518041 Sun May 11 12:49:01 -0700 2008 11 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3676922 Hi all, I'm graduating from USC on Friday night and am trying to pick a fabulous place to go to dinner with my family that night. It'll only be my parents, my sister and I, so big rooms and money aren't really an issue. I want to go somewhere special ... doesn't have to be ridiculously fancy, but it'd be great if it had a view or something fun like that. Ideally a joint that has a view like Yamashiro or Shutters with food like Citizen Smith. Upscale American or Italian. If anyone has any ideas, they'd be much appreciated!! Thanks! ak Sun May 11 12:49:03 -0700 2008 158857 arkaufma 1 3676998 any particular area you want to go or type of Italian or American food you like? I mean Providence Spago, Grace Luques Valentino All fit the bill. Valentino, of all those, is the best fit for Upscale Italian. not a a view, but a nice dining area and smashing food. Providence, as all know by now, is my fave top of the line place to dine. Pricey, but well worth it in terms of amazing food and fabulous service. For fun, you may want to try a more "happening" place, like, say, Comme Ca or something. Sun May 11 13:29:37 -0700 2008 3676922 11201 Diana 1 3681299 A good view and good food combo might be The Lobster. Don't know how old your sister is, but you all could have drinks at The Huntley, then head over to Jiraffe for dinner. Mon May 12 20:28:18 -0700 2008 3676922 15572 Emme 2 3688890 Hmmm...thanks for the suggestions guys. All sound good minus the Lobster, as I'm not a big fish person. Anyone else care to chime in? Thu May 15 01:13:07 -0700 2008 3681299 158857 arkaufma 3 3688898 Really been trying to research places in the hills...would love something cool and quaint up in Hollywood or Laurel Canyon. Are there really any quality places in Laurel Canyon, other than Pace? What about the Little Door? Vibe seems cool. Thu May 15 01:30:39 -0700 2008 3688890 158857 arkaufma 4 3689300 Not on Laurel Canyon, but on Topanga Canyon (or just off) is Inn Of the Seventh Ray. Lovely outdoor patio dining, nice food. Very cool, very quaint, and very special. The food is not as spectacular as Spago, but it is good, organic, and yummy. Thu May 15 07:05:40 -0700 2008 3688898 11201 Diana 5 3689477 Parents pay USC prices and D graduates and takes them to hippie-dippie Inn of Seventh Ray (getting lost three times on the way) with the burning sage that the folks will mistake for marijuana fumes and then finally get fed mediocre organic food at inflated prices? Recipe for disaster... Thu May 15 07:52:31 -0700 2008 3689300 10855 nosh 6 3689591 ummm...I don't know this restaurant, and I absolutely hate fumes of anykind when I am eating, but in all fairness, nosh, I think you are forgetting that if the OP is of typical graduating age in 2008, his parents are unlikely not to know *exactly* what marijuana smells like. Indeed, (sigh), it is the OP who is more likely to be mistaken.... :-) Thu May 15 08:16:38 -0700 2008 3689477 10158 susancinsf 7 3694982 typical parents, yes, they'll know. parents who chose and paid for USC -- possibly not. or they didn't inhale or didn't like it. Fri May 16 16:13:36 -0700 2008 3689591 10855 nosh 6 3689634 The food has gotten better in the past few months, the Canyone may be hippie, dippie, but the Inn really isn't, just avoid the "spritual shop" on site. The Inn itself is very lovely, and the only sage odor is from the stuff growing naturally in the hills. If sage smells like mj to you, you've had some interesting varieties of mj. How anyone could get lost once driving on Topanga Canyon Blvd, let alone three times is beyond me. There's even a sign for the Inn. Any parent who doesn't want a lovely meal on a fabulous flower graced patio near a babbling creek is very strange. But the food, as I said, is not the same as Spago. But it's good. Lovely brunches on Sunday's, too. Thu May 15 08:23:44 -0700 2008 3689477 11201 Diana 7 3690775 More importantly, it's an excruciatingly long drive from SC to Topanga, particularly in Fri. evening traffic. For everyone's comfort, I would highly recommend sticking to Hollywood or Downtown LA area. Windows downtown has a great view, but mediocre food; maybe someone can think of something else in the area w/ a simliar view but better food? Or taking the 10 to Santa Monica is not too bad a drive; I would suggest the restaurants at Casa Del Mar, Shutters or Loews; all have great waterfront views. Pricey though. Catch @ Casa Del Mar would be my choice both for food & ambiance, but if you don't like fish, it may not work for you. Check out the menu though. Thu May 15 12:27:19 -0700 2008 3689634 11456 archer 4 3694840 another place up in the canyon would be Saddle Peak Lodge! it's a bit of a trek, but might be worth looking into. Fri May 16 15:18:55 -0700 2008 3688898 15572 Emme