Eating and Drinking in Los Angeles

[Phil_Smith]

Any advice for a place near Beverly Hills (ideally within a 10 min or so Saturday cab ride, or even better a walk)? I’ve been to Providence, Cut, and Spago recently so would prefer something new, and while it’s been a while Urasawa isn’t an option for this trip. Interesting, a reasonably interesting drink list, and not noisy is preferred.

Not sure there’s anything that fits those criteria but thought I’d check.

[Adam_G]

@Phil Smith

Any advice for a place near Beverly Hills (ideally within a 10 min or so Saturday cab ride, or even better a walk)? I’ve been to Providence, Cut, and Spago recently so would prefer something new, and while it’s been a while Urasawa isn’t an option for this trip. Interesting, a reasonably interesting drink list, and not noisy is preferred.

Not sure there’s anything that fits those criteria but thought I’d check.

Hard to find not noisy…but here are a few options, probably 10-15 min depending on where in BH you are:
Animal
a.o.c.
Tagine
Prospect Gourmand
BOA steakhouse

There are also a bunch of places at the Westfield Century City mall and you’re not too far from Little Ethiopia on Fairfax, either.

[CFu]

@Phil Smith

Any advice for a place near Beverly Hills (ideally within a 10 min or so Saturday cab ride, or even better a walk)? I’ve been to Providence, Cut, and Spago recently so would prefer something new, and while it’s been a while Urasawa isn’t an option for this trip. Interesting, a reasonably interesting drink list, and not noisy is preferred.

Not sure there’s anything that fits those criteria but thought I’d check.

Tsujita Sushi is damn good. I think Mori and Shunji aren’t too far either if you’re looking for high end sushi.

In Beverly Hills Wally’s has a nice restaurant and their whole selection as a wine list

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@G. Greenbaum

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

@G. Greenbaum

Cassia’s menu strikes me as awfully thin — do they tend to have off-menu specials and/or a tasting menu? Also, the non-seafood dishes don’t strike me as being particularly wine-friendly.

Just curious Brian, have you been to Cassia? I loved the food at Spice Table and miss it terribly. Unfortunately, Cassia is both more expensive and much further away from me.

I think it’s unfortunate that a restaurant’s posted menu, which may or may not be accurate, can determine decisions. Why not do more research if the menu appears less than desirable? Plenty of broad support is more influential than a posted menu, imho.

I’m trying to do that research right now, but nobody is answering my questions.

That said, I think letting a restaurant’s posted menu determine decisions is perfectly fine, if not expected. Taste is subjective — just because Person A likes a dish, doesn’t mean Person B will like it; that holds true even if Persons C, D, E, F, G, and … also like the dish.

Given my life situation right now, I get to “eat out” about 3 times a year ---- I do my best to choose my restaurants wisely. If I had the luxury of having the opportunity to go out on a weekly basis (or even monthly), I’d be far less picky.

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

@Adam G

@Phil Smith

Any advice for a place near Beverly Hills (ideally within a 10 min or so Saturday cab ride, or even better a walk)? I’ve been to Providence, Cut, and Spago recently so would prefer something new, and while it’s been a while Urasawa isn’t an option for this trip. Interesting, a reasonably interesting drink list, and not noisy is preferred.

Not sure there’s anything that fits those criteria but thought I’d check.

Hard to find not noisy…but here are a few options, probably 10-15 min depending on where in BH you are:
Animal
a.o.c.
Tagine
Prospect Gourmand
BOA steakhouse

There are also a bunch of places at the Westfield Century City mall and you’re not too far from Little Ethiopia on Fairfax, either.

Animal was pretty loud the one time I went there; I think my wife and I ordered 5 or 6 dishes: 1 or 2 were excellent, 3 or 4 were “good-not-great,” and 1 or 2 were disappointing. I’m not beating a path back there anytime soon. YMMV.

[P_Willenberg]

@Phil Smith

Any advice for a place near Beverly Hills (ideally within a 10 min or so Saturday cab ride, or even better a walk)? I’ve been to Providence, Cut, and Spago recently so would prefer something new, and while it’s been a while Urasawa isn’t an option for this trip. Interesting, a reasonably interesting drink list, and not noisy is preferred.

Not sure there’s anything that fits those criteria but thought I’d check.

I’ve eaten at SAAM inside the SLS twice and been very impressed both times. It’s 22 courses and takes too damn long but if you’re in the mood for a tasting menu, I’d recommend it. Bazaar outside is loud, as you’d expect and doesn’t meet your criteria.

