ISO Anniversary dinner spot for late TONIGHT

[iheartcooking]

I didn't plan on doing anything special for our 3rd anniversary which is today because I lost my job last month, but Hubby told me yesterday he wants to take me out. Lol okay, I have pored over these boards and I'm leaning Animal. Would love to try the June prix fixe at Providence but that's too expensive for us. Animal will probably be the same.
So, I'm being super unrealistic and it's making it hard to find anything else.

Can anyone recommend me something nice? We are okay with doing a super late dinner, like 9 or 10 if necessary. Willing to go to LA, Pasadena, Orange County, etc, since we live right in the center.
My tastes are diverse and looking for something interesting. Hubby dislikes fishy things but will be somewhat adventurous beyond that.

Obviously time is a factor. I have a few hours before restos start to open and I need to call and beg for a table.

Thanks in advance. I hope I've contributed enough to the boards to warrant some help!

[OCAnn]

So where did you end up dining?

[honkman]

Other options beside Animal we often use for very good late night dining (and might be a little bit cheaper than Animal) are Gjelina and Lazy Ox.

[archer]

Foundry on Melrose has a "Bluesy Tuesday" menu which is a delicious selection of Southern-style small plates (creatively executed), very inexpensive. You could perhaps have a selection of those and maybe add a shared entree from their dinner menu, which would keep you well under your budget. Lovely, romantic patio (heated) & relatively low corkage as I recall ($10 or $12)

[josephnl]

Of course they are not special, but Hillstone Restaurants (the Houston's group) have dependably good to very good (not great) food and service. The atmosphere is nice...and the best part, is free corkage. We've not been there, but hear that the newish South Beverly Grill is quite nice. The Houston's in Pasadena is nice, and I guess the one in Century City is similar. With free corkage, $100 is easy for 2.

[OCAnn]

Not quite chowish, but keeping your $ constraints in mind, there's always Roy's. They have a 3-course prix fixe (w/chic & hangar steak options). Food is good (nothing to write home about) and service even better.
http://roysrestaurant.com/cuisine/menus/menu_CA_los_angeles.asp

I recently took some friends to the Tustin Honda-ya (other locations in Little Tokyo & City of Industry). Lots of fun tapas style plates; for five who ate well, it only cost us $120 (pre tip). Very fun evening w/very solid food. Getting a seat, late weekday night shouldn't be too much of a problem.
http://izakayahondaya.com/

Summit House in Fullerton has a daily 3-course prix fixe for $40 ($20 prime rib Wednesdays), which includes their prime rib (my sister loves it, I find it okay, but I adore their creamed corn). Pretty setting, weird waitress uniforms.
http://www.summithouse.com/promotions...

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Little Tokyo Restaurant
150 E Bonita Ave, San Dimas, CA 91773

Summit House Restaurant
2000 E Bastanchury Rd, Fullerton, CA 92835

[Servorg]

While you don't say what sort of per person budget will work for you I wonder if you looked at this thread http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/771328 on Spice Table? I just went to the Culver City equivalent, Lukshon and thought that was terrific...

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Lukshon
3239 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA 90034

The Spice Table
114 S. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

[iheartcooking]

Thanks, I don't really know what to expect as a per-person cost, but we will probably bring our own wine to keep the cost down... Maybe <$50 a head?
I'll check it out!
Forgive me for trying to keep this thread at the top of the page- but it's only for one day!

[Servorg]

I love Animal and $50 per person will give you a nice dinner there...

[iheartcooking]

Both good recs, hard to make up my mind. Thanks Serving, if nobody else replies I'll still feel like I have something to go by.