Places to eat like a local in Los Angeles
Sep 21st, 2011, 02:38 PM
#82
How could I forget Clementine's on Ensley in the Century City area? Three blocks east of Beverly Glen in the first block north of Santa Monica Boulevard. If you don't snag a parking space in their lot, be sure to read the street parking signs very carefully.
Sep 21st, 2011, 03:50 PM
#84
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The Century City Houstons has always been good. The other Houston's are lousy. I used to eat there at least once a week before the movies. You can try it, if you happen to be in the shopping center.
Warszawa on Lincoln in Santa Monica is traditionally good, I have never been disappointed there.
Vicente Ristorante on San Vincente near Bundy is excellent.
Warszawa on Lincoln in Santa Monica is traditionally good, I have never been disappointed there.
Vicente Ristorante on San Vincente near Bundy is excellent.
Sep 21st, 2011, 06:50 PM
#85
One more for socialworker, just inside Beverly Hills:
Da Pasquale, 9749 Little Santa Monica Blvd. (north side of street between Linden and Roxbury, about one mile east of Beverly Glen). There is public parking behind the restaurant that you enter from Roxbury.
Da Pasquale, 9749 Little Santa Monica Blvd. (north side of street between Linden and Roxbury, about one mile east of Beverly Glen). There is public parking behind the restaurant that you enter from Roxbury.
Oct 13th, 2011, 01:26 PM
#86
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I was so disappointed to recently discover that Houston's in Century City is closing. And not for lack of business but b/c of a rent increase for the space. We were looking forward to eating there during our upcoming stay in LA. Not only do we really like the food and atmosphere, but it was a real plus that it is walking distance from the house where we will be. And as has been recently discussed, even tho it is a chain, all locales are not the same in terms of quality of the food, and certainly no other Houston's offers the walkability perk! 
Oct 13th, 2011, 10:11 PM
#88
Well, there's still one in Santa Monica, but I don't know how long it's been since you've been there, since the menu has changed a lot over the years, and not for the better in my opinion. Although they still have the killer ribs falling off the bone, they dropped my favorite baked beans some time ago, a recipe that was pretty darned close to the old Love's BBQ recipe -- ahhhhh, so lovely! No worries for me, I got the recipe and it's become an Easter staple at my house.
Do you stay at that little house on Fox Hills? Have you tried Rock Sugar across the way from Houston's in the mall? If not, I'd suggest going there, for drinks and a bunch of appetisers to share -- the laquered ribs are stellar!
Also, the Smith Ale house just opened up north side of Santa Monica & Beverly Glen -- a big trendy sports bar, but incredibly decent decor, and the food is shockingly good.
Do you stay at that little house on Fox Hills? Have you tried Rock Sugar across the way from Houston's in the mall? If not, I'd suggest going there, for drinks and a bunch of appetisers to share -- the laquered ribs are stellar!
Also, the Smith Ale house just opened up north side of Santa Monica & Beverly Glen -- a big trendy sports bar, but incredibly decent decor, and the food is shockingly good.
Oct 14th, 2011, 06:42 AM
#90
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Thanks, Surfergirl. Rock Sugar is on our list to try. The last time we went to Houston's was '08 and my memory of what I loved was the (grilled? maybe rotisserie?) chicken which was delicious and sauteed spinach (or it may have been green beans, "ah yes, I remember it well", 
) but I also loved the atmosphere which DS described briefly, but very well as California Clubby.
Yes we will be staying on Fox Hills, a locale that we love!
Maybe the "kids" will want to try the Smith Ale House with us. Anyplace called an Ale House is usually something DH loves, as they are likely to have his favorite IPAs on tap.
) but I also loved the atmosphere which DS described briefly, but very well as California Clubby.Yes we will be staying on Fox Hills, a locale that we love!
Maybe the "kids" will want to try the Smith Ale House with us. Anyplace called an Ale House is usually something DH loves, as they are likely to have his favorite IPAs on tap.
