TOP 4 dinner recs under $60/pp???

[VinnyNix]

Hey guys,

We are vistors from the east coast and will be in LA the first week of November. We are looking for some solid recs from the locals.

We are staying in WeHo and are looking for dinner res for Sat and Sun and the following Thu and Fri.

We enjoy almost all ethnic foods, fusion, and american styles. I'd like to keep the dinner bill around $120.00 or less (we do not drink, so alcohol need not be a factor). Atmosphere is important but still falls in behind the meal.

My initial plan is Beverly Hills/Hollywood area for Sat and Sun and Santa Monica/Malibu for Thu and Fri but can adjust if necessary.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[J.L.]

Not in Bev. Hills or Hollywood, but one can easily FEAST on San Gabriel Valley Chinese food for $30 per person. The SGV has some of the best Chinese food in the U.S.

If that appeals to you, then go try Mei Long Village, in San Gabriel (301 W. Valley, SG, CA, in a mini-mall). Get their xiao long bao, lion's head (pork meatballs).....

Langer's deli has an amazing pastrami - go for lunch.

In-N-Out burgers are a must in SoCal. Order a double-double, animal style.

Agree with Geoffrey's for that quintessential Malibu experience.

[Emme]

Bin 8945 is doable w/ no alcohol.

Il Pastaio in BH

AOC

Cube

Lou on Vine

Ethnically speaking...
Shamshiri for good persian, Los Balcones de Peru, Sanam Luang or Jitlada for Thai,

Out in Malibu, Duke's is doing well, and if you like views, Geoffrey's.

Abode or Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica

Hidden on Main

[sorry it's not four]

[goodhealthgourmet]

wow, without drinks your options expand immensely...

josie
ford's filling station
hatfield's
fraiche
grace
orris
aoc
all' angelo
hungry cat
axe
beechwood
chaya brasserie or chaya venice
table 8

[tatertotsrock]

K-ZO in Culver City

VIOLET on Pico

GRACE on Sundays for Burger Night

BASHAN in North Glendale on Verdugo in the old Bistro Verdu Space (since you don't drink alcohol, you will at least be able to enjoy your own press pot of coffee or tea)

HUNGRY CAT can easily be done for $60 if there is no alcohol invovled.

Enjoy!

[omakase]

I second Campanile. If you go on a Thursday, they have an amazing sandwich menu for dinner. Sandwiches for dinner you say? Yes, they're absolutely scumptious. You can also order off the excellent regular menu, but the sandwich menu is a "can't miss" and very affordable. They only do this on Thursday's, though.

[larud9233]

The most obvious choice is sundays at Dominick's 3 course 15.00 prixe fixe with very drinkable wine for 10.00 a bottle. Since you don't drink the new sushi restaurant Itzaka-ya on 3rd St...even La terza also on 3rd.

[SauceSupreme]

In Malibu, one of my favorite spots is Taverna Tony. It's part of the country mart complex where you might even see a little celeb spotting.

Sunday Supper at Lucques is a great suggestion.

[anothernotch]

You may consider grilled cheese Thursdays at Campanile. Always a good time and a really inventive menue.

[AquaW]

Or the family 3-course prix-fixe on Mondays, around $40/pp I believe.

~H.C.
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com

[goodhealthgourmet]

i was going to suggest mozzarella mondays at jar, but the OP doesn't mention that particular day.

[hrhboo]

Or Burger Night at Grace. I haven't been but it's at the top of my list.

[SauceSupreme]

Burger night is a lot of fun. Mmm... truffle burger...

[Diana]

Some of My Faves:
Angeli Caffe italaian/californianin Weho

Hugo's american/prganic/fusion/good tea in Weho

Rahel ethiopian on Fairfax in Little Ethiopia (close to WeHo)

Musha Japanese Santa Monica

Laconada (SP) Del Lago Italian in Santa Monica

the Lobster, Santa Monica

Taverna Tony's or Tony's Taverna for greek in malibu

Chez Mimi for french and VERY VERY nice atmosphere in Santa Monica

[ipsedixit]

Why the Lobster?

The only reason to go to the Lobster is to get a drink at the bar and take in the view. Even the chef at the Lobster doesn't eat lobster.

[hrhboo]

It is horribly overpriced and the food just isn't very good. I like having brunch there at the weekend (the lobster melt is lovely), but dinner is really not worth it. $60 won't get anyone a complete dinner there, unless they're not planning on ordering any lobster.

[Diana]

Not because she doesn't like it, she's allergic to shellfish. The only good thing, and it's really good, is the steamed maine lobster.

[hrhboo]

I agree, the steamed lobster is fine but it won't work with a $60 budget.

[nick_r]

If you're not drinking, you could eat at Spago for around that without much difficulty. In Malibu, Geoffrey's is a beautiful spot but it does tend to have similar food (New American/Continental) so you might not want to eat at both on consecutive nights.

[marlane]

I am a fan of Geoffreys but the food can be hit/miss. The atmosphere is unbeatable IMO.

LA Times did a review of a new place called Terra that had me intrigued. I wonder if anyone has been?

I'd hit up Chinois1st choice in Santa Monica.

[perk]

I haven't personally been to Terra, but friends of mine who live at the beach say it's really quite good. I've always liked that space in its other incarnations--the last one Lino.

[westsidegal]

even without drinking, i find it practically impossible to get out of spago for $60pp including tax and tip.
i love the restaurant, but honestly would not recommend it for this poster.

[Servorg]

http://www.celadongalerie.com/

[ipsedixit]

Lots of good suggestions already, but let me pile on with some different choices:

Mako
Saddle Peak Lodge
All' Angelo
Jar

[mollyomormon]

You should reserve for Sunday Supper at Lucques!

[hrhboo]

Since you're not drinking, your $60pp will go a long way!
Violet
Orris
Mozza
AOC

[Diana]

$60 pp will get you mozza food, but not all you want to try!

[hrhboo]

It'll get each of them an appetizer and a main. Probably even dessert.

Same with the pizzeria, $60pp will get each of them an appetizer, a pizza and a dessert and cover the tax and tip too.

[ipsedixit]

"$60 pp will get you mozza food, but not all you want to try!"
____________________________________

Agree, but then that's why you go BACK and eat again. I don't think there's ever been a restaurant where I've been able to sample all that I've wanted to try in one visit, tasting menus included.

[AquaW]

$60/pp and no alchy should yield some pretty good options - here are my top 4:

K-Zo (japanese fusion sushi in Culver City, you can get a tasting menu of sorts for $48)
Grace (contemporary American fare, big on seasonal & local ingredients, save room for desserts)
Josie in Santa Monica (also great modernized American cuisine with focus on fresh & in-season foods)
Osteria Mozza (*the* italian place to try in LA right now, try to go really early if you don't have a reservation)

~H.C.
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com