The shrimp and avocado salad is totally diet-friendly. Sooo yummy- I am constantly craving it. (Maybe the big margarita I order to go with it and the chips and salsa I can't seem to resist are not so diet friendly- but it makes me feel better to order the salad!)

About $200. We totally splurged and had a ton of food, several drinks and dessert though so you could definitely do it for a lot less. (The drinks were pretty expensive- I think $12 and up..)

My husband and I have been wanting to try Takami ever since reading about it in the downtown news and we finally went last night.
Wow. Our jaws fell to the floor when we got out of the elevator on the 21st floor- the view is absolutely incredible. I mean, really breathtaking... At that point it did not matter to me what the rest of the night would be like- if the food was terrible I don't think I would have minded a bit- the view alone was that great. The good news was- the food was not terrible- in fact it was all quite good. We sat outside (last night was a gorgeous night) at a very cozy table. (I would say we had the best seat in the house, but the way the restaurant is laid out, every table has a great view..)
The restaurant/menu is set up in 3 parts- the sushi bar, the robata grill (which lets you build your own skewers..) and then a specialty/fusion option.. We of course had to try it all- so we ordered:
Takami edamame (edamame cooked in butter, garlic and soy sauce) which was very yummy- but a bit decadent/heavy.
Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice- exactly how it sounds- also very good. I liked the fact that they were very small bite size pieces. I think there were 9(?) pieces on the plate- my husband and I both remarked on how much food it was.
For sushi we did a lobster wrap (from the specialty dish menu) halibut, albacore and yellowtail and also a couple of rolls. It was all very fresh and well dressed. We were impressed with all of the sushi.
We also ordered a few skewers- steak, chicken, veggie. All good.
The drinks were also very fun- we tried a few and especially liked the White Rose martini (white rose tea, vodka, garnished with a rose petal) and the Momotaro (made with peach vodka, serrano chili, and lime juice) which had some serious kick!
For dessert- yube(?) panna cotta- very refreshing. I think you can never go wrong with panna cotta.
Totally recommend Takami for a special occasion restaurant! Can't wait for an excuse to go back. :)

Great review- thanks for posting!! I cannot wait to go here with my husband.

haha.. good one.

No, I am aware. I was referring to the Robertson location, which I have been to once. I have never been to Ivy at the Shore, though I would like to try it sometime.

Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions!
PlatypusJ- cliche is probably what I am going for here- with only 12 hours- they want to do the silly tourist, where the "action" is kind of stuff. I am not counting on a celeb sighting at the Ivy necessarily (and even that would not be for the kiddies- they are 5 & 9- celebrity equals Mickey Mouse in their eyes) but rather a nice outdoor setting that both kids and parents would be comfortable. Somewhere where the focus is as much or more about the experience as the food. I think the fact that you have never seen kids there says a lot esp if you have eaten there several times, so I will definitely look into the other suggestions. Thanks!

Our friends have a 12 hour layover in LA so we are trying to plan some fun, only-in-LA kind of experiences to pack in to the short time. We thought it would be exciting for them to do lunch at the Ivy for a little celeb/paparazzi action- but not sure if it would be an issue for their kids (ages 5 and 9). I have only eaten there once and I didn't notice whether or not there were kids around. I think I remember the menu being relatively kid friendly (pizza, pasta, etc.) Anyone know from experience? Also, any other kid-friendly suggestions (probably around Hollywood, Bev Hills..) would be appreciated! (Though I would like to stay away from chains and diners, preferably.) Thanks in advance. :)

So far I haven't heard anything.. I live close and drive by all the time, but still just the sign and orange cream logo hanging there. The only mention I have found of it is
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/02...
Maybe other chowhounds know more?

Wow. I cant believe you are talking about the same Azami. I can honestly say that some of the best meals of my life have been there. I was there this last Friday also and did the omakase- everything was perfect, and very fresh. Sorry you had a bad experience, but this place is definitely NOT over.

Yuca's- all the way! I crave the carne asada constantly. Best ever. I always get it with cheese- even though it is yes, American cheese- something I wouldn't expect to enjoy on my burrito- but something about all the flavors together is sooo good.

This is definitely an "old LA" place and worth the experience. I wouldnt suggest you go for the food necessarily, it is nothing mind blowing- but not bad by any means either. There is absolutely a full bar- and hopefully Marty and Elaine crooning in the corner as they have been for the last 20 plus years..I always take friends here when they come to visit- (usually just for drink)- just so they can experience this place..

Great review!! I really enjoyed looking at your pictures too. I am so excited for a place like this in downtown L.A. Will definitely be checking it out now.
Thanks!

Dakota (Roosevelt Hotel) seems to get little love here. Everytime I have gone, my steak has been done to perfection, and I have had great meals. The tuna tartar, the burrata salad, the truffle french fries- all great. I also love the rich, dark old Hollywood feeling inside. I know people complain about the service, but I really have never had a problem. The people watching is always fun too.

Has anyone noticed the sign for "Orange Cream" on the corner of Alvarado and Sunset? It looks alot like the Pinkberry logo. Anyone know if this is a similar yogurt place? Should be an interesting addition to the neighborhood...

Cliff's edge has a really fun ambience- decent food, good drinks..if you can sit outside it would be a great choice.
Malo is fun, hip trendy. Yummy chips and salsa flight.
I like Cobras and Matadors on Hollywood- took friends from Portland here and they loved it. (I guess there was a Cobras and Matadors in the Pearl district for a brief time..)
For drinks after dinner, you could head around the corner to Vermont (though not sure what it will be like on a Sunday- but given the holiday, may have a fun crowd..)
Drinks at the Dresden room for classic old school Los Angeles experience..

How about Blair's in Silverlake? The new expansion is my new favorite place to meet friends and have a quiet and relaxing place to hang out and chat. The space is great- very warm and inviting and the soft opening means plenty of space to spread out (no waiting for tables) and no noisy crowds. (yet!) The coffee is great (the real-deal, yummy coffee-buzz inducing Intelligensia) and pastries and yummys fresh from LaBrea bakery- and I think some are even baked on site too. Good lunch menu and friendly staff. Blair's does have a great beer/wine list- but not sure if this is available in the cafe expansion- or only dinner...have only gone for the coffee.

I'm looking for opinions on the best Italian bakeries in L.A. (specifically, one who can create a traditional Italian wedding cake-Millefoglie) The couple getting married (for whom I am searching for this cake..) experienced this most amazing cake at a wedding in Italy a few years back and are hoping to recreate it here in L.A. for their big day. I have never had this cake before, nor am I familiar with many Italian bakeries- so I am relying on fellow chowhounders to steer me in the right direction. Any help would be much appreciated! Many thanks!

Have not gone yet, but would love to check it out.
Anyone been? Would love to hear your thoughts/experiences!

Good point. Two guests (my brother and his wife) are coming from Portland, so they have access to a lot of great restaurants, but not really as much of a "scene" and the other guest (my other brother) is coming from Tokyo, so has amazing restaurants- but will be thankful to be back home in America where he always craves Mexican (which obviously there is not much of in Tokyo.) I agree on the AOC rec, that will definitely be on the schedule for one night!

which restaurants are in your "must show out of towners" repertoire? Favorite local neighborhood spots? Typical L.A. scene places? Places known for amazing food? Great wine? Great ambience? I realize there will probably be a huge range of responses, but I am just curious to see the places people bring their guests for the ultimate LA experiences. We have guests coming in in a few weeks so would love to hear what everyone says.