Oct 14th, 2011, 08:44 AM
#91
Then you will love Smith House. My husband loves their 1/2 chicken with sauteed spinich.
http://www.smithhousela.com/smithhouse-food-menu.html
http://www.smithhousela.com/smithhouse-food-menu.html
Oct 29th, 2011, 06:34 PM
#92
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OKOKOKOK...found a Mex restaurant that is my #1 choice from now on. Loteria (Farmer's Market), Hollywood and now in Studio City, same building as Daily Grill. Absolutely superb....red snapper enchilada's with a creamy black bean sauce, shrimp tacos with very hot sauce..and a very complete menu. Priced a bit more than just moderate. Try it! Socialworker...right in Studio City area for you in January! Corner of Laurel and Ventura...delightful balcony dining.
stu tower
stu tower
Oct 29th, 2011, 07:15 PM
#93
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Mmmm...didnt know there was a Loteria in Studio City, thanks stu. I went into the Glen center near you a couple of weeks ago but it was lunchtime and there was no parking so we drove off in a tif. Turned right onto your street and hollered "hi Stu" out the window. LOVE the little bench where you can take a breather when you're out for a walk. Have I mentioned the brownies at Big Sugar Bakeshop? Yummers!
Oct 29th, 2011, 07:37 PM
#94
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I think it's actually Loteria Grill. Only saying this for out-of-towners so they can Google it. I think they may be opening up on the Santa Monica Promenade at some point as well. You're right, their food is excellent.
Oct 29th, 2011, 10:30 PM
#95
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http://www.habitburger.com/
Great veggie burgers and also grilled, albacore tuna burgers! Happy Travels!
Great veggie burgers and also grilled, albacore tuna burgers! Happy Travels!
Oct 29th, 2011, 10:55 PM
#96
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http://www.joombangkokcafela.com/
Delicious Thai food and directly across from CBS studios which is attached to Farmer's Market and The Grove for those who are tourists. It's within walking distance and is in the same strip mall with Subway.
http://mypaninicafe.com/
Absolutely delicious. The best salmon kabob with avocado salad (other salads available) and either fluffy white rice or bulgar. I eat here regularly and find the Beverly Hills location, and the Westwood locations the best. I think there's one downtown, but I haven't tried it. There's also one, in The Valley that I eat at. It's across from Westfield Topanga Mall and in the same shopping center with Nordstorm Rack on Victory between Canoga and whatever the other cross street is, one street west of Canoga. . And the Nordstrom Rack there is excellent. So, I shop and eat.
www.stanleys83.com/ It has been around since the 80s and I've eaten there since it opened. Great California style food. Famous for Chinese chicken salad. I haven't had it since I don't eat chicken, but many friends have and one of my parents just had it week before last and loved it. They serve delicious sour dough bread and butter with the meals. And the veggie burgers are delicious.
It's on Ventura Blvd., a little west of Woodman Avenue, north side of the street.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nordstrom-ca...ro-canoga-park
Cafe Bistro inside of Nordstrom deparment store at Westfield Topanga in The Valley. Delicious food and always jam packed with shoppers doing lunch.
http://www.cafebizou.com/ Cafe Bizou in Old Town Pasadena. Delicious and jam packed. I've eaten here since its beginnings. I've heard. from friends who live in The Valley, that The Valley one isn't as good as the Pasadena one. They usually come out to me in Pasadena. I threw one of my GTG dinners there and everyone loved it. Happy Travels!
Delicious Thai food and directly across from CBS studios which is attached to Farmer's Market and The Grove for those who are tourists. It's within walking distance and is in the same strip mall with Subway.
http://mypaninicafe.com/
Absolutely delicious. The best salmon kabob with avocado salad (other salads available) and either fluffy white rice or bulgar. I eat here regularly and find the Beverly Hills location, and the Westwood locations the best. I think there's one downtown, but I haven't tried it. There's also one, in The Valley that I eat at. It's across from Westfield Topanga Mall and in the same shopping center with Nordstorm Rack on Victory between Canoga and whatever the other cross street is, one street west of Canoga. . And the Nordstrom Rack there is excellent. So, I shop and eat.
www.stanleys83.com/ It has been around since the 80s and I've eaten there since it opened. Great California style food. Famous for Chinese chicken salad. I haven't had it since I don't eat chicken, but many friends have and one of my parents just had it week before last and loved it. They serve delicious sour dough bread and butter with the meals. And the veggie burgers are delicious.
It's on Ventura Blvd., a little west of Woodman Avenue, north side of the street.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nordstrom-ca...ro-canoga-park
Cafe Bistro inside of Nordstrom deparment store at Westfield Topanga in The Valley. Delicious food and always jam packed with shoppers doing lunch.
http://www.cafebizou.com/ Cafe Bizou in Old Town Pasadena. Delicious and jam packed. I've eaten here since its beginnings. I've heard. from friends who live in The Valley, that The Valley one isn't as good as the Pasadena one. They usually come out to me in Pasadena. I threw one of my GTG dinners there and everyone loved it. Happy Travels!
