Looking for small plates/tapas

[samtron608]

hi everyone.
any recs on the best place for tapas or small plates type of restaurant?
ive been to animal and AOC.

anywhere else to try? looking for a place to take my parents for my mom's 60th bday!

thanks

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AOC
8022 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[ApprenticeGourmet]

Vinoteque on Melrose - great food, beautiful setting (if a little cramped), extensive wine selection, friendly staff.

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Vinoteque on Melrose
7469 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

[samtron608]

thanks everyone. i plan to go to Tasca and try it. quick question....i am taking my 65 year old parents there.....just checking to see if the scene/atmosphere is too much for my parents?? or is it relaxed enough that they wont feel out of place.
if its too much of a scene or bar-like, i gotta go somewhere else.
suggestions?
thanks!

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Tasca Restaurant
8108 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[neobite]

Neither scene-y nor bar-like, but it is dimly lit. Service is nice and well-informed and it's a room for grownups. Our parents (same age as yours) love it, particularly when they get to sample several plates. A great place to try new wines.

[samtron608]

thanks for the info. looks like i will take my parents there this week! :)

[Sheryl L.]

We discovered Phlight in old town Whittier and haven't been disappointed. Very appropriate for all age groups. Don't miss the bacon-wrapped dates... one of favorite small plates.

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Phlight
6724 Bright Ave, Whittier, CA 90601

[mebby]

We had a great meal at the Lazy Ox downtown recently. It's a fast-paced and loud in there, so depends on your parents as to whether that rates a special occasion dinner, but it was delish and we can't wait to go back.

[maudies5]

My son and DIL also loved Lazy Ox. Also remarked on the noise.

[mebby]

We actually loved the ambiance as well -- in that lively, turning the tables quickly, everyone having a great time way. Servers were good too -- attentive and had terrific suggestions, but not hovering too much. Low attitude, great food and some good wine values as well.

[mollyomormon]

If you enjoyed AOC, you might consider making a meal of the appetizers at Tavern. I've done that before and I think it's a really good way to go plus I think ambiance that would be very nice for your mom's bday.

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AOC
8022 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[maudies5]

I agree that those apps are great. Get there before 7:00 and combine bar and dinner menu. Example: that fabulous asparagus, polenta, poached egg is an appetizer on the dinner menu; fried oysters on bar menu. Mix and match. I love these options at Tavern

[lac582]

Susan Feniger's Street?

[carter]

Wrong - disappoints in every way. You want to think that anything Susan touches is gold, but Street really needs a good polishing.
Tarnished and in need of a major rethinking.

[1900Therese]

i love Orris on sawtelle. was jsut there last nite and everything was soooo delicious. I would love to go with a group for my birthday but it doesn't feel "sepcial" if that is what you want.
It has a nice with heaters patio and the food (all small plates) is consistently incredible and always delciious

[maudies5]

Orris has good food and I agree that the ambience is not very special. Having been one of the lucky folks to preview Bite's small plates/tapas and having received an e-mail today suggesting which dishes will be on the menu, I can say, without hesitation, that Bite is where I would be heading for small plates and tapas. These dishes are brilliant!

[westsidegal]

ya mean that being served $10 starters on paper place mats isn't quite up to snuff?
if so, i share your opinion

[bulavinaka]

Bite Bar and Bakery just announced that they will start offering dinner service this Friday and Saturday - their focus will be on small plates/bites. They did some test dinners this past weekend - since it was to test out some dishes (off-limits for Chow posting) and since Elizabeth (the amazing force behind Bite) asked eaters not to post about their experience, I have nothing to go off of except my experiences at their breakfasts, lunches and pastries. Using that as a baseline, I would eventually expect some pretty remarkable things from their dinner service. I'm not sure when you're hoping to go, but please keep them in mind if not for now, then at least in the future.

[neobite]

Tasca.

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Tasca Restaurant
8108 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[rednyellow]

Second Tasca

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Tasca Restaurant
8108 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[vinosnob]

What are the "must-have" plates at Tasca?

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Tasca Restaurant
8108 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[vinosnob]

Just wanted to say that I tried Tasca this past Friday night and was impressed. Great service and the food consistently good across the board and well priced during their "happy hour". We also ordered a few dishes (duck confit) not on the happy hour menu and they were solid as well.

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Tasca Restaurant
8108 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[goodhealthgourmet]

how about The Bazaar by Jose Andres?