73891 Fri Sep 30 22:41:31 -0700 2005 13 2 Los Angeles Area 0 405854 I lived in Palos Verdes back in 1972 and will be there (well, actually staying on PCH in Redondo) for one Saturday night in October. Unfortunately by myself. Any ideas for a good place that is on or near the ocean? I like pretty much everything - Indian, Asian, steaks, seafood, you name it. The idea would be to find a place that I can feel comfortable by myself and makes me feel as though I'm in California again. Any thoughts appreciated, and if you need Chicago ideas, let me know. Thanks! Fri Sep 30 22:41:31 -0700 2005 0 gimpeaux 1 405937 Japanese Restaurants I-Naba, Tempura & Sushi (NE corner of Hawthorne/Torrance Blvd). Strip Mall NW corner Carson/Western, many different Japanese restaurants. Chinese Restaurants Regal Palace, Shanghai Palace, Beijing Islamic, Harbor Palace, PCH Chinese (Lomita) Modern American Avenue Restaurant, Mahattan Beach Mediterranean (?) Chez Melange, Redondo Beach Sat Oct 01 16:32:04 -0700 2005 405854 0 KenT 1 405950 Catalina Coffee on Catalina Street (north of the pier) has great coffee and lox and bagels. I used to go there by myself all the time. Sat Oct 01 19:50:19 -0700 2005 405854 0 HungryAllthe Time 1 405993 Are you staying at the Palos Verdes Inn on PCH? If so, Chez Melange is right there. A very nice restaurant. Sun Oct 02 12:39:23 -0700 2005 405854 0 martyR 2 406014 I recommend avoiding Chez Melange at all costs. Over-priced meatloaf-style menu in a kitchy room. Sun Oct 02 18:21:04 -0700 2005 405993 0 Elissa 3 406068 i totally agree....YUCK. we went there for our anniversary, and i ordered the famous meatloaf....i think it was in the freezer...the middle was luke warm and i noticed a piece of saran wrap on it. i will never go there again. Mon Oct 03 01:52:17 -0700 2005 406014 0 luv2eat 4 406713 breakfast is delish there; but be warned you will have to put up with a LOUD atmosphere and a sour hostess. Last time I went, she went to seat us and I pointed out a dried stain and about 100 bread crumbs on my chair. After a frumpy look, she brushed the crumbs off with her bare hand and she mumbled something about "your highness"... Thu Oct 06 16:29:10 -0700 2005 406068 0 vern oakbock 5 406787 and you actually stayed? i would've walked off......HOW RUDE!! i don't know why that place gets such great reviews...there are much better places in the area. Tue Oct 11 03:14:48 -0700 2005 406713 0 luv2eat 3 406804 Chez Melange may be many things but "meat-loaf style menu" is not one of them. Chez has been turning out consistently good food(not stellar but very good) for a long long time. They also have an EXCELLENT selection of wines....many available by the glass. They do serve a meatloaf that Elmer Dills rated the best in LA but the kitchen in general is more interesting than that. Around the corner is Gina Lee's Bistro which has a very very good deep fried whole fish not unlike Chinois on Main but much cheaper. Wed Oct 26 18:18:32 -0700 2005 406014 0 obiwayne 1 406002 I'd go over to King Harbor, wander around on the pier, watch the boats go in and out of the marina and check the views up and down the coast, then have sand dabs for dinner at (new) Tony's (not the older, upstairs one). There are lots of other eating options if that doesn't strike your fancy. Kincaids has a nice interior and pretty good food, but I know it wouldn't satisfy my nostalgia if I didn't live here anymore. Sun Oct 02 14:08:31 -0700 2005 405854 0 Christine 2 406044 Thanks, Christine. That walk on the pier captures the flavor I was looking for. Yes, Marty R, I'm staying at the Palos Verdes Inn (which in my day was known as the "Plush Horse Inn"), where Chez Melange is. Most of what I've read says Chez Melange is supposed to be good, but Elissa here advises avoiding it at all costs. I have also been tempted to go to the Admiral Risty down in PV for old times' sake, although from what I've read, it doesn't sound as good as it was 33 years ago -- or maybe, just maybe, my tastes have changed since I was 16. ;) Sun Oct 02 22:55:23 -0700 2005 406002 0 gimpeaux 3 406046 ahh yes, the plush horse and its cafe the plush pony. Ate there many times a couple of years ago....;) Sun Oct 02 23:11:25 -0700 2005 406044 0 dkd 1 406061 The poster below named Christine reminded of one of the best palces in the area: Christine's in Torrance is a great place very near PV. We go there every chance we get, though it is far from the usual stomping grounds. Great service, imaginative "California" cuisine (see the link for the menu), best wines in the area, and not outrageously overpriced. 24530 Hawthorne Blvd. , Torrance , CA 90505 Link: http://www.restaurantchristine.com/ Mon Oct 03 01:05:20 -0700 2005 405854 0 Griller141 1 406099 Perhaps Ocean Trails (what is now "Trump land", for all intensive purposes)? Close to the Admiral Risty, it may give you some of what you were looking for - that spectacular "on the bluffs" feeling in California, while hopefully eyeing Catalina across the ocean. Once you get past all the Trump emblems all over the clubhouse, it truly is a great view. You can then wander some of the trails surrounding (either before or after dinner), and take in some of the California scenery you won't be able to find in Chicago. One caveat: I've not eaten dinner there, so I cannot attest to the quality of the food. Some others may be able to do so. The menu looks nice, and I think there is a wide variety of options at all sorts of price points. I think Trump might not also have some of the fishy smell associated with the Redondo Beach pier, though I have to say I've never had any problems at Kincaids. Happy travels! Link: http://www.trumpgolf.com/trumplosangeles/html/frameset.asp Mon Oct 03 12:17:56 -0700 2005 405854 0 Sunshine Girl