Providence, Water Grill, or Lucques?

[sperkins]

I am looking for the best place to celebrate my 7th wedding anniversary. We probably won't do a tasting menu because I have some dietary restrictions.

[mstinawu]

So basically, if you go to Providence, be prepared to be disappointed unless you get the tasting menu?

[carter]

I can only hope this is the case, as I was really disappointed in the regular menu offerings. The regular menu was uninteresting, boring, take your pick of terms, yet ultimately I just felt ripped.

[mstinawu]

Have you been to Water Grill? How does it compare? I went there (just once) and had a good time/good.

[webb]

Yes, that was my experience. I recently went back and had the tasting menu instead, and it was much better than just the entrees.

[radman123]

Providence is a tad overrated- one noticable mistake was on the tasting menu which had an excellent Lobster dish followed by a Monkfish dish - why would monkfish come after lobster especially if the Monkfish dish is bland? This showed me inconsistency. I actually enjoyed ordering from the menu on my previous trip better

i like seafood, but was a bit bored

ate at Lucques on Friday - very solid place (pig dish ALMOST a substitute for Normans)

[webb]

I had a not-so-stellar meal at Providence and can't figure out why it's held in such high esteem. We ordered four different entrees (in addition to appetizers) and they all tasted kind of "samey". I may give it another chance -- perhaps try the tasting menu -- but I just wasn't convinced.

[AquaW]

Haven't been to any... but I'm saving up (in a beer mug) for Providence myself. $40 so far (which theoretically could've gone to a Sunday Supper @ Lucques, but I'm holding out.)

~AquaW
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com

[sambrown3]

We had dinner at Providence last weekend for a friends b-day, and it was hands down the best meal I have ever eaten-I travel, and I eat. We all 3 did the chefs tasting menu with wine, and it was absolutly elegant. Having said that, I love Luque and Watergrill. But Providence is so much more of a one of a kind experience. Service, food and wine were impecable.

[RicRios]

Given the facts

a) 7th anniversary, and
b) no tasting, I'd strongly recommend:

1) Early dinner @ WG, followed by
2) opera at Dorothy Chandler, current options:
Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel
Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea

[calabasas_trafalgar]

I would skip the opera if you want to have another anniversary.

[cls]

Lucques is fine, and fun and comfortable. Very good cozy atmosphere that is hard to find in LA.
Water Grill is old world style and service. Very good food and you can be casual or formal and not feel out of place.
Providence is a fine dining experience. Which may not be for everyone. If that's your thing, Providence is the winner.
In order of food, Providence, then Water Grill then Lucques IMO.
In order of preference, I have preferred each depending on my mood and what I am looking for, and yes budget.
Now if Cimarusti still was at Water Grill....

[carter]

Lucques.
Tasting menu is the only way at P'dence, and if you are not doing it, then opt out.
The menu at P'dence did not deliver all that well for me, and I find no reason to return, yet I return to Lucques at least twice a year, as well as AOC, its sister restaurant.
I also think Lucques is a much warmer, inviting looking restaurant, and more conducive to anniversary sentiments.

[russkar]

Sorry Carter, we eat at Both Lucques and Providence regularly(20 times a year) and there is no COMPARISON between the two Restaurants?
Providence is at a much Higher Level than Lucques could ever achieve. Not to say Lucques isn't very good but?
Maybe to experience Providence you should try the CHEF'S Tasting Menu, some of the BEST FOOD IN LA!

[carter]

Russ, you may be correct on the tasting menu focus, yet poster indicated that tasting menu was probably not an option. Regular menu at Providence in my experience was a MAJOR letdown. Room is awful, the food is ok, the wine list not all that wonderful, and the room is ugly - did I say that already!!! And I obviously am not referring to the chef's table, as you might expect, but the main dining room to the left of the front door - ugh!!!!

[PoetKitty]

Providence providence providence providence.
I'm a broken record about this place, but I can't help it. Going back on Friday for what I think is the 20th time. Or so.
Happy anniversary :)