Need to find a great place for a girls night out dinner in the Hollywood area

[irishzoe]

Taking the bride and 8 gals out for a "girls night out" and I need recs for a fun, good, not too pricey place to have dinner in the Hollywood/ the Grove area. Needs to have a fun atmosphere, good food and a full bar. Some of the gals are foodies and we were orginally going to go to AOC but they are a wine bar only... Any ideas?

[vickie2172]

Good food, nice presentation, fun atmosphere, cute bungalow.

Taste
8454 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood 90069
[phone]

www.ilovetaste.com

[SaltCod]

I would recommend The Village Idiot on Melrose. Fun vibe, good food, I've had great service and you can get loud and no one will care.

I'm not positive they have a full bar because I alway go with their awesome craft beer selections, but I think they do. Fun place! (Although last two times I've been there, it has been packed - like shoulder to shoulder packed around the bar.)

[wutzizname]

Another good rec. And yes, they have a full bar. And yes, it's always packed. But I imagine they might take a reservation for a good sized group.

[dunnbates]

I recently took out the same size group for my daughter's 19th birthday, and we ended up at Luna Park, on La Brea near Wilshire. Fun place, full bar, not great but perfectly good food, very reasonably priced for what you get. Not as hip as Bar Marmont or Comme Ca, of course, but it's a lot less expensive and still with a fun L.A. vibe.

[wutzizname]

Luna Park is not a bad call, though food is usually pretty blah. A fun vibe for sure though. One thing to consider is that places like Luna Park, and more so Bar Marmont, offer the option to stay and spend the night at the bar after dinner, rather than having to head somewhere else -- if that's of value. Comme Ca, et al., not so much.

Also, in terms of price I'd ballpark that Luna Park will only save you about 10% over Bar Marmont which in turn is probably 10-20% cheaper than Comme Ca. But since AOC was the original choice, I imagine price is not the biggest factor.

If you want to go more Luna Park casual, then I'd also throw 8 oz. on Melrose into the consideration set.

What night of the week are you talking, as that could make some difference in availability and crowd?

[Emme]

Just thinking in terms of restaurant plus somewhere to hang out afterwards-
Simon LA and Stone Rose lounge

Eating at Dar Maghreb or Moun-of-Tunis might be fun too.

[junipersong]

Comme Ca on Melrose is fantastic! The food is hit or miss, with some great dishes, but their cocktails are amazing. My favorite is the Rumble (crushed ice, lemon, blackberries, rum) but everything I've tried there has been great. It's a little on the loud side, but it's a fun venue.

[wutzizname]

I highly recommend Bar Marmont for this outing (not to be confused with the Chateau up the hill.) Great food at just above moderate prices, great bar areas, and a fun party crowd. One stop shop.

Another option might be the Foundry on Melrose.

N.B. Regarding an earlier rec, I don't think Tasca has a full bar, unless that's a recent addition.

[Das Ubergeek]

Try this again...

Lola's isn't going to blow you away with the food but the full bar is there, the atmosphere is lively and young (25-30ish) and you can dance after dinner.

Same with the Abbey, except the food is a bit more expensive and parking is a pain in the butt (use the valet down the street)... but the drinks are great, the music is fantastic and you can reserve a "lounge" in the back with big squooshy cushions. And for the most part you don't have to worry about the bride getting in trouble with the guys there.

[irishzoe]

Thanks for the help...Where is the Abbey?

[Das Ubergeek]

Robertson and SM Blvd.

www.abbeyfoodandbar.com

[mmontgomery]

They use Rose's lime juice in their mojitos, which I dislike. For the price they charge I want fresh limes. Their drinks are not that great, IMHO.

[Das Ubergeek]

I don't drink mojitos so I have no idea. I prefer dry drinks.

[Redvixen]

Cafe W as. Went there with some girlfriends a few weeks ago and it was alot of fun.

[irishzoe]

Cafe W? Where is that?

[schrutefarms]

Cafe Was. It's Ivan Kanes new place, on Sunset and Vine, same complex as Hungry Cat.

[lotta_cox]

i went there are HATED the food.

[schrutefarms]

Never been there-but good to know.

[Ciao Bob]

The new Loteria on Hollywood
The Hungry Cat
Baazar
Luques
Mozza

[schrutefarms]

2nd Bazaar...Mozza also good, but I dont think there is a full bar at the pizzaria, and the osteria is probably out of budget range. Also, the accoustics kind of suck, and ten girls....:) Also Katsuya, since everyone can share, you could keep the bill down.

[TracyS]

If the full bar is a priority, the drink bill would quickly get out of hand at the Bazaar. I remember the drinks generally around $14-$16 each.

Maybe someplace like Beso or Citrus?

[schrutefarms]

You're right. The drinks are pricey.

[parmamom]

Citrus is closing at the end of March, and is only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

[lotta_cox]

i think the Hungry Cat is an excellent option. Good food, good prices, GREAT drinks and walking distance from lots of fun bars in Hollywood.

[Emme]

i third hungry cat.

i'd also suggest Tasca where you can share small plates as well.

another idea is a hotel like Chateau Marmont, or even L'Ermitage (was just here for a cocktail party on the rooftop, and it's so darn gorgeous at sunset).

[lotta_cox]

I had a horrific meal at L'Hermitage. I second Tasca. I adore Tasca.

[designjb]

AOC is not a wine bar only.

[irishzoe]

AOC only serves wine is what I meant...