visiting LA, need to give son a breather (from us) on 7/4 and celebrate 40th anniversary

[gsElsbeth]

Have car will travel. Staying in Tarzana/Encino area, but not limited by that. Suggestions? No limitations in terms of food, some in terms of cost.

[HaroldandMaude]

Just a note that the evening of the 4th should be a mess of traffic with it being the end of the long weekend, people moving about for fireworks, heading home from the beach etc etc.

Consider Adagio Italian in Woodland hills, or Kravings Rodizzio or Agra Tandoori, both in Tarzana.

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Kravings
18663 Ventura Blvd. #100, Tarzana, CA 91356

[gsElsbeth]

Point taken. We've decided to try Sadaf (Persian) in Encino--they are open, have wine, are a "sister" of Darya and seem to have good reviews in general, and we've never had Persian. But Tuesday night we're taking son and DIL to Agra Tandoori. The reviews made us salivate (probably also sweat a little, too since some of us like it hot). Thanks for your advice.

[happybaker]

I have never been to Sadaf, but I looked at the menu and it looks fab!

One of my fav Persian dishes is Fesenjan - a chicken, pomegranate and walnut stew. Rich but SO good. And believe it or not (my husband scoffed) the rice mixed with dill and lima beans? Addictive. Happy eating! And congrats on finding what looks to be a very fun place not too far away.

[gsElsbeth]

So psyched. Called ahead to make sure they would be open on the 4th and when we arrived at 7:45 they were closed. Sigh. Had a not very memorable dinner at Versailles and will try Sadaf on Wednesday for a late lunch before going to catch the red-eye. Big disappointment, not the somewhat exotic/romantic dinner I'd hoped for, but at least it wasn't CPK which we did see was open. :-(

[happybaker]

Oh no! I am so sorry!

We got take out from our fav upscale thai place and my husband said it was EMPTY, so I guess I can't blame places for being closed.... But to say they were open and then close? Not good.

I hope Sadaf is exceptional and fills you with joy : )

And Happy Anniversary!

[gsElsbeth]

Thanks.

[wienermobile]

For Korean try Park's BBQ. It is just wonderful. Great service with great Korean grilled meats, If you are new to this cuisine they will help you order. Their Seasoned Boneless Beef Short Rib • 주물럭 is one of the best things I have ever eaten. One of my favorites restaurants in Los Angeles and well within your budget.
http://www.parksbbq.com/index.html

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Park's BBQ
955 S. Vermont Ave, Suite G, Los Angeles, CA 90006

[Servorg]

If you'll specifically lay out your budget limitations, including food and drink, on a $ per person basis, then I am sure that folks here will be glad to come up with some tailored suggestions for you. Do you like one type of food over another? What about Asian (especially Korean) or other less well represented ethnic cuisine vs more traditional fare such as Italian or steak or even French?

[gsElsbeth]

$40-50 pp, Less represented would be fine --Korean, Persian, Mediterranean, Mexican, (I know the latter two aren't less represented in LA), Italian is okay (though we do okay in Philly with that), not particularly interested in steak or French (since I assume that 40-50 is not do-able). What other less represented are you thinking of? If we went over it would not be the end of the world. Again thanks.

[gsElsbeth]

Of course, now all sorts of other cuisines suggest themselves...Greek, Turkish, (not Thai, my DIL would never forgive me if we went w/o her), Portuguese, Jamaican (or other unexplored Caribbean), ...the sky really is the limit. I had fantasized about Angelini Osteria, but having looked at the menu figured we couldn't get out for under $75-100 pp, Would like to toast the 40th with a glass of wine. And what kind of problem will the 4th be? I assume that's why ethnic is preferable? Not a downer to us at all.

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Angelini Osteria
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

[Servorg]

Since a lot of restaurants do close on Mondays (especially ethnic ones and seeing that is the 4th of July you should directly call any place you are considering and ask them specifically about their plans for that day). If you would like something closer to where you are staying then you might consider Simon's Cafe in Sherman Oaks for Moroccan food. Not a fancy place in terms of the decor, but excellent food and very nice people. I would probably think about doing BYOB there with your own wine.

ADD: Okay, just checked and Simon's is closed on Monday's normally in any case. Back to the drawing board.

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Simon's Café
4515 Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

[gsElsbeth]

DH has relented Italian and French are definitely in the mix. Do want a glass of wine, so Loteria Grill (mmentioned below) doesn't seem to fit the bill.

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Loteria Grill
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[Servorg]

I don't know if they are open, but we go to a little place in Sherman Oaks called Rive Gauche. I love their French Onion soup and normally get their seafood brochette. My wife is addicted to their pate and she almost always has the chicken and angel hair pasta. Full liquor license. One of the most romantic, quiet and beautiful patios in Los Angeles.

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Rive Gauche Cafe
14106 Ventura Blvd Ste 200, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

[happybaker]

Yikes - did not realize Loteria does not have wine! They list beer but.... Hmmm. Sorry.

Sad to say my fav place for great wine with dinner is closed on monday - Palate in Glendale.

And my fav cheap corkage ($2!) with decent food is closed as well - Cafe Bizou.

Okay, let me put on my thinking cap...

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Cafe Bizou
91 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

[happybaker]

Loteria Grill in Studio City will be open on the 4th.

http://www.loteriagrill.com/

And Happy Anniversary!

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Loteria Grill
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[gsElsbeth]

I just re-checked their website and they do have a full bar. Would you do Loteria over Saraf, Banu, or one of the other Mediterranean places mentioned here?

[happybaker]

Sad to say I have not been to any of those restaurants, so I can't really vote on them.

And darn, the nice but not stuffy french restaurant in Eagle Rock I have gone to in the past is closed on Monday.

[westsidegal]

if you are interested in Israeli food, try Itzik hagadol, 17201 Ventura Boulevard
Encino, CA 91316
[phone]

caveat: this is a comfortable restaurant, but not at all romantic. (dunno how important that is to you)