Visit From SF Foodies! Help!

[marcrmoeller]

What restaurants/eateries/locales showcase the best LA has to offer, top to bottom? My girlfriend's parents are coming and are going to expect a show!

[Servorg]

For Japanese - Urasawa

For Korean BBQ - Park's

For Creative Meat - (but they've got veggies and fish too) Animal

For Upscale CalMed&Seafood - Providence

For Italian - Mozza Osteria and Mozza Pizzeria

For Mexican - Babita

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

Park's BBQ
955 S. Vermont Ave, Suite G, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Providence
5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Urasawa Restaurant
218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Animal
435 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Mozza
641 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[wienermobile]

Great list Servorg. I truly love Park's BBQ . Maybe add Wofgang Puck's Cut for steaks.

-----
Cut
9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212

[Servorg]

For Mexican there are probably at least another 3 or 4 places that can be added like Huasteca and La Casita (before we even venture into the Oaxacan food corner of the Mexican world). I think Cut is great, but I keep waiting for my friends with the Corporate expense accounts to invite me... ;-D>

[ipsedixit]

Don Dae Gam is probably better than Park's for Korean BBQ, esp. if your preferences lean towards swine.

[DrBruin]

How about Rivera for modern mexican/latin cuisine?

www.riverarestaurant.com
1050 S. FLOWER ST #102
LOS ANGELES CA, 90015

or... Mariscos Chentes for some ceviche? You can do a CH search for the different locations.

-----
Mariscos Chente
4532 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

[Emme]

i like servorg's recs a lot. to add...

you could also take them to the Farmers' Markets -- at 3rd/Fairfax, Santa Monica, Hollywood, etc.

also, perhaps a sweets tour? like Persian ice cream at Mashti Malone's, Nata's Pastries for natas, Porto's, Compartes' for chocolate, or Chocolatt!, Teuscher for champagne truffles, Primo's for buttermilk bars, Jin Patisserie, etc.

for a decadent brunch, Griddle Cafe, or for brasserie brunch, Anisette

other places I'd consider:
Gjelina
Monte Alban
Jitlada Thai
Musha
Father's Office
Lunch at The Getty for the view
somewhere in Malibu or the Lobster in SaMo for the view; or drinks at the Huntley Penthouse
Street
Tavern
Los Balcones de Peru or Mario's Peruvian
...and I could come up with many more if I wanted to give a show...

-----
Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Monte Alban
11927 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Musha
424 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Mashti Malone's
143 N Maryland Ave, Glendale, CA 91206

Jin Patisserie
1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Mario's Peruvian
15720 Imperial Hwy, La Mirada, CA 90638

Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA

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

[susancinsf]

As a former long time SF resident and still frequent visitor, I think you and servorg are both close to right on, even though I haven't eaten at all of your choices, just many of them....My few nitpicks:

1. take Peruvian off the list. Lots of good Peruvian options in SF and environs. Could it really be that much better?

2. Not sure about Osteria or Pizzeria Mozza. (though I've only eaten at the Pizzeria and there only once a few weeks ago). Liked it very much and both have the 'celebrity chef' factor that tends to be less common in SF (though we do have Incanto which is arguably run by a celebrity chef though not on the same level), but I think you can get just as good in SF. Italian is one of our big strengths....OTOH, what makes them interesting may be the chance to compare. So I guess it depends on how often these folks make it to the Southland....(and all you LA folks have to come up to SF to try my favorite Italian/Sardinian restaurant, La Ciccia).

Yes to the Getty though I am not sure you need to have lunch there.

-----
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[susancinsf]

oh yeah, and add Langer's to the list. SF lacks good, (some would even say decent) deli.

I guess my point is that OP shouldn't just put on a show, but should also concentrate on the cuisines and options that are harder to get in SF, unless his visitors will be coming frequently.

[SugarFrosted]

My top three right now for food, service and decor/wow factor:

Hatfield's
Cut by Wolfgang Puck
The Bazaar

Also the new WP24 inside the Ritz-Carlton was incredibly great when we were there last weekend. Every dish a pleasure, great service and spectacular decor enhanced by a breathtaking view of downtown LA from the 24th floor of the hotel.

-----
WP24
900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015