We are planning a 2 week trip to the above 3 places and would like recommendations for restaurants which serve good food at reasonable prices-$15-$25 per entree. We have many gourmet restaurants at home so this is not what we look for on vacation-just really good food, (no ambience necessary), and a casual dress code. We especially like ethnic food-Mexican, Thai and Asian fusion, but enjoy other types of food as well. In LA we are staying in the Hollywood area, so the closer to that area the better.

Girasole in Larchmont (very close to Hollywood) is a cute, intimate Italian restaurant. No liquor license, so bring your own. No corkage. Reservations are recommended, especially on a weekend. I love their panecotta dessert, by the way.
225 1/2 N Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004-3706
Phone: (323) 464-6978

In Pasadena, Café Bizou is a good choice.
91 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena - (626) 792-9923
Good food (steak au poivre is my favorite) and only two dollar corkage. It can be noisy, but it is a fun place.

I also like Bistro de la Gare in South Pasadena. A little more expensive, but good food.
921 Meridian Avenue
South Pasadena, CA 91030
626-799-8828

For terrific Thai food :
Saladang Song
383 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, (626) 793-5200

Sister restaurant Saladang Song is at
363 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena
(626) 793-8123

Finally:

An undiscovered little gem is an Afghan restaurant in Pasadena:
Azeen's Afghani Restaurant110 E Union St.
Pasadena
(626) 683-3310

Hope these help.

In Palm Springs

Mexican
Las Casuelas (Tex Mex)
El Gallito (Authentic Mex)

Asian Fusion
Wang's in the Desert

Thai
Thai Smile

New York Deli
Manhattan in the Desert
Sherman's

We just came back from Palm Desert. Our favorite Mexican restauant is El Adobe Grille at La Quinta resort. The grounds are absoultely fantastic, sit out on the patio at sunset and listen to the live music as the sun goes down over the mountains. They have tables around a big fireplace, and heaters if too cool at night. Order Gucamole made tableside with your Margaritas and try the Chicken Mole' for dinner, $22. It's the best I ever tasted.
Cinnamon ice cream for dessert!

I also vote for Las Casuelas (Tex Mex)

I'm from Pasadena...40+ years. I agree with the above list. I haven't been to the Afghan restaurant however. If you just go to Old Town Pasadena and walk around there are tons of restaurants that will meet your price range. Restaurants are very good in Pasadena. We have over 500 of them. There's one on Colorado Blvd. in Old Town that's called Thai/Italian which is very good. It's near Raymond. And of course Saladang Song and Saladang, as mentioned above, are legendary. They are on Fair Oaks Blvd about a 3-4 block walk south of Colorado. Cafe Bizou is wonderful. I eat there regularly. There are SO many places. Happy Travels!

Guenmai, Quite a change in the Pasadena restaurant scene in those 40 years, eh?

Yep. Smiles. Happy Travels!

There is a good Tibetan restaurant on Holly just east of Fair Oaks. I am practically a regular there.

www.tibetnepalhouse.com

Thanks everyone. We just returned from our trip and had a wonderful time, so good, that we will probably do a redo next Dec. We did eat at some of your recommended restaurants, which were very good. We especially liked Saladong Song ( the original one). I will keep the recommendations we did not get to for next year's trip. Thanks again.