SANTA MONICA - looking for great restaurant

[gam00]

Looking for a great restaurant in Santa Monica to have dinner with a small group of ladies tomorrow night. Want something not too terribly expensive with a great atmosphere but not so loud that we can't hear ourselves. Any suggestions?
Thanks

[Francesca]

Some quick recs:

Chez Jay
La Botte
Il Fornaio
Typhoon @ S.M. Airport - go early if possible, will be loud later, watch private jets land and take off while eating, good asian cuisine
Josie on Pico Blvd.
Chez Mimi (on 26th in Brentwood)
Drago (again closer to Brentwood)
Il Moro (again not in S.M.)

[Pali]

Melisse on Wilshire. Best French in L.A. Beautiful dining room.

[Cheese Please]

Melisse is terrific, but it's very expensive and probably not available on a Friday night on such short notice.

My rec would be Jiraffe, although it ain't cheap either and may also be hard to get into.

[Pali]

Also, Josie on Pico is a fantastic place. Great dining room and fabulous food.

[New Trial]

Drago on Wilshire near 26th is a good choice.

[Alice]

26 beach Cafe on Washington Blvd. Very cute patio and good food.

Library alehouse - nice patio as well. good beers and food.