Fine Dining near LAX airport?

[KaceyLaine]

I have to take a client out to dinner tomorrow night near LAX -- could be Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, etc. Just don't want to stray too far away from the airport and surrounding areas as he's staying at a hotel near LAX.

Any suggestions??

Steakhouses, Italian, Continental would be best. No sushi. Thanks!

[sassille]

Probably some of the finest can be found in nearby Culver City. Fraiche, for one. Find out if your client really loves fine food. If they are steak and potatoes, you will find that Shula's is perfect. Flemmings is great but it's too dang LOUD. If you are discussing business then be prepared to wear a mike so you can hear hear each other.
Forget managing the 405 at any hour. Those of us who live here refuse to use it until you can drive a reasonable 35 MPH. :)
Sassille

[burumun]

Abbot Kinney/Venice is also not too far.
Try James Beach (American) (http://gourmetpigs.blogspot.com/2008/08/beachs-comfort-food.html) , Joe's (Californian), also Beechwood perhaps although I didn't really like it ...

--burumun
http://gourmetpigs.blogspot.com

[jeanmarieok]

I second James Beach - it's consistant, every time I'm there.

[medrite]

You might also consider the Bel Air Bar & Grill, somewhat north of the airport on Sepulveda...it's right off the 405 (take the Moraga exit, then head south on Sepulveda, it'll be on your left), has a wide selection of comfort food (meat loaf, whitefish, etc), good wine list, cozy bar area. After dinner you hop right back on the 405 & back to LAX.

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Bel Air Bar & Grill
662 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Bel Air, CA 90049

[westsidegal]

depending on the time of day, it could take almost an hour to drive from the airport to bel air bar and grill. i would not consider bel air to be anywhere near the 'surrounding area' of the airport.

[medrite]

I've stopped there for dinner several times en route to catching a fight, and it's never taken me more than 30 minutes to get to the airport afterward.

[westsidegal]

sadly, that stretch of the 405 is not 'reliable' in terms of traffic.
imho, i would not risk driving that distance on the 405 northbound near dinnertime for a business dinner.

everybody who commutes from the airport /west la/ westwood/santa monica to the valley will be clogging that freeway northbound at dinnertime. also, there is construction going on at the 405 and culver-- one accident, and you are sunk.

for business dinners, i like to avoid the driving versions of the bataan death march.

[New Trial]

In addition to Shula's, there is a Fleming's on Rosecrans or Cafe Del Rey in MDR.

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Cafe Del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
2301 Rosecrans Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245

[Novak]

Mangiamo Ristorante & Bar, in Manhattan Beach has the best fine dining Italian in the area.

http://www.mangiamorestaurant.com/

[monku]

Shula's 347
(Picture of cowboy steak and filet mignon)

[monku]

Shula's 347 is a pretty good steakhouse. Great filet mignon and bone-in rib eye (cowboy steak).
At the Sheraton Gateway Hotel...free validated valet parking.
http://www.donshula.com/locations.php...

[Servorg]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/514662

You might also want to check out the Custom Hotel on Lincoln just a mile or so north of the airport for options. Manhattan Beach has some good Italian choices that have been listed here before and I am sure someone will chime in with them, (I would if I could recall them).