48277 Wed Aug 22 01:39:33 -0700 2001 11 2 Los Angeles Area 0 240588 I am being sent to the la food show. I am wondering where to eat real food near there after the show. I am staying near the convention center and have never been in the area. Would like to find a romantic steak house atmosphere.. Wed Aug 22 01:39:33 -0700 2001 0 JR 1 240590 The Pacific Dining car on 6th street has great steaks Wed Aug 22 03:54:10 -0700 2001 240588 0 Francis 1 240594 There is LA Prime Steakhouse which is in the Bonaventure Hotel, between 4th and 5th and Flower (entrance also on Figueroa). I've never been there. I have been to Nik and Stef's (In the Wells Fargo Plaza), 330 S. Hope St. The food was good but the service was so bad that they ended up comping our ENTIRE MEAL (8 people) because we bitched so loud. This was during the first month of operation. Hopefully they have gotten their act together. of course there is Taylor's Steakhouse 3361 W. 8th St., which would be about a $10 cab ride. There are a lot of fans of Taylor's traditional clubby atmosphere on this board. Wed Aug 22 11:53:42 -0700 2001 240588 0 muhlyssa 1 240595 You are pretty close to one of my favorite comfort food type places. Not a steak house but comfortable, with interesting food and great service. It's called Engine Co. 28 644 S. Figueroa St. It's housed in a beautifully restored firehouse. Link: http://www.calendarlive.com/infosites/engineco/ Wed Aug 22 11:57:00 -0700 2001 240588 0 muhlyssa 1 240618 There is also the steak house atop the Transamerica Tower with a truly wonderful view of the entire area from 20 or so floors up. I believe the place is called Windows. Have not eaten there, but it is within a short walk of the convention center, especially if you park your car between the two. Anyone been yet? Wed Aug 22 19:30:05 -0700 2001 240588 0 carter 1 240631 I've heard good things about the Pantry. It's on the corner of 9th. A great place to eat. But if there is a Staples events it will be very crowded with a long wait. Thu Aug 23 02:11:52 -0700 2001 240588 0 Schudog 1 240638 Traxx is a very pleasant, somewhat upscale restaurant in,of all places, the old train station ! That would be Union Station which is historically very notable and an easy cab ride from where you will be. There will be people there pre-theatre (the Music Center is nearby) but once the Super Chief leaves (about 7:30 or 8:30 p.m.) there will only be four to six tables occupied, generally singles who live downtown and work in the law firms/banks that make up the downtown businesses. (Pacific Stock Exchange floor is now in San Francisco). If you are trying to imagine the station's ambience, recall the Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor movie, SILVER STREAK. Restaurant itself is glass/poured concrete off to one side of the main waiting room. The station is clean and architecturally interesting. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating (an enclosed courtyard). Menu is contemporary/California; wine list is quite good. It is not inexpensive but it is not priced like Spago/Patina etc, the very best of L.A.'s restaurants. The mention below of Engine Co 28 is a good one, particularly for comfort food. The Pantry should be seen/tried for what it is (historically) not for exceptional food and certainly NOT for a romantic meal. Pacific Dining Car is good (and "notable" too culturally speaking) but there are many as good or better steak houses around town. I've always felt that their prices (for what is served) were way high but I am a solitary voice. On the other hand, note that the Pacific Dining Car is open twenty-four hours a day. Should I have a 3 A.M. craving for a huge piece of beef etc, I know exactly where I would go. Thu Aug 23 13:06:04 -0700 2001 240588 0 Bob S. 2 240639 "Pacific Dining Car is good (and "notable" too culturally speaking) but there are many as good or better steak houses around town. I've always felt that their prices (for what is served) were way high but I am a solitary voice." You are NOT a solitary voice. I agree wholeheartedly. It's the reason I haven't been back since 1996. There are much better steak places IMHO. Thu Aug 23 13:54:16 -0700 2001 240638 0 Muhlyssa 2 240648 I was intrigued by the description of traxx, but found a pretty negative review on CitySearch. I don't have enough experience with the reviews on CitySearch to know if they are reliable... Anybody? Link: http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/16609/ Thu Aug 23 17:39:51 -0700 2001 240638 0 chey 3 240657 I've been their twice for lunch and found the food and service lovely. I admit, it's been a few years so maybe things have changed. Thu Aug 23 19:09:57 -0700 2001 240648 0 Muhlyssa 1 240640 Whatever your choice, be sure to leave your car at the hotel, and catch a cab to your destination. When through ask the maitre d to call a cab to return to the hotel. This is not the safest area of LA after dark, and cabbies are readily available. At the food show, you can pick up menus from the mentioned restaurants, and call then to make reservations. Have fun, but be safe. Thu Aug 23 14:22:24 -0700 2001 240588 0 Ginger Wolf 1 240649 Has anyone been to Taylor's? Favorable review, snuggle into the red booths, no pretensions, just beautifully cooked T-Bones and fresh ground burgers. Taylor's Prime Steaks, 3361 W. 8th St. Los Angeles. (213)382-8449 Steak Dinners $12.95 to $19.95 Reviewed by Irene Virbila last year Best of Issue, LA Times magazine. Thu Aug 23 17:48:44 -0700 2001 240588 0 Ginger Wolf