rec's near LMU , Playa del Rey

[sablouwho]

I have to be at LMU twice a week (Wed and Thurs) and am looking for various Chow-worthy establishments in the area that for lunch, dinner, or in between.

Westsidegal -- what say you? Other Hounds, please chime in too!

[MahiMahiFish]

I love Cabbage Patch, delicious.
12531 Beatrice Street

[ellaystingray]

I can't believe I forgot to mention Pann's.

[wienermobile]

I just love that Pann's 2/3 LB Patty Melt.

-----
Pann's Restaurant & Coffee Shop
6710 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

[Servorg]

Just had one last week. Best in L.A. that I've found.

[cagey]

Sold me Servorg. I haven't been to Panns since my gramps passed when he lived nearby - some 20 years ago. A 2/3 patty melt worth munching? Count me in.

[jeffandnat]

How about Alejo's on Lincoln. Fairly pedestrian italian, but they have a great chopped salad. A good inexpensive lunch/dinner option.

[westsidegal]

respectfully disagree with the words "great" and "good" in the alejo's recommendation.
not one menu item of theirs that i have tried qualifies, imho, as good much less great.
their main claim to fame is that, at each table, they serve a little bowl of fresh, raw, minced garlic that is soaking in oil. if you love the garlic oil mix enough, your appreciation of the food will be increased. . . .
do, though, agree that the food is inexpensive.

[jeffandnat]

Westsidegal, have you tried the chopped salad? It is great, and Chow-worthy, imho.

[westsidegal]

yes i've tried that salad made with the canned garbanzo beans, commercial low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, flavoless tomatos, et al.
across the board, far better salads (not necessarily italian-themed) are available at 26 beach in marina del rey.

imho, alejo's is not at all chow-worthy.

[kevin]

I kinda like their eggplant parm. But yes you are right in the garlic olive oil mix. Once you start eating that you just can't stop.

And the prices are pretty damn cheap too.

[hyacinthgirl]

For Italian, I'd head down the road to Locando Positano on Lincoln or Caffe Penguini in Playa del Rey over Alejos personally.

[ellaystingray]

Let's not forget the Buggy Whip for J&B on the rocks, some Stone Crab, a hunk of charred cow and the trip in the time machine is included for free. You should do it at least once. And a note, they are one of the only places in L.A. that get their Stone Crab from Joe's in Florida (maybe the only but I am not sure of this--they used to promote that but it might be true any longer).

The other thing to remember is that the Westfield Mall Foodcourt (of numerous Chow threads fame) isn't far at all--maybe ten minutes--for grabbing a quick lunch. And just a few blocks further up the road are both an El Super Taco (actually on Slauson where it intersects with Jefferson) and Sorrento Italian Deli. Now before anyone reaches for their flamethrowers, there are differing opinions in regard to both these places but I think the amount of time spent of them keeps them in the discussion of chowworthy places. And I like them, so there. :0)

I also really like a place that I will say outright probably isn't chowworthy per se, but is a total locals joint on Culver called Senior G's. I always get the enchiladas suiza. Nobody here is challenging Rick Bayliss or Jon Sedlar but the family that runs the place is super nice and you won't break the bank.

Lastly, though the drive-thru can be crushing at the wrong time of day, there is an In-n-Out (maybe not always so much here) at Sepulveda and Lincoln for when you just need to get that fix.

[westsidegal]

unless you are a fan of prime rib,
would respectfully disagree with the Buggy Whip rec.
their fish is awful.
imho, prime rib and other beef dishes are ok enough, but not worth the 10 minute drive from my house.

[AAQjr]

It's good for grabbing a drink at the bar and listening to the 'piano man'. If you want that after work drink and pretend its the late 50's ;) The staff all seems to have been there since the beginning of time and have a fun rapport

[kevin]

maybe i'll stop by there for a drink, perhaps. how far is it from the buggy whip to lmu?

[AAQjr]

About 6-8 minutes I'd say.

[ellaystingray]

I suspect those are sage words in regard to the fish...it has just never occured to me to order it. ;) Unless it is the stone crabs which I found to be very very good.

I guess you do kind of have to like the "time machine" feel to get the most out of the place.

[Baron]

Went to the Buggy whip a few days ago as I wanted to try the stone crabs. 40 dollars for 4 claws. Not a whole lot of flavor. In my humble opinion dunginous crab is much better. On the othe hand, the oysters were very good. 8 oysters for 14.95 was a good deal. I'll go back for the oysters.

