last minute reservation at a tapas restaurant?

[veee]

We're looking for a reservation for 3 for tomorrow night (Friday), at a fun unique restaurant on the west side. I really wanted to try Picca because our guest likes tapas, but their only availability is 6pm (too early) or 9:45pm (too late).

Any recommendations for a place with great food, ethnic preferred, fun drinks and atmosphere, on the westside that we could get a reservation for tomorrow night? We have an out-of-town guest so anything that highlights LA would be great.

[J.L.]

I think Rivera in Downtown LA would match your criteria perfectly. It's walkable to the whole Staples Center/LA Live/Grammy Museum/Nokia Center complex

Some other recommendations:

Chinese fusion? Rec: WP-24 (stay in the lounge area for food & drinks, avoid the main dining room), at the Ritz-Carlton in Downtown
Persian food? Rec: Shaherzad, Westwood
Ramen? Rec: Yamadaya, Culver City
Ethiopian? Rec: Nyala, on Fairfax
Spanish Tapas? Rec: Bar Pintxo, Santa Monica OR La Paella on San Vicente (strangely, go for the tapas, which are good, but avoid their paella) OR The Bazaar by Jose Andres, at the SLS Hotel Beverly Hills
Izakaya (Japanese tapas)? Rec: Aburiya Toranoko, in Downtown/Little Tokyo OR FuRaiBo, on Sawtelle

[veee]

many of these places don't take reservations... what is Yamadaya like for walk-ins on a Friday night?

[J.L.]

Hit or miss, most likely. I usually go eat there really early or really late.

[wienermobile]

Red Medicine or A Frame (but they don't take reservations).

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Red Medicine
8400 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

[veee]

yay I was able to get reservations for 7pm at Red Medicine. this might be a bit too early but it's a good Plan A. thanks for all the suggestions!

[wienermobile]

You will enjoy it.

[BSW6490]

Playa on Beverly in West Hollywood?

[wienermobile]

Try Rustic Canyon. Great small plates. The Fried Cauliflower is amazing.
Manhattan Beach Post is wonderful too. Try their VIETNAMESE CARAMEL PORK JOWL & MOROCCAN BBQ LAMB BELLY and of course the BACON CHEDDAR BUTTERMILK BISCUITS are the best.

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Rustic Canyon Wine Bar
1119 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

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

[veee]

No reasonable reservations available at Rustic Canyon nor Manhattan Beach Post. Are these places doable as walk-ins?

[wienermobile]

Manhattan Beach Post saves 40% of their communal tables for walk-ins, but expect a wait after 7pm and much longer as the night goes on.

[Servorg]

You could try Lukshon in Culver City. What about the new Roy Choi restaurant, Sunny Spot in Marina Del Rey?

[veee]

we were just at Lukshon and Sunny Spot doesn't have any tables until 10:30pm. :(

[Servorg]

Okay then. My little thought of, off the wall, no one ever seems to think of it cause it's so far outside the box...Blue Stove at Nordstrom's in Santa Monica Place... Don't tell anyone ;-D>

[jsandler]

Went to Blue Stove last weekend. Thought it was very impressive (and very reasonably priced) for a restaurant inside a department store.