Looking for nice view

[rickym13]

need to take few guests from japan to dinner...my mom wants to take them to place with nice view over food :(
my first thought was either windows or prime at bonaventure hotel....never been to prime.
which one should we go? we will have 2 kids as well.
yamashiro was mention but they are from japan so...don't think so.

thanks

[The Chewy Kid]

http://www.yamashirorestaurant.com/

The view here is awesome. The downside is that's it's a replica of a Japanese palace and maybe you don't want to do Japanese for Japanese guests...

Duke's in Malibu. It's right on the water.

If you are ready to give up a view I would take the gang to Trader Vics. It's fun, Hawaiian old school, with great drinks and the kids will totally dig it.

[perk]

Trader Vic's has been closed for a while now.......

[LisaStitch]

Didn't it reopen poolside at the hotel? I thought I'd heard that - same drinks but just relocated. I wonder how it is...

I'd recommend Moonshadows over Duke's. I had shared some great entrees with friends at Moonshadows on the outside patio. Really lovely. Duke's is a little cheesy with the whole tiki theme and the brunch I had there once was just okay.

[ipsedixit]

How the The Restaurant at the Getty Museum?

[fdb]

I'd also rec. The Lobster. It's in Santa Monica which is probably as much of a distance as Redondo Beach. Japanese people loves Santa Monica. They even designed a beach in Odaiba to resemble SM.

[mc michael]

Terrific view on a clear night and good food.

[rickym13]

thanks for all the input...my family decided to go to parker's lighthouse in long beach.
food is so-so with ocean/queen mary view, somewhat casual for kids and not too expensive for party of 12. corkage @ $10.

[Pakkai]

Hey rickym13 if it's not too late...
At the Redondo Beach Pier is "Tony's on the pier." Nice oceanview and a the food is quite good, in fact their Crab Louie Salad is the best I've had with lot's of real crab meat and great thousand island dressing. If you order the Mai Tai you get to keep the really cool glass, makes a nice souvenoir. BTW take the staircase to the top level for a great view and if it's cold they have a nice circular fireplace too.

[Frank_Santa_Monica]

Go with Windows.

I was going to say Shutters, but I don't think the view in the evening is all that.

[iluvcheese]

windows is closing in July, so might def be good to take advantage one last time.

[rickym13]

decided to go windows...but guess what. they are closed on monday for dinner!
some recommendations are great but need someplace that is going to be little more casual/kid friendly than shutters, penthouse or catch.
also looking for place that is not too far from downtown and it for party of 12.
was thinking either some place by redondo beach pier or traxx at union station (no view but)
any suggestions?

[miffy]

food isn't the best but view is beautiful-- Yamashiro

[westsidegal]

in op's post,
the request was for non-japanese food

[mc michael]

There must be some places on the Sunset Strip that have views of the City lights.

[glutton]

Asia de Cuba? Or that restaurant on top of Sunset Tower.

All things being equal, the city lights view of LA is not incredibly impressive if you compare it to New York, Chicago, or SF. Therefore, I'd suggest a view of the ocean, which is something LA does very well. Catch at Casa del Mar would be an excellent choice. The Huntley would definitely be a good choice. Geoffrey's in Malibu has a great view, too.

[LisaStitch]

I love Asia de Cuba. It's also got a good Hollywood/scenester vibe that is good for out-of-towners.

I'd also recommend The Lobster in Santa Monica - the best view I think because you're overlooking not only the ocean but also the pier with the carousel and rides - it's really pretty at night.

Geoffrey's is good too but I think it's a little too expensive for what you get there. I like Moonshadows best - a little more casual but still great view and yummy food.

[Emme]

I'd second The Lobster; you can't beat a meal at sunset.... a very California, beachy feel, but just having read the update, it's too far from downtown... Agree that Asia de Cuba might be best for that location.

Too bad about Encounters because that would have been great too, but if you'll travel a bit, what about The Hump?

[Emme]

Another thought... West Restaurant

or

Thousand Cranes for a Japanese Garden view?

[miffy]

I second thousand crane-- for great food

[westsidegal]

thousand crane is japanese--
op asked for restaurants that serve non-japanese food.

[revets2]

CATCH at casa del mar in santa monica. request a table at the window and watch the sunset.

the food and service not superior to CATCH, but the PENTHOUSE at the huntley hotel in santa monica has a killer view.

http://www.hotelcasadelmar.com/dining_entertainment/restaurant_near_santa_monica_beach.php
http://www.thehuntleyhotel.com/pentho...