Dinner near Wiltern - NOT Opus

[Nemz]

I'm going to see Travis at the Wiltern in a few weeks and I'm trying to find a good place to have dinner before the show, preferably in the area.

I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian. My friend isn't, but she can't eat onions, garlic, or salad for health reasons. She's also a bit conservative in her food choices, so she said no to Italian (due to the garlic), Japanese, or Korean. Thai could be too spicy. Mexican and Chinese are OK. I suggested El Cholo but she doesn't like it. I imagine "American" food could be fine too.

I did a search through the boards and Opus seemed to come up often. Unfortunately, it looks out of our price range, not very vegetarian friendly, and a little too adventurous for my friend. Papa Cristo's doesn't look terribly appetizing to me.

I'm looking for something in the range of $10-$15 for an entree. The friend suggested something like Marie Callender's or Red Robin, but I'd like to find a more unique place. We'll be coming from Glendale and will be meeting other friends for dinner who aren't as choosy, so I'd prefer something in Los Feliz or Silverlake or a neighborhood close to the Wiltern. Genghis Cohen looks interesting but it's out of the way.

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated...and any other suggestions on cuisines are welcome too.

[Servorg]

http://www.room5lounge.com/amalfirist...

[burntcrisp]

Perhaps a pizza place would work. Can certainly customize the pizza to meet the restrictions you mention. Mr. Pizza Factory is 1-1/2 blocks west of the Wiltern and has decent pizzas. Strange name, but apparently - a large chain in Korea. They seem to use quality ingredients.

[Capybara]

I was also going to suggest you look at Luna Park. I've eaten there once, a while ago, and can't feel based on that limited experience and my limited memory of it, that I can either recommend it or advise against it.

(I will say that Papa Christos is where I meet my vegetarian friend prior to shows at the Wiltern.)

[Woolsey]

Oh, man, I never thought I'd be recommending this, but given the geographic area, dietary restrictions and food preferences, you really have very few options.

I really do not like Luna Park, but with the limited dining options around the area and what you guys are limited in eating, that looks like your best option to me. It's at La Brea and Wilshire, a relatively short skip down Wilshire from the Wiltern and not as highly priced as Opus. This is not my saying Luna Park is good. It's not. This is just my saying it's probably the best option you've got in a three-mile radius.

http://www.lunaparkla.com/

Keep in mind there is also a bar menu at Opus which is not as expensive as the regular dining room menu.

-----
Luna Park
672 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036

[eatdrinkwoman]

how about the bounty? very conservative menu - and a few blocks away on wilshire

[ks in la]

How about Oaxacan at Guelaguetza on 8th?

http://www.guelaguetzarestaurante.com/

[Nemz]

Guelaguetza sounds good to me - unfortunately I think that's too adventurous for my friend. Any other suggestions? :)

[wilafur]

you can go to taylor's steakhouse. but the cost will be more along the lines of $20-30.

[Nemz]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't see an entree that I can eat. I don't eat seafood.

[mollyomormon]

I think probably you're right. When I was a vegetarian working in an office near the Wiltern I always had a terrible time finding veggie options there. I do think that given your restrictions, a chain place actually might be your best option.

[wilafur]

my fault, i glanced over your requirement.

how about m cafe de chaya? i think it's @ 3-4miles northwest of the wiltern.

there is also paru's and it's basically a couple miles north of the wiltern.

[Nemz]

M Cafe looks interesting to me but I'm positive it will scare my friend. She is very wary of tofu. I've eaten at Paru's and unfortunately don't care for it much. If I'm going to have Indian, I'd rather go to Gate of India on Sunset. Unfortunately, my friend isn't an Indian fan. She can't have spicy foods. Sorry that I keep negating your suggestions!