[Veggietales]

Hangar 19

I usually get the tri-tip and mac n cheese, but they do have chicken, fish and salad options.

Ayara Thai. I think it's the best Thai rest in the area.

Destini Cafe for pan-asian food. I usually get their bibimbop and dumplings. Large tea selection and great ambiance on the patio.

I personally think Tandoor-a-India has the best Indian food in the area.

-----
Destini Cafe
423 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293

[westsidegal]

imho, there is no good indian food near LMU.

[New Trial]

I have not been in over a year but Tompkins Square had surprisingly good burgers. Piknic is decent but not great. Chalet Edelweiss is good for Swiss-German basics. 26 Beach is not that far for other gourmet burgers (there is a Counter, closer, if you prefer). Agra is probably the best for Indian in that area, though a pale imitation of what it was when it first opened. Ekkamai has good Thai food. Killer Shrimp might work as well. For higher end, there is Cafe Del Rey. For dinner, you can add in A Frame, Sunny Spot, Sakura House (yakitori, etc.) and Waterloo & City.

-----
26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

Cafe Del Rey
4451 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Agra Indian Kitchen
2553 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

Tompkins Square Bar and Grill
8522 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Killer Shrimp
4211 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

The Counter
4786 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Chalet Edelweiss
8740 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045

Sakura House
13362 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Piknic Restaurant
13020 Pacific Promenade, Playa Vista, CA 90094

Waterloo and City
12517 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90066

A-Frame
12565 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Ekkamai
13223 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Sunny Spot
822 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

[westsidegal]

imho, would not order fish at Piknic.

[westsidegal]

i'll throw in AYARA THAI CUISINE
open late, too.
good price/quality/quantity ratios.

[Servorg]

Anyone from the LA CH community have any experience with the new "Deck 33" restaurant at the Custom Hotel on Lincoln? At least it's another good early option for breakfast (supposedly open at 6:30 AM) if nothing else: http://www.jdvhotels.com/dining/losan...

[AAQjr]

Mendecino farms and sugar fish are close, although I prefer Kanpai for sushi. Bristal farms has a few food counters. The Good Pizza is the best in the area. Panns is a few minutes down la tijera.

[westsidegal]

The Good Pizza has two places in the area.
the emerson location has just a couple of tables inside, and some more on the sidewalk.
the manchester location has more table-space.

if i'm hankering for a slice or a pie nearby, the good pizza is my #1 choice. in both locations it is located in a strip center with parking in front of the place.
my daughter, though, would vote for Beach Pizza that recently opened on Manchester near Lincoln. (there is free parking in the back of the bldg. enter from Lincoln Bl. side.

[wienermobile]

+1 for Mendocino Farms. Some of the best sandwiches in town. Very casual. Very good.
North End Cafe in Manhattan Beach is great for lunch. Try the Kahlua Pig Monte Cristo Egg Rolls. Wow!
For dinner I love Manhattan Beach Post. Great small plates. 40% of their tables are saved for walk-ins and only a few miles away.

-----
North End Cafe
3713 Highland Ave Ste 1, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Mendocino Farms
4724 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Manhattan Beach Post
1142 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[sablouwho]

Tried Kanpai based on your recommendation--really liked it and plan to go again soon. Thank you!

[Servorg]

Tripel springs to mind

-----
Tripel
333 Culver Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90293

[westsidegal]

just want to add that The Tripel is only open for dinner. (irrc they open at 5pm or so)
it is a gastropub. they have a bar and two communal tables.

one of my favorite places.

[westsidegal]

update/correction:
the tripel is also open for lunch on fridays and for breakfast over the weekends.

[AAQjr]

It's funny I never think to go to that area, It always feel completely separated from the rest of westchester/PDR

[Servorg]

I ride right by it almost every weekend on my bike...

[Servorg]

Truxton's has some good items on its menu...and while it doesn't get a lot of love on the board it's not a bad option as far as I've found on at least a half dozen visits.

-----
Truxton's American Bistro
8611 Truxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045

[kevin]

Where's truxtins at? In el segundo?

Also, there's a coffee joint in Westchester called like The Coffee Company???

Any good?

[Servorg]

Where's truxtins at? In el segundo?""

Uh, I think you'll find it at the address provided in my post (or at the map at right under letter R) probably...