Where to take hubby on his b-day?

[Silverlaker]

We've been out of town these past few months and don't know what's new and good. We're east-siders but will go anywhere. Looking for upscale but not outrageously pricey (dinner for two $100-150, not big drinkers). We're open food-wise. Thanks!

[albatruffles]

I think Rivera will be suit you just fine. Some of my recs would be Animal (casual, but the best food in the city at this time), Lucques, Bazaar (you have to experience it once, but get a couple drinks...they are great), Drago Centro, Laxy Ox Canteen (more casual again), Patina (more expensive, but just got a 4 star LA Time review), Osteria Mozza (pasta and apps only).

You can see pics on this blog. I find pics give you a good idea of what to expect. All the places mentioned are on this blog and I believe he just went to Lucques this past weekend. Let me know if you have other questions...

http://www.kevineats.com/

-----
Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[Silverlaker]

Thanks for the recs! We've gone to all except Drago and the Laxy Ox. I think we're going to try Rivera -- a bit confused about the diff rooms but we're going on a Sunday night and I don't anticipate it will be too busy for us to change if we want.

-----
Drago Restaurant
2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403

[New Trial]

Nearby in Downtown are several good, new options for upscale. A few of them are Drago Centro (alta cucina Italian), First & Hope (Southern-influenced Supper Club), Rivera (John Sedlar's pan-Latin), and WP24 (Puck's pan-Asian in the new Ritz-Carlton).

-----
Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Rivera Restaurant
1050 S. Flower Street, #102, Los Angeles, CA 90015

WP24
900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

[Silverlaker]

Thanks! I was just doing a search on Rivera as we speak!!! My husband loves Babita, what room do you suggest? I'm confused!

[New Trial]

I have only eaten there solo so I have only been seated at the communal table and at the nearby counter. Those can be fun if you like to socialize with strangers and much less so if you do not. If you and your husband would prefer a quieter, more romantic experience, there is a separate room at the South end of the restaurant that would be best. If your husband loves Babita, he should enjoy Rivera--I like the food better at Babita but Sedlar produces (mostly) delicious and interesting dishes with a lot of visual flair (the simplest example may be the tortillas flor de calabeza). Design-wise, Babita does not hold a candle to Rivera.