Swanky b'day dinner spot needed: a vegetarian, a pescetarian, and a gaggle of meat-eaters....

[The Oracle]

ok, maybe not quite a gaggle...

But, the b'day guest is the vegetarian, prefers a swanky dinner spot (think: sleek, contemporary decor, excellent food, and top-notch service), and has requested it be somewhere she's never been before (trickier than it may seem, as I don't exactly know everywhere she's been before!). Oh, and she wants it to be a surprise, so I can't run options past her.

So far, Drago Centro is at the top of my list (and is the only thing on my list!).

Location is open to anywhere; all are traveling from the eastside. All guests are in their late 30's.

Anything come to mind?

Edit to add: I've never been to Drago Centro, but heard great things from a different vegetarian friend. I'm open to all suggestions, including steering me away or towards Drago Centro.

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Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[bulavinaka]

Ray's was mentioned by J. Gold on "Good Food" yesterday. He mentioned the strong focus on vegetable sourcing by Chris Morningstar...

http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/gf/g...

[Godslamb]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a pescetarian?

[westsidegal]

soneone who will eat fish, but not meat nor fowl.
some pescetarians will also eschew dairy and/or eggs.

[Godslamb]

Ahhh thank you. It is good to learn at least one new thing each day. :)

[Discokill]

I've had the same search a lot (carnivore married to pescetarian). We've done Drago a couple of times and think it's a great choice. Top quality food, nice space and excellent cocktails. Mozza is also our go-to for that kind of dinner. Tavern is another option to look at as well.

Some other ideas that are on my list of must trys for the future (note I haven't done these so can't vouch - I just keep a list for future birthday dinners): Josie, Fig, Tasting Kitchen, Gjelina, Hatfields, Eva.

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Drago Restaurant
2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403

Tasting Kitchen
1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90291

Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

[yogachik]

Add Catch at Casa del Mar to that list.

[The Oracle]

Thank you for affirming the Drago choice - I haven't been but had heard good things from a different vegetarian friend - which is how that ended up as the choice.

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Drago Restaurant
2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403

[goodhealthgourmet]

i had to giggle at the post title because it sounds like the beginning of a joke: "a vegetarian, a pescetarian, and a gaggle of meat-eaters walk into a restaurant..." :)

all of ipse's posts about Royce are making me want to go there, so i like that suggestion...FIG is a great idea too. i'll just throw two others out there: Rivera and Scarpetta.

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Rivera Restaurant
1050 S. Flower Street, #102, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Scarpetta
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[Tripeler]

better expression: a pack of meat-eaters...

Actually, when I read the post name I was expecting them to walk into a bar.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i know, my mind went to "bar" first, but i figured having them walk into a restaurant was a more appropriate for CH!

[bulavinaka]

... a hoard of meatatarians...

I was going to mention Rivera or Tasting Kitchen. Both have very sleek contemporary feels, and hit high marks on the OP's other criteria.

[The Oracle]

ah, PACK of meat-eaters would have been perfect... and, yes - I was intending it to sounds like a ... walked into a bar... type joke ;)

[mollyomormon]

I don't know if this is less fancy than you want, but I had a very good meal recently at Eveleigh and the patio is absolutely gorgeous. It definitely made me want to have a celebratory meal there once the weather gets slightly warmer, although, they've done such a great job with heat lamps that the temperature was perfect that night I was there.
http://www.theeveleigh.com/index.htm

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Eveleigh
8752 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

[ipsedixit]

How about not leaving the Eastside?

Give the The Royce a call. http://www.thediningroom-langham.com/...

They do great seafood dishes (pescetarian, check!), has more than 3 or 4 beef and fowl dishes (meat eaters, check!) and the kitchen is accommodating enough to provide more veggie options than what is listed on the menu.

[wienermobile]

Fig in The Fairmont Hotel Santa Monica has something for everyone on your list including very original vegetarian offerings like their Red Beet Risotto with Carnaroli, Asparagus, Creme Fraiche and Dill. Also their Pastaless Lasagna with Bloomsdale Spinach, Sweet Potato, San Marzano Tomatoes, and Mozzarella.
http://figsantamonica.com/

FIG Restaurant
101 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica CA, 90401

[maudies5]

Just read that The Misfit (former site of Anisette) has a large selection of vegetarian options.

[westsidegal]

many of the upscale restaurants mentioned repeatedly on this board will offer a vegetarian tasting menu even if the restaurant isn't known for serving vegetarian food.

irrc, providence and spago have been mentioned.. . .

[will47]

If budget permits, very much second Providence.