665626 Sun Nov 08 13:51:36 -0800 2009 12 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5165429 Tomorrow, a Monday 4 to 5 friends who really love food are looking for a place to have dinner in Santa Monica. Not crazy expensive. Sun Nov 08 13:51:36 -0800 2009 241963 MarlaPR 1 5165441 Have you been to Gjelina? If not it is definitely worth a try. Sun Nov 08 13:56:26 -0800 2009 5165429 108169 Servorg 2 5165474 No I haven't. What kind of food? Sun Nov 08 14:19:41 -0800 2009 5165441 241963 MarlaPR 3 5165495 Gjelina is fantastic but difficult to get a reservation - and it's loud. It's in Venice, not Santa Monica. Cache can be done on a budget (bar menu), food is excellent. Chaya Venice is Happy Hour all night on Monday nights in the bar, but the restaurant is not what I'd call crazy expensive - and it's always perfect for dinner with friends... Musha is inexpensive and very good (Japanese tapas). Sun Nov 08 14:27:37 -0800 2009 5165474 42095 yogachik 4 5165579 What do you think of Cache? If we are careful in our ordering? Sun Nov 08 15:09:38 -0800 2009 5165495 241963 MarlaPR 3 5165626 It's a very farmer's market driven place with a variety of small plates and some larger ones featuring very, very fresh ingredients. Creative combinations without being strange. And while the inside portion of the restaurant is loud the patio is not and it is beautiful. Check out some of the reviews at the place link, and the website has a menu page to look at as well. Sun Nov 08 15:30:34 -0800 2009 5165474 108169 Servorg 1 5165581 Fig at the Fairmont Hotel Sun Nov 08 15:09:51 -0800 2009 5165429 242519 sumo3175 2 5165620 That does look great! Any feelings on Cafe Delfini?? Sun Nov 08 15:28:56 -0800 2009 5165581 241963 MarlaPR 3 5165767 I love Delfini, but it is ridiculously overpriced. I do not like Fig at all, personally. I find it too corporate and not special enough. You really feel like you're in a hotel - unlike other hotel restaurants. Cache - you can order anything, it's all amazing. It's a matter of taste. I love the flat breads (pizza), my friend goes weekly just for the shrimp cocktail (which is very different than the traditional), others love the duck confit in a mason jar... Sun Nov 08 16:32:09 -0800 2009 5165620 42095 yogachik 3 5165937 Trust me, don't venture to the Canyon or the Palisades, there really isn't anyplace worth the money you spend, unless you live there and can't bear to drive. Have you checked out Wilshire on 25th & wilshire?? Awesome patio, and I hear the new chef is really good. Whist at the Viceroy used to be really good, but haven't been in a while. Or La Cachette Bistro, which is just next door, and trying VERY hard. Or Rustic Canyon Bistro on Wilshire, further down by the hospitals. It was very good a few months back, very seasonally driven. And I loved FIG personally, but don't know what it's like at dinner. And I happen to love BOA, but it's not for the faint of heart, budget wise. If your group is into beer, the Yard House just updated their menu with a decent chef and more upgraded dishes, not just bar food anymore. And you can always try Fraiche II, which, if as good as the original in C.City, is worth it and not overpriced, unless you order all specials. Sun Nov 08 18:09:46 -0800 2009 5165620 90755 Phurstluv 2 5165793 Fig does not serve dinner on Mondays. Jiraffe might be a good option as, in addition to its regular menu, on Mondays has a three course bistro menu (changing weekly) for $38; currently, there is also a Cirque prix-fixe being offered for $44. Sun Nov 08 16:49:10 -0800 2009 5165581 10728 New Trial 1 5165760 One of my favorites is the Border Grill. http://www.bordergrill.com/ Sun Nov 08 16:27:56 -0800 2009 5165429 177468 Baron 2 5167108 Thank you so much everyone! We couldn't get into Cache, Fraiche ll or Le Cachette bistro till much later than everyone wanted. So we are going to Delfini. Will report back! Mon Nov 09 09:17:18 -0800 2009 5165760 241963 MarlaPR