Need a restaurant rec please for out-of-towners tonight in Studio City or Sherman Oaks on Ventura Blvd. and it has to be a non-scary, welcoming experience. Any cuisine except Mexican okay. Not too fancy, somewhere we can sit and talk for awhile. We're eating at 5 p.m. (I know, I know) so getting a reservation shouldn't be a problem. Am throwing myself on your mercy and thank you!

Thanks for the advice. I don't know what the eating area looks like outside, but I'll check it out. I've been to the Chinese Garden Cafe and actually the food is pretty good (yes a bit $ considering where we live). It's a shame you can't picnic inside as there are so many gorgeous areas for that - perhaps not the cactus garden - but I completely understand they want to keep the area pristine plus keep their restaurants hopping.

I'd definitely do Lacy Park except we have friends in for the weekend and we're trying to see many sites so I'd rather stay put.

On another note we met friends at HG last year on Mother's Day as we thought 'nobody would be there' and yikes - it was mobbed. They have a special seated lunch on that day but we didn't have reservations so we opted for the Cafe and the line literally took an hour. So don't put Huntington Gardens for Mother's Day on your best-kept-secret list!

We're heading there on Sunday and as neither of their dining options are very good. We don't have a ton of time so I thought I'd bring a picnic and eat there ahead of time. I'm sure you can't bring food into the grounds but does anyone remember if there are trees there you could eat under before entering? Thanks!

Thanks for everyone's advice. These are good tips and I'll use a combination of them.

There's a white tablecloth restaurant I like for lunch, but I need advice about how to feel less rushed. The bus staff refills the water every time my glass gets less than three-quarters filled and they want to clear my plate before I'm finished. There aren't patrons waiting so it's not like they need the table and I want to be able to enjoy my conversation without saying 'no thank you' every few minutes.

Any advice as to the most effective and polite way to be left alone? I draw my water glass closer when I see them ready to pounce and try not to make eye contact until I'm ready to have them take my plate, but this whole dance is feeling distracting.

Thanks for everyone's advice. Brothers' in Old Town isn't open Monday so I picked up from Tarantino's. Solid, old-school pie - half garlic/half sausage. Will try Brothers' some weekend when the occasion calls for pizza. Pretty spoiled by dine-in at Settebello.

I live near Old Town and have been spoiled by the pizza at Settebello et al. Now I need to serve pizza at home and I'm thinking Settebello's thin crust pizza won't survive the drive. Any thoughts on the best pizza for delivery or pick-up? Carmines? CPK? Thanks!

My bad on geography - so sorry but mid-Wilshire and thanks so much for the recs.

My friend and I will be celebrating Super Bowl Sunday at a Korean Spa at 6th + Wilshire. Can you please recommend a nearby non-Korean restaurant for dinner? We often eat downtown so it would be fun to try a new neighborhood. Not fancy as we'll be post-massage, but maybe not a complete dive. Sushi, Thai, Mexican, continental all great. Thanks so much and hope your team wins.

I need to spend $50-ish on chocolates for a client and the presentation has to be elegant. Whole Foods, Bristol Farms and Gelson's didn't have anything appropriate so today I plan to head to Mignon Chocolates in Old Town which I'm not familiar with. Is this my best bet in Pasadena? Thanks!

We live in Pasadena and had a great meal at Michael's in LB last weekend. the food was delicious; service and table settings beautiful; not crazy-expensive; and with a relaxed atmosphere and attractive clientele.

I'd like to find a similar spot in the SGV or downtown and wondered if you think Drago Central might fit the bill?

OP here. Thanks to all for the Olive & Thyme rec. We had a wonderful lunch, sitting outside on cafe chairs in the sun. My guest and I both chose the salad trio from their prepared foods case (for me curried chicken, farro and quinoa) and it was beautifully plated and delicious.

O & T reminded me of Joan's on Third without the parking hassle or scene. Thanks so much for this suggestion. It was perfect and I never would have found it without you guys.

Appreciate the advice. My friend is a fashion person from NYC so I'd better stay away from the Smokehouse and alcohol is essential. Thanks and happy holidays.

Looking for a comfortable spot in Toluca Lake to take a visiting NYer to lunch the Friday after Christmas. Not ethnic, just interesting salads and sandwiches and a pleasant location to sit and talk without being on top of other diners. Thanks and merry, merry to all Chowhounders.

We usually start our Thanksgiving Day with mass at the Cathedral in d'town LA followed by Dim Sum. I'm thinking to mix it up this year with the service at Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights. Anywhere to have b'fast in that area that might be open on Thanksgiving? Thanks.

We had a delicious Margherita DOC pizza and insalata Friday night at Settebello. I wouldn't mind if Blaze siphons off some of Settebello's patrons as it can be a bit of a wait sometimes, but it would have to be amazing pizza to affect my love affair with Settebello.

OP here. We had a very good experience at Gigino's. Unbelievable view and very convenient to the marina. We ordered quite simply...caprese salads, calamari, pasta bolognese, gnocchi, a chicken special....and it was all excellent. Ditto the service. Thanks for the recommendation.

Made reservations at Gigino's and many thanks to all!

Thanks, Kathryn, but they don't seem to be open on Sundays. Bar Pitti was suggested to me but that's in Greenwich Village I think and we're a bit pressed for time.

Hello. We're taking a 7 pm sunset cruise on the schooner Shearwater out of the North Cove Marina between Vesey + Liberty at the World Financial Center next Sunday night. Any recs for a pre-sail dinner within an easy walk of the ship? We're from LA so we'd prefer not Asian or Latin. Is it too much to hope for old school red sauce Italian? Thanks!

Trust me.....I felt like a rube as soon as I got there and realized it was Halal. :) And please excuse my ignorance but for the future, would it be bad form to BYOB to a Halal restaurant? I know I sound like a wino, but I do like a beer with Indian food.

Thanks to everyone's suggestions, we had an excellent dinner at Al Noor. Samosas, Lamb Korma, Chicken Tikka Masala and naturally Garlic Naan - all delicious. Just a heads-up to first-timers that they don't serve alcohol. I'm not sure if I could have BYOB'd but I didn't see anyone doing that. Prices were very reasonable and I wouldn't say the service was overly friendly, but it's a very casual place. This was a great choice and I would never have found it without this board. Can't wait to try MBPost.

Thanks for everyone's advice. Headed out now and will def make a special trip sometime to MB Post. Our daughter has worked several summers at the Counter and while we love their burgers she'll want a Cook's Night Out.

Al Noor got great reviews and is close so that's what we'll do. Thanks Chowies.

Thanks so much. I'll check out the Lawndale options and I read a review of MBPost which looks interesting. Appreciate your advice.

8 pm show. I couldn't get a reservation at MB Post but I wonder if we could sit at the communial table if we arrived at 6. I'd probably opt for lower stress with slightly less fabulous food.

Headed to this faculity tonight and I'm not familiar with the city or the venue. Anywhere good for a pre-theatre dinner walking distance or close-by? Anything other than sushi or Asian ok as we've had a lot of that lately. Thanks.

We had a beautiful dinner outside at Cafe Pinot about a month ago. No corkage and they were gracious about serving our wine.

Wishing you good health and many other - non-banned - foods to discover.

Thanks for this suggestion. La Quinta Baking Company is very convenient to where we'll be and I think I want a simple red velvet cake as that'll be great for a July 4th look. We love to visit the desert in the summer. It gives us license to lounge in the pool, go to movies and nap during the day!