lunch in westwood

[Clyde]

does anyone have some suggestions for a good lunch in the westwood area? need suggestions by tonight. just looking for something special that i wouldn't find in hollywood. no chains, just something good. i remember there was a unique burger place over there... anyway, medium price range would work. thanks.

[unkochan]

i like gardens on glendon, feast from the east, and sunnin

[New Trial]

You might be thinking of Philly West, which is a favorite of several posters.

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Philly West Bar & Grill
1870 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[Arthur]

Clyde wrote: "i remember there was a unique burger place over there..." I've lived in the Westwood area for almost 20 years and have no awareness or recollection of any such unique burger joint. I would love to be directed to it, though, if it still exists.

Are you referring to the new branch of The Stand that just opened in Westwood Village?

[nosh]

The Stand in Westwood Village?? I thought they opened in Century City, but I could be wrong. Maybe they took over one of the failures on Westwood just north of Wilshire...

The burger place you are thinking of is probably Philly West, which is a small divy sports bar on the east side of Westwood Blvd. just south of Santa Monica Blvd. They do a great cheesesteak, but I think their burger, an oblong flame-grilled half-pound patty on a roll rather than a bun with grilled onions and other condiments for less than $6 is the best burger in L.A. And there is free parking in the shared lot in the rear.

[wilafur]

yep, it opened at westwood and kinross.

[Arthur]

The Stand has opened branches in both Century City AND Westwood Village. Check it out:

http://theguide.latimes.com/restauran...

nosh, you may be right that the OP was referring to Philly West. It's just that the word "unique" threw me off.

[nosh]

Wow, The Stand could be a nice addition to the neighborhood. But I'm not confident of its future -- the eternal parking problem in Westwood Village limits its customer base. A few years ago that U-Dogs place gave it a try up on Gayley -- they tried a buck intro special that got them some business but not enough profit, and when they tried to raise their prices they went under.

Arthur or wilafur, do you know if The Stand is going to do the $1 hot dogs on Monday nights like they do in the SFV location?

[Frommtron]

I'd also add Ambala Dhaba for Indian and Ramayani for Indonesian food (they're all in the same pod mall).

In my opinion, if you're interested in Persian for kabob and bread, go to Flame over Shamshiri Grill, and it's not even close. If you are interested in the rices and stews then Shamshiri is the better choice.

If you just don't want Diddy Riese for some reason, the next best choice would be Elysee.

[nick_r]

Native Foods is great... all vegan, but they do a lot of interesting things with their menu. The only other location is in Palm Springs, so it's probably unlike anything in your neighborhood.

Novel Cafe has great salads/sandwiches; probably not worlds better than good lunch places in Hollywood, though.

[westsidegal]

i adore the food served at native foods, but it should be mentioned that the restaurant is tiny and often it is difficult to find an open table there.

[Frommtron]

I believe they have taken over the adjacent space and have it open for service during the busiest hours (lunch for sure). I think that has decreased the crunch.

It's usually busy but I have always found a table. I am usually a 1 or a 2 person party though so it's easier for me I suppose.

[nick_r]

I go there practically every day and have yet to see it open (the adjacent space). Not sure what the holdup is.

[Frommtron]

That sucks. I have eaten in it with a large group of friends on a Saturday in early December. It must have been a temporary thing then.

[WBGuy]

Attari Sandwich Shop. It's a Persian sandwich shop with a charming patio. The kuku sandwiches and the soups are great. It's actually not on westwood, but on the side street opposite the 7-11.

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Attari Sandwich Shop
1388 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

[gsw]

I second the endorsement of Attari. It's unique, and if you're looking for something special, this is it.

[aventinus]

Sunnin (Lebanese)
Tanino (Italian)
Shamshiri Grill (Persian)
Diddy Riese (Ice Cream Sandwich)

[Clyde]

Diddy Riese was definitely a stop i was planning to make.

[flavasista]

i like the recs mentioned above - here are some more. Reservations aren't necessary for the places mentioned below...

Westwood Village - Gardens on Glendon ($20-30/person) for lunch in an airy beautiful restaurant. Their guacamole cart is great.

Sprazzo (casual italian) down 1389 Westwood blvd. $15-20/person. It's a small restaurant, but very consistent, with delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

Feast from the East ($7 and up) - super casual ambience. not fancy but has the tastiest chinese chicken salad in the UCLA area.

[snooze button]

I agree about the balsamic vinaigrette at Sprazzo. It's addictingly tasty.

[Servorg]

And they also, very infrequently (unfortunately) make one of the very best hummus I have ever had. We gobbled it down so rapidly on the one occasion that they gave it to us in place of the normal olive oil and balsamic v. that it was almost (not quite - but close) embarassing.

[Frommtron]

Aventinus,

Have you been to Tanino recently? I used to love that place and have had a lot of celebratory meals there in the past. Unfortunately, I hit a run of consistenly poor food there over 4-5 visits in th? course of a year or so.

It used to be fantastic though. Is it back up to snuff.

[aventinus]

The last time I went was probably in November 2007. I had a really good meal there--it was good start to finish in every way. But I have only been twice, so I can't defend too vociferously.