UN-Sceney in Culver City?

[macrogal]

We're meeting some friends for dinner in Culver City and, being Valley dwellers, they want us to pick a place. We want someplace relatively cheap - none of your Beacons - and not too sceney - so Ford's Filling Station is out. Any suggestions?

[glutton]

Annapurna serves good South Indian food and they show a load of Bollywood videos on TVs throughout the restaurant, so it has built-in entertainment...

[SauceSupreme]

I like Natalee Thai on Venice. Great food though far from authentic; I suppose it'd be equidistant for you to go from SFV to Thai Town, but still. I usually order from their Robertson location, but the Culver City location is solid, too.

[edo]

I can say I think Natalee Thai has gone a bit downhill. The portions have gotten smaller from my previous experiences and just way too crowded for its own good.

[SauceSupreme]

That's a shame. The Robertson location still doesn't get that crowded, but the difficulty of parking and remoteness probably lend itself to that.

[ddyouandme]

Versailles on Venice for Cuban food.

Another one of the "love-it or hate-it" places, but i'm firmly in the "love-it" camp. And it's not just about the chicken, they have amazing pork dishes, even tamales if i remember correctly. Bring a breath mint.

[aliris]

And speaking of tamales, you could try Glorias on the north side of Venice in the block east of Versailles (which I "hate" for the record). She's got a narrow little restaurant squeezed into the grungiest strip mall with a rip-off tire place, liquor store, janitorial supplies and futon stores among others. Her place has a long thin sign; it's easy to miss. But she and her family are really lovely and warm and the salvadorean tamales and entrees are wonderful. Some may remember her from her days in a tiny purple stand in WLA near B,B & Beyond -- Tennessee perhaps?

[slacker]

Tender Greens. Very high quality food, inexpensive, unsceney but next to the FFS "scene" so you can look out onto it if you want. http://www.tendergreensfood.com/

[CarlieInLA]

I just went to Tender Greens for lunch and I must say I really enjoyed it. I had a "Hot Plate" with chicken, side salad and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were really great, very good chicken. I can't wait to go back and try the salads. Many things on their menu looked great.

[bcrall]

Novacento is good Italian and not scene-y at all. On Main Street between Venice & Culver.

[bcrall]

Oh yea, prices around $10-15 for pasta, slightly more for meat-based entrees.

[WBGuy]

A little far from the downtown area, but Metro Cafe (Washington/Sepulveda) has always been a favorite of mine. The ajvar spread they serve along with the bread is very addictive.

[Mike Z]

Oh yeah! I really liked that place when I went a couple months ago. Casual vibe, but all kinds of interesting dishes. Excellent and friendly service as well.

[PaulF]

I'll third this rec, for a place I've been touting for a while (and not just me).

Metro is interesting, casual and has very good food. The owners/staff are very helpful and friendly.

Metro is on Washington Place (not Washington Blvd.) just east of Sepulveda on the south side of the street.

[Mike Z]

While Bamboo is good, I wouldn't describe it as anywhere near cheap. You'll get a lot more bang for your buck next door at Cafe Do Brasil (though you will have to bus your own table) or at the Nepali place down the street. I like Gaby's on Venice for Middle Eastern, though the service is awful. Novocento on Main would be a a good option for Italian. Le Dijonaisse in the Helms Bakery is usually good as well.

Search the board for Culver City, and maybe check back if you have more questions?

[tony michaels]

Good and NOT a scene with prices to make your wallet purr with satiated content is Bamboo, on Venice Blvd. just a bit west of Overland on the north side of the street.

http://www.bamboorestaurant.net/about...