hip enough for 20 something but food good enough for 30 something

[cookingfest]

I am meeting a 20 something out-of-towner for dinner. I am a 30+ foodie but want to acknowledge the fact that I might have to sacrifice great food for location with a vibrant scene. I prefer restaurants like Hatfield's, Josie, Pizzeria Mozza, Fraiche, and A.O.C. but am afraid that they tend to attract an older crowd. Does anybody have a restaurant suggestion that could satisfy both parties in the Santa Monica, Venice, Pasadena, or West LA area?

[cookingfest]

All of you saved me hours of research as I take your recommendations seriously. I've been anxious to try Wilshire so that's where we'll go. The 20 something might have to give up his burger for the night.

[SauceSupreme]

I've found that chowish 20somethings and chowish 30somethings have similar taste in restaurants. Therefore, if you're trying to find a chowish destination for yourself, there's a high likelihood that the 20something will enjoy it as well.

LA scene is abound whether you willingly avoid it or not. Just go where the good food is.

[grubtrotters]

Wilshire is great, and the back patio is gorgeous. Akasha in Culver City has a bit of a scene going, too. It's also one of the greenest restaurants in LA, as is Wilshire.

[Liquid Sky]

grubtrotters: When you say "greenest" restaurants, do you mean that there are a lot of trees around? Or that they are enviornmentally conscious restaurants? Thanks.

[grubtrotters]

I mean eco-friendly. Here's an interview I did with Akasha for Dinela.com that explains all of her efforts in detail and another piece on green dining that includes Wilshire:

http://dinela.com/culinary-profiles/culinary-profile--akasha-richmond
http://dinela.com/featured-dining/din...

[tex.s.toast]

Perhaps i'm an old soul, or my tourists perspective is somewhat skewed, but this 20-something thoroughly enjoyed my meals at pizzeria mozza and aoc this past weekend. Is the 20-something you are meeting serious about really good food? cause then youre on the right track.

maybe my experience was atypical, but i didnt feel like the crowds at either place were particularly old, certainly not uncomfortably so. In fact at mozza i was with two 30-somethings, and we all had a pizzariffic meal (i didnt even have to pay! sweet.)

[soccerandlost]

Foodie or not, I think most 20-something out-of-towners would want to get a taste of LA to go along with their food. To me, that generally means a good bar scene to boot. While I agree that Pizzeria Mozza is great, I'm not sure it's a great introduction to LA. As for AOC, I find the atmosphere rather drab, and I'm a 30-something.

[soccerandlost]

BOA, Wilshire, Rustic Canyon, and Katsu-Ya come to mind. If you're willing to head toward Hollywood/WeHo (which a 20-something would probably like), there's also Koi, Chateau Marmont, STK, and Foxtail (although reviews on Foxtail have been pretty rough).

[banquisha]

Wilshire Restaurant in Santa Monica. Sit outside in the patio area. The food is excellent too.

[banquisha]

Wilshire Restaurant in Santa Monica but, make sure you sit on the outside patio area. The inside is missing that hip and buzz factor. The food is great too.

[banquisha]

Wilshire Restaurant in Santa Monica was a huge hit with the younger group of 20 somethings and very satisfying for 30 somethings as well. I thought the food was pretty darn good too. When making reservations, make sure you sit on the outside patio area as the inside is just missing the hip-ness and buzz that your 20 something might be looking for.

[grubtrotters]

In Venice, I'd say maybe Chaya Venice, Hama Sushi, Beechwood or Primitivo. In Santa Monica, maybe Tengu.

[Emme]

Agree w/ Chaya.

I think Jiraffe is hip enough, but then again I'm an old soul...

If you wanted sushi in Brentwood, you could try Katsuya.

Another SaMo idea might be Rustic Canyon.

I would have said Hungry Cat in Hollywood would be great, but perhaps out of range.

[westsidegal]

i disagree about hama sushi.
lousy quality fish.
also, if you end up going to chaya venice on a sunday, don't order their sushi because some if it's freshness is very spotty on sundays (as though the fish had been procured the thursday before).