Rec's --> Brentwood area -- mid-week dinner -- not too loud.

[sablouwho]

Places I can think of to eat are Divino, Bar Toscana, Tavern, but I don't know if they will be loud as I've generally only been to these places Thurs-Sat. The Brentwood would also be an okay place (food wise) but it was noisy as heck the two times I've been there.

[nosh]

Wilshire is very pretty, excellent food, and not at all far away.

[sablouwho]

Is it still as good even though the chef left?

[maudies5]

Apparently not. (speaking about Wilshire and Villetta)

[nosh]

Wilshire's search for a new head chef was on a show, I think on the Food Network, where two chefs run the line and create a menu and one is chosen to actually head the kitchen. Nyesha Arrington competed and won. Then she currently is on Top Chef: Texas, where she was unfortunately eliminated a couple weeks ago when her teammate undercooked some venison. She may still be alive in their "Last Chance Kitchen" but I don't know. The last time I was at Wilshire, for a DineLA lunch, the food was very good, though I had an issue with the front of house manager. The back patio room is lovely, both in the daytime sun and nicely lit at night.

[ZoeZ]

Wilshire's space is indeed lovely but our recent (last summer) experience was uneven service and really small portions. I had lamb with couscous and some vegetables - three tiny slices of lamb and I mean tiny, over about two tablespoons of couscous and a few veg - all for close to $30. I went home hungry and ate a cheese sandwich. I called and spoke to the manager who said please tell me when you are coming again etc etc. Haven't been back.

[yogachik]

Vincente is not at all loud. Nor is Tavern - in the atrium. Villeta is quiet. Drago is another idea.

[sablouwho]

Any ideas on how Villetta is these days -- I thought I saw it posted somewhere that that the chef was asked to leave/let go...not sure when this happened though.

Never been to Vincente or Drago--will check 'em out. And would happily go back to Tavern.

[maudies5]

Pippa Calland, the chef ,was fired from Villetta. I hear nothing about the restaurant at all, ever, and I live in the area. The atrium at Tavern is lovely and not overly loud. Vincente is another excellent choice. I love the winter menu at Tavern.

[perk]

I was at Villetta about a month ago. I hadn't been there when the previous chef was there, so I can't compare. But I thought the food was good, and service was good as well. I've always loved the space....went there when it was Chez Mimi.

[sablouwho]

Do you remember what you had? I'm glad to hear it was still good. Agree with you, love the space!

[lovemesomespam]

I had a really yummy meal at villetta this summer and one that was not very good last week-
the langostines ? obviously from a box taken out of the bottom of their freezer. I had heard they were only using local stuff-maybe this came from their local Trader Joes ?

[yogachik]

Viletta is still very good. I heard the chef is now at The Sunset in Malibu/Point Dume