West LA Favorite Date Spot

[Ben7643]

Hey everyone i'm looking for a fun place to take a date tonight. It's like our 3rd date so it won't be too awkward. Price doesn't really matter although I don't want Ursawa prices. I'm coming from work and so is she, so something not too formal casual/dressy/chic. Food I am completely open on. Just great atmosphere and good-great food. Perhaps with a fun place nearby to grab desert and drinks, or just drinks afterwards. I don't want to stray more then lets say a 10 minute drive in any direction from Grace. I was thinking Vibratto but i've not read many good reviews on it.

Places that won't work cause we've been.

Grace
Musha
BLD

Thanks
Ben

[SauceSupreme]

Ben, while I won't ask how the date went, I will ask where you ended up going.

[Ben7643]

Chameau :) it was awesome, next on the list is orris.

[goodhealthgourmet]

obviously too late for tonight, but for the future, as alternatives to angelini...atmosphere is more date-friendly at both pane e vino & orso, although food isn't as good at either one [but better at pane e vino than orso].

[strawberryfield]

How about Ammo on Highland? Or Dominick's. There's a great vibe for a date....really romantic patio out back. Some people give the food mixed reviews, but I've always had great meals there.

[mungus]

Pane e Vino is nice, reliably decent. Is Le Petit Cafe on Colorado in Santa Monica too far? It's a sweet little place in a slightly unexpected location.

Luna Park would be good for the shared smores fondue thing, and if you can get a booth. Otherwise it might be too loud.

I also like Caffe Carrera in Beverly Hills on La Cienega, just south of Wilshire. It's a tiny place that will pretty much make you whatever (Italian) dish you want.

Even though it's not within your geographic boundaries, for dates, I'd go with something on Abbot Kinney in Venice or maybe Main St in Santa Monica so that afterwards, you can go for a stroll on the street. Joe's or Hal's or Lilly's on Abbot Kinney. La Vecchia or Chaya or Library Alehouse on Main.

Sawtelle - Kiriko or Orris - might work too. Sawtelle is kind of fun as a stroll-around place.

Have fun!

[hrhboo]

Strongly second Orris!

[gsw]

Strongly third Orris.

The one thing to know, though, is its a little tight, tables close together. That might be fine if you are on your 3rd date and feeling comfortable together. And I agree, having the opportunity to stroll the street afterwards is fun.

Get the grilled romaine. Mmm!

[hrhboo]

In West LA-ish, Violet and Upstairs 2 would be my recs.

[smartcooki]

Lou for wine and cheese in Hollywood.

[omakase]

Hi Ben. I guess I'm one of the few who likes, not loves, Vibrato. I like its clubby jazzy feeling. And I love listening to the music while eating. However, for your special dinner tonight, I'm going to recommend Jar (8225 Beverly Blvd). American fare done extremely well. Keeping within that area, there's also Pastis (8114 Beverly Blvd.) for French, and Pane e Vino (8265 Beverly Blvd.) for some good Northern Italian. Have fun!!!

[Ben7643]

Jar looks great and i've been to hatfields its wonderful. So far I think tagine looks the coziest.

http://www.taginecuisine.com/

Is it really this moody? if so thats awesome.

Ben

[Nicole]

I think Hatfield's meets your criteria. Some people seem to dress up for it, but others are pretty casual. I guess most places in the area are like that. Not sure where is a good place to get drinks in the area, but Hatfield's itself has great cocktails.

[LAcupcake]

oooh, that's right. i totally second Hatfield's! oh and also, Hungry Cat has great cocktails, plenty of places to drink/dessert afterwards are nearby and the food is really really good. it's a weird location but I have had a couple of lovely dates there.

[hungrygirl106]

Hatfield's rules and would be my number #1 date suggestion in the area, but last minute on a Friday might be a tricky reservation to make during prime dining hours.

[hungrygirl106]

What about Chameau on Fairfax? Good food, low lighting, lively.

(http://infinitefress.blogspot.com/200...

)

Also, we just checked out Comme Ca the other night (Melrose and La Cienega, site of the former Noura Cafe), which would be a terrific date spot. Admittedly, because it's new it does have some kinks to work out; but the French menu is great (as is the wine list), it gets a fun crowd, and the room is fabulous.

Or, if you're looking for low-key near Grace, why not Ita-Cho followed by dessert at Milk?

[Ben7643]

I was looking at Chameau. From the pics it looked like a bar...... I can't imagine the food would be good but your review seems favorable has anyone else on this board tried it? Ita Cho sounds pretty good although that may be a little too low key. I'm actaually looking for a really nice place just some place I'll feel comfortable in nice jeans and like a fancy shirt. Thanks for the rec's. Comma Ca sounds pretty good any pics of that place?

[CynD]

I love Chameau. Great Moroccan - the bstilleh is killer! Went with a group, so we sampled a number of dishes. Everything with lamb was excellent, and the vegetarian cous cous was terrific. As for drinks, iird we liked the white sangria over the red, but both were good. I'd recommend it.

[Chowpatty]

I think Chameau would be a great place for a date. Ita-cho is not that low key, lots of celebs there. Comme Ca might be a bit of a zoo -- maybe save for the next date.

[Ben7643]

Made a reservation at Chameau thanks guys. Although keep the suggstions rolling in.

[LAcupcake]

Chameau did have great food when i went but my friend and I were also like the only people in the restaurant, which could make for a weird date vibe. Angelini is wonderful and on the loudness scale I'd rate it as much louder than BLD but less loud than say, Mozza. Have you thought about Luna Park? Some people on CH have dissed the food. I think it's pretty reliably good and they've changed chefs or managment (or something) in the last few months because the menu has changed a lot. There's also Cobras and Matadors (not my favorite but could be a fun date vibe). if you're in to the small plates vibe, what about AOC on 3rd? if you like french (old school) Mimosa on Beverly is pretty good and more quiet and Lucques on Melrose (contemporary) is really really good.

[Foodandwine]

If its Morrocan that you are seeking.. there is a small place on Robertson just north of Wilshire on the east side of the block.. its Morrocan as well, does a great tasting menu for a reasonable price. lots of hand to hand dining that should go over well on your third date. I just cant remember the name and since your looking for photos they have a website as well. dimly lit, cool vibe, your jeans and "new" shirt will fit in well and heck you may even get lucky.. can someone name this place? I heard that its heads and shoulders over Chameau. I cant say as I only went to the place on Robertson ( only if I can remember its name ) it has a big hunky wooden door you enter thru.. have fun what ever you do.. and if things are going well Masion 140 is a good place for drinks after dinner..

[Servorg]

Tangine

[Foodandwine]

Servog.. Thanks that it!!

-----
Tagine
132 N Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

[Ben7643]

Is this it ?

http://www.calendarlive.com/dining/96...

chef's name is the same as mine how can that be anything but good :)

[hungrygirl106]

Glad to hear you made a reservation at Chameau, which is a perfect date place -- and the food is totally legit. Enjoy! (And let us know how it went!)

[Ben7643]

Chameau was great you guys were spot on with this rest :).

Thanks
Ben

I had the leg of lamb and all i can say about that is YUM YUM YUM

[hungrygirl106]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for the update.

[Wolfgang]

I like Angelini Osteria as long as you're not looking for a private, intimate dining experience.

[Ben7643]

I've heard great things about the food here, but I heard it was impossible to hear the person next to you.