Lunch in downtown LA (Business area)

[splittle]

Does anyone know of some good places for lunch in downtown LA in the 7th and Fig area? I know of Pitfire on Main and 2nd but want to vary up my normal work lunch routine and find something other than just subway and CPK. Thanks so much.

[New Trial]

Arnie Morton's and Liberty Grill are worth adding to your list.

[Sam D.]

Gill's Indian Cuisine inside the Stillwell Hotel at 9th & Grand.

If you like Indian you should like this place. The food is very good, the prices are low and the surroundings are pleasant and comfortable. There is a decent lunch buffet served M-F. The downside is that is fairly small and can get crowded at the peak lunch time.

[fenian]

I had Gill's for dinner delivered to my office once. It was good, I second it. I couldn't find it when I tried to go in person! I even remember going inside the hotel. Weird. I think I ended up at the Persian place Farid, a few blocks away, which is another pretty good place that should be added to this list.

Speaking of delivery, George's Greek Cafe delivers for lunch. Whether it was workload or laziness that caused me to order delivery so many times (it was two blocks away), the food was always excellent. I wish I could have their chicken shawarma salad right now in Boston.

[caitybirdie]

just try this out, go to la trade tech, on washington and grand and go into the cafeteria, the culinary students make the lunches. not expensive AT ALL!!!! they serve breakfast also, waffles, pancakes, french toast, sandwiches, and for lunch they get to practice making main courses also. you can go into the cafeteria, or go to the restaurant they have on the side. honestly, i'd go to the cafeteria. please go and try it out, i used to go to school there, and its great to see someone different.

[ckbear]

Expensive:
Water Grill on Grand
Nick and Stef's in the Wells Fargo Center

Farid's - good Persian on St. Vincent's next to Pershing Sq.
Blossom - yummy Vietnamese on Main between 4th and 5th

Little Tokyo:
Curry House
Daikokuya - Ramen house
Shabu Shabu house - be prepared to wait
Fiore - like pinkberry froyo

In the Water Court:
Skews
Mendocino's

The Standard Hotel
Wolfgang Puck's Express

[weebie]

Nazo's on 8th and Fig (near Roys) is pretty well known for their sandwiches. It's "next door" to Pizza Next Door... http://www.nazos.net

[daluji]

I'm lucky to work just above Grand Central Market. Good break from the usual food court stuff. I would also suggest taking a short dash ride over to the Gas Company building. They have a nice cafeteria with good selections. Average price. There are also a few decent eats in Macy Plaza. Is Pete's Cafe the one with the paninis?

[kellydeez]

Have you ever tried Tiara Cafe??

http://www.tiara-cafe.com/

Don't know if it's close enought, but the menu is stellar. Very intentive and unique.

Also, second the Pete's rec. It's a good standby.

[yinyangdi]

The Bishop Coffee & Gourmet
816 S Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017
[phone]

7:00 AM - 12:00 AM Monday – Saturday (12AM!)
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday

South of 8th on East side of street at the bottom of South Park Lofts

* Pasquini coffee & espresso
* Harney & Sons teas
* Susina Bakery pastries (sweet & savory)
* housemade salads & sandwiches (on LaBrea Bakery bread)
* panini after 4PM

* * *

Organic To Go
(Street entrance corner of 5th and Grand)
The Gas Company Building
555 South Grand Avenue, Suite cc56, LA 90071
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00AM-3:30PM
http://www.organictogo.com/menu.cfm

* * *

Pacific Grille kiosk
(NW corner of Wilshire/Figueroa

)

* * *

Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express
630 West Sixth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
[phone]
http://www.wolfgangpuck.com

* * *

[DiveFan]

For most options you'll have to take the Dash or Red Line. Searching on 'downtown lunch eats' I came up with some recent threads
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/327554
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/336136
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/332460
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/332467
which point to other threads.

I don't know Delmonicas but Los Angeles NY Pizza at 518 W. Sixth St. was formerly named Lamonicas.
The Original Pantry at 9th and Fig is good but very crowded at lunch, better if you can hit it at 11a or 1p.
If you want some places to ask about here, the LA County Health site pretty much lists everything: http://www.lapublichealth.org/rating/
For a great map of downtown see: http://dcbid.cartifactmaps.com/

[theyellowvolvo]

haha, thanks. I always get that name wrong...Lamonicas. :)

[calabasas_trafalgar]

I love this place, go there once a week. It helps that I work across the street!

[ipsedixit]

For pizza, I like Pizza Next Door (806 West 8th St, Los Angeles, 90017 - [phone]), which is right behind Roy's.

[kevin]

i think i heard you mention this joint before.

what can i compare it to.

do they do slices? and how's the true test of a plain cheese slice?

[fenian]

The plain cheese is good (i think it's best). It's not NY style, or Chicago style, or California style though. Yes, they do slices.

[ipsedixit]

Yes, they do slices.

I find it very good - service is also friendly.

Give it a try. I am no expert on "true NY-Style Pizza" (whatever that is), but I do no know what I like and what kind of pizza is tasty. The pies at Pizza Next Door fit both of those criteria.

[fenian]

This is what I meant by "back door pizza." I think the pizza is quite good (which is in between good and very good). There is a place nearby called "back door pub" that confused me.

[fenian]

There are lots.
Cheap places in 7th & Fig: George's Greek Cafe (addictive chicken shawarma), Charlie Kabob
Cheap places around: Back Door Pizza (by the slice), Nazo's (for excellent stuffed croissants)
More expensive/sit down: Engine Co No 28, Zucca, Ciao (only went once but it was excellent--the garlic rolls were incredible--never gets mentioned for some reason), Roy's.
Really good/expensive: Cafe Pinot, Water Grill
Out further but worth a try: Senor Fish, Angelique, Sushi Go 55

[splittle]

Thanks. Where exactly are Senor Fish, Angelique, and Sushi Go 55?

[theyellowvolvo]

Senor Fish is in Little Tokyo. Lots of great eats there but far from 7th and Fig. I work near there too and have difficulty finding good eats. There's Delmonica's Pizza which is good--it's on Grand?

[fenian]

The first and third are in Little Tokyo (too far to walk). Angelique, a casual French place, is a reasonable walk--Spring and 8th.

[parkavegirl]

Pete's Cafe on 4th and Main. Great renovated downtown building. Used to be an old bank? I think. But the chicken curry salad sandwich is amazing. So are the blue cheese fries. Its also GREAT for pre- or post-Staples center events.