Help for an out of towner!

[Wannabfoode]

Hi, I'm yet another visitor begging for help! I will be in LA for 3 days next week and looking for some suggestions. I have been perusing the boards but there is so much! Looking for the most delicious things LA has to offer, food tends to be a central theme in my vacations!... Have car, will travel...

In the past I have eaten at AOC--amazing! The Ivy--pretty ,but underwhelming food, and 1 Sunset, which was alright, and some random taco stand between LAX and the beach (darn tasty!). I am curious about Providence and Lucques; any thoughts?

I'm travelling alone and I'll be spending one day in Malibu, so definitely need a recommendation for there (nothing too high-falutin' as I'll be coming from the beach) then staying in West Hollywood and visiting family/friends in Silverlake, and Santa Monica. I like to dine at the bar when solo, so good dining bars are always appreciated. I know this is a bit vague, but all suggestions are appreciated.

[Das Ubergeek]

If you're a coffee drinker, you owe it to yourself to hit Intelligentsia in Silverlake. It can be pretentious (they give you a shot of sparkling water to cleanse your palate before drinking their single-source espresso) but the coffee is absolutely insanely great.

[Wannabfoode]

thanks for help!
my friends mentioned trying a place in malibu called gladstone's. anythoughts?

[New Trial]

Only for drinks. The view is great as it is located right on the beach but the food is little more than mediocre--though the portions are large.

[ChinoWayne]

Tourist trap, highest grossing restaurant in California, don't go for the food.

[Das Ubergeek]

Only if you want to blow your entire vacation's food budget and then fling yourself off the pier in a fit of gastronomic remorse.

[Phurstluv]

In a word. Don't. Trust me, I live right up the street.

[Wannabfoode]

also supposed to be having lunch at a place in beverly hills called The Farm. Any feedback on this one?

[ChinoWayne]

See http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/643291, not to be confused with The Beverly Hills Farm at the Grove.

[Phurstluv]

Bar dining in Santa Monica:

Anisette - french brasserie
I Cugini - italian seafood
Bar Pinxto - spanish tapas bar
Musha - japanese itzakaya

All within walking distance of the promenade & ocean avenue.

[stevedi]

If you liked AOC, try the bar at her new restaurant, Tavern in Brentwood. Malibu's restaurants aren't great but Tra Di Noi in the Cross Creek shopping center and maybe even the new Malibu Pier Club might be worth looking into.

[JPomer]

you can't go wrong with Lucques or Providence...
In Malibu, definitely hit up Malibu Seafood...perfect for after the beach as it's ultra casual, with outdoor picnic tables...or if you're going to be further north in Malibu Neptune's Net.
In Silver Lake area...Barbrix on Hyperion or Canale in Atwater...or if you'd go a little further east Palate Food and Wine in Glendale...actually that would be perfect for a solo dinner

[Phurstluv]

Malibu Fish & seafood is great - but fyi: it's further up PCH (the highway) than most other places, and unless you're at that particular beach across the street, you will need to drive and parking can be very tight, unless you don't mind parking on PCH and have cars whizzing by you at 55 mph while you navigate the shoulder. Also it's BYOB if you want to drink alcohol, and closed on Mondays. Just so you know...

If you're not that far north, you may want to hit the Country Mart & Lumber Yard, which are two nice shopping areas at Cross Creek & PCH. Lots of decent casual places there.

[JPomer]

parking can be tight at Malibu Seafood, but you can always park in the adjacent parkland lot...JUST BE SURE TO follow the rules and pay the parking fee because they'll ticket you in the blind of an eye if you don't!

[Phurstluv]

Oh yeah, especially now that they're BROKE!!

[cravingcoppa]

Don't waste your time with Mailbu Fish & Seafood... it's well worth the drive up to Neptune's Net. If you're looking for something casual, "beachy," and delicious, this is the spot. If you go, notice that there are two different counters to order from. One is where you'll grab drinks and order something fried (fish, calimari). Then there's a different line for the non-fried seafood. Don't skip that. Get a pound of steamed shrimp, and some raw oysters. Something raw, something steamed, and something fried. Delicious.

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Neptune's Net Seafood
42505 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

[Servorg]

In the Silverlake area, if you don't mind a bit of a dive, try Millie's on Sunset. Delicious, creative and interesting food.

You can take a look at their menu here: http://losangeles.menupages.com/resta...

ADD: This is a breakfast and lunch spot only as they close around 4 PM - just so you know

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Millie's Restaurant
3524 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

[missyp]

Another well-loved brunch option near Silver Lake (in east Hollywood, across from the Scientology temple) is Square One. Amazingly fresh ingredients. House-cured salmon benedict, nice patio.

They're also only open for brunch/lunch and tend to have a long wait on the weekend. But since it's August, they've been slower. Got a table right away last Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

I also second Hungry Cat for seafood.

[jchaire]

Malibu: Malibu Fish & Seafood
West Hollywood: 8 oz. or Village Idiot for casual food, Angeli for something nicer
Hollywood: Hungry Cat
Silverlake: Blair's

[Karen K]

We've been in LA all week. Today went to Hugo's in West Hollywood for brunch. A fascinating menu and our food was delicious. Particularly if you are into vegetarian, "green", and creative, you'll enjoy it.