76354 Sat Dec 10 14:27:33 -0800 2005 21 2 Los Angeles Area 0 420789 Your significant other is taking the redeye to New York, leaving town for longer than either of you would like. You want to have a nice dinner before he or she goes, but you also want to be close to LAX, since you know that from Hollywood it can take anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes to get to the airport. It's a special occassion, money doesn't matter, you are both hounds and will try anything, as long as it is good. Clearly, this isn't entirely hypothetical. My girlfriend has to go to NY for a month to work on a case, she is going to be gone for our anniversary, and the night she's getting on the plane is going to be our only chance to celebrate. So bearing in mind that if she misses this plane she could get fired (or at least not make partner), any ideas of where we should go? I am lost on the Westside. It's gotta be pretty close to LAX, but it doesn't have to be new or trendy or anything (not that you all even care about such things), since anything west of Robertson is new to us. But it should be "nice"--we like a good taco as much as anyone else, and my girl is pretty low-maintenance, but I still don't think she'd appreciate carnitas to celebrate the three-year mark (I, on the other hand, would appreciate carnitas for just about anything). Sorry for the long post, I promise to write a detailed review to make up for it. Sat Dec 10 14:27:33 -0800 2005 0 Sean 1 420794 What about Shula's, I have not been, but it is right by the airport. Sat Dec 10 14:52:38 -0800 2005 420789 0 Burger Boy 2 420823 I have been to Shula's. The steaks aren't bad, but it may be the least romantic restaurant on the face of the earth. Reed's might be a better bet. Sat Dec 10 19:37:57 -0800 2005 420794 0 condiment 1 420797 The chicken & waffles at Pann's (located at La Tijera and Sepulveda) put Roscoe's to shame. The fried chicken is in fact the best that I have ever had. And this was the resturant where the famous diner scene from pulp fiction was shoot, pushing the novelty factor sky high. Sat Dec 10 14:59:23 -0800 2005 420789 0 matt 2 420800 Pulp Fiction featured the now-closed Hawthorne Grill, which shares a resemblance to Pann's. Pann's is good diner food. Definitely unique. Many positive writeups here on this board, but it's still a diner. If you want fancy, the Shula's steakhouse rec is prolly better, though I haven't been there. Sat Dec 10 15:56:08 -0800 2005 420797 0 Professor Salt 3 420806 Why do they have all the Pulp Fiction Photos then? Sat Dec 10 17:03:40 -0800 2005 420800 0 Burger Boy 4 420828 Same family owned both restaurants- Angie Pappas and George "Pann's" Poulos". http://www.roadsidepeek.com/losttreas/hollys/ Moderators, please let this info stay as the wrong info keeps getting spread about Pann's being the Pulp Fiction diner. Pretty please, just want to set the record straight! Sat Dec 10 20:08:55 -0800 2005 420806 0 petradish 5 420886 Thanks Professor and petradish. Good Info to know about Pulp Fiction. Here are some addresses. Also, Pann’s is OK but Roscoe's has the best Chicken & Waffles IMO. But for a special chowdown go to Shula's 347. I have not been there yet but after reading about it here I did the research. It is a classic Eastern Steak place in a Hotel just like you would find in Chicago, NYC and Boston. Top quality steaks. Earlier Chowhound Thread – Last American Meal near LAX http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards/losangeles/messages/190932.html Shula's 347 (Gourmet Salads, Certified Angus Beef Steaks & Burgers, Fresh specialty Fish) 6101 W. Century Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90045 (310) 642-1111 http://www.donshula.com/347/LAX/ Inside the Sheraton Gateway Hotel Los Angeles, Near LAX Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles 106 W Manchester Ave Ste F Los Angeles, CA 90003-3300 (323) 752-6211 Uncle Darrow's (Great sandwich fo da jet ride, Shrimp, Oyster Po’Boy - request grilled fish to be healthier) original post by Xericx 2560 S Lincoln Blvd Marina del Rey, CA 90291 (310) 306-4862 Cross Street: Washington Boulevard Aunt Kizzy's Back Porch (Buffet style Fried Chicken, Meat Loaf, Sunday all-you-Can-Eat fried chicken) Sweet Potato pie, smothered steak, chicken and dumplings ) 4325 Glencoe Ave Marina Del Rey, CA 90292-6444 (310) 578-1005 Pann’s (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner / Must Try Country Fried Steak & eggs, Split Pea, Meatloaf, Fried chicken, Rosemary Chicken, Stuffed chicken, Fish & Chips, Every night a different Blue Plate Special – Lasagna, Pot Roast, Fried Chicken, Pot Roast, Ribs and Turkey ) 6710 La Tijera Blvd. LA, CA 90045 (310) 670-1441 (323) 776-3770 Home page, http://www.panns.com/Catering, http://www.panns.com/catering.htm Dinah's Family Restaurant ( All U Can Eat Fried Chicken Thur / Mon,Area, Must Try Breakfast, Pancakes, All U Can Eat Fried Chicken Thur / Mon, ) 6521 S Sepulveda Blvd (At the 405) Los Angeles, CA 90045(310) 645-0456 http://www.mrbreakfast.com/r_display.asp?restid=3748 