Journey up to LAX, lunch recommendation needed

[jennywenny]

I'm driving my folks up to LAX for an 8pm flight, so I'd like to take them somewhere really nice for lunch, its difficult to know whether this should be in the LA section. I'd like somewhere really nice we can take our time over a hearty lunch, anywhere reasonably close to the route to the airport so it could be in OC or up in LA.
Thanks in advance!

[jennywenny]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions, we stopped off halfway in Laguna Beach and had nice guac and fish/shrimp tacos. I'm sure the purists would say something about it, but I thought it was very nice, and the view was wonderful. It was a perfect end to a good trip for my relatives.
www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com

[MahiMahiFish]

Excellent food, very nice atmosphere, super close to LAX
http://secondcitybistro.com/direction...

[notmartha]

Not sure it's posh enough for you, but a lot of people on this thread liked Pann's (a diner in a unique setting), which is really close to LAX. Out of all the items I'ved tried there I would get the wings and waffles.

Otherwise the closest area to LAX is El Segundo/Westchester/Manhattan Beach. I think Marina is going to be too out of the way. Nothing too terribly noteworthy here, but plenty of chains on Rosecrans in MB, and downtown El Seguno has a few that people mentioned. Truxton (which as a thread not too long ago) was OK (not better than a chain, IMHO).

Anyway, try searching for El Segundo, Manhattan Beach or Westchester...

Also assuming you are coming up from OC. Would help others if you can state the direction you are coming up from (e.g. 405N) and any food preferences.

[nosh]

The problem for anywhere near LAX is the timing -- I was going to suggest Cafe Del Rey but they end brunch at 2:30 and don't serve dinner until 5:30. Wherever you look, make sure they serve continuously thru the afternoon.

[glutton]

If you're looking for a leisurely, hearty lunch, then you can try 3 Square Cafe in Venice. It's got hearty California-Austrian food. If it's warm enough, sit on the patio and take your time.

[westsidegal]

the timing to LAX from venice can be VERY variable.
there is construction going on on lincoln blvd, and the drive could be 15 minutes or it could be 45 minutes.
there is at least one accident daily on lincoln between the marina and manchester. if your number comes up wrong, you will be stopped by the daily accident.

[LisaStitch]

Caffe Pinguini in Playa Del Rey has a really nice atmosphere, cute patio, nice inside, great Italian food and service. Just north of LAX but still very close, a 5-10 minute drive at most.

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Caffe Pinguini
6935 Pacific Ave, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293

[LisaStitch]

I don't think Lincoln Blvd traffic is all that bad on an early afternoon weekday. But nonetheless, if you do choose to go to Caffe Pinguini, from there you can take the always empty Pershing Drive to the empty Westchester Parkway to Lincoln (which is also empty at this stretch of it, until it merges into Sepulveda for about 10 seconds right before you turn into the airport).

They serve lunch Tues-Fri 12-2:30pm.