yogachik's Profile
Best place for fun graduation dinner near ucla
Free corkage ended April 1, 2012, alas. Hillstone's or Bandara are both great ideas, and are consistently very good restaurants, although not inexpensive (with alcohol).
Catch at Casa del Mar is another idea, and a great room for a celebration with gorgeous view of ocean.
Cheap Lunch in Santa Monica?
Yes, Buon Giorno! Thanks. Never tried the mexican food, didn't know about it, but everything I've had there has been really great. They have a fantastic breakfast, too.
Cheap Lunch in Santa Monica?
There's a little restaurant on Santa Monica (north side of the street), on the corner of 15th (yellow umbrellas) with amazing $5 lunch specials. It's a little italian restaurant and I can't remember the name, but it's the best deal in town.
Summer 30th B'day Dinner - Westside-ish
Sunny Spot, Teato, Plan Check, Bar Hayama, 3110, MaKai, The Yard, Warszawa Patio...
Downtown LA
Bottega Louie, Mas Malo, Umamicattessen, Two Boots, Tiara Cafe, New Moon, Chaya, LA Cafe, and much more (to add to the list above)
I have never, ever, had a bad meal at ____________and I have eaten there over a dozen times!
I meant Locanda Portofino (on Montana Ave) - won't let me edit it for some reason.
I have never, ever, had a bad meal at ____________and I have eaten there over a dozen times!
Chinois
Catch
Via Portofino
Via Veneto
Bandera
Vito
Umami
Gjelina
Bar Pintxo
Tacos por Favor
(sorry, very Westside-centric)
Loud and louder restos: Maybe I'm getting old, but...
I happened to have had dinner at Chinois on Friday night. We had one of the big round tables at the front, the place was jammed (truly overspilling it was so crowded) and we could all hear each other perfectly. Wasn't loud like the old days, the curtains on the walls help a lot. Food was spectacularly great, as always. Service perfect, as always.
Loud and louder restos: Maybe I'm getting old, but...
I've gotten to the point where I won't go back if I can't hear my dining companions, no matter how great the restaurant. Picca has to be the loudest, followed by Bottega Louie, Rustic Canyon, Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, Mozza.
I really hate yelling to be heard, or having to master lip reading. I will never go back to Picca, that was the worst of them all.
Good mexican restaurant near the Westin Bonaventure?
La Serenata de Girabaldi is where to go.
www.laserenataonline.com/
Breakfast/brunch spot around Hotel Angeleno
Go where the locals go - no need to drive to John O'Groats and wait forever for a table. Try Coral Tree Cafe or NY Bagel on San Vicente if you want to stay nearby in Brentwood. Or, head to Santa Monica and go to any of the places on Montana Ave, there are many to choose from, and it's a gorgeous day for SM.
Best $25 Steak dinner?
I had a steak at Chez Jay last weekend and it was good as ever, I love the Fiondella!
Looking for suggestions...Santa Monica
I imagine you are staying at Delfina. Fig is not very celebratory, although it is very good. I highly recommend Tasting Kitchen or even Chaya Venice, or maybe Chinois, for a fun night out. Since you're near Pico, head to Main Street or Abbot Kinney.
Not a lot of live blues or jazz around here, sorry. Harvelle's is your only choice for that.
Milo & Olive or Stella Rossa?
Stella Rossa is better than M&O, in my opinion. I'm not a fan of thick, bready, crust, and find M&O more bread than topping - with the toppings sparse.
Marina del Rey- First Timer
Definitely focus on Venice. Gjlena, Wolf in Sheeps clothing, Sunny Spot, Tasting Kitchen. For lunch, head to Axe.
Kid Friendly Non-Chains: Santa Monica/Westside?
That describes every restaurant in Santa Monica. They're all kid friendly, especially early. R+D, Chaya, Galley, Lares, Gilberts, Rustic Canyon -- all particularly popular with kids. Country Mart is a great suggestion.
Real, Traditional Club Sandwich in LA?
I actually love their fajita tacos on the happy hour menu :) So it's not all that difficult for my friend to "drag" me there.
Real, Traditional Club Sandwich in LA?
You're not going to believe me, but head to Marix Tex Mex in Santa Monica Canyon. They have a traditional club sandwich that is exactly what you seek. I have a friend who drags me there every so often to satisfy his club sandwich craving and he swears it's the real deal.
Sunday dinner with 70yo and 17yo between Santa Barbara and LA
What do you mean "travel an hour"? Taking PCH is actually quicker than the 101 to the 405 because of the heavy traffic on those freeways at basically all hours (thanks to the construction). What is your destination in LA?
At worst, it's a 20 minute detour over Kanan to get to PCH.
Sunday dinner with 70yo and 17yo between Santa Barbara and LA
I say take PCH south, not the 101 to the 405 - if not just for the many restaurant choices but for the beautiful views on the drive.
Stop at The Sunset in Point Dume for good food and a gorgeous setting. If you're a real foodie, your choice in Malibu is probably Nobu.
Vito Italian Restaurant in Santa Monica
Love Guido's!! Especially love their chopped salad (Guido Salad)
Dinner Suggestions? Staying Downtown LA?
For Thai, I like Soi7
Mexican, head to Rivera or Mas Malo
Burgers, Umamicatessen
Breakfast, LA Cafe
Italian, Bottega Louie or Calori Kitchen
Venice/MDR/SaMo bar or restaurant for group of ~50
The Yard, The Arsenal, Teato, Guido's patio, Killer Shrimp, The Brig, Hideout, ShangriLa, Viceroy, W Westwood...
Vito Italian Restaurant in Santa Monica
I would disagree. While all the places on your list are great, they are different. Besides, Vito has the best bolognese I've had on the westside, for HALF the price. At happy hour, even less - it's only $5.50. Yes, that's worth the drive (and martini's are $6.50), a perfect after-work meal.
