Dinner for foodie with grandchildren

[Candyk10]

Looking for an interesting place for me and husband who really appreciated good food and wine, with daughter and son in law who eat much plainer than we do. We are doing our best to introduce wider range of tastes and experiences to 9 and 6 year old grandchildren. We have managed to get then excited about sushi, Korean BBQ to name two.
Any ideas on the Westside?

[tenxtone76]

Tender Greens. Picca which I haven't tried. Cha Cha Chicken. Curry House. The Nook still around? Musha. I'm not really a west side expert.

[HillJ]

Have you been to Off the Q in Woodland Hills?

Super interesting menu, friendly owner and terrific sushi/grill entrees.

https://www.facebook.com/offtheqrestaurant/photos
http://offtheq.com/files/2012/07/off-...

I understand they recently changed their hours to dinner and evening take out only.

We ordered a bunch of fish, veggie and chicken skewers to share. Everything is served with steamed rice and the sauces were a knock out that makes the dish. They also prepare interesting fruit drinks too. We had a watermelon blend that night.

[perk]

Not terribly adventurous, but very good food. I see kids at Pizzeria Mozza all the time. And they could try a "non traditional" pizza.

[maudies5]

My grandkids also love Rustic Canyon (in addition to Tavern and Hungry Cat). Katsuya another favorite.

[JudiAU]

Yeah, my kids love Mozza too. And the meatballs are loved by all except for Mr. JudiAU who gripes about why his never come out the same.

[Dirtywextraolives]

+1 for Fogo de Chao & Lawry's

My kids really enjoyed Craft. They also love Benihana & Parks BBQ.
My husband & I adore the Tasting Kitchen & I wouldn't hesitate to take my kids there (8 & 10).

[JudiAU]

In Santa Monica, my kids (5,3) really like Misfit. They like pretty much like everything on Sawtelle or especially Hirozen. Any Italian option works. Jinya on Third street is a huge hit.

[PeterCC]

But how does The Misfit like your kids? ;-) I've been wanting to try it with the family, but it seems like a hipstery place that wouldn't be too kid-friendly.

[Servorg]

As long as the little miss (or mister) doesn't throw a fit you're probably going to be okay... ;-D>

[New Trial]

Or a mis-fit.

[maudies5]

As one who has a deep appreciation of good food and children and grandchildren who share our love of good food, I will just give you an indication as to where our grandkids (approx same age as the OP) like to dine. Actually, they have loved these restaurants since they were even younger
At the Top of the List is Tavern in Brentwood The kids just love the food there. Moreover, there is a lovely kid menu. I, actually find all of Suzanne Goin's restaurants (including Hungry Cat to be quite kid-friendly. Perhaps, it is because Suzanne Goin and David Lentz have 3 very young children.

[PeterCC]

I've been bringing up FIG a lot, especially FIG at Five (50% off nearly everything when ordered between 5 PM and 6 PM), but I think it's a good option for this situation. Since the goal is to introduce a range of tastes and experiences, the discount really allows you to order many more dishes for a much larger range of tastes. The mussels are excellent as is the braised tongue. For the less adventurous, the fried green tomatoes, bacon wrapped bacon, organic organic chicken are good choices.

[westsidegal]

i've enjoyed almost every dish that has ever been served to me at FIG.
i have a crush on the restaurant.

[wienermobile]

Families love Lawry's Prime Rib in Beverly Hills.
http://www.lawrysonline.com/lawrys-primerib/beverly-hills

Or Fogo de Chao Brazilian BBQ (across from Lawry's in Beverly Hills also) carved at your table by Gauchos and the best salad bar in LA (24 Month Aged Parmesan
Aged Manchego Cheese, Prosciutto, Brazilian Hearts of Palm, Artichoke Bottoms
Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, Smoked Salmon, Italian Salami,Jumbo Asparagus,Tabbouleh,Shitake Mushrooms and much more) is included.
http://www.fogodechao.com/index.php?i...

[wienermobile]

Not too far from the Westside (just east on the 10) is Park's BBQ in Koreatown. Some of the best cuts of beef in the city. Wonderful service with your food cooked at your table. You will not leave with your clothes smelling of smoke like some other Korean BBQ places. They now will take reservations for all size parties (before for only parties of 6 or more) My kids love it!
http://www.parksbbq.com

[uncommonindustries]

Kid Friendly Sushi brings Crazy Fish to mind. I see a lot of families dine there. I only ever eat the veggie rolls but they are good and ppl tell me the fish is fresh:

9105 West Olympic Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90212
[phone]

[westsidegal]

respectfully disagree with the recommendation of Crazy Fish if you plan to actually eat fish:
similar prices to other sushi bars, inferior quality.

[PaulF]

It used to be the spot where you went when you were in college because the prices were cheap and the portions huge.

I ate there in the 80s, maybe the early 90s. At one point, someone was killed in there, a long time ago. Haven't been back in years.

[westsidegal]

prices aren't any cheaper than most places that serve higher quality food and have better service.

[PaulF]

They were in 1987.

[westsidegal]

i wasn't doubting you at all.
was brought to Crazy Fish last year by a girlfriend who was remembering the 1987 price gap. she was really surprised to see that it is no longer a bargain.

[BSW6490]

Plus One to the respectfully disagree. Many better sushi choices. Close by is Sushi Sushi which is outstanding.

[PeterCC]

If the kids really take to sushi, it can get quite expensive. If the sushi does not have to be outstanding, I'd recommend Hide on Sawtelle as an decent, affordable option for dining with kids and family members who "eat much plainer" and may not get any more out of Sushi Sushi than they would Hide.

[Servorg]

Hide is a good option for affordable but better quality sushi. Just know going in that it's a "cash only" restaurant.

[J.L.]

Agree with westsidegal: Crazy Fish is not good.

Ethiopian food uses bread as utensils (i.e., you eat with your hands)! Stews, bread, veggies - Looks exotic, but taste-wise it shouldn't be too exotic for your daughter & son-in-law, AND the grandkids will be excited to try it! I suggest Nyala on Fairfax as an intro to Ethiopian cuisine.

You can also try Persian food - Fluffy steamed rice, marinated flame-grilled kebabs - It's a great choice! The bread is freshly oven-baked at Shaherzad on Westwood Blvd.

[PeterCC]

+1 on Shaherzad, my kids love watching the bread being made, and I bet the OP's grandkids will too.

[westsidegal]

agree with both of J.L.'s suggestions.
if your daughter and son in-law's preference for "plain" food has a lot of bearing here, imho, persian food is closer to "plain" than is ethiopian.
also, although not my personal preference, for ethiopian food "beginners" i'd recommend Meals by Genet. irrc, Meals by Genet is closed on mondays and on tuesdays.