Cheap and tasty in Hollywood

[pudd]

My friends have tickets to the Improv on Melrose Saturday and we are looking for a dinner place that's about 30 bucks a person with drinks and tip. We usually go to Bossa Nova but I'm looking for something different and hopefully close to the Improv. We like anything, but my one friend will only eat chicken and fish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[pudd]

Well it looks like we have it narrowed down to Cha Cha Cha or Taste, but I have also heard of Happisongs or Lou's on Vine. Happisongs seems like you love it or hate it and Lou's on Vine seems to have a limited menu from what I saw on their website. Can anyone help me make a choice?
Thanks

[JackonCrack]

Lou's is divine, but I woldn't call it cheap...
the Cha Cha Cha in hollywood PALES in comparison to the one in Silver Lake.

I would say Village Idiot, Maos or Taste.

[wutzizname]

Yeah, most of the places you're leaning towards are more in the 50/per range than 30, assuming you're talking about alcoholic drinks and not diet cokes.

[SauceSupreme]

Also, Lou on Vine really is more of a wine bar. If you like the small plates concept, consider also Cobras and Matadors on Beverly, right by BLD.

Depending on how late your show gets out at the Improv, there's also Kings Road Cafe.

[pudd]

Cha Cha Cha and the Village idiot look good, and maybe BLD but it looks a little pricey. Thanks for the help so far because I haven't found any of those places.

[wutzizname]

Your decent walking options are Lala's (though not that different from Bossa Nova), Angeli, and Village Idiot.

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Village Idiot
7383 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Lala's Argentine Grill
7229 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

[wutzizname]

Oh and there's also the new Moa's Kitchen right there, though I haven't tried it yet.
And a very good vegetarian Thai called Bulan.

[Faulkner99]

Carlitos Gardel is within walking distance, but may be a tad bit out of your price range. Here's the menu in case you are interested:
http://www.carlitosgardel.com/

Taste is just a few short blocks west of the Improv:
http://www.ilovetaste.com/

As is Ago, although that might be out of your price range.

We enjoy Absolutely Phobulous. It's not nearly as good as some of the better pho in LA, but it's probably the best within a 5 mile radius. It's on La Cienega between Beverly and Melrose.

Cha Cha Cha on Santa Monica has a decent happy hour:
http://www.theoriginalchachacha.com/h...

You're a very short drive from tons of places on Beverly (BLD, Terroni, Milk).