Beverly hills lunch on a budget sans snobiness

[foodiefirst]

I'm a newbie here, but I do so love fine dining. With that said I'm taking a trip to Beverly Hills for a dr. appointment on Monday and my daughters and I want a good place to eat, maybe under $20 a person for lunch. I've eaten in Beverly Hills before without having done any research and paid the price with my pocketbook and rude and unbecoming treatment by waitstaff. I like Italian, comfort food, salads, gourmet American/nuevo and contemporary American. Any ideas. I've researched Il Pastaio, The Cut, The grill in the Alley, and Dolce Vita, but they all seem kind of pricey. I also wouldn't mind al fresco dining, so we could people watch; it's entertaining;-) Thanks

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Il Pastaio Restaurant
400 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Dolce Vita
22741 Lambert St, Lake Forest, CA 92630

[Servorg]

You might be interested in reading this very recent thread about a new place which just opened up in Beverly Hills that may be what you are looking for: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7017...

[ipsedixit]

How about Al Gelato?

[mrhooks]

Mac & cheese at Kate Mantilini?

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Kate Mantilini Restaurants
9101 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[ipsedixit]

Hmm ... just be warned that the "snob" factor with the host at Kate M. can be suffocating at times.

[Servorg]

Maybe true when they were new or newish, but not any longer.

[Servorg]

Place Link for Momed (includes a website with a menu that has prices).

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Momed
233 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

[wienermobile]

Nate n Al's

http://www.natenal.com/

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Nate 'n Al's Deli & Restaurant
414 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[ospreycove]

Nate "n Al's.....Nostalgia at its best....good food too!!!!

[westsidegal]

i LOVE nate 'n Al's.

[ttoommyy]

We were just at la Bottega two weeks ago and it was very good. I highly recommend it:

http://www.labottegausa.com/

[maudies5]

Piccolo Paradiso has wonderful food and very warm and friendly service. Pastas are superb

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Piccolo Paradiso
150 South Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212

[Bob Brooks]

I think Porta Via would suit your needs very well. Nice outdoor seating, expansive menu of well prepared food and the right price. Of all of these other options, the best people watching would be here or Il Pastaio.

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Il Pastaio Restaurant
400 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Porta Via
424 N. Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[foodiefirst]

Wow, you'all are awesome and quite efficient. I now, have a nice little list to go home and research tonight and they all sound amazing. I'll let you'all know our pick and give some feedback upon our return. We're going to stop att he cheese shop in Beverly Hills and possibly K Chocolatier, my two faves cheese and chocolat'e.Any feedback on those two? Thank you very much!

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K Chocolatier
9606 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[wienermobile]

You can also stop by Sprinkles for cupcakes.

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Sprinkles Cupcakes
9635 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[foodiefirst]

Oh weinermobile, you know it, cupcakes are always on the menu!

[yogachik]

Right nearby K Chocolatier is Prego, which is consistently good. No pretense, just good food.
http://www.pregobeverlyhills.com/

The Farms is also an idea, and in your budget
http://www.thefarmofbeverlyhills.com/...

[Emme]

unless you're going for the "sensual chocolate" at K, i personally prefer Edelweiss for chocolate in Beverly Hills... just my ten cents. Or, if you want champagne truffles, they're at Teuscher.

[JE33]

how about cabbage patch on beverly?

[Emme]

i second the rec for Porta Via. i like Piccolo Paradiso, but don't think budget wise it will work... maybe i'm wrong.

I'll also throw out Via Alloro, Bouchon Bistro, and 208 Rodeo... all should be in your budget, and all offer al fresco dining.

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Piccolo Paradiso
150 South Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Porta Via
424 N. Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

208 Rodeo
208 Via Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Via Alloro
301 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Bouchon Bistro
235 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[foodiefirst]

Thanks, Emme