Easy weeknight dinner near Downtown

[terwilliger]

People of Downtown, where do you eat dinner on a Tuesday night? I often find myself at a loss. Obviously, Little Tokyo sushi is a good option, as are Blossom, Pete's, etc. But I feel like I've done all the most local options to death. Where do you like to go that's nearby (say, within a ten-minute drive) and casual/inexpensive enough for a midweek meal?

I'm thinking of places like Malo, Alegria, etc, but ideally even closer than that.

Thanks for the help.

[DanaB]

It may be a little farther afield than you are looking to travel, but right off the 5 freeway in Atwater Village are a couple of good options, including Canele (former chef from Lucques, very tasty California/French cuisine with high quality and sometimes local ingredients and Viet, a tasty little Vietnamese Noodle shop that is quite inexpensive.

Here's info and address for Viet Noodle Bar:

http://atwater-village.blogspot.com/2007/11/all-about-new-viet-noodle-bar.html

Here's the website for Canele:

http://www.canele-la.com/

[silverlakebodhisattva]

EASY. Chichen Itza. 1.5 miles from downtown, along 6th st. They're good on Tuesday (they're closed Monday). They've added stuff to the menu (see Dommy's post earlier).

. . . and Pats, the deal (the thee course prixy fixy thing) at 15 is now $19. . . .

[terwilliger]

Thanks. Chichen Itza is a good call, and I've been meaning to try it.

Also, does this mean that 15 is going to have to change it's name? Another victim of rising food prices...

[terwilliger]

Atwater isn't too far. Both those spots sounds great. I've heard a lot about Viet, but not much about Canele.

[ipsedixit]

Not sure what you've tried other than Blossom and Pete's, but here are some options off the top of my head:

L'Angolo Cafe
Panini Cafe
Wood Spoon
Lime Cafe
Cafe Metropol
Redwood Bar & Grill
Warung Cafe
Saffron
Lula Kabob

[terwilliger]

Thanks ipsedixit. I think I should have been a little more clear -- I'm trying to branch out a little bit from the Downtown spots that I go to so frequently. I really like most of the places you mentioned. And I like walking to most of those places, too. But I'm just getting sick of the same rotation and am looking to venture a little farther.

[ipsedixit]

If that's the case, I highly recommend Spitz. www.eatatspitz.com

[Chowpatty]

15 and the Park in Echo Park seem like they would be ideal, especially if you can get to 15 before 7 for the $15 deal. If I lived Downtown, I know I would be at Haru Ulala a lot.

[terwilliger]

Those are both great suggestions, thanks.

I am at Haru Ulala a lot, so much so that it's one of the regular spots I am trying to branch out from.

[andytseng]

Well Tuesday night is paella night at Ciudad, but I couldn't tell if you were just using Tuesday as an example.

Anyway just to get the thread rolling... there's also Wood Spoon, Tiara Cafe, and Colori Kitchen.

[terwilliger]

I was just using Tuesday as an example, but paella night is still a good suggestion.

Wood Spoon, Tiara, and Colori are all great, and very nearby, but I've been to all those places a ton of times. Also, Colori isn't open for dinner M-W, and Tiara serves an overwrought (in my opinion) dinner menu in the evening instead of their great lunch menu.

[bmweater]

I second that...I would like similar suggestions to!