47364 Wed Jan 17 15:11:02 -0800 2001 9 2 Los Angeles Area 0 235496 Owing to a fantastic confluence of wonderful events and a superbly clear day, my wife and I decided to go to Windows restaurant downtown, located atop the Transamerica building. The food was decent. I had a filet mignon, and I swear it had been so long since my last steak, it took me a while to figure out if it was good (it was okay). The side dishes - grouped in to vegetables and potatoes - are a good value at around $5/each. But, of course, none of this was why we came. At 8:30pm, the restaurant was virtually empty. We took a both facing directly west, and, really, we could see everything from the 10 freeway north to the sunset hills. I am sure that in the daytime the view was even more spectacular, as visibility was virtually unlimited. We stayed for two and half hours, well past closing, picking out every street and building we could find. (Los Angeles is quite an amazing city - and a big one too.) Considering the moderate prices, it certainly lived up to our hopes as a special occasion restaurant. Wed Jan 17 15:11:02 -0800 2001 0 Jeff Shore 1 235503 Yeah, I totally agree with you. The food there is only decent at best, but the main attraction is the view. If great steak is what you're really after, I think the best steaks in L.A. are at Arnie Mortons on La Ciniega, although their side dishes leave something to be desired. The main problem I have with Arnie Mortons is that they don't served creamed spinach. In my opinion, not serving creamed spinach should be a crime in a top notch steakhouse. And although most of their appetizers and desserts are just okay, they do have an absolutely divine dessert, the hot godiva chocolate cake. Served warm with a molten gooey center and vanilla ice cream... Orgasmic! For appetizers they do have one great appetizer of scallops wrapped in salty bacon with a mango chutney. The plump scallops, contrasting with the fatty, salty bacon and topped with a bit of the chutney, is truly a superb dish of contrasting flavors that works blissfully. Wed Jan 17 19:45:52 -0800 2001 235496 0 SexLoveRockSushi 2 2646749 Sorry to hear Windows Steaks & Martinis is closing in July. It was the only incentive I could use to get my husband to come to LA (I work here). The food was lovely (if not spectacular), the service top notch, the views surreal. Hope the corporates change their minds. Sun Jun 10 11:44:18 -0700 2007 235503 104376 emlew 1 235507 In limited defense of Windows, a few months back I had a GREAT filet mignon there. I was pretty shocked - from the sound of things it was something of an anomaly. Still, a wonderful place for drinks...what a view. Wed Jan 17 21:36:09 -0800 2001 235496 0 Lisa Bee 1 235510 This is a restaurant where you tolerate the food in order to enjoy the ambience. There is no other place in Los Angeles that makes you feel that you are in the middle of midtown Manhattan. I can sit for hours (just as you apparently did) and watch the mesmerizing flow of car lights on the Santa Monica Freeway. Once you get to know the waiters, you get truly great service, too. It's the only place I will pay high (not moderate) prices for mediocre food and wine and feel I still got a great deal. (A triumph of romanticism over chowhoundism?_ Wed Jan 17 23:13:25 -0800 2001 235496 0 afrothfeld 1 235517 What's the parking deal at "Windows"? thanks, 2chez mike Thu Jan 18 14:27:33 -0800 2001 235496 0 2chez mike 2 235518 I valeted. Think it was 3 or 4 bucks. Thu Jan 18 15:59:00 -0800 2001 235517 0 Lisa Bee 3 235525 When we went there - 8:30pm on a Tuesday - valet parking in the building was free with validation. Thu Jan 18 19:23:25 -0800 2001 235518 0 Jeff Shore 1 236074 Pass through downtown on my way home from work each day, but never been to Windows. Two questions: Can you stop in just for drinks (and the view?), and if so, what time does the bar open? thanks. Wed Mar 07 12:01:25 -0800 2001 235496 0 Cagey 1 236145 Just returned from a very average lunch there. I recommend going for drinks and the view. I had some tortilla soup, and some ahi tuna. None were spectacular. Wed Apr 17 18:04:34 -0700 2002 235496 0 HomeChef