We're coming to LA for the first time in a week, and are staying at the Travelodge on Santa Monica Boulevard in West LA (not exotic, but the flights from London were expensive!) We need somewhere to eat in the evenings, don't mind if it's a bit of a drive from the hotel as my wife is pregnant so can't drink anyway! Any recommendations - reasonable prices preferred, but will consider a real "blow out" if you think it's worth it!

ps anyone know what the area the hotel's in is like???

The SM Blvd. area is just okay ... nothing fancy, to say the least. For restaurants: assuming you'll have a car ... if so, drive west on Pacific Coast Hwy., toward Malibu ... many nice seafood and italian places along there. For example, Allegria about 28000 PCH, across the road from the Casa Malibu. But by all means avoid eating at the Border Grill in SM, no matter what you hear (Frommers recommends this dump). While in LA, if you plan to see the Getty Center (and you should), do so during the week, and phone for a car reservation ... a requirement, only $5. And drive along Sunset Blvd., and the neighborhoods off of it. And the Topanga Canyon area in Malibu, plus the surfers at Surfrider Beach. Have a great time in LA. Ciao

There are lots of little restaurants in Santa Monica. Just walk around and follow your nose. A fun place with fairly good food is Gladstone's 4 FISH on PCH near the intersection with Sunset. Nice for lunch or dinner early so you can see the water and gulls/surfers. Another fun thing to do would be to go to the Farmers Market for lunch. It's great people watching and fun. Have a great time in LA.

Do you happen to know the nearest cross street for that travel lodge? Santa Monica Blvd. used to be the tail end of Route66.. you know "get your kicks"... etc.
If you don't mind driving, then Chin Chin's on Sunset has great/Trendy Chinese, Asia De Cuba on Sunset is super expensive and exotic but worth it if you feel like a splurge.
Best Italian IMHO is Micheli's in Hollywood off Las Palmas.. or Campanille on La Brea, Best hot dogs-Pinks on Melrose and La brea.. Best burgers for not much money.. Carney's on Sunset, Farmer's Market is a great suggestion it's lovely to go there on a weekend morning.

x

I don't know if this info is too late, but here goes. For a very good italian dinner at great prices, try Alejo's in Marina del Rey area. If you want to be trendy, go to Chinois on Main in Santa Monica. I went there with my wife and we saw Phil Jackson and Jeanne Buss (LA Laker basketball coach and his girlfriend, the team owner's daughter). DC3 has excellent food. It's at the Santa Monica airport. El Cholo for mexican food or one of my favorites, Tia Juana's in West LA. For the best burgers, for fast food its In-N-Out (order it "animal style") or The Shack in Playa del Rey (order a Shack burger with cheese).