Hmmm.

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Need to find resto similar to Prime Rib in DC.

Thanks for helping me narrow down my list. I should mention that I'm not *just* seeking prime rib, I'm just hoping to find something as romantic and elegant as the Prime Rib restaurant in DC. After my original post I called a friend and she suggested Mastro's on Canon. So now my (short) list consists of 1) Mastro's 2) Cut 3) Wolfgang's. Which would be your top pick?

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Need to find resto similar to Prime Rib in DC.

Hello everyone, I have a friend visiting from DC and he loves The Prime Rib restaurant -- probably his favorite restaurant. I'm looking for someplace in LA that is similar in terms of ambiance and menu. Any suggestions? Here's the website: http://www.theprimerib.com/

Given all the rave reviews on Wolfgang's I thought we'd go there -- but the decor/ambiance doesn't quite grab me the way I'd like so I'm looking for other options.

Thanks very much.

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Impressive Dinner Near LAX?

I'm in a similar positon -- need to find a nice (semi romantic) resto near LAX. Is Shula's in close walking distance from Renaissance Montura (on Airport)?

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Casual/Healthy Dinner in Santa Monica?

This place looks amazing -- thanks!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Casual/Healthy Dinner in Santa Monica?

I'm leaning toward Urth Cafe if I run out of time. Thanks all.

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Casual/Healthy Dinner in Santa Monica?

I love Abbott Kinney but we've already decided to meet in SM (since we'll both be in the area later) -- and since we're both on a tight schedule I'm trying to keep it simple and find a simple (but comfy) little place to grab a salad or sandwich where it's easy to find parking (or even better -- a place w/ its own parking lot). Neither of us live or work in SM (or frequent there often) which is why I'm having trouble coming up with a place on my own. Thanks for the help!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Casual/Healthy Dinner in Santa Monica?

Sorry to be a pain today -- but I just read a review that Cafe Montana is kind of pricey. Of course the location on Montana Avenue should have given me a clue. Also I'm not a particular fan of Montana Ave for some reason...not sure why?? Anyway, would prefer something south of Wilshire if possible, should anyone care to post other recommendations. Thanks very much. I do appreciate it.

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Casual/Healthy Dinner in Santa Monica?

BigRedd (love the name!) -- this looks like a winner -- thanks!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Casual/Healthy Dinner in Santa Monica?

We're looking for something in Santa Monica -- although I'll definitely make note of FCG for the future as I work not far away from Westwood Blvd. and I'm always looking for a nice alternative to CA Chicken Cafe (which I love). Thanks!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Casual/Healthy Dinner in Santa Monica?

Cora's sounds great -- but seems more like a bfast spot?? I could be wrong. I think we'll try Urth Cafe if I can't find anything else. Thanks for your help!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Casual/Healthy Dinner in Santa Monica?

Parking outweighs everything really. And preferably not valet (I really disdain valet parking). I'm looking for a place w/ salads, sandwiches, and a variety of other foods, so nothing vegan or vegetarian or anything of that sort. Urth Cafe is probably a good choice...and especially great if they serve wine. Thanks!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Casual/Healthy Dinner in Santa Monica?

Good morning Hounds!

I'm meeting a friend after work, looking for something casual and healthy -- with easy parking. Nothing particularly fancy. Would be great to order a glass of wine but not mandatory (at least not yet -- the day is still young). ;-)

Thanks all!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

ISO: Wineries in Solvang near Rideau

I am planning a wine tasting trip from Los Angeles and based on the recommendation of friends will be going to Rideau winery. I would like to visit 2 or 3 add'l wineries in the area that are considered "the best". This is kind of a romantic get away so we are looking to go at a nice pace w/o zig zagging all over the region. We'll probably stop and have lunch or early dinner at Los Olivos Cafe too. Any suggestions on wineries will be much appreciated. Many thanks.

yoginla in California

Breakfast en route to Santa Barbara

We'll probably stop at Hideaway Cafe in Malibu first, it looks adorable, then do wineries, and based on everyone's input we may skip lunch Los Olivos Cafe and bring picnic instead?? Thanks for your input everyone.

yoginla in Los Angeles Area

Breakfast en route to Santa Barbara

This is perfect. Thank you!

yoginla in Los Angeles Area