66527 Thu Feb 10 11:56:03 -0800 2005 6 2 Los Angeles Area 0 359794 i'll be in LA this weekend from NY (girlfriend attending grammy's) and would love some reco's for places to drink or dine with great food and/or design. it would great if you guys could suggest some alternatives that cover more than just the highest price bracket (ie. we're happy to slum for character, great food or atmosphere). even a brunch place would be great. my favorite used to be kings road cafe. is that still good? also tried and enjoyed sona for dinner last time, and formosa bar for drinks. we're staying at the westin, wherever that is (everything else is booked up because of the awards). thanks in advance! Thu Feb 10 11:56:03 -0800 2005 0 conker 1 359795 If your going to the Grammy's the Water Grill is a must....Great seafood and attitude... Thu Feb 10 12:08:30 -0800 2005 359794 0 XNewyorker 1 359805 Late and Great, (almost sounds like someone died) would be Central, the place to see, (both the view and the clientele) and be seen. The entrance is at the back of the Sunset Millennium complex on the Strip, next to the equally upscale Equinox gym, so kind of a hidden place in terms of finding it. 8590 Sunset Blvd. Sunset Millennium Plaza, Los Angeles 310-659-0092 Hours: Tue.-Thu., 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m.; Fri.-Sat., 6 p.m.-1:30 a.m. At the other end of the spectrum is Dino's Burgers on Pico for the Day Glo Orange chicken Maniaco...in other words crazy chicken. An interesting place with a different clientele from Central. You get a half chicken and fries all slathered in their day glo orange sauce for $3.95. DINO'S BURGERS, 2575 W PICO BLVD, LOS ANGELES Thu Feb 10 12:34:35 -0800 2005 359794 0 WLA 2 359808 thanks a lot - will try em both. i love a good $15 martini followed by a $4 dinner! or vice versa, for that matter. ;-) Thu Feb 10 12:58:07 -0800 2005 359805 0 conker 3 359822 FYI Dino's is in a shady neighborhood, so I advise going there for lunch over dinner. But don't let the neighborhood scare you away-- it is some crazy good chicken! Mr. Taster Thu Feb 10 13:38:47 -0800 2005 359808 0 Mr. Taster 1 359852 Are you staying at the downtown Westin Bonaventure? In any event, check out the Golden Gopher bar on 8th street and Olive (near the jewelry mart district). It's one of the oldest (ex-divey) bars in la which was renovated this past year. The owners did a great job with the decor and the ambience is too cool. Also, The Standard Downtown is a great rooftop hangout...there's also a restaurant downstairs. I find the drinks overpriced and mediocre but it's a great hangout esp. if it's a nice evening. If you are staying downtown, you should definitely go. Thu Feb 10 14:48:46 -0800 2005 359794 0 devora 1 359882 So I take it you'll be DT. Martini's, character and Steaks........Taylor's on 8th(koreatown). Great old place with great old prices. Let's see what else. Pete's cafe on 4th and Main pretty cool with an even cooler wine bar next door. Thu Feb 10 16:18:30 -0800 2005 359794 0 Tony