Workday birthday lunch near east BH - where should we go?

I am taking a close colleague out to lunch on Monday for her birthday. I'm looking for a place that feels a little special and fun but not too expensive (there will be 3 of us and it would be great for the tab to be in the $75-85 range - no alcohol will be consumed). She does not eat meat but will eat fish; aside from that we're a pretty adventurous group so would be up for any cuisine. Our office is near La Cienega and Wilshire and I'd like for it not be more than a 10-15 minute drive since we will have an hour and a half for lunch including drive time. For the same reason I'd like to go somewhere we can make a reservation (and where we can get a reservation at this late date.) She took me to Street for my birthday and that was perfect.

Appreciate any ideas! Many thanks.

jaxmom in Los Angeles Area

ISO good delivery in Van Nuys

I've lived in Van Nuys for several years but still haven't quite managed to put together a strong roster of good restaurants that will deliver. We have a Chinese place we like, but that's the only cuisine that we have reliably covered. I know we're near a stretch of excellent Thai on Sherman Way, but do any of those places deliver? Really, I'm open to just about any type of cuisine, and would love suggestions. Our nearest major cross streets are Burbank and Van Nuys. Thanks!

jaxmom in Los Angeles Area

ISO Late night supper in LA - meaning after 11pm...

Rivera (on Flower near 11th) is open until 1 am and serves a late night menu until midnight. My husband and I went there after a show at the Nokia a couple of weeks ago and were very pleased. It's not a full menu - more like a selection of tapas-like small plates - but a fun atmosphere and very tasty (not to mention excellent cocktails!)

jaxmom in Los Angeles Area

Dinner before - or after? - a show at the Nokia at LA Live

I'm taking my husband to a show at the Nokia Theatre LA Live in about a month as a combo birthday/anniversary present. I'm trying to figure out what to do about dinner. The show is on a Friday at 8 pm. Odds are we will not be able to get downtown before 6:30 (and frankly, that's probably optimistic). Initially I was planning on eating before the show, even if it's not a full sit-down dinner, but am also open to the idea of getting a late night bite (or perhaps just dessert and coffee). In a perfect world we would only park once (either at LA Live and walk from there to a restaurant, or vice versa). I'd like to keep the budget reasonable - the show is really the main event of the night, not the meal - and would be happy to keep the cost in the $75-$100 range, all in (we're not big drinkers.) I'm intrigued by Rivera, especially their late night menu, although I have some reservations because my husband is not a big Mexican food fan (but I sense this is not your run-of-the-mill Mexican) and I actually think the show might end on the early side and we'd get there before that menu kicks in. (It's Eddie Izzard's one man show.) Additionally, hubby doesn't eat fish or seafood of any kind, though I do.

I know there are a few options within LA Live but would love any other thoughts. Looking for something festive but not loud or scene-y, that will be a change of pace from the places we usually end up with our 6 year old. Your input on where - and when - we should eat is much appreciated!

jaxmom in Los Angeles Area

Romantic/Fun Date Spot?

I haven't been to Tasca, but can't say I would recommend Pace. My husband and I went a couple of weeks ago, and it was perfectly fine but nothing special. We shared an appetizer, each had an entree and 1 glass of wine, and paid over $100 for food that was solid...but interesting is not a word I would use.

jaxmom in Los Angeles Area