Need A Good Hollywood/ Melrose Restaurant Rec

[OCKevin]

Hi All. My wife and I are headed to a comedy show this weekend in Hollywood, near Santa Monica Blvd and Vine. I would really appreciate a good restaurant recommendation - nothing that's too much of a noisy scene, although I know on a Saturday night in Hollywood that's asking a lot. I'd like to also be able to leave with a few dollars still in my wallet, so if dinner and drinks can add up to about $100 or thereabouts, I'd be very happy. Thanks in advance!

[bellabar]

You could also go kitchy and go to Taylors Steak House on 8th or Carlitos Gardel an Argentinean Steak house

[carter]

Doubt you can get out of Carlito's for less than $100 for two. It is fairly pricey, and that impression is based on about one year ago. Love the place, yet not sure it would work for pre-theatre dining, as nothing starts happening there until around 7 or so. yet, if your performance does not start until 10 or thereabouts, it could, economics being the issue you should resolve.
www.carlitosgardel.com for more details. On Melrose just west of Fairfax.
Like it much more than Taylors, yet also enjoy Taylors.

[lawdog262]

is carlitosgardel kid friendly for lunch? My mother in law is Argentine and would love this place -- but she is also our babysitter, so we would need to take our toddler and baby with us.

[carter]

It's even kid-friendly for dinner, especially before 7:30 or so. Definitely go for lunch, as I am sure it is not overly busy. Open M-F, 11:30-2:30. They even make and sell their own chimichurri sauce.

[bellabar]

Table 8

[OCKevin]

Thanks, Chowers. Just curious whether anyone would recommend Ford's Filling Station five or six miles away?

[SauceSupreme]

Five or six miles as the crow flies, but many more when trying to cross Mid-City. That being said, if you're willing to travel as far away as Culver City for food, your options open up immensely as there's quite a bit of Chow real estate between your comedy club and Culver City.

(My route from Hollywood to Culver City: Highland until it merges with La Brea, then hop on the 10 West.)

[love2eat]

Hi Kevin...I edited my post above and added a restaurant recommendation, Girasole in Larchmont.

I wouldn't drive that far out of the way for Ford's. Last time I was there it was just okay. Their charcuterie plate is fine. Hard to screw that up. They source their meats from quality places like La Quercia. However, their main courses just end up being dull and underseasoned. The ingredients are quality but everything just seems to end up blah. They have a nice wine list though.

[OCKevin]

Girasole sounds fantastic, especially since we're gearing up to go to Italy this summer! I just made my reservations. Thanks for the tip! Since it's BYOB, do they at least supply the glassware?

[love2eat]

They supply the glasses. Report back...would love to hear how it all went.

[TailbackU]

sorry, but Ford's Filling station is definitely more than 6 miles away and a loooooooooong 6 miles at that. It would make no sense for you to go there.

[omakase]

My recommendation would be Marino's. I love this place for good Italian. It's a nice atmosphere, pleasant service, and a charismatic owner/chef. The menu is sort of like a "greatest hits" of Italian cooking - minestrone, fried calamari, mussels, salads, pizza, etc. My favorite, when they have it, is the stuffed veal chop (stuffed with mozzarella cheese and prosciutto).

MARINO'S
6001 Melrose Ave.
Hollywood
[phone]

[rednyellow]

Marino's has the best stuffed veal chop since Le Dome in the eighties. I love it.

[jlq3d3]

I second Marino's. It is relatively quiet too.

[DeePocketChopra]

good Italian vittles and wine list at Fabiolous, on Sunset just east of Vine right next to Magnoia.
Nice patio out back , too, with parking behind the joint...very reasonable prices I say and quick service.

[SauceSupreme]

If you're going to go all the way up to Sunset, you might as well go to The Hungry Cat.

Closer to Santa Monica and Vine, there's also Lou on Vine. Otherwise, in the price range of $50/pp, I'd also recommend BLD and maybe even Celadon, though both might be on the higher end.

[Obessed]

I ditto Hungry Cat!

I just saw on Daily Candy a new Italian place called Delancey just opened...but I have no idea how it is. They descibed it as "a new Italian gastropub in Hollywood." Looks interesting!

5936 Sunset Boulevard, at Tamarind Street
Hollywood
(323-924-2093)

[love2eat]

Delancey is owned by the same guy who owns the Bowery. Same sort of gastropub concept except Delancey is triple the size with a slightly larger menu. The focus is more Italian than comfort bar food. I really enjoy the Bowery but I can't recommend the Delancey. My lamb chops were uneven. One was raw, one overcooked, the other perfectly medium rare. Atmosphere is fine but I prefer the more cozy hallway that is the Bowery. One of the servers mentioned that the owner is trying to make his own version of the east village in that stretch of Sunset. He is already working on another restaurant concept around the corner.

For a quiet weekend dinner in that area I would pick Girasole in Larchmont Village. About a mile and a half from Santa Monica/Vine. Delicious homemade pastas. I love their Gnocchi. BYOB. Free Corkage. Buy your bottle next door at Larchmont Wine and Cheese.

http://www.girasolecucina.com

[TailbackU]

Magnolia would be a good choice. Cool Hollywood vibe w/o being too loud and it's really close to where you need to be.

[OCKevin]

Not a bad choice! I looked up the website: www.magnoliahollywood.com. Nice appetizers, a pretty decent L.A. Times review.