"Strange and fabulous" downtown... Not pricey, but not Philippes.....

[Mr Taster]

I've been commissioned by a good friend to scope out a place for a birthday dinner downtown.... my downtown standbys are not really suitable for a birthday dinner with a group of people (the birthday girl is not a big sushi/fish/pork eater) but she has requested that the venue be "strange and fabulous."

Downtown location is a requirement as we well be proceeding to a show nearby afterwards, so we must stay local.

Where would you recommend a place with great food, drinks, and a fun place to chat and hang out without busting one's budget?

Mr Taster

[Akitist]

Clifton's qualifies as strange, and is definitely not a budget buster. Fabulous? In the eye of the beholder.

[nosh]

Hotel Figueroa would qualify for the "strange" and fun place with drinks, room to chat, reasonable prices, and decent food.

[ipsedixit]

I would suggest either Tranquility Base, e3rd Steakhouse, or Redwood Bar & Grill.

Wood Spoon is good as well, but I don't believe they have a full bar.

[wilafur]

pete's cafe & bar
warung cafe
colori kitchen
wood spoon

[Diana]

Tapas and Wine Bar C
Some sort of Izakaya, like Honda Ya?
Tranquility Base
The Rooftop Bar at New Otani
Traxx

[Mr Taster]

Hey, izakaya is a great idea....... was thinking of checking out Tranquility Base possibly too. Traxx is a bit too posh, I think.... don't know much about Tapas and Wine Bar C. I'll do a search, but if you could give me some of your recs, that would be great.

Thanks Diana

Mr Taster

[Mr Taster]

Wine Bar C........... WOW

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/537876

I know drinks are expensive here, but what's the lowdown on cost of food?

Mr Taster

[Diana]

check out the site

http://www.barc.biz/menu.html

[Mr Taster]

We have a winner.... I ran this past my friend, who is sort of into the whole weird Japanese fetishy thing anyway, and she was excited beyond belief.

Thanks for the rec... I'll check back in to let you know how it went.

Mr Taster