Best Places to eat in L.A.

[survivor]

Hi,Looking for some help for restaurants in L.A.We have gotten some great help for Santa Monica but we are also looking for suggestions for good food in L.A. We like all types of food and price is not a problem.Just looking for best in L.A. Thanks for any help.:)

[SuzMate]

What part of LA? You'll need to narrow your area down a bit. LA is a very big city.

[Splinter]

I agree. Los Angeles is huge. You can also spent a lot, or a little. Personally, instead of eating out at traditional or even fru-fru trendy "California cuisine" restaurants, I would look at good ethnic restaurants. There are areas of the city that have a large number of certain cultural groups, and then usually means good restaurants too. For example, Gardnea is good for Japanese, Costa Mesa for Vietnamese, Little Tokyo and Chinatown don't need an explaination, and there is good Mexican food just about everywhere.

 

I like some of the diversity along La Brea south of Wilshire, which has a lot of restaurants on every block. Westwood is a good place to walk around and check out trendier places. Farmer's Market is always fun for a casual lunch.

[survivor]

We are staying at the Doubltree in Santa Monica,and thought a trip into LA for a nice dinner would be great.I don't know the area so I cannot judge how long it would take.I am open to any suggestions.Thanks:)

[cruiserjanet]

If you want to go into Downtown L.A., try www.downtownla.com. There's a list of restaurants on this website. If you will be here on the weekend, a lot of the places may or may not be open so I would suggest calling first. One of my favorite places in Downtown L.A. is Roy's Hawaiian Fusion at the corner of Figueroa and 8th. I can't wait to go there again.

[skandls]

survivor,

 

As said before 'Los Angeles' covers a lot of sq miles. If you are staying in Sabta Monica there are many restaurants there and in nearby Beverly Hills area. Be forewarned many of the trendy (celebrity hotspots) will keep you waiting a long time even with reservations.

 

Wolfgang Pucks Spago in Beverly Hills is very nice. As is the Ivy. A really LA old time tradition is Lawrys (prime rib). AOC is said to have great small plates and wine bar. A fun place for a drink is Gladstones - right on the beach - great ocean views. The 'best' in LA is really a difficult call. Check Zagats they are very good at their ratings.

 

Have a good time in LA.

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Glad you started this thread...

As I still need to answer you back on the other one, but thought the info might get lost there...

I'm going to post a bunch of different things after this, but bear in mind, I'm only posting and recommending what are really good "unique LA local residents" info.

These will be ones that my parents and friends and family have gone to for the past 50 years or so (or however long the newer restaurants are in existence), so basically just all LA native restaurants...

CJW

[Curt Jerome Wild]

For a really nice dinner, somewhat close to your hotel...

Here are two restaurants in Marina Del Rey, fabulous local institutions, and get a table outside or near the window, and you get great food, and boats sailing in and out of the harbor.

If you go here, lunchtime is great, but if you can get there timing it close to sunset...

You get the boat sailing views in the sunlight, and then the boats sailing in and out after the the sun goes down with their lights on...

So, here's the two, I'm giving websites, so I would choose which ever one has the menu that you are most instrigued with...

The Warehouse

http://www.thewarehousemdr.com/

Shanghai Red’s

http://www.shanghairedsrestaurant.com/

CJW

[Curt Jerome Wild]

For great Mexican food, and local hangout near your hotel...

El Cholo

http://www.elcholo.com/

CJW

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Oh, before I forget...

Okay, so for anyone who wants a truly unique LA dining experience...

The Inn of the Seventh Ray:

http://www.innoftheseventhray.com/

Check the website...

It is a gourmet "organic" restaurant...

That is literally built (carved out) of a hillside, in a canyon (Topanga Canyon), with a stream running below (depends on how much rain we have on how strong it's running), and has been voted "most romatic restaurant" for 5 years in a row.

Not everybody may like it, but it is one of the most truly unique LA restaurants, that I don't think could exist anywhere else.

CJW

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Cool breakfast or lunch places...

Again, local native hangouts...

The Rose Cafe:

http://www.rosecafe.com/About-Home.html

Totally cool artsy, local, artist, surfer, bodybuilder, entertainment industry hangout...

Or Maxwell's:

http://www.kapow.com/kapow/kapow/locations/maxwells.html

http://losangeles.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=25436&neighborhoodid=0&cuisineid=22&home=Y

It's a restaurant that is in an original converted house, and again, very local entertainment industry, surfer hangout...

CJW

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Best doughnuts in LA (if not the World)....

Stan's Doughnut's in Westwood

I'm providing a link here, only to my favorite doughnut info (mmmm, fresh peanut butter and banana, with chocolate chips on top!:eek: )

But, they have many other varieties.

CJW

http://www.stansdoughnuts.com/peanutbutter.html

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Always good and fun, but if you happen to be there on the ONE day of the months (check the website) where you get free food if you show up in your pajamas (totally fun, and highly recommended)...

Cafe 50s

http://cafe50s.com/home.html

CJW

[Curt Jerome Wild]

For great original California Asian cuisine...

Chin Chin's (make sure when you check the website below, although all are good locations, only the original on Sunset Blvd. or the one in Marina Del Rey provide the best LA people watching)...

Chin Chin’s

http://chinchin.com/

If you go to the original in Hollywood (on Sunset Blvd.) make sure that you get a table on the outside. Best people watching, and you may (if you look closely), see some celebrities...

If you go to the one in MDR, then either get a table on the outside patio, or one of the "high" tables near the windows. You will actually see a bunch of "regular" entertainment industry folks here, but they are musicians, producers, writers at this location.

CJW

[survivor]

Thanks everyone so much for all the great restaurants.I think you are all so wonderful especially you Curt Jerome.You have been most helpful with all things socal:)