looking for newer place for gf's bday dinner

[cjelias]

preferably locavore, westside/hwood/downtown all in play. no sgv or sfv. expensive ok, but not off the charts. only guidance i got from gf was "i want to leave full". which makes me love her more, but may take sushi off the list (as would the locavore preference).

considering tasting room in venice, but haven't got much farther than that.

[sammycakes]

Actually just went to Test Kitchen for my gf's bday last night. It was fantastic, one of the best meals I've had in LA. It was fairly packed and loud on a Thursday night, so if you're looking for something quiet and intimate, you may want to look elsewhere. Service is a bit frantic and rocky, but it's more than compensated by the quality of the food, which, last night, was out of this world. I would heartily recommend it over Animal, which is okay, but nothing fantastic; interesting enough to try once or twice, but not craveworthy enough to demand repeat visits.

[Phurstluv]

Have you guys tried Animal yet? Hard to leave that place, not stuffed.

[radman123]

TEST KICTHEN -- my fiancee took me last night for my birthday - really good
http://testkitchenla.com/ -- check out who they have coming up. very unique idea and great for a birthday

LAZY OX - I really like that place as well - hopefully she likes pork though...
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7037...

[cjelias]

We've done gjelina and lazy ox. test kitchen sounds pretty awesome.

[mollyomormon]

Is Gjelina also new enough?

-----
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, USA

[aching]

I was also going to recommend Gjelina - or perhaps Lazy Ox?

-----
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, USA