Place for food/drinks near the Westin at LAX?

[elibee]

I have a friend who will be in town for just one night and is leaving early the next day. For that reason, we're trying to stay pretty close to the Westin by LAX (5400 West Century Boulevard). Is there somthing fun near there for a casual dinner/drinks for a small group? Doesn't really matter what kind of scene/food - somewhere in between "tragically hip" and "divey strip mall".

[elibee]

Someone recommmended the Custom Hotel - anyone been there?

[bllrdfam]

Sure - Bistrotek is very good - try the shrimp sliders.

[westsidegal]

if you end up at the patio out back, be aware that your drinks will be served in acrylic glassware--not glass. prices for drinks are as high there as they are in more upscale places.

[MahiMahiFish]

Chef Hannes El Segundo
http://www.chefhannes.com/
This menu link seems kind of old, he always has excellent specials like Scallops, a Rib Eye, etc. Nice casual vibe, easy to park (and find) with good food.
The Del Playa Del Rey
http://thedelrestaurant.com/
This is a little further away for you, but a good casual "scene", with good food. A little bit higher priced.
AVOID Shula's, horrible food.

[westsidegal]

i respectfully disagree about chef hannes--the food, imho, ranges from mediocre to dreadful.

the last time i went there, there were seven people in our party, the only ones who could finish their food were the ones that ordered the scallops. all the other dishes were inedible.

[MahiMahiFish]

Understood westsidegal -
I think my post should have some caveats: I eat no meat or chicken, so I've never tried any of those menu items. I never order pasta, simply to avoid the carb loading. So, that said, my "limited" understanding of his menu has been ok to good for my seafood choices (salmon, scallops, whitefish). But, you are right, there has been some visits where it can be mediocre.

[westsidegal]

i eat the same kind of foods you do.
the sashimi salad i ordered there was too disgusting to eat. the fish was so awful i didn't even risk bringing it home to my dogs. the tomato soup was worse than one would get from a can.

[yogachik]

It's worth leaving LAX and going somewhere like Beechwood on Washington and Abbot Kinney, a few minutes from the airport, or somewhere in Redondo, or even Playa del Rey, like The Del.

[monku]

Shula's 347 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel at 6101 W. Century Blvd. Good food and not limited to just steaks. Sheraton Gateway has its own bar in the lobby and you can sit out and have drinks by the pool and Shula's has their own bar. There's also a Starbucks. Discounted validated valet parking when dining at Shula's.

http://www.donshula.com/locations.php...

[wooster]

Kor Group really worked over that Sheraton for the better. It's a different world now.

My choice, however, is for the Custom Hotel. You can either eat and drink at Bistrotek or you can order at the patio out back.