Restaurant Recommendations

[wdwfanatic]

I need help figuring out where to eat during my trip! We will be visiting the LA area (Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Venice, etc). It will be me, DH, and DD18. I am open to just about anything from fast food to nice sit down restaurants; just would want to keep the cost down to $25 per person. Thanks!

 

[honeymom]

We are just back from our trip and used to live in LA. A couple of our favorites:

Rose Cafe - In Venice at the Santa Monica border. Really nice patio. Great breakfasts or lunch. We usually use wait service, but if you are just into salads or baked goods, you can buy at the counter and there is an area to sit inside. Save money for a treat from the bakery. If anybody likes tart food, the lemon hazelnut meringue is to die for. For the more typical chocoholic fans, my kids really enjoyed the chocolate/vanilla cake.

Callahans - Wilshire Boulevard near Euclid in Santa Monica. The place looks like a dive restaurant (okay it is), but it is clean, the food is good and the prices are good for LA. We get breakfast there. I know that they serve other meals, but have no idea if they are decent.

Il Fornaio - Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. Great pastas and pizzas.

Lulas - Main Avenue in Santa Monica. Even if you don't eat a full meal here, if you like mexican food and shrimp at all, go in for the Crepas De Camerones appetizer. It is to die for. The rest of the menu is good, too, although that is by far the best thing they serve.

There are plenty of good chain restaurants throughout the city: California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, Daily Grill, Louise's Trattoria so you'll never starve. When we visit now, we tend to stay in Santa Monica and just hang out there instead of running around doing the typical touristy LA things (i.e. Universal Studios). I used to work up in Universal City. A touristy place to go to was Micellis. It was decent (not great, but not bad either) Italian. But, what made it neat was that the waiters sang opera. Check to make sure they still do that and be prepared for a wait. I understand that there is a Karl Strauss Brewery at the Citywalk. I haven't eaten at that location, but have been to one in San Diego that I like a lot.

One more addition (and I don't know for sure that it is still there), but if you hang in Malibu at all and want an inexpensive place to eat, in the stores by the Malibu Country Mart, there was a store that sold great natural sandwiches (they may be veggie, but I don't remember). If you are around that way and can find it, we used to grab sandwiches and then eat outside there or bring the sandwiches to a nearby beach.

 

[webcs]

I need help figuring out where to eat during my trip! We will be visiting the LA area (Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Venice, etc). It will be me, DH, and DD18. I am open to just about anything from fast food to nice sit down restaurants; just would want to keep the cost down to $25 per person. Thanks!

Two words SPAGETTI STATION

You'll go there 5 times

 

[NatalieMT]

I have been to LA a number of times now so hopefully this might help.

On the corner of Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Blvd. is Ocean Avenue Seafood, think it's 1401. It's absolutely gorgeous! Seriously good seafood - I went there atleast 3 times on my last trip. There's another amazing establishment a few doors down Ocean Avenue from that, it's has sort of an Italian flare, it's called I Cugini I think. On the corner of Ocean Avenue and Broadway. It was so lovely, great atmosphere and our server there was wonderful. I stayed at The Georgian Hotel last time I was there which is like between the two, we tossed a coin every night as to which we would go to.

There's also another restaurant on the Pier that lots of people have raved about to me, I never went myself though so I couldn't be sure it was good. It's the first you come to on the Pier apparently, left hand side. You might like to test it out!

 

[RudemanRB]

If your gonna be near the coast, I would say Gladstones in malibu it's just 4 mins north on Pacific coast Hwy (PCH) from santa monica. they also have one in the Universal Citywalk.

in or around beverly hills, there's alot of stuff near the beverly center.
I like Jerry's Famous Deli

but I would advise going to the Famers Market (there's a really good Cajan place in there I can't remember the name but here's the website http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ )


if you've ever been to the MGM studios in FL. there's an area that's is a mock up of the actual Farmers Market in LA. it's a very historic and fun place to do some shopping and eating it's located on Fairfax just north of wilshire Bl.
it's on 3rd street and Fairfax technincally.

 

[Pucka1378]

I like Baby Blues in Venice http://babybluesbbq2.com/Home.html
You get a very good Venice type experience here. Lots of people from all different walks of life mingling over great food! We eat here about once a month and I love their Mac n Cheese and their Blues on the cob! I also like the ribs!

Dukes in malibue http://www.dukesmalibu.com/

Another vote for Jerry's. We got to the one in Marina Dely Rey.


Oh and just throwing out a great experience and I love to eat there. It is in Culver City not far from venice at all. Tito's Tacos! Been there forever. You wait in line(usually15mins or so) great tacos and bean burritos. If you do go there it is cash only(I think they have an ATM outside). http://www.titostacos.com/

The Cheesecake factory in Marina Del Rey has awesome view of the marina and the boats. Bonus if you have kids you can follow the little path down to the playground and either play while you wait of play when you are all done!

 

[Easy2Putt]

I have to say for the best italian and bang for the buck go to Alejo's in Marina Del Rey. It's in a small, mini-mart and the seating is actually pretty tight. The area may not be the most "tidy" but the food is divine. You can also bring your own bag of wine. There's also another bigger location up the street in Playa Del Rey. A real Angelino hangout.

 

[darby888]

Another vote for the Farmer's Market or the Grove next door to it.

Another couple of ideas to keep the budget down - Roscoe's Chicken n Waffles on Gower or the one on Pico. Hot Wings Cafe on Melrose.

Looking to see some celebrities - try the Ivy on Robertson.

If you're film buffs - the Formosa Cafe on Santa Monica.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

I Cant believe anyone hasnt mention "In-n-out" as of yet unless I missed reading it somehow.

 

[Pucka1378]

I would never ever recommend In N OUt. I know tons of people love it. I don't like it at all But, I may just be a freak of nature

 

[RudemanRB]

what not like a Double Double with grilled onions?

oh the horror...