Impressive Dinner Near LAX?
Hi, so my future father-in-law will be in town this friday and he has assigned ME the job of finding a great resturaunt for the family to have dinner. I really want to do a great job, so of course, I came here first for your help.
Here are the caveats:
must be within 2-3 miles from LAX and there must be a little atmosphere.
Price and cuisine doesn't matter.
Thank you for your suggestions!
-
I'm in a similar positon -- need to find a nice (semi romantic) resto near LAX. Is Shula's in close walking distance from Renaissance Montura (on Airport)?
›2 Replies-
-
re: Servorg
susancinsf
May 24, 2008 08:13 AM
I've had very good luck at Shula's in the past, and I do think the atmosphere is at least slightly, if not more than slightly, romantic. However, wanted to pipe in to say that I was there perhaps a week or two ago, mostly because I was staying walking distance away and couldn't stand the thought of getting back in my car (sometimes the LA traffic does get a bit daunting)....
anyway, while the service was outstanding, the food was not as good as I've had on previous visits. Not sure if kitchen was having a bad day, a new chef, or just that I ordered wrong, but if this had been my first visit I'd have been very leary of returning. I had oysters, which were totally tasteless, not fresh and briney; the braised short ribs, which were also fairly blah and in a very heavy, sweet sauce, and berries and ice cream for dessert which was fine. And (ack!) it was $90 or so for one! Granted, I had oysters along with a vodka martini AND a half bottle of wine (well, heck, I didn't have to drive, after all), and that did include a very generous tip (as I said, the service was great)...but still. I will stick to the burger next time I am in the neighborhood and not in a car mood...or go all out for a steak. Those ribs were definitely not worth the price.
-----
Shula's 347
6101 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
-
-
-
Skunk2Racer
May 2, 2008 04:31 PM
3 Flames Mongolian BBQ
-----
Three Flames Mongolian Bar-B-Q
5608 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045›2 Replies-
re: Skunk2Racer
If atmosphere is important, then please don't go to 3 Flames! If I recall correctly, the neighborhood is really shabby, the restaurant itself is kind of a dive, and I think there is a live chicken place nearby. I also wouldn't call it great food; it's a local place where you can get your fix for mongolian bbq and that's about it.
-
re: empfam
westsidegal
May 3, 2008 07:38 AM
i think you are being overly kind about 3 flames.
i live minutes from them, yet when i get the hankering for mongolian bbq i drive to manhattan beach to BIG WOK.
-
-
-
cookie monster
May 1, 2008 06:31 PM
Is there an issue about someone getting back to the airport at a certain time? Because while I agree that there are many more options in Marina del Rey or Venice, as a Venice resident I can vouch for the fact that it can easily take 30 - 35 minutes to get there from LAX at dinner time on a Friday. So Shula's may be your best bet.
-
monku
Apr 30, 2008 08:55 PM
If your father-in-law is a football fan you might check out Shula's 347 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel.
›2 Replies -
Culver City is about 5 miles away and there are some first class restaurants there. How about Fraiche, Beacon or Wilson. If your family is into steaks, just go up Century about a mile to Shula's 347 at the Sheraton Gateway. The Sheraton shuttle circles the airport every 7 minutes or so. They can meet you right there with little or no hassle. It is very expensive, about the same as Flemmings, Manhatten Beach, but QUIETER! the atmospher is "private club". Dark booths and the clink of martinis being downed by expense account travelers.
-
2-3 miles with atmosphere:
The Buggy Whip on La Tiera-it's all about naugahyde booths, piano playing singing Peter, lifer staff. Not sure if that is what you mean my atmosphere. This time of the year, they probably still have Stone Crab claws. That is what I get there along with salad with green goddess dressing. They have steak and baked potato kind of menu.
Playa del Rey is very close to the airport and has at least one good restaurant-Caffe Pinguini. Very good "upscale" italian food with a nice patio. I have been going there for years and find it very consistent. Right across the street is The Del. Check out reviews on this site.
Of course El Segundo is next to the airport. Main St. area is very charming and there are quite a few restaurants. Chef Hannes, The Farm Stand, etc. Search the board and you will find tons of talk.
›3 Replies-
-
re: Densible
westsidegal
Apr 30, 2008 05:53 PM
my recommendation would be to skip chef hannes; in my experience the uneven food quality ranges from mediocre to vile.
-
re: Densible
westsidegal
Apr 30, 2008 05:56 PM
if steak is what you're after, i would NOT go to the buggy whip, instead, i'd go to shula's.
can't comment on the crab there because i've never ordered that.
-
-
Emme
Apr 30, 2008 03:24 PM
Agree that Cafe del Rey and Jer-Ne are nice options.
I'd drive the 7 miles to Joe's in Venice, were it me.
There's also Encounter, which has an impressive location, and is right there at LAX.
›2 Replies-
-
re: ElissaInPlaya
We ate at Encounter a few weeks ago and were pleasantly surprised--the food was actually reasonably good--not outstanding,ut thoroughly competent and better than on previous visits. The atmosphere is definitely gimmicky but that's the fun of it. It's at least a little more unusual than a hotel steakhouse (good as Shula's might be--I have never been to the LA branch). As Cookie Monster said, if you have some need to stay close to the airport, I wouldn't venture too far away on a Friday.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
westsidegal
Apr 30, 2008 01:27 PM
it's 5 miles from LAX, but imho the best choice
Cafe del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA
310-823-6395
