58439 Wed Feb 11 18:17:10 -0800 2004 21 2 Los Angeles Area 0 306016 I've been trying to find a reservation for dinner on Valentine's day for the last 2 days and of couse EVERYTHING is booked. I'm wondering if anyone has been able to book a reservation anywhere somewhat romantic in the last two days and if so, WHERE? Wed Feb 11 18:17:10 -0800 2004 0 spyder9 1 306019 Get a room. Have room service. Even if you can get a table at this date, it'll be rushed and nothing romantic can result from a rushed dinner. Wed Feb 11 18:20:10 -0800 2004 306016 0 Peter 2 306041 Get a room? Ick. Do you know how contaminated those rooms are? I'd know, I'm a flight attendant. Hotel rooms are the last place I want to go on a day off. But thanks anyway. LOL. Wed Feb 11 19:16:54 -0800 2004 306019 0 spyder9 3 306055 Then maybe you should visit some restaurant kitchens on really busy days, such as V day. Wed Feb 11 20:06:31 -0800 2004 306041 0 Peter 1 306020 Lie. Tell your beloved you want to treat her to a fabulous meal but Vday is for rubes. Bad meals, poor service, etc. Book somewhere later in the week. Instead, have good champagne, truffles, and pizza or a simple meal in. Note: This does not work if you do not lie. Saying, whoops, I should have planned earlier will not gain sympathy. Wed Feb 11 18:21:38 -0800 2004 306016 0 JudiAU 1 306022 Check www.opentable.com, they are a free booking service, they will show availability if any. Wed Feb 11 18:29:34 -0800 2004 306016 0 SpongeBobSquarePegs 2 306024 I love you! Wed Feb 11 18:31:50 -0800 2004 306022 0 spyder9 3 306031 I love you too, but you'd better save it for your sig. other! Good luck and let us know where you end up. I'm sure there are other master procrastinators out there. Wed Feb 11 18:49:59 -0800 2004 306024 0 SpongeBobSquarePegs 4 306034 He doesn't get the "i love you's," because he didn't do the planning. (Although, he was in Japan for a week until yesterday, so I guess I'll let it slide) :) Anyway, that website is great. And I found a reservation at Jiraffe in Santa Monica Wed Feb 11 19:07:44 -0800 2004 306031 0 spyder9 4 306035 He doesn't get the "i love you's," because he didn't do the planning. (Although, he was in Japan for a week until yesterday, so I guess I'll let it slide) :) Anyway, that website is great. And I found a reservation at Jiraffe in Santa Monica Wed Feb 11 19:07:44 -0800 2004 306031 0 spyder9 3 306032 I love you too, but you'd better save it for your sig. other! Good luck and let us know where you end up. I'm sure there are other master procrastinators out there. Wed Feb 11 18:49:59 -0800 2004 306024 0 SpongeBobSquarePegs 1 306027 As a bitter male date-aholic AND slacker, I have an MBA in this situation. Century Plaza. Room service. Bottle of bubbly. City lights. You might be able to swing a room at this late of notice and their food for room service will exceed your expectations. Wed Feb 11 18:35:13 -0800 2004 306016 0 oc boy 1 306042 Another suggestion would be to try any of the downtown restaurants. I just called Cafe Pinot for a lunch reservation for later in the week, and the hostess answered the phone "Enjoy Valentine's Day at Cafe Pinot" which leads me to believe they still have reservations. Wed Feb 11 19:18:54 -0800 2004 306016 0 DanaB 2 306045 How is Cafe Pinot? I've never been. Wed Feb 11 19:27:55 -0800 2004 306042 0 Spyder9 3 306051 I haven't been in a while, but recall liking it when I went before. They have a very attractive and peaceful patio which faces an open space near the library, sort of an oasis in the middle of downtown. I'll report back on how the food/service is after Friday. Wed Feb 11 19:51:56 -0800 2004 306045 0 DanaB 1 306052 Its a 10:00 slot - but I just tried MAKO restaurant in Beverly Hills (310)288-8338. I think they also have some spots on the patio as well for earlier times. Just read about them in the Sunday LA Times Travel section - Hot Spots in Beverly Hills. Apparently the Chef was the former Exec Chef of Spago and Chinois On Main. They have a website and the menu looks fun. They sent me a prix fixe menu that looks great! But the regular menu is available as well: Valentine’s Day Celebration Menu Chef’s Menu of Five Courses Chef’s Amuse Crispy Oysters with Minced Tomatoes, Black Olives and Basil Aioli Special Sushi Course - 6-7 piece platter Avant Garde Assortment of Franco-Japonais “Grille” Sushi Toppings: Marinated Fresh Assortment of Seasonal Mushrooms, Wagyu Tataki with Armando Manni Oil and Ponzu, Toro with Soy Glaze and Yuzu Kosho Paste Smoked Salmon with Caviar and Wasabi Crème Fraiche Sauteed Foie Gras with Wasabi Intermezzo Duck Consommé with Winter Melon and Duck Filled Dumplings Entrée Choice of Sautéed Sea Bass with Chanterelle Mushroom Sauce OR Wagyu Skirt Steak with Cognac, Soy and Garlic Reduction Dessert Choice of Pavlova with Passion Crème OR Decadent Chocolate Crepes $75.00 (Exclusive of tax and gratuity) Wed Feb 11 19:53:22 -0800 2004 306016 0 Leigh 2 306062 Mako's crispy oysters are delish. For dessert, they have a yuzu tart which is indeed tart (on the regular menu). I think it's great and I'm usually not a big fan of key lime pie, lemon meringue pie, anything too puckery. Wed Feb 11 20:26:39 -0800 2004 306052 0 Debbie 1 306158 Sorry, dude, but you're fucked. I dialed 50 places Tuesday night. THe only one that had any openings at any time was Rockenwagner in Santa Mondica. You might try OpenTable.com and see what you can get, but them pickins is slim. My advice is to take her out Friday night instead. Thu Feb 12 16:24:24 -0800 2004 306016 0 DonnyMac 1 306159 Sorry, dude, but you're fucked. I dialed 50 places Tuesday night. THe only one that had any openings at any time was Rockenwagner in Santa Mondica. You might try OpenTable.com and see what you can get, but them pickins is slim. My advice is to take her out Friday night instead. Thu Feb 12 16:25:15 -0800 2004 306016 0 DonnyMac 1 306160 Sorry, dude, but you're fucked. I dialed 50 places Tuesday night. THe only one that had any openings at any time was Rockenwagner in Santa Mondica. You might try OpenTable.com and see what you can get, but them pickins is slim. My advice is to take her out Friday night instead. Thu Feb 12 16:28:08 -0800 2004 306016 0 DonnyMac 2 306188 I don't get why other people don't get Rockenwagner. I think it is one of the Top 10 if not Top 5 places in LA. I'm talking about the original, not the new casual room. I haven't been to the casual room, but I've heard mixed reviews. Thu Feb 12 18:32:46 -0800 2004 306160 0 Bob Z. 1 306226 Do something fun-ky. Take the Metroline downtown and eat at Phillipe's or Yang Chow and walk around Olvera Street. Or take a pizza to the beach. Or get a million little containers of service deli stuff from Bristol Farms and go to a movie. My guy has made special reservations in the past but, really, restaurants are never at their best with those boring V-day menus. Thu Feb 12 22:45:29 -0800 2004 306016 0 AR