Special Request: Picky Eater, High School Freshman, Birthday Dinner

[noahbites]

My little sister is a high school freshman whose food tastes veer more in the direction of things like buttered noodles, cheese pizza and teriyaki chicken. It's her birthday tomorrow, and she wants to go somewhere that feels both fun and special. The adults in the group would like to enjoy their meals as well.

Any suggestions?

[Emme]

Would somewhere like Fogo de Chao work? Chicken or Beef...

Angeli Cafe might be a nice option...

[NAspy]

Try Wilshire in Santa Monica. It's hip n happenin and they will do more conventional versions of their menu...she can get buttered pasta, or a steak, and your other diners will have a lot of nice selections. The food is excellent, though not in the knock off your socks range.

I suggest it because I think this really was the restaurant that got our (then) 11 y ear old rigid eater into some new things. It's different, not too different,and stylish enough that they'll think they're un hip if they DON'T like it.

[J.L.]

Noah, you've eaten your way through over 90+ countries, and yet you're stumped by your little sis?

possibility #1: High end, with buttered noodles - Crustacean, in Beverly Hills.

Caveat emptor: The Chowhound board has been (rightly) cruel to this place, but the a high school freshman just might enjoy those buttered garlic noodles.

possibility #2: FuRaiBo on Sawtelle has tatami mat rooms - The teba saki are quite good.

[noahbites]

Hahaha. Yup.

Thanks for all the help guys. At the end of the day, they chose Katsuya. I've never been. Should be interesting...

[J.L.]

Which location? Brentwood? Hollywood? L.A. Live?

[noahbites]

Hollywood. I think she'll have a lot of fun there.

[jesstifer]

How about Bucca di Beppo? It's festive, fun, family style, surprisingly decent food, and buttered noodles and pizza are both options. And there's probably one near you.

[wienermobile]

Everyone likes lawry's prime rib. Don't they?

[Chowpatty]

Long ago my mom took me to the Magic Castle on my 14th birthday, and I liked it. You could get in by calling ahead and saying you're press. My son likes the Brazilian buffets but he's a big meat eater. Ketchup is probably a good suggestion. C & O seems popular with everyone.
Here's a thread with a couple of choices:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/561198

[Jennalynn]

Ketchup.

http://www.dolcegroup.com/ketchup/

[JackonCrack]

Somewhere she can control the food... like Shabu Shabu (you can control the sauces and how long you cook it and with what you cook it) or perhaps a Brazilian Buffett where many party attendees (including herself) can get what they like?

[Phurstluv]

You don't give us an area to work with.

What about a Chinese buffet type place, or a Benihana's? That way everyone can find something they like.