Where to eat tonight in Downtown Los Angeles?

[8already]

Can anyone recommend a place to have dinner tonight in downtown LA? I'm taking an old (but not that old!) friend out, so I'd love a place where we could enjoy some great food and wine and talk. I'm not looking for a scene. Thanks in advance for your advice!

[carter]

Well, of all the Patina Group operations downtown LA, my favorite is Cafe Pinot in the McGuire Gardens adjacent to the Central Library - not for great, yet good, food, but the setting is superb, especially around dusk with the sun setting and all the buildings lighted up, and there is decent wine list, yet also nothing over the top. Saturday night is a good night to go, in that it is not as busy, and especially around 7:30 as the theatre-goers have largely departed for Bunker Hill, and you get better service.

[halley]

i know you mentioned wanting wine, but what about a mexican place - la serenta di garibaldi just east of downtown:

1842 E. First St. (bet. Boyle Ave. & State St.) Boyle Heights, CA (valet behind restaurant)
323-265-2887

otherwise, the water grill is the best restaurant downtown. patina too, but it is even more expensive. fwiw, my husband tells me pacific dining car is NOT good.

[Jesdamala]

Sadly, according to some recent reports, Nic and Stephs has lost some of its appeal. I did so love this meat palace for a long time. Sent friends very recently, they were disappointed.
OH, how about Pacific Dining Car? Still good, not GREAT, but good. You will be able to linger as long as you want, and service is always impeccable. Just west of downtown Los Angeles.

[Tom P]

ZUCCA might be a good choice. I have not been in a while, but the three times I went last year, I really liked it. Great pizzas and pastas and actually one of the best steaks in town:

http://www.patinagroup.com/zuccaRistorante/

Also, in Union Station is a very cool restaurant called TRAXX. Very good food and a wonderful atmosphere, sitting in what might be the most beautiful building in LA (perhaps tied with the Bradbury Building

)

http://traxxrestaurant.com

If you don't mind going slightly west of downtown to Koreatown, many of us on the board are big fans of TAYLOR'S STEAKS. I am definitely a regular:

http://www.taylorssteakhouse.com/

Also downtown is LA PRIME STEAKHOUSE on top of the Bonaventure. Not the greatest food in the world, but it is solid fare and the view is tremendous.

http://www.bonaventurehotel.com/prime_steakhouse/prime_steakhouse.cfm

And finally there is THE WATER GRILL, amazing seafood and service. One of the better restaurants in LA.

http://www.watergrill.com/

[Babette]

Water Grill for great seafood. If you like clam chowder, you may love this one with whole clams in a delicately flavored broth (not thick, but delicious).

http://www.watergrill.com/

[russkar]

Checker's across from Water Grill, which isn't a bad idea either.