Dining Alone - Los Angeles
There are other posts about this, but they're more than 2 years old or focused on other areas.
I'm going to be in town on business for 4 nights in December, staying at an LAX hotel. For lunch I'll be able to fend for myself, but are there any great restaurants for dinner the Chowhound community can recommend for dining solo? I don't mind eating at the bar, and it could be really upscale or really dive-y, just as long as the food is great and the staff won't shun a solo diner.
I won't be in the downtown area at all, unless the consensus is that I need to go there. Mostly looking for the Santa Monica, Culver City, west-side area, and to avoid tourists....I have a car and I'll be in a suit the whole time, but bring it on, mom & pop shops, hipster enclaves, feel-good vegan, greasy burgers, I'm open to anything!
Thanks!
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Lukshon has wonderful food and a counter/bar area.....
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Lukshon
3239 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA 90034›5 Replies-
re: foufou
Toscana has a great bar (more of a counter) and it is great for dining alone. Lots of action behind the counter: pizza making, salad preps, grilling, serving. My favorite dine alone spot for lunch or dinner,
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Toscana Restaurant
11633 San Vicente Blvd Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90049-
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re: kevin
Bar Toscana , opposite the entrance is also a good go-to place for the single diner. Great place for a cocktail and to meet some nice locals. Delicious light food at Bar Toscana or cross the entrance and get something delicious and a bit more substantial at Toscana.
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Toscana Restaurant
11633 San Vicente Blvd Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90049Bar Toscana
11633 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049-
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re: kevin
Don't order Veal Milanese. Too expensive and not that special. The fresh fish is always good. Pastas, particularly those with seafood are excellent. Pizzas are good. They make a great steak in the wood burning oven. IMHO, as good as Capo's and less expensive. I am perfectly happy sharing a salad with grilled shrimp (off menu) and an order of spaghetti with mixed shellfish. They also have wonderful proscuitto at Toscana. Somehow, they manage to find good melons in the off season as well as good tomatoes. Note that the mains come with Toscana's delicious roast potatoes and sautéed spinach (no extra charge).
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Toscana Restaurant
11633 San Vicente Blvd Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90049
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Thank you so much for all of your recommendations!
I'm really looking forward to Gjelina and Fig, and I'll probably stop in Mariscos seafood for lunch one day. I'm going to be 4 blocks from R&D Kitchen in Santa Monica to meet my boss, so I'll probably stop in there, too. I'll possibly be transferring to this area from Chicago for work, so I'm really looking forward to it.
I'm in town the week of 12/5, so I'll report back -so many options - thanks so much!
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Marisco's
718 S San Jacinto Ave, San Jacinto, CA 92583Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 -
Musha, A Frame, Gjelina, Chaya Venice (for the locals scene, and to meet people easily), Fig, Tasting Kitchen, Mariscos Chente, Bar Toscana, R+D Kitchen (sit at bar, you'll meet all the locals), Hillstone, The Yard. That should keep you busy and well fed.
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re: yogachik
westsidegal
Nov 5, 2011 08:58 AM
musha will take reservations for a table, but won't take them for the bar (which only has about 6 seats).
nonetheless, i've always been able to snag a seat at the bar when i arrive at 6pm sharp, their opening time.
imho their bar seats are more fun than their tables because you can watch the "raw-fish-guy" assembling his dishes while you eat. -
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re: budlit
westsidegal
Nov 5, 2011 08:56 AM
orris is one of the restaurants that doesn't take reservations and really has no place for you to sit if a space isn't available when you arrive. i would avoid going there at "prime" dining times unless you don't mind standing around.
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westsidegal
Nov 4, 2011 11:36 AM
for santa monica dinining, go to Fig restaurant located in the Fairmont Miramar hotel.
if you can, get a seat at the bar, as opposed to the communal table.
(i'll be there myself tonight) -
perk
Nov 4, 2011 11:26 AM
I eat out a lot by myself, and really believe that you can go just about anywhere alone and not be "shunned." I go to dives....and to Providence....by myself. I think restaurant folks have learned that if you go to a high end restaurant alone, you're really there for the food (and perhaps wine) experience. And they appreciate that.
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westsidegal
Nov 4, 2011 11:15 AM
re: gjelina
this is one of my favorite restaurants, but, be aware, at normal dining hours they can be jammed even at the communal tables.
the last time i went solo at 9pm on a tuesday night, hoping to get a seat at a communal table, i was told there was a 45 minute wait. the restaurant really has no physical space to accomodate people who are waiting, so all of us were standing with our backs along the wall.
also, be aware that if you go between 3pm and 5:30 or after about 10pm they will only be serving an abbreviated menu of charcuterie, pizzas, and the like.›5 Replies-
re: westsidegal
cookie monster
Nov 4, 2011 11:35 AM
Gjelina is my favorite restaurant in Venice, but the wait can be annoying. Also on Abbot Kinney - Tasting Kitchen, Hal's, Joe's, Axe are all good spots for solo dining.
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Tasting Kitchen
1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90291Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291-
re: cookie monster
westsidegal
Nov 4, 2011 11:45 AM
agree about the annoying wait.
i now tend to try to visit Gjelina at about 2pm or so for lunch:
early enough for the full lunch menu to be available, but late enough so that the main lunch rush has passed.used to be a regular at Joe's until a series of bad meals:(-four strikes you're out).
would rather be annoyed waiting at Gjelina than give Joe's another try. At least, once i'm seated at Gjelina, only good things ensue.-----
Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291-
re: westsidegal
cookie monster
Nov 4, 2011 03:58 PM
Yes, I'm still very fond of Joe's but I know other people have had bad experiences there in recent years. The other way to do Gjelina without a reservation is show up 5/5:15, order a pizza and drinks to start, then order some more dishes once the full dinner menu becomes available at 5:30. Usually works as long as you promise to vacate the table for their 7/7:30 reservations.
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Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
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westsidegal
Nov 4, 2011 11:08 AM
the "mom and pop" place should be Mariscos Chente's/ Coni'Seafood.
mexican seafood done in the style of Nayarit and Sinaloa.
a million posts about this place on this board.
strictly a paper napkin kind of place.
terrific food.
they close at 8pm.
310-672-23393544 west imperial highway
inglewood ca 90304 -
wienermobile
Nov 4, 2011 09:43 AM
Animal, Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza have wonderful food and nice dining bars.
Gjelina in Venice and Manhattan Beach Post (not far from LAX) have both communal tables and great food.
Also Pann's is a casual 1950's style "Googie" diner with the best patty melt and chicken and waffles, just 5 minutes from LAX.-----
Pizzeria Mozza
6602 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038Pann's Restaurant & Coffee Shop
6710 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045Animal
435 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291Manhattan Beach Post
1142 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266›1 Reply
