dinner near the getty

[rina_c]

i will be visiting from nyc next week and my parents want to take my boyfriend and i to the getty on a friday afternoon. does anyone have any suggestions for some tasty restaurants in the area? somewhere casual and not too pricey would be nice :)
oh and i also noticed the getty has a restaurant, if anyone has thoughts on that, i would like to hear what they think of the food. thanks!

[westsidegal]

i'd go to Shamshiri grill on westwood blvd north of santa monica blvd for their persian food.
they offer a very extensive menu of lunch specials.
the food quality/quantity/price ratios can't be beat.

another source for good persian food for lunch, albeit more expensive is Attari sandwich shop, just up the street. Attari's address is on westwood blvd, but the actual entrance to the restaurant is, i believe, on wilkins.

[nosh]

The Restaurant at the Getty has dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows and thus spectacular views, and the food and service are surprisingly upscale. But it is only open for dinner one night a week -- Saturdays, I think, though it could be Fridays.

The two neighborhoods with lots of restaurants closest to the Getty would be Brentwood and Westwood Village. Most of the good restaurants along San Vicente in Brentwood are either pretty expensive (there are quite a few Italian, and a couple of sushi) or chains (the Cheesecake Factory is always crowded). In Westwood Village there are a few that are expensive for what you get except during happy hours (Napa Valley Grille, Palomino, Gardens on Glendon, 930 at the W Hotel) or student-oriented joints, though there is an In-and-Out Burger there.

My favorite restaurant by far in the area is Nook Bistro, located in the back corner of a minimall on the S/E corner of Santa Monica Blvd. at Barry, a block east of Barrington. Excellent American fare with generous portions at very reasonable prices -- try the potroast, shrimp and grits, or gourmet burger, and start by sharing the mussels or mac'n'cheese. Nice decor and very good service -- you'll need a reservation at prime time on a weekend, but it is walk-in later. Their menus and prices are available on their website: www.nookbistro.com

You also won't be far from a concentration of various Japanese restaurants on Sawtelle, just west of the 405 freeway between Santa Monica Blvd. and Olympic. You can find sushi, noodles, shabu-shabu, Japanese curry, and grilled and fried bar food. Perhaps the best restaurant in that stretch is Orris, which serves Japanese-influenced small plates meant to share, and does not take reservations.

[Rizza]

Orris was the first one that popped into my head. Definately casual and reasonably priced. And very well executed dished. I'm looking forward to returning.

[rina_c]

i most definitely want to stay away from chains. growing up in socal, i have been to most and dont really miss them too much. nook sounds promising as i read some good things about it on a different site. although i do like japanese, we are doing that a couple nights before. also we don't mind heading towards santa monica either.

[nosh]

If you are heading west towards Santa Monica, a good choice is Wilshire on, you guessed it, Wilshire. Note, however, that they will be more expensive than Nook (unless they still have their $15 special shortrib deal going), it is much more of a scene, and it has been cold lately in L.A. for their nice patio.

[chez cherie]

i haven't been in about a year, but have had several very good meals at the restaurant at the getty. wrap-around views, too. will be watching to see if anyone can update my favorable opinion, as i have a kid at ucla, and that would be a good dinner meet-up for us next week.