corkage friendly 1st Date restaurant -- WLA near 405

[sablouwho]

I have a first date tonight and he's bringing a bottle of wine...he doesn't know the area so he asked me to pick a restaurant. He said the red wine (that's all I know, sorry) he's bringing apparently will be fine with anything except strong seafood like salmon or crab. He mentioned that Italian might be good, and also mentioned steak, but he said in general he is not picky and that I should pick what I like.

I tend to go for places that are farm-to-table driven (though this is not a necessity for tonight). Also, I am not a huge eater so I tend to be a "reasonable" (if not cheap, LOL) date.

Here are the needs for tonight's reservation:

--must allow outside wine
--must be in West LA, not too far a drive from 405 (Wilshire or Sunset exits would be great)
--he doesn't mind if there is a corkage fee (therefore I'd prefer not to skip Hillstone group)
--he didn't give me a budget and when I expressed concern, he said not to worry about it

Ideas:

Divino in Brentwood (near me -- I like it there)
Peppone in Brentwood (near me--I've never been there before)
Il Grano on SaMo Blvd (I've been there before and have had only good experiences, I know others disagree--I adore their uni pasta--and they have a special heirloom tomato menu on Wednesdays)
Wilshire
West Restaurant and Lounge at the Angeleno Hotel (Italian-steaky--walking distance from where I live)

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Wilshire Restaurant
2454 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Divino
11714 Barrington Ct, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Il Grano Restaurant
11359 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Peppone Restaurant
11628 Barrington Ct, Los Angeles, CA 90049

West Restaurant and Lounge
170 N Church Lane, Los Angeles, CA 90049

[Baron]

I think Wilshire is a good choice. Il Grano is good but they specialize in seafood which your date excludes because he is bringing one of his best reds to impress you. (note to self: be very impressed with his wine!) Il Moro would also be a good choice and it is very close to the 405 and does have a good first date atmosphere. Good luck. (both of these suggestions are not too expensive - he'll like that)

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Il Grano Restaurant
11359 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Il Moro Restaurant
11400 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064

[HaroldandMaude]

Correction...he WOULD have liked that. (the date was two days ago).

P.S. My choice would have been Pomodoro on Westwood Blvd across from the Crest theatre.

[Baron]

Oops! I guess I was a couple of days late. (note to self: Read more carefully!) Oh well, I hope the date went ok. I liked Pomodoro but I also like La Bruschetta on Westwood Blvd. (Wonder how the op's first date went?)

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La Bruschetta
1621 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

[ilysla]

Only went to Wilshire once, but the food was good (enjoyed the apps more than I did the BBQ entrees), service was unobtrusive, and it definitely had a romantic ambiance. Went to West for a business dinner and the food was truly disgusting. Overcooked, rubbery, inedible sea bass. A complete waste. Is 2117 on Sawtelle still operating? If so, I went there once w/ my parents and found it to be a surprisingly upscale (in terms of menu items) and tasty restaurant (it's in a strip mall w/ Blue Marlin and other cafe-style places, but the food is more new American and they definitely had at least one steak option). The food is moderately expensive, but if you're date said not to worry about it.... Don't know about corkage, though. And if you want Italian, I thought Tanino in Westwood Village had good food and was not particularly expensive (again, don't know about the corkage).

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Tanino
1043 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024

[sablouwho]

Appreciate the suggestions--I guess I was hoping someone who has eaten as these spots would chime in with more info--i.e. how is the food, atmosphere for a date, etc. Anyone have an opinion on the places that I mentioned in my OP? I need to be quick and make a reservation as this is for tonight! Never been to Upstairs 2 but have been curious. Thanks!

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Upstairs 2
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064

[waterisgood]

I've eaten at Wilshire and hosted a party at West. West is not a great choice - the Angeleno in general is a sub-par hotel, and there are barely any people at West other than hotel guests. I don't know if Wilshire has corkage, but I really like the ambience (if you can get over the fact that it's ANOTHER Thomas Schoos designed place, which mostly bothers me in the restroom b/c he uses the same designs over and over again, but I digress). It's got a great bar out front and a good noise level for a first date, which for me personally is lots of chatter and fun energy around while still being able to hear your companion fairly well. The low lighting is also romantic, especially if you're sitting outside. I do have to say, though, that it's been over 2 years since I last ate at Wilshire, so I'm not sure if the food is still good.

[westsidegal]

although i, too, have not eaten at wilshire for about 2 years, i do have to say that when it was on my regular rotation, it was amazingly consistent. never had a bad meal there.

[rickym13]

maybe upstairs 2? above wine house right off the 405

[westsidegal]

since Upstairs 2 is owned by the Wine House, d'ya think they'd be open to having wine brought in from an outside source? also, what if the wine that Sablouwho's date brings is actually on their wine list? would that still be ok? i'd imagine that they would have an extensive wine list in place.

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Wine House
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Upstairs 2
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064

[Servorg]

The corkage at Upstairs 2 is $15 for wines not purchased downstairs from the Wine House (then it's $10) and they don't give a flying fig if it's on their list or not. They are just glad to have you come for dinner and hope you enjoy whatever wine you bring/drink...

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Wine House
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Upstairs 2
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064

[westsidegal]

great to know.
thanks for the 411

[carter]

Went for 1st time to Upstairs 2 last Saturday night, and must say I was quite impressed. Nice list of wines by bottle or by glass, and staffing is superb.

Food very good, quite nice for a first date. Get the table in the corner farthest from the door and you are very removed from most of the restaurant conversations.

Place was full by 7:30.

Definitely would return, and there can be no more proximate restaurant to the 405 than Upstairs 2!!!

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Upstairs 2
2311 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90064

[BSW6490]

I am pretty sure you can bring wine to upstairs. I have heard very good things.

[cdub]

nook.

[westsidegal]

respectfully disagree about nook after actually going to a blind date/ first date there. . . .

[waterisgood]

I think Nook is a good choice but only if you get one of two (?) booths. The other tables are not first-date friendly. They have very good prices, good food, and a low corkage. Also very close off the 405, right off of the Santa Monica Blvd. exit. They have a good steak, and I just love their veggie brown rice bowl.

[westsidegal]

i would recommend against getting fish at nook.