Anniversary dinner - no french food/sushi

[sacmindi]

Hi All! My husband and I will be in the LA/Beverly Hills area for our 9 year anniversary next weekend. I'm looking for a nice restaurant within about 1/2 hour drive of BH. I'm pregnant so sushi is out and my hubby isn't a fan of french food with it's small portions.

Any ideas??

I'd also like some yummy ideas for breakfast & lunch that are moderately priced and casual.

Thanks in advance!

[sacmindi]

We've decided on Cut and have reservations for Friday evening. I'll report back next week! : )

[BombayUpWithaTwist]

We went to Valentino's in Santa Monica for my b-day in August and had a lovely meal. I think it's one of the best Italian places in LA. The service is great and can be quite romantic for a special occasion dinner such as your anniversary.

[Burger Boy]

Try Clementine for breakfast or lunch, it is about 1 mile from Beverly Hills. If you do not mind a short drive, go to 26 Beach in Venice for their french toasts or amazing burgers, make a reservation for the garden.

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26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

Clementine
1751 Ensley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

[westsidegal]

the parking situation at clementine can be truly awful.
also, it is a VERY casual place in terms of service. . . .

if you're going to 26 beach for breakfast, you might as well stay in the area and have a lovely lunch (with a great wine list and very nice by-the-glass wine selections) at cafe del rey.

[nosh]

Coming in from out of town? A unique experience would be The Restaurant at the Getty Museum in Brentwood, not far away. One of the main tourist spots in SoCal anyway, with its incredible architecture and gardens, incredible spectacular views from its multistory floor to ceiling windows stretching from downtown to the coast. You even get to ride a little monorail. Do a search on this board -- a contributor was kind enough to post a sample menu including prices about a month or two back. Only open for dinner on weekends, and maybe down to just one night -- call to confirm.

Is money at all a concern? Spago is Wolfgang Puck's flagship in Beverly Hills, and Cut is his new steakhouse in the Beverly Regency Hotel. (Don't know about reservations this late, but maybe your hotel can help get you in. If considering Cut, make sure they have taken down the portraits of Speidi or I'd refuse.) Craft is Tom Colicchio's year-old place in Century City; exilekiss just posted his usual excellent detailed review and seemed to have liked his a la carte shared dinner better than the tasting menu. There are several new steakhouses in or around BH; lotta has reviewed several lately on this board and on her fine blog. There are several notable restaurants just east of BH in West Hollywood or L.A. -- Lucques, Jar, AOC, Campanile to mention just a few. Heading west, Wilshire on Wilshire in Santa Monica is a recent favorite of this board, especially for dining on their patio. Personally, I think Nook Bistro is as good as almost any of them, at a fraction of the price. I also am a huge fan of Puck's original fusion restaurant, Chinois on Main, which has amazingly bold flavors, a real vibe, outlandish '80s decor, and where everything is served to share. Enjoy, and be sure to report back.

[Emme]

Agree that Spago is classic. Craft and Cut are also worth considering. While I like AOC, I don't think it passes the small portion test, since it is small plates... unless the OP's DH doesn't mind ordering a bunch of small plates. I too am a fan of Wilshire, especially if you can get the patio. I don't think Lucques and Jar are as intimate.

For breakfasts and lunches in the area, definitely try Porta Via for breakfast/brunch. There's Barney Greengrass for B or L and some people watching. If you like a deli, Nate'n'Al's is the one. For a good design-your-own salad, I'm a fan of Green Leaf Chop Shop on Wilshire.
Over in Century City, try Clementine for lunch one day.

[NAspy]

I think Josie is kind of dull myself. Hatfields is very good but may not pass the "small portion" test.

What about the Foundry?

[whatsfordinner]

I love Josie's. While it's not loud, I wouldn't call it dull. I think it's quietly elegant and the food is delicious.

[NAspy]

Actually I really like the atmosphere at Josie's. I find the food well made, but uninspiring.

I know it's a minority opinion, but for a "grown up" place with a quiet atmosphere like that and better food, I'd go for Melisse or Hatfield's.

[ns1]

That is true re: small portions.

Cut? lol

[lotta_cox]

Josie. Santa Monica. She used to be head chef at Saddleback Ranch and her menu shows this. Lots of good veg, and diverse proteins. Hearty meal, and delicious.

[nosh]

Saddle Peak Lodge. Starting the weekend a little early, lotta? ;-)

[lotta_cox]

:-o

[ns1]

craft or hatfields?