A great place for a 1st date between Silverlake and Westwood

[SFGourmande]

Help! I have a 1st date with someone and I don't know the area between Silverlake and Westwood that well. I was thinking something on 3rd street near Jones on 3rd (which would have been great but it closes at 8pm and we are meeting at 7:30pm). Any suggestions. This is more of a having a coffee/drink date as it is a set up from my friend. Something with a mellow and cool atmosphere would be great. Thanks! I know you'll come through!

[DanaB]

I can't believe nobody's suggested either Milk or Susina. Both are great for coffee and desserts. Susina is more cafe-like, but Milk's got some good stuff going on for it. Bot have great desserts and a casual environment.

Milk
[phone] - 7290 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Susina Bakery & Cafe, 7122 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
[phone] www.susinabakery.com

[SauceSupreme]

Milk would have definitely been my suggestion (and there's a proper coffee house next door in Insomnia). If the two of you hit it off and feel like getting grub, BLD is a short stroll away.

-----
BLD Restaurant
7450 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

MILK
7290 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[domaine547]

Osteria La Buca. Must make reservation. Affordable, yummy, intimate, you can still BYO for a reasonable corkage, or they have a nice wine list.

For something more casual Vito's Pizza is very good.

And for a non-Italian suggestion, Yabu on La Cienega is quite good and private without being prohibitively expensive.

[SFGourmande]

Thanks for all the great comments! I have so many options, great for many, many first dates! :)

[goodhealthgourmet]

let's be optimistic about it and hope you won't have to endure that many first dates...unless you're one of those serial daters who enjoys it :)

i second the rec for maison 140, it's one of my alll-time favorite spots. but just keep in mind that it's a pretty intimate setting.

you might also consider any of the places along beverly that offer small plates as well, so you can grab a nosh.

and barefoot bar & grill on 3rd is a good option for a drink that might roll into a casual dinner.

[SFGourmande]

Optimism wins - the date was very good and we're going out again. :)

[goodhealthgourmet]

right on! glad to hear it went well.

where did you go? and have you chosen a location for date #2?

[Emme]

Pane e Vino's back patio!

Maison 140--really like this place

Il Pastaio on Canon for wine and small eats

[wutzizname]

All good suggestions above. I especially like the Farmers Market as there's so much to watch and talk about it makes first date conversation pretty easy. You can stroll around and try different things as opposed to getting locked at a two-top staring at each other from the get go.

[glutton]

How about BreadBar on 3rd/Robertson? They've got a guest chef (Ludovic Lefebvre) who's turning out tapa-style bites to eat using bread from BreadBar, cheese from BH Cheese Store, etc. Small plates are good for first dates because they require some cooperation, they create some conversation, they encourage some sharing. Bring your own wine. Could be fun. And if it's a crappy date, then at least you got a good meal. That was always my strategy.

[bruinike]

Food Court LA a few doors down from Joan's on Third would work. Full bar or you can bring your own wine for $5 corkage fee. Cute decor inside yet still casual and friendly.
www.foodcourtla.com

[SFGourmande]

Thanks so much, these are great recommendations!

[Chowpatty]

King's Road Cafe on Beverly
Tasca on 3rd for wine and small plates
Farmer's Market could be fun especially if one of you wants coffee and the other beer or wine
Tom Bergin's for drinks
3rd Stop is very noisy so I wouldn't really recommend it for a first date
If you want to go a little classier, Nic's on Canon in Beverly Hills is quiet and has good cocktails

[nick_r]

How about Urth? (Melrose/La Cienega) Lots of great coffee and snack choices, plus plenty of substantial food if you get hungry. Very mellow and casual, and you might even spot a celeb (I've seen Jake Gyllenhaal there, among others).