USC Graduation lunch/dinner: suggestions?
I'm graduating from USC this May and need to find a place to have a celebratory lunch or dinner afterward (around 2pm or so) for a group of about 20-30. I expect us to be loud, rowdy, and ravenous, so the place will need to fit accordingly: spacious interior (or exterior), fun and relaxed environment, and fairly inexpensive ($-$$).
Any food type is fine, so long as it isn't too exotic (Mexican, yes. Indian, no.) Alcohol is a must, as is the ability to make a reservation well in advance (duh). I'd prefer keeping the location close to campus (the easier the drive, the better), but for a great place, we're willing to drive (preferably east, heading towards the Alhambra/El Monte area -- but again, open to anything).
Finally, since the duration of the meal will likely take us into the gridlock hell that is LA traffic, it'd be nice if the surrounding area (or something close by) provided post-meal activities to kill time. But this is by no means vital.
Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. I figure if anyone knows the perfect place, it'll be someone here.
And yes, I will be personally visiting and sampling the cuisine at each and every suggested location. There's just no other way, I'm afraid.
(This board is going to make me fat -- and I love it!)
Thanks in advance,
Oscar
By GrouchUSC
on Mar 6, 2005 11:11 PM
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In the downtown area, how about La Golondrina on Olvera Street? parking is pretty easy in the Union Station parking lot, and you can wander around Olvera St. & Chinatown after lunch. They have room to seat a big party, the space is pretty, it's reasonably priced, and they have a liquor license.
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In Chinatown you have both Empress Pavilion and Ocean Seafood.
Both have full bars and banquet rooms of various sizes. They both have dim sum and off the menu items that are at your price point.
The only issue is whether they are open continuously from lunch through dinner.
Check them out!
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Oscar, congrats on your upcoming graduation. I worked at USC for a couple of yrs. and thought of a Creole restaurant called Harold & Belle's for you. They don't have a website, but see link for more info.
I haven't been, but before I came to USC, my colleagues had a holiday party (group of 15 or so) at H&B's and were still talking about it come the next holiday party. They raved about the Southern/Creole food, large portions, reasonable prices. Atmos. is supposed to be pretty nice but relaxed. You can make reservations ahead of time and looks like they are open for lunch and dinner.
Another hound, Eric Eto, has written some positive reviews about the place in the past, so perhaps you can dig them up if you are adept at searching.
Downtown seems like a natural choice, and the only place that I can think of that would be decent and in your price range is Engine Co. 28. Google for their website.
Link: http://www.la.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/...
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Thank you everyone for your suggestions and kind words.
A place I just sort of stumbled across was La Casita Mexicana down in Bell. It's a little further away but reasonable, and the food looks great. Anyone have any experience here?
I can't wait to check out all of the locations (one guess as to what I'll be doing during my spring break.)
Thanks again! (And please keep 'em coming!)
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Some positive words about La Casita...
http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/losangeles/messages/140281.html
Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...
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You might try Pete's Cafe on Main Street. It's a new place in a very old building Downtown. They have an awesome bar, to boot. (www.petescafe.com
)
Another thought is Weiland Brewery in Little Tokyo. Definitely good for rowdy graduates. (www.weilandbrewery.com)
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