We'll be in Inglewood (very close to LAX) and would like to take my Grandma out to a nice dinner somewhere within 45 minutes of Inglewood. One of her favorite restaurants is the Ranch House out in Ojai (steaks, fish, lamb chops, etc.) but I think that might be a bit far to take her on this trip. So I'd like something comparable but a little closer to where she lives. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Inglewood is not a good section of town and offers little in the way of decent dining experiences. I'd plan on heading to Santa Monica.

Maybe Lawry's would be a good choice if your grandmother likes prime rib.

Cafe Del Rey in Marina del Rey is very nice and has a nice rib eye steak that MDH enjoyed. One of their specialties is crabcakes in a red grapefruit sauce.Otherwise, there are tons of choices in Santa Monica. Lawry's is over on La Cienega in Bev.Hills. If you're looking specifically for steaks, the Pacific Dining Car is right in downtown and open 24 hours. She might like that one. My father-in-law loved it--sounds like same generation. Lastly, Checkers dining room is a lovely setting--near Dorothy Chandler.

Maeve, thanks for the suggestions. Do you have any specific recommendations for Santa Monica? I think you were on the right track with your suggestions so far.

BTW, we have visited Inglewood before but the last time Grandma had us take her to Marie Callendar's and to a diner on Manchester so I was trying to get a little info before I went so we could take her somewhere nicer and have a few suggestions for her to choose from.

I would recommend Gladstones 4 Fish, on the beach just north of Santa Monica. Good food, wide selection (not just fish), not too expensive. Closer to Inglewood, try Barnabeys in Manhattan Beach, corner of Sepulveda and Rosecrans. Its a small hotel with a very nice restaurant. A chain restaurant that is very good is Houstons, which has a place in Manhattan Beach on Rosecrans.

Kris, I think you're looking for old fashioned, classic LA restaurants, right? If so, look at Los Feliz Inn, Hamburger Hamlet, Tony Roma's,El Cholo, Nate n Al's Deli in BH, Tam O'Shanter in Los Feliz, Beckham Place in Pasadena and the classic of all times, Frank and Musso's. Lawry's is consistently a good choice. None of these is trendy or gourmet, but sounds as if Grandma would like them. Santa Monica ones I can think of might be too much hype.