Good First Date Place

[MPW425]

I've got a first date with a guy on Saturday night and I'd love some suggestions on where to go. Somewhere preferably in the Beverly Hills/West Hollywood/Hancock Park/Hollywood/Miracle Mile area would be best. I'm looking for a casual place with great food and awesome decor and service but with reasonable wine/drink, appetizer and entree prices (entrees around or under $20). Also, we're a gay couple so someplace we'd feel comfortable is best. One of us is not a seafood eater. Please help!!!

[glutton]

Mozza? It's always good to share dishes and order together on the first date -- it gives you something to talk about, something to share, etc.

[lhilton100]

Greek restaurant in Larchmont is perfect. Great food, great people watching, good lighting- all the things you'd want on a first date.

[Bria Silbert]

Let me rephrase my comment about Cafe La Boheme. I just looked at the dinner menu and half of the entrees are $20 or less; the most expensive is $28. I think the decor there is fabulous for a first date - in fact, our son took his partner there on a first date and they both flipped for the look of the room and the ambiance of the restaurant. The service is wonderful and if you agree to go on their mailing list, they will send you coupons periodically for free desserts, free appetizers, etc.

[alison]

Lou on Vine
Food is really good & interesting wines.
No hard liquor.
Hidden in a strip mall, but nice decor inside.

www.louonvine.com

724 N Vine St
cross street Melrose
LA, CA 90038
[phone]

[Bria Silbert]

If you order carefully I think you would really enjoy Cafe La Boheme:

http://boheme.globaldiningca.com/

Great decor!

[westsidegal]

how do you tell your date, on a first date, that you intend to order carefully and that you selected the place with the idea that he, too, will be ordering carefully?
seems beyond awkward to me. . . .

[MPW425]

Typically restaurants with menu prices around $20 or less are more casual where the higher price restaurants are sometimes a little more stuffy. For a first date I want casual and laid back so we can both relax and get to know each other. Rest assured if he wants to spend over $20 on his entree, it won't kill the possibility of a second date!

[mc michael]

Gardens of Taxco comes to mind.

[MPW425]

You guys are great! Thank you for all the great suggestions! I'll check them out ont eh web. i have no doubt I'll find something. Thank you again Chowhounders!

[rednyellow]

I love Animal, but it has no decor and I think it would be a bit loud for a first date. How about Tasca? intimate, great little plates to share. For fab decor I'd go to La Boheme on Santa Monica at Orlando, and the food is good too.

[rednyellow]

I just realized that both of my recs might be a little over priced. I"ve had some good dates at Taylors steak house, not too pricey and classic old school steak house vibe.

[maudies5]

AOC

[westsidegal]

when i've been to aoc, we've never gotten out of there for anything NEAR the equivalent of $20 entrees.
small plates with small portions. takes many of them to be an entree equivalent.

[J.L.]

Umami Burger - I like the Hollywood Blvd. location (Umamai Burger 2.0) better than the La Brea location - It has a Japanese sister bar (called Salaryman) next to it.

[mollyomormon]

What about Animal?

[Servorg]

Molly, we love Animal but I think the mains may be a little too much for the OP. What about Luna Park? http://www.lunaparkla.com/

[mollyomormon]

Have you been to Luna Park lately? The last time I went the food was so bad and I haven't been back. Hopefully it was just an off night and not part of a downward trend. You're right though, I just looked at the Animal menu and the prices on entrees are all over 20 so I take that rec back. What about Bloom? too casual?
http://www.bloomcafe.com/#/entrees

[Servorg]

Haven't been to Luna Park of late, so if the food has gone downhill then I take that idea back. I don't think Bloom is too casual. Casual is good for a first date. Leaves you some "up" room for down the line.

[Servorg]

Another idea. What about BLD? www.bldrestaurant.com

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BLD Restaurant
7450 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[Emme]

Across the street from Bloom (and owned by the same) is Chic Wine Bar. Small, casual, interesting, and good wine selection.

http://chicwinebar.com/dinnermenu.html