3 dinners and 2 lunches left in LA--HELP!

[VAfoodie]

My first two moderate priced picks were good (Taste) and average (Home). I need awesome for the last three as I'm not rushing back here any time soon. I have a reservation at The Foundry on Melrose for their Sunday price fixe dinner. Also have a reservation at Red O. Red O gets terrible service reviews, and Foundry is apparently not a "hot" restaurant anymore?? Should I cancel. I'm really interested in the West something or other Tavern and may try to get a reservation at Osteria Mozzo though we've eaten at many Mario spots in NYC.
I'd really like some great Mexican, ramen, and sushi though picky DH will only eat Mexican for dinner if he thinks it's "haute" Mexican. Why pay less when you can pay more right? We're staying at Renaissance Hollywood and we do have a car. Thought about going to Gardena for that ramen everyone here raves about, but don't think we can fit in that trek, so a rec close to us would be great.

-----
Red O
8155 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

[mdpilam]

I think you are thinking of Westside Tavern. I really like this place; great food, cocktails and desserts (not such a great location though).

New Trial has some good recs, so I don't need to add anything (except I LOVE Animal!).

-----
Westside Tavern
10850 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

[Servorg]

Just to add a little confusion to the dish (g) it also could be Tavern in Brentwood that the OP was thinking of...

-----
Tavern
11648 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

[New Trial]

For haute Mexican, skip the Red O and either go to Babita or Rivera. For less haute but still excellent Mexican, try Chichen Itza, El Parian (birria), or Guelaguetza. Foundry is still good but there are more "awesome" meals to be had in that area. In addition to Osteria Mozza (and, if you can't get a reservation, note that the full menu is offered at the first-come-first-served mozzarella bar and the regular bar), you should consider Animal, Hatfield's, Lucques, and Providence. For sushi, Mori or Zo (omakase only) would be my picks or, if you want more than just sushi, I had a really good kaiseki meal at Kiyokawa recently. For ramen, there are probably a few places in Little Tokyo that would suit you and be much closer than Gardena but I will leave that for others with more recent experience there to advise on. You might also want to think about a dim sum lunch out in the San Gabriel Valley (cart or menu as you prefer) while you are here and/or trying some Korean bbq as those are two other areas in which L.A. excels. Lots of terrific recommendations for both on this Board if you are interested.

-----
Babita
1823 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Providence
5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Hatfield's
6703 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

El Parian
1528 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Mori Sushi
11500 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Guelaguetza
3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Chichen Itza
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Guelaguetza
3337 1/2 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Animal
435 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

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

Kiyokawa Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
265 S Robertson Blvd Ste 10, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[ipsedixit]

Ditto pretty much everything New Trial said.

[cls]

Also ditto. Daikokuya downtown is a good choice for ramen. Santouka on Centinela in Mitsuwa is better.

-----
Daikokuya
327 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Santouka
3760 S Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Centinela Cafe
4800 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

[bad nono]

and, not "haute", but Mole La Tia is really good (I prefer them to Guelaguetza). and, like ipsedixit, I third everything you said.