Need a private room near UCLA Westwood for group discussion

[ponderpizza]

I run a philosophical discussion group at UCLA and we are pretty disappointed with our assigned room on campus this term so I am trying to find a restaurant within walking distance that has a private room where we can discuss for two hours and has some pretty cheap food. A coffee place, cafe, or restaurant would work. It would be great to have delicious food, but that isn't at the top of my priority list. Thoughts?

[ponderpizza]

Thanks everyone for all of the great suggestions! We ended up going with Gypsy Cafe (the hookah bar) because they have good food with decent prices, a private room, and an atmosphere conducive to discussion. I'll check out some of these other ones for future meetings.

[PaulF]

I can't think of a better place for a philosophical discussion than a hookah bar called Gypsy Cafe.

I bet Socrates had philosophical discussions in a hookah bar called Gypsy Cafe.

[Nicole]

"Private room" and "pretty cheap" generally don't go hand in hand. I'm guessing a lot of the suggestions will be over your budget. If I were in your position, I would ask Thai House (on Gayley) if they can do a table for 10. They will probably be pretty empty on a Wed night so the effect will be like a private room, at a greatly reduced budget. And their food is good.

[Phurstluv]

Check w/ the W, possibly an area at NineThirty or the lounge can accommodate you.

[Servorg]

How many people, how many times per week and at what time of the day?

[PaulF]

Yes, knowing how many people are expected makes a difference -- the choices for 5 folks would be different than 25 folks.

I work in that neighborhood and might have some ideas, but need to know for how many people.

[ponderpizza]

Good point! its about 10 people from 7 to 9 pm on Wednesdays

[Servorg]

Given those parameters I might check with Napa Valley Grille and see what they would do for you. I like their food, but others here aren't so impressed. If food is not a consideration you could always check with Jerry's Deli. Terrible food but a pretty big space. I haven't been into Palomino lately so don't know what kind of crowds (if any) they would be drawing on a Wednesday night at that time, but they might be worth checking out too.

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Jerry's Famous Deli
10923 Weyburn Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Napa Valley Grille
1100 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024

Palomino - Los Angeles
150-10877 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

[bulavinaka]

We like Napa Valley Grille as well. The service is always great, the food is nothing innovative but we've always found it to be solid, and the wine list is really good. But I don't think of this place as being within budget for UCLA students. Since the OP mentioned pretty cheap food, I'd think this crosses Napa Valley Grille off the list.

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Napa Valley Grille
1100 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024

[Servorg]

I was thinking that NVG is hurting for business in this economy and might just be willing to do some sort of "happy after hours" menu for them or workout some other less expensive option. One other thought, how big is the Westwood Gushi? It might fill the bill.

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Gushi
978 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

[westsidegal]

when i think of Jerry's, i don't think "pretty cheap food."
probably it's the bad price/quality/quantity ratios that bum me more than the absolute prices.