Little Flower Cafe on Colorado in Pasadena. They only have three or four flavors available at any time (and not always available) but they're spectacular. Little Flower Salted Caramel, Brown Sugar and Madagascan Vanilla, Strawberry and Black Pepper Sorbet, Lime & Mint Sorbet, etc. The Salted Caramel is the best ice-cream I've ever had, pushing out the cardamom ice-cream I had at Manka in NoCal from the top spot.

I don't like La Poubelle either. Crap food and snotty service, but Birds is much, much worse. Their focus is booze, but their food is absolute swill.

Gingergrass on Glendale Avenue in Silverlake. Good cold spring rolls.

Try Blair's on Rowena. A limited, but good breakfast menu, highlights are blueberry mascarpone pancakes and eggs benedict with arugula and bacon. Classy place, may still open at 7AM. Won't be loud, great place for a business meeting. I've brought meetings there with good results. Great coffee too. Agree that L.A. Mill can be really pretentious. Little Dom's is also a great choice. Good luck!

Agree on Palate. 3 Drunken Goats is mostly tapas, Palate is New American, featuring local meat and produce. All delicious. For more tapas, Cobras & Matadors on Beverly. Very good, but small and always packed.

Two Italian places pretty much right up the street, one a little more high-end:

Little Dom's Italian 2128 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz, 323.661.0055 Dinner 6pm, Avocado & Hillhurst

Palermos Italian, much more down home and cheaper, 1858 N Vermont Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027 Phone: (323) 663-1178

In Silver Lake: For Mexican, recommend El Chavo. Good and cheap, most meals $10-12. Great margaritas and amazing off-menu Green Corn Tamales. 4441 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90027 323-664-0871.

For American/French recommend Dusty's Bistro on Sunset, little pricier for dinner depending on your choice but great menu and atmostphere. Good wine bar. 3200 W Sunset Blvd Silver Lake, CA 90026 Phone: (323) 906-1018.

Have a great time!