Oct 29th, 2011, 11:14 PM
#97
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"SeaUrchin on Aug 18, 11 at 10:31am
All under 25$ per person.
President Thai is my local place in Pasadena on Rosemead Blvd. I have taken out of town guests there and they still talk about how good it is. It's family owned and I remember when they started out in a small wooden bungalow. "
I've never been a President Thai person. I have eaten there several times as some friends like going there. I'm a Saladang Song (Thai) person (Pasadena). Have been eating there for many years. I had one of my GTG gatherings there and folks loved it. There's also Saladang across the parking lot from Saladang Song. "Song" means the number "2" in Thai. They're both packed which is one reason that Dang, the owner, built "Song", and from the ground up.
http://restaurants.uptake.com/califo..._13364968.html
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl...57650625242456
http://dineries.com/ca/pasadena/sala...83sfairoaksave
Happy Travels!
All under 25$ per person.
President Thai is my local place in Pasadena on Rosemead Blvd. I have taken out of town guests there and they still talk about how good it is. It's family owned and I remember when they started out in a small wooden bungalow. "
I've never been a President Thai person. I have eaten there several times as some friends like going there. I'm a Saladang Song (Thai) person (Pasadena). Have been eating there for many years. I had one of my GTG gatherings there and folks loved it. There's also Saladang across the parking lot from Saladang Song. "Song" means the number "2" in Thai. They're both packed which is one reason that Dang, the owner, built "Song", and from the ground up.
http://restaurants.uptake.com/califo..._13364968.html
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl...57650625242456
http://dineries.com/ca/pasadena/sala...83sfairoaksave
Happy Travels!
Oct 29th, 2011, 11:24 PM
#98
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Yeah, the Saladangs are good too. I also remember when they first opened. I love going to Bizou too, I agree it is now better than the Valley one.
Lately I have been going to Roy's, still good quality.
How about hot turkey sandwiches from Tallyrand in Burbank, my go-to fresh turkey craving place. (I only like the turkey dishes there, fun old timey bar downstairs which also serves meals).
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...alifornia.html
Lately I have been going to Roy's, still good quality.
How about hot turkey sandwiches from Tallyrand in Burbank, my go-to fresh turkey craving place. (I only like the turkey dishes there, fun old timey bar downstairs which also serves meals).
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...alifornia.html
Oct 30th, 2011, 08:24 AM
#100
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Posted by Tower, "Who says L.A. can't compete with the old over-rated standbys?"
We have had really great food, here in L.A., for decades. When I'm away, either in other states or overseas, I always look forward to coming back to our food. One thing that we have is "variety". And we are also VERY flexible in trying to suit people with different eating plans. It's usually easy for a group of friends to go out to eat and everyone is able to find something to eat on a menu.
Yesterday I zipped over to the Santa Monica Shopping Center and while there needed to grab a bite. So, I went into the restaurant at Nordstrom. Although it was a different restaurant than Nordstrom's usual Cafe Bistro, and the menu was totally different, they worked around my three major food allergies and also the fact that I don't eat meat/poultry. Even at the bottom of the menu it was written to let the wait staff know of any food allergies before ordering.
I let the waiter know of my food allergies and he came back with a menu and had checked the items that I could eat. That's one reason I love eating here at home. Also because we have such fresh ingredients year round and vegetables aren't used as decoration, but are taken seriously. Happy Travels!
We have had really great food, here in L.A., for decades. When I'm away, either in other states or overseas, I always look forward to coming back to our food. One thing that we have is "variety". And we are also VERY flexible in trying to suit people with different eating plans. It's usually easy for a group of friends to go out to eat and everyone is able to find something to eat on a menu.
Yesterday I zipped over to the Santa Monica Shopping Center and while there needed to grab a bite. So, I went into the restaurant at Nordstrom. Although it was a different restaurant than Nordstrom's usual Cafe Bistro, and the menu was totally different, they worked around my three major food allergies and also the fact that I don't eat meat/poultry. Even at the bottom of the menu it was written to let the wait staff know of any food allergies before ordering.
I let the waiter know of my food allergies and he came back with a menu and had checked the items that I could eat. That's one reason I love eating here at home. Also because we have such fresh ingredients year round and vegetables aren't used as decoration, but are taken seriously. Happy Travels!
