Food near Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center?

[mocro]

Headed to this faculity tonight and I'm not familiar with the city or the venue. Anywhere good for a pre-theatre dinner walking distance or close-by? Anything other than sushi or Asian ok as we've had a lot of that lately. Thanks.

[Steve2 in LA]

I used to work there and between shows on weekends, we'd try to go to Cozymels on Rosecrans, between Sepulveda and Aviation. http://www.cozymels.com/store_manbeac...

[mocro]

Thanks to everyone's suggestions, we had an excellent dinner at Al Noor. Samosas, Lamb Korma, Chicken Tikka Masala and naturally Garlic Naan - all delicious. Just a heads-up to first-timers that they don't serve alcohol. I'm not sure if I could have BYOB'd but I didn't see anyone doing that. Prices were very reasonable and I wouldn't say the service was overly friendly, but it's a very casual place. This was a great choice and I would never have found it without this board. Can't wait to try MBPost.

[bulavinaka]

>>Just a heads-up to first-timers that they don't serve alcohol. I'm not sure if I could have BYOB'd but I didn't see anyone doing that.<<

Al Noor is Halal - hint-hint... :)

http://alnoor-restaurant.net/

[mocro]

Trust me.....I felt like a rube as soon as I got there and realized it was Halal. :) And please excuse my ignorance but for the future, would it be bad form to BYOB to a Halal restaurant? I know I sound like a wino, but I do like a beer with Indian food.

[sel]

It is a bit confusing to know whether or not beer or wine are ok in a halal Pakistani restaurant. I have never seen alcohol of any kind in my favorite such establishment local to this area but the clientele are a mix of folks from Pakistan/India, Afghanistan and assorted countries from the Arabian peninsula. My favorite place up north (S.F. area) is frequented primarily by non-Muslims who bring in their own beer and that seems ok!?

[bulavinaka]

sel summed it up - depends on the place and its clientele. I frequented a Lebanese eatery that used to be in Culver City that served halal but also served alcohol. The customers were a mix of Muslims (many from one of the most significant SoCal mosques) and non-Muslims (much like Lebanon). I've never felt alcohol was proper at Al Noor or Al Watan as both have an ethnic feel to them.

[ozhead]

I went to high school near the Performing Arts Center -- indeed, that building was part of the high school (Aviation HS -- GO FALCONS!) before the rest of the school was torn down. There was nowhere good in the immediate vicinity then, and I'd be willing to wager that that's still the case.

[wienermobile]

That was true at one time but not anymore. Al Noor is excellent and family places like Saigon Dish, El Pollo Inka, North End Cafe and Havana Mania are great neighborhood spots. MB Post has really raised the bar for restaurants in the area. I've got to admit it's getting better, getting better all the time.

[echoparkdirt]

wienermobile, impressed with your choices, altho im not a HUGE fan of Inka, so heavy!

Saigon Dish is quite good.

Also, everything at al-hamra is fantastic, and its very close

2515 Artesia Blvd
Redondo Beach, CA 90278

[westsidegal]

what time does the show begin?

[wienermobile]

Nothing in walking distance except Mc Donald"s but Saigon Dish, El Pollo Inka and Al Noor are all very close by in Lawndale. In El Segundo Veggie Grill, Paul Martin's, The Counter, Sammy's Woodfire Pizza and Teresa's Mosaic Grill. Havana Mania in North Redondo, In Manhattan Beach a little more pricy are Houston's, Tin Roof and MB Post.

[mocro]

Thanks so much. I'll check out the Lawndale options and I read a review of MBPost which looks interesting. Appreciate your advice.

[westsidegal]

re: mb post
a) i love the food
b) when we last went at 5pm (the stated opening time) the staff was holding a meeting and we didn't get seated until closer to 5:30. we didn't actually get out of there until 7:30. i would advise to confirm beforehand that they will actually be able to seat you close to 5pm.

re: al noor.
VERY casual.
VERY good food

re: veggie grill
vetetarian food
imho the crab cake (which was first touted by Maudie5 i believe), is pretty amazing , and imho better than their veggie burger (their veggie burger is of the "fake meat"variety rather than the "vegetable patty" variety.

re: houstons
as of a few weeks ago they were still offering free corkage. this can make a meal there an amazing value even when tipping as though corkage was charged. if you have any vegetarians in your party, houstons serves one of the top two veggie burgers in town.
also, this place is very professionally managed. it's been adequately staffed every time i've been there.

re: the counter
good food
it;s a "build your own burger" concept.
very casual
service can be slipshod
their veggie burger is the other of my two favorite veggie burgers.
also, imho, their sweet potato fries are noteworthy

[mocro]

8 pm show. I couldn't get a reservation at MB Post but I wonder if we could sit at the communial table if we arrived at 6. I'd probably opt for lower stress with slightly less fabulous food.

[mocro]

Al Noor got great reviews and is close so that's what we'll do. Thanks Chowies.

[wienermobile]

Give your self some extra time at Al Noor. They have great food but sometimes slow service, Very nice people run it. Their Naan is great, order extra. My son loves their Paneer Tikka Masala with Cubed Cheese cooked in special herbs and garnished with fresh cilantro. Enjoy.
http://alnoor-restaurant.net

[mocro]

Thanks for everyone's advice. Headed out now and will def make a special trip sometime to MB Post. Our daughter has worked several summers at the Counter and while we love their burgers she'll want a Cook's Night Out.