Dine LA best choices?

[Discerning1]

I live in Northern California, but will be in LA during Dine LA week. Which of the restaurants on the list do you recommend for dinner in the West Hollywood, Mid-City, Miracle Mile area?

We're looking to find some new favorites.

[carter]

the good news is that DineLA Week(s) is over.
Now back to the real world!

[westsidegal]

ya mean that gaining 5 lbs a week for two weeks running is not "the real world?"

i've got my work cut out for me. this is going to take much more than just increasing gym time. . . .

[cdub]

went to blt steak last night. thought it was terrific. the added bonus of the popovers and chicken liver pate was a hit at our table. i wouldn't say it's the greatest filet that i'd ever had but i was very impressed with the entire meal as a whole. also, if you get there before 7, the bar has a happy hour with a damn good sangria that they make with muddled fruit for every glass. well worth the $5. i'll be back there even when it's not restaurant week.

[MariaFeliz]

Went to Eva for DineLA. Took a look at the menu and we thought the choices were great for *34.00 (yes, note the asterisk). Apparently we didn't. When we got the tab, the total was $88 (excluding tax). We were charged an extra $5.00 for ordering the poached egg as an appetizer and $15 extra for ordering the scallop entree. The food was good, but apparently we missed the asterisk with the note on the menu and the waiter did not mention it when ordering. Not a big deal, and to his credit, the owner offered to remove the charges, (we paid it), but thought it might have been better if they just raised the price to the top tier amount of $44 and not nickel & dime us. Any other restaurants practicing this?

[smgradman]

There are lots of add-on options this DineLA season, it seems. Wine flights, entree upgrades, extra courses. But I've found them to be clearly marked on the menu. FWIW, the wine flight at BLD is high quality for a very fair price. At Spago we just ordered a bottle, instead of trying the flight, but some of us did add the 4th course for an extra $12. (The Foundry, which I haven't made it to this cycle, has a 4th course for no extra charge.)

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

BLD Restaurant
7450 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[smgradman]

Spago last night. Spectacular. We were seated on the outdoor patio/garden. Incredible meal for $44. Yes, splurge the extra $12 for the agnolotti. In spite of what seems like a very expensive wine list (and $35 corkage, ughh!), there are some surprising relative bargains, especially in the Italian section. Short ribs were particularly good. Sticky toffee date pudding for dessert.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[Discerning1]

We dined at Bazaar tonight. It was a delicious assault on the senses. I feel overstimulated from the decor, the food and drink, the wild collection of kitsch, the clientele, and the sound.

The food was good. We had the Dine LA menu; out of 10 dishes, nine were knockouts. The intense flavors of the reconstructed tortilla española were wonderful mouthfuls to start...a concentrated essence of caramelized onions, potato foam, and a soft-cooked egg.

The boneless chicken wings with green olive puree were tasty, crunchy, and pleasantly salty. White beans that accompanied pork sausage were infused with the intense flavor of deep braising and reduction, but were also crispy as if they had been pan-fried after braising.

As a vegetableaholic, I was delighted with the wide variety of options: we loved the spinach cups filled with apple essence, pine nuts and raisins. The last savory dish was a perfect palate cleanser–leaves of vivid, fresh brussels sprouts mixed with tiny cubes of brilliantly orange dried apricot in a lemon puree.

One is in physical motion at the restaurant. We started in the lounge with dramatically concocted and exorbitantly priced cocktails. We dined in another area and were then escorted to the Patisserie for dessert.

Lots of staff, lots of theatrics, lots of flavor, lots of food (although I will admit we took OC Mutt's advice and went to a happy hour elsewhere earlier in the evening). .

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The Bazaar by José Andrés
465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048

[ns1]

Went to Bazaar on Sunday night as well. While I enjoyed the meal, I'm in no hurry to return. Only true standouts were the hangar steak, foie gras sliders (not on DineLA menu), and baby beets (baby beets, are you serious?)

Everything else was tasty, just not mind blowing. I'd also recommend the white sangria (62 bucks for a giant pitcher)

[OC Mutt]

Agree about the hangar steak (despite how odd it felt to have steak be a "sharing" item) it was delicious, and also agree that despite enjoying my meal, I left with zero desire to ever return.

[smgradman]

I have always enjoyed the Spago DineLA menu. Great value! Going to Water Grill tonight: their DineLA menu is usually excellent and a good value as well. Consider The Foundry on Melrose, as their menu for this cycle looks very interesting. And it will be an esier reservation than Spago or some of the others suggested in this thread. On the Westside: Valentino, Josie, Upstairs 2.

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Water Grill
544 South Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Upstairs 2
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064

[foufou]

I am going to Water Grill tonite too; this will be my first visit and I am looking forward to it....and if I could afford to try three restaurants I would definitely check out Spago.

