Holiday Gift Certificate Help

[WestsideLisa]

My out-of-town in-laws want to get me a restaurant gift certificate as a holiday gift. I'm guessing it will be in the $150-$200 range. I would love some help picking a place! Location is no issue, and open to all cuisines. Will order 2 glasses of wine, not a bottle (wine list is not at the top of the list...food is). Been to Spago, Hatfield's, Josie, Jar, AOC, Water Grill...was thinking maybe Osteria Mozza, but not sure. Cut and Providence would be too expensive, I think. What say you, oh helpful 'Hounds?

[DrBruin]

WL, will the gift cert be fore 2 people or 1 person? If it's one person, Providence and Cut would still be within that price range... I'd also think of going to the Bazaar... Saddlepeak Lodge...

[WestsideLisa]

It would be for 2 people. It doesn't have to cover the entire meal, but I would like to try to keep the out of pocket to around $50-$75.

[DrBruin]

I think you could eat most anywhere in LA (sans Urasawa) with a $200-275 budget for two.

[WestsideLisa]

But it's not where "could" we go...it's where "should" we go? If someone were giving you the gift certificate, which restaurant would you choose?

[DrBruin]

"Should" is really relative... it depends on what you like (and don't like) and what you have (and haven't) tried. You can get outstanding food at hole-in-the-wall locations for under $15pp. If I were given a gift certificate, I'd probably go to Cut just because I haven't been there.

[WestsideLisa]

I appreciate all of the help and insight. I decided I wanted something not too "fancy", and with minimal out of pocket. Unless someone tells me "don't do it!", I'm going with Animal.

[DrBruin]

Animal is a great choice!

[vickie2172]

#2 Bazaar. It's memorable.