[Phil_Smith]

Thanks all for the advice… just what I’m looking for.

When I was last at the SLS I’m not sure SAAM even existed, so I was thinking Bazaar, which I didn’t want. That looks like it might work, and I think I’ll try and get to Wally’s as well, and maybe the brunch at AOC which I remember being happy with a few years ago. Any thoughts on Nozawa Bar as that’s a really short walk from my hotel?

[Nowell_Karten]

@Phil Smith

Any advice for a place near Beverly Hills (ideally within a 10 min or so Saturday cab ride, or even better a walk)?..

Though not special/unusual like SAAM, an option for lunch or dinner within walking distance is Bouchon (a bistro by Thomas Keller.)

[Barry_Paul_Price]

@Phil Smith

Any advice for a place near Beverly Hills (ideally within a 10 min or so Saturday cab ride, or even better a walk)? I’ve been to Providence, Cut, and Spago recently so would prefer something new, and while it’s been a while Urasawa isn’t an option for this trip. Interesting, a reasonably interesting drink list, and not noisy is preferred.

Not sure there’s anything that fits those criteria but thought I’d check.

It’s 20 minutes but I would go to Gwen in Hollywood.

Great dining room, great food, great wine (including Larry’s Tercero Mourvedre!).
Restaurant: http://www.gwenla.com/dining-room-restaurant.html
Wine List: http://gwenla.com/Gwenwinelist.pdf

[Marshall_Gelb]

Lots of different ideas floating around in this post. Personally, I found Spring to be wonderful. They do a very nice tasting menu and the corkage is reasonable. The dinner is civilized and well paced. That pace is exactly why I did not really love Otium. They bring things “when they are ready” and that style of dining really does not suit me. Of course, YMMV.


Cheers!
Marshall

[Nowell_Karten]

@Marshall Gelb

Personally, I found Spring to be wonderful. They do a very nice tasting menu and the corkage is reasonable. The dinner is civilized and well paced.

What is Spring’s corkage policy, Marshall? Thanks.

[Marshall_Gelb]

@Nowell Karten

@Marshall Gelb

Personally, I found Spring to be wonderful. They do a very nice tasting menu and the corkage is reasonable. The dinner is civilized and well paced.

What is Spring’s corkage policy, Marshall? Thanks.

I think it is $35…not cheap but more than fair (to me) for a restaurant of this caliber. I would certainly double check if you are planning to go.


Cheers!
Marshall

[Nowell_Karten]

Thanks, Marshall.

[ericskitei]

Went to The Ponte last night. Scott Conants new LA spot. Fantastic meal. Everyone should go and enjoy before Fu has something negative to say about it! ; )

[D_Wirsig]

Saw a blurb on Jordan Kahn’s new project, Vespertine.

Vespertine

Jordan Kahn has a ridiculously expensive fine dining destination in the works

$250 tasting menu, two seatings per night. Interesting.

[P_Willenberg]

@D. Wirsig

Saw a blurb on Jordan Kahn’s new project, Vespertine.

http://www.vespertine.la/

Jordan Kahn Has a Ridiculously Expensive Fine Dining Destination in the Works - Eater LA

$250 tasting menu, two seatings per night. Interesting.

This is exciting! I thought something was afoot given Destroyer was lunch only with no alcohol. I can’t imagine he was making any money on it, just using it as a public test kitchen. Vespertine sounds like the sort of creativity I want to support.

[johngonzales]

@P. Willenberg

@D. Wirsig

Saw a blurb on Jordan Kahn’s new project, Vespertine.

http://www.vespertine.la/

Jordan Kahn Has a Ridiculously Expensive Fine Dining Destination in the Works - Eater LA

$250 tasting menu, two seatings per night. Interesting.

This is exciting! I thought something was afoot given Destroyer was lunch only with no alcohol. I can’t imagine he was making any money on it, just using it as a public test kitchen. Vespertine sounds like the sort of creativity I want to support.

I’d guess, go soon. That seems like a tough price point to sustain.

Wolfgang Puck, with Dave Beran as chef, will have an easier time with his upcoming test kitchen thing.

[M.Kaplan]

Jordan Kahn will always have a place in my heart, for Red Medicine and for refusing to serve dinner to Sherry Virbila.

Food critic outed and ousted from