socialworker

To those who mentioned John O'Groats, we had breakfast there on this past Sunday. What a great place! I love the fact that there are a number of places in LA that have kind of a country diner feel to them! Nothing like that that I know of in Boston. Diners, of course, but not places with that kind of a feel. I think someone further up this thread said that they hated to recommend it, lest it get even more crowded, but right in their front window, there was a plaque saying that they had been awarded "Best Breakfast in LA", so apparently the word is out!

PeaceOut

socialworker, how is your son? Have you posted a thread about his accident? I hope he is recovering quickly.

socialworker

Thank you, PeaceOut. No, I have not. He is recuperating but will be out of commission for a while. All things considered, it could have been so much worse.

trivbeck

My husband and I will be in Los Angeles next week to attend a conference. We are staying downtown at the Marriott by the Staples Center and LA Live. I've been assigned to find a good spot for dinner for our group who will be attending. In looking over this thread, it's a bit overwhelming to remember names and areas of LA. Any suggestions on a place downtown that's got a great ambiance AND food? My husband's niece suggested the Water Grill, a seafood place. Though we like seafood, we are looking more for a California fusion type place.
I've always admired your reviews maitaitom and we used a few of your suggestions last time we went to Italy. So, any fine dining downtown recommendations?

maitaitom

Well, my favorite place downtown is Church and State Bistro (we just went there again in December). My recommendation is to take a cab, since it is in the warehouse district of L.A., which can get kind of sketchy on the fringe. The food here was phenomenal. I'll try and update my review (below) this week on our latest dinner. I am also including the restaurant website. Currently it is #1 on our L.A. restaurant list.

The retired lawyer who Tracy used to work for was one of the first owners of one of L.A.'s most popular restaurants (not C&S), and he, too, puts Church and State at the head of the class right now.

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...les%2C_CA.html

http://www.churchandstatebistro.com/

trivbeck

Thanks, it looks great!

mlgb

Just reiterating the warning that C&S is in the skid row/ aka warehouse district of downtown, so take a cab. It's sort of French Bistro food.

A bit higher up on the elegance scale but just as good and in the Financial district (you probably could walk, actually) is Drago Centro. I also like Rivera.

Be sure to browse the websites to get a feel for the menus and ambience.

maitaitom

I don't think I'd go as far as saying its in "skid row." There are lofts going up all around there. That said, I would take a cab.

tower

New discovery....for fish lovers or even for people that think fish lunch/dinner is boring...Ventura Bulevard, same block as Baja Fresh in Sherman Oaks...recently opened...The Fish Dish. Turns out to be a great choice for getting your fish-twice-a-week allotment as demanded by the FDA, Dr.Oz and others gurus.

It's a small, unpretentious place, spotlessly clean, cmprehensive menu that does include a few chicken dishes for the fish-timid. AND, the prices are downright attractive..not a thing over $10 p/p. Typically, from the grill (or fried) salmon, tilapia, trout, all delicious (we've been three times in the last two weeks). Served with special sauces (garlic, for one) for each. Good sized portions (that could be split) ..you order from wall board menu but everything is served to your table.

It's beeing discovered more and more...crowds at lunch hours and dinner. (South side ventura Boulevard, just est of Van Nuys Blvd., with two-hours free parking ..validated) on Cedros Street lot).

Stu

Surfergirl

Thanks, Stu, sounds delish!

Placename

Costco is a local hangout. Every try getting in there on a Saturday when they are doing taste testings? Everyone and their brother is in their getting free samples, then the hotdogs.

tracys2cents

There's another branch of FishDish just outside the Burbank airport, a good stop if you have a half hour to kill before a flight and need some nourishment.

I like the vanilla frozen yogurt at Costco, though it doesn't contain any actual yogurt.

socialworker

Thanks Stu. Sounds good!

I was going to post today anyway, as during the last week we returned to 2 places we have not been to in several years.

On Sunday we had breakfast, at noon, at the Overland Cafe which was a long time fave when DS lived right nearby. It was still good and as crowded as ever, but was just a tad less yummy than I remembered, but still very good. They offer unlimited champagne for $5/pp, which most of the patrons seemed to be enjoying but we passed.

The other oldie that we had not been to in 4 years was The Counter which has sprung up all over LA. We went to our local one at the CC Mall and it was as good or better than I remember it being when we went the first time back on Olympic Blvd. They still have the best sweet potato fries that we have ever eaten and the burgers were great.

tower

socialworker....still have the lingering tasteful memories of Rock Sugar...excellent in every way. Thank you for recommending..did not disappoint in any way. Company was lovely, too!

Gotta try The Counter..so close...by the way, Father's Ofice (on Montanta) also offers a little wire basket of those fries, too. I pass the Overland on my "secret" back door to LAX when the 405 is jammed...and now I'll just have to stop in some time. Hope Nick is getting along well!

This thread has life!

Stu

Guenmai

And there are always the thousands of food trucks, an L.A. institution, that have been roaming the streets for decades. It wouldn't be L.A. without food trucks. I remember them when I was a kid.

http://roaminghunger.com/la/vendors/

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?se...les&id=7939017

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/us/12trucks.html

Happy Travels!

Surfergirl

Stu, my street, my obviously not so secret LAX back door

tower

surfergirl..most anyone I know from Valley or Westside uses Overland to Jeff, Jeff to Sepulveda and LAX. When picking someone up at LAX, I pull into the CVS/Kohls/Panera lot on Sep and when they ring my cell, after they get ther luggage, I spin to the whatever terminal in a few minutes. No luggage, same thing.
stu

socialworker

I am just on my way to LAX in about 15 minutes and was wondering if there was a good place to park and wait for DH to call. Thanks, stu!!

PS The route you cite above is the one we have used for years! I just don't usually have to wait for someone coming in---usually we are both traveling.

socialworker

We went back to a place that we have not been for a few years and it was as good, or better, than ever---lunch on the veranda at the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica. We had great food, service and a million dollar view for entrees that are ~$10 if you stick with salads and sandwiches. I had a Cobb Salad that was beautifully presented and delicious! DH had rosemary ham w/brie and avocado grilled on sourdough bread. The sweet potato fries on the side of his sandwich were the best I have ever tasted.

When I checked the temp on my iPhone, it showed 59 degrees, but we actually had to sit in a shaded area of the veranda b/c it was so hot in the sun. Santa Monica was filled with people enjoying the lovely weather that belied the (alleged) temperature!

tower

Social worker:
Ah, the venerable Georgian....our first "home" when transferring to Santa Monica in 1957. Nearby RAND put up many transfer families at The Georgian. We were later moved to the late William Tell Motel(with its Bow and Arrow Restaurant...sheeesh!) on SM Blvd until new house was finished, in the valley. Each time I drive past the Georgian, it conjures up memories of those carefree, exciting days.

Stu (how is Nick coming along? Good, I hope)