North of LAX at the 405. Sun Dec 11 11:31:17 -0800 2005 420828 0 Like-Go-Eat? 6 420913 Respectfully depart from my Chowish colleague concerning chicken & waffles: Roscoe's has better waffles by a fair margin, Pann's has better chicken by about fifty miles. As I'm much more interested in chicken, that delineates my choice. That, and the much broader scope of items on offer... Sun Dec 11 16:26:41 -0800 2005 420886 0 Will Owen 7 420929 I have been thinking about the fried Chicken Wings at Pann's and what you said, "Roscoe's has better waffles by a fair margin, Pann's has better chicken by about fifty miles" and IMO Your right. Go to Pann's for Fried Chicken and Split Pea Soup (I think you posted about the soup being better than your own home made, or was that "Wild Swede?"). I must have went with Roscoe's because I lean toward the Waffles with that syrup -- I would drive Fifty miles to Roscoe's. But Yep! Pann's Fried Chicken is very Good. I think a true Chowhound would go to both places. Chicken First at Pann's and Waffles & Syrup for dessert at Roscoe's. Pann’s (Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner / Must Try Country Fried Steak & eggs, Split Pea, Meatloaf, Fried chicken, Rosemary Chicken, Stuffed chicken, Fish & Chips, Every night a different Blue Plate Special – Lasagna, Pot Roast, Fried Chicken, Pot Roast, Ribs and Turkey ) 6710 La Tijera Blvd. LA, CA 90045 (310) 670-1441 (323) 776-3770 Home page, http://www.panns.com/Catering, http://www.panns.com/catering.htm Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles 106 W Manchester Ave Ste F Los Angeles, CA 90003-3300 (323) 752-6211 Sun Dec 11 19:45:51 -0800 2005 420913 0 Like-Go-Eat? 1 420801 For an anniversary dinner, Shula's is a romantic, quiet, VERY close to LAX, venue. Its at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Valet parking is free for 3 hours and your girlfriend could conceivable take the hotel shuttle to the airport from there. 'tho I think a nice long kiss in the car would be more well-received on an anniversary night(?) Read my report on Shula’s for more. Sat Dec 10 16:36:26 -0800 2005 420789 0 Sassille 1 420808 One of our favorite fancier places when we go to LAX is Hal's in Venice on Abbot Kinney. Not right next to LAX but worth the extra 10 minutes. Link: http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/150136 Sat Dec 10 17:33:58 -0800 2005 420789 0 jpie 2 420819 it could take anywhere from 20 minutes to 50 minutes to get from hals to LAX. depends on how the Lincoln blvd roadwork is doing that night. last week it took me over an hour to get from Jiraffe to LAX, normally this should only take 20 min. Sat Dec 10 18:40:50 -0800 2005 420808 0 westsidegal 1 420811 Avenue in Manhattan Beach. Great food, plus you can walk along the ocean if you have extra time. The chef is Christian Shaffer of Chloe fame. 1141 Manhattan Ave. (Manhattan Beach Blvd.) Sat Dec 10 17:53:18 -0800 2005 420789 0 Dr. Food 1 420834 Shula's sounds like a good bet. Another very reliable place: Houstons. It's on Rosecrans in Manhattan Beach -- about 10 min. from LAX if traffic moves well. Only drawback would be that I don't think they take reservations. You might call and check. Sat Dec 10 21:29:24 -0800 2005 420789 0 Dorothy 1 420844 Have you tried the space-age Encounter restaurant right at the aiport? I think it's either Terminal 1 or 4. It's a pretty romantic, unique "Jetsons meets the 60's" amibence, and the food is surprisingly good. (I think I had duck and my friends ordered beef and fish.) Two "we're jaded LA people" and I had a suprisingly lovely time there a year ago. You'd get a unique view of the airport and the city, and don't have to stress about getting to the airport. And few extra minutes for a goodbye/anniversary smooch may be appreciated! Sat Dec 10 22:47:31 -0800 2005 420789 0 Kishari 2 420867 A plus is the instant parking at the foot of the restaurant - also had several good meals there during the past few months. Good private seating too - not crowded tables close together. Sun Dec 11 02:56:32 -0800 2005 420844 0 Zoe 1 420849 try reed's in manhattan beach. its just down the street (on sepulveda) from lax. the ambiance is good, their food is good and their tiramisu is to die for. Sat Dec 10 23:32:53 -0800 2005 420789 0 wilafur 2 420893 Reed's is OK. I find the food to be solid, but uninteresting especially given the prices. I've also have had indifferent service on a few occasions. Sun Dec 11 12:34:10 -0800 2005 420849 0 Dr. Food 1 420903 Try Second City Bistro in El Segundo. Close to the airport and great food. Second City Bistro 223 Richmond Street El Segundo, California 90245 310.322.6085 - tel 310.322.2015 - fax Link: http://www.secondcitybistro.com/main.htm Sun Dec 11 13:37:21 -0800 2005 420789 0 JinCC 2 421004 ...and romantic too. Such a cute setting. Mon Dec 12 11:36:25 -0800 2005 420903 0 Rizza 1 420920 What about Chloe? Close to the airport and good food... 333 Culver Blvd in Playa Del Rey (310) 305-4505 Sun Dec 11 18:35:38 -0800 2005 420789 0 Senor Popusa