Hello!

I need a restaurant in Los Angeles which can accomodate approx. 35 people for a rehearsal dinner. I do not want a hotel restaurant. Michael's in Santa Monica was suggested to me. I want a nice place which serves American food, but may be a bit less expensive than Michael's, but as nice.

Any suggestions?

What don't I get here? If it is "as nice" as Michael's, why wouldn't it cost just as much? Or do you mean you want it to look as nice as Michael's but you are willing to give up some of the food quality? Really don't get what you're asking.

Lila,
Where in L.A.? Santa Monica/Westside ?
That would help.

What is a "conservative restuarant"? The salad bar is pro-life? The omelettes have a firm stance against affirmative action? The cocktail wienies lobby to beef up defense spending?

Hahaha. That's funny, wondering, but I think the poster meant "conservative" as in conservative food.... she did say American food, remember?

I take this as meaning she wants a restaurant with various types of unoffensive food. A crowd of 35 will surely have a few people that are picky about their food, and Lila wants to try to minimize the fallout over picky palates.

Is that what she means? Okay, I'll buy that. I thought is was some kind of a veiled request for a restaurant without gay waiters....

How about Lawry's The Prime Rib?

Not for vegetarians, but you can't get much more conservative than that.

Well, ok, but if that's true (i.e. conservative food = bland, "American" food... salisbury steak, iceberg lettuce salad and vanilla ice cream for dessert I guess) then what would a liberal restaurant be... hmmm.. Spicy, ethnic, diverse, and you'd have to tip 50% of the check for the underprivileged minority/handicapped waitstaff.

Lawry's Prime Rib is exactly what first popped into my head.

Sorry for any confusion as to what I meant.

Many of the wedding party are not adventuresome eaters, but will expect fine dining. I guess American cuisine is what I am looking for, but of the steak and fish rather than meatloaf variety. I am looking for a restaurant located on the westside of L.A. which would include Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood, etc.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Actually, Lawry's is a really good idea. We have our bar association meetings there once a month, and they do have a couple of rooms they book. Although I don't eat the prime rib, their salad is good, and they do a fairly decent fish and fruit plate. The atmosphere is very nice, perfect for a rehearsal dinner (although the waitress uniforms are a bit much).

I suggest you post this on Chowhound's LA Message board.

They'll be able to help you.

chowhound.com and click away to the message boards from there.

I can't believe such a sweet question garnered such obnoxious replies. Boy oh boy.

Here are some great choices:
Maple Drive - classy American Food in Beverly HIlls
Cafe Montana - classy American food in Santa Monica
Lobster - seafood & American food on the Pier in Sm - cheaper than Michael's, but still pricy, but you can't beat the view or the location
One Pico - i know you said no hotel restaurants, but this one is super classy and looks out onto the sand, i love it & take my mom there
Getty Center Restaurant - a little out of your way but it will make a memorable evening

Good luck! (and congratulations!)

Hi there -
may not work for you, but my brother and sister-in-law did use Michael's for their rehearsal dinner last summer and it was great, they had the whole back patio with twinkle lights everywhere, very pretty. Not on quite same the scale, but Napa Valley Grille in Westwood could work, they have private rooms, food is pretty good (not the same level, I know it's a chain, but good) and you could always go to the W for drinks afterwards if the party wants to keep going.