422888 Thu Jul 19 17:05:59 -0700 2007 14 2 Los Angeles Area 0 2766231 Hi, I know the downtown question comes up a lot, but none of the threads I looked at really addressed my needs. You see, my 73-year-old mother (sharp, fit, and chowhoundy, but still 73) is going to be spending a week at the Biltmore (got a great deal via Priceline) doing some research at the library, the courthouse, etc. She needs places to eat breakfast, lunch and/or dinner that are reasonably priced, appropriate for an elderly woman dining alone (i.e., safe, not too rowdy or much of a "scene"), and since she won't have a car, relatively nearby or easily accessible to someone not familiar with the transit system (not that she can't use public transit -- she will -- just that she's not familiar with specific routes). She's lived in Oakland for 50 years, so she's not put off by "urban" or "ethnic" neighborhoods, and she'll eat almost anything, but I think what she'd like for most of her meals is a casual cafe that serves simple food (soups, sandwiches, salads) using fresh, good-quality ingredients. If downtown LA is like downtown SF, places like that are pretty hard to come by after working hours, so dinner suggestions are particularly welcome. A place near the hotel that serves light breakfast fare with excellent coffee (preferrably not Starbucks) would be most appreciated. My mother and I thank you! Thu Jul 19 17:05:59 -0700 2007 10159 Ruth Lafler 1 2766241 http://www.angeliquecafe.com/ Breakfast and Lunch only Thu Jul 19 17:10:07 -0700 2007 2766231 108169 Servorg 2 2766579 Angelique is a great suggestion. But it's 3/4 of a mile each way. Servorg and I can walk it easily, but not sure of Mom's walking capacity. Another place that's good for breakfast or lunch is the Yorkshire Deli on 6th, near Grand. There's also a sandwich shop right in the Central Library that makes decent (not great, but not bad) sandwiches. Across the street from the Library, and up the many escalators, is McCormick & Schmick. It's a chain, but they have good fish. The bar is sceney, but the restaurant is pretty calm. For a nice meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner, the restaurant at Checkers, across the street from the Biltmore, is also very good. And I agree with IpseDixit about the Gas Co and the restaurants in the Biltmore. They're all good. Regarding the courthouse, there are a number of courthouses downtown, with good restaurants relatively close to all of them. If you can be more specific you'll probably get better suggestions. Thu Jul 19 19:48:17 -0700 2007 2766241 13464 lil mikey 3 2766664 Thanks for the ideas so far! The court house would be the County courthouse (where the records are, not where the actual courts are). She also mentioned the County Assessor's office. Thu Jul 19 20:30:16 -0700 2007 2766579 10159 Ruth Lafler 4 2766680 http://www.ladottransit.com/dash/ Thu Jul 19 20:40:06 -0700 2007 2766664 108169 Servorg 1 2766250 For lunch, I suggest the Gas Tower cafeteria, which is directly across the street from the Biltmore, or perhaps the Terrace Cafe (a favorite of fellow 'hound Calabasas Trafalgar). For dinner, I would suggest something inside the Hotel, like Smeraldi's or Sai Sai. Thu Jul 19 17:13:02 -0700 2007 2766231 11583 ipsedixit 1 2766732 I agree that Dash vans might be her best bet for getting around downtown cheaply and easily. Several of the routes stop by the Civil Courthouse and go up to Union Station right near Chinatown, which puts her just across the street from Phillippe's, the historic french dip place. For dinner, find out when the popular happy hour starts at McCormick and Schmick's and get one of their huge burgers and fries for just a couple of bucks, or other bargains. For lunch, the cafeteria downstairs at the Dept. of Water and Power (DWP) is open to the public and has a number of food stations including good freshmade salads, with reasonable prices and seating indoors and outside. The DWP is only two or three blocks directly west of the Civil Courthouse. Thu Jul 19 21:04:10 -0700 2007 2766231 10855 nosh 2 2766752 If Ruth doesn't mind sorting through this recent thread there are some really great suggestions included in it that would be useful for her mom's visit, (one of the best posts in this thread is by nosh). When I ran across this I was looking for some information about Nick's, which is also in this thread. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/420630 Thu Jul 19 21:17:55 -0700 2007 2766732 108169 Servorg 3 2766837 Thanks, that's a very helpful thread. And thanks nosh for your help on both threads -- DASH sounds like a great way for mom to get around. Thu Jul 19 22:13:20 -0700 2007 2766752 10159 Ruth Lafler 4 2766930 The "B" Dash will also get her to Chinatown, and the little-known "City Hall Shuttle" is free and useful for shuttling down First Street. http://www.ladottransit.com/dash/ There are a number of casual places in the food court across from the Library on 5th Street. ( If the Turkey place on the second level is still there, it wasn't bad.) The Bonavenure has lots of small places (more for lunch than anything else) and across Figueroa in the City National Plaza street level is Ciudad, which is open for dinner. Thu Jul 19 23:39:57 -0700 2007 2766837 71215 mlgb 1 2766979 Seems to me a trip to Clifton's is a propos. Nick and Stef's for a nice steakhouse option, and I personally think they'll take good care of her. Is Nazo's too far? Patinette is casual, and if she'd like a slice of pizza, either Pitfire or order from Purgatory. I really like Salads 2000, The Sunset Grill, The Health Winner, The Pantry, The Palm, The Bread Winner, Wall Street Deli (in the ARCO plaza), and Wood Spoon... Fri Jul 20 00:57:12 -0700 2007 2766231 15572 Emme 1 2767571 just curious what was the rate on priceline? and to make this hound worthy.. the lamb chops at angelique are great.. blade cut not loin.. but umm tasty.. Fri Jul 20 08:23:37 -0700 2007 2766231 97161 Foodandwine 2 2767842 Angelique sounds great -- do you happen to know if there's a DASH route that goes by there? The rate I got on Priceline was $75/night -- you can't get a cheap motel room for that! Fri Jul 20 09:34:21 -0700 2007 2767571 10159 Ruth Lafler 3 2768200 Great rate, check out www.metro.net is will show the dash routes there if I am correct Fri Jul 20 10:56:25 -0700 2007 2767842 97161 Foodandwine 1 2769145 Also, on Wednesdays, there is that whole street fair with lots and lots of great food stands and snacks across the street from the Biltmore on 5th between Grand & Figueroa. Fri Jul 20 15:55:12 -0700 2007 2766231 12807 Cecilbee