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Water Grill
544 South Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[Discerning1]

Very sorry I will miss Upstairs 2. The menu sounds like real cooking.

[jonahlee]

I was really unimpressed with the LA bourbon after going to the Las Vegas one, so I don't recommend that. Plus it iasi loud, and was shoot when I was there.

My favorite is the Hungry Cat in Hollywood.

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The Hungry Cat
1535 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Las Vegas Bar
2343 S Bristol St, Santa Ana, CA 92704

[dubs_taste]

Tres, Spago, Lucques.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069

[tablefor1]

Culina, Jar, Josie!

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Culina
300 S Doheny Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[jenn_grey]

Gordon Ramsey at The London in Hollywood has really good food and of course, The Bazaar at the SLS is ecletic

[wienermobile]

Went to Spago last year during Dine LA and it was wonderful.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[WildSwede]

I have gone to Spago the last 2 years and had a great meal both times. Be sure to pay the upcharge to order the homemade Agnolotti - fabulous! Last year we also went to Water Grill, where I think the service was better, but give higher points to Spago for the food.
This time, I will be going with a group to Lawry's - have not been in forever. Not sure if I will be able to catch another this time around, I will have to wait til the fall DineLA since we have 2 birthdays in October and like to take advantage of the special prices for bday dinner.

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Water Grill
544 South Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[foufou]

the Spago menus were intriguing; I really had dilemma

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[reality check]

That's a great DineLA deal for Lawry's; prime rib and lobster for $44!!

[WildSwede]

RIGHT??!! ;-) I cannot wait!!

[WildSwede]

Just added Palate Food+Wine to our DineLA list for this time around. Are thinking of doing another but have not decided yet.

[OC Mutt]

I second Spago. It continues to be one of the best restaurants in the country.

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[foufou]

I plan to check out Bazaar and Water grill during Dine LA week....I have not been to either restaurant so I cannot recommend but hope that others will check in on this topic

[ns1]

FYI we booked a date on the 30th and they're already booked for peak times. (Bazaar)

[foufou]

thanks, I have reservations at both restaurants....it was hard to get a reservation before 9:30 p.m. at Bazaar! I'm looking forward to trying some new places

[jaykayen]

Loved the Bazaar in the fall of last year. Desserts were a little meh, but my tastebuds were probably dull at that point.

[fdb]

The flan at The Bazaar is the best I've ever had anywhere.

[running pig]

Agreed...I am a huge dessert freak but next time I go to Bazaar, I'll have a second liquid nitrogen caiprihna in lieu of dessert.

[OC Mutt]

The Bazaar is interesting, but the fact is that after dining there, I have never once, even for a split second, desired for to return. If you do go, do not expect to leave full. That applies to both your stomach and your wallet.

[foufou]

thanks, I must admit that your take on Bazaar is what I expect; I really want to go for the experience and will be pleasantly surprised if I love the food

[Discerning1]

I guess it's good that our reservation at Bazaar isn't until 10 pm. It sounds like a light meal. I had second thoughts after I saw the entire Dine LA menu on some TV show. How many times can fabricated olives, Philly cheesesteak, and cotton candy foie gras seem new? We'll try it once.

[wilafur]

i'm a pretty big eater and i was pretty stuffed when i left bazaar (fall dinela). granted we were a party of four and concocted a tasting menu (via the dinela menu) for the entire table.....but there was more than sufficient food. perhaps i ate more than the others? lols.

that being said. the dinner was good.....but i am not in a huge hurry to return.

[foufou]

went to Bazaar Thursday and we fashioned a tasting of sorts from the DINELA menu...we had two appetizers, six tapas, dessert, Sangria, and coffee. Our tapas included the hanger steak, chicken croquettes, shrimp, Serrano ham, brussel sprouts, cauliflower couscous, japanese taco, philly cheesesteak, and cotton candy foie gras ((not on the DINELA menu), The only dishes that were great were the cauliflower couscous and the japanese taco. I really disliked the hanger steak and the philly cheesesteak even though many of the reviews recommended those items. Dessert was "meh"...the flan was bland and tasteless and the coffee was weak; I tasted the chocolate cake and was unimpressed. But I would return to Bazaar for appetizers and drinks with adventurous friends because I loved the look and feel of the restaurant. This is definitely not a place to go if you are really hungry but if you want a fun, unique experience and food it meets the mark.

[running pig]

I am surprised you didn't care for the cheesesteak. Though I am vegetarian, all of my dining companions rave about that dish. Bad batch?

[foufou]

I was really looking forward to the cheesesteak but I really didn't like it; perhaps my expectations were too high because of the reviews I had read....I don't think it was a bad batch though..

[chezwhitey]

Personally, I'd go with bouchon or maybe Jar. the water grill downtown is always a safe bet. I'm curious to see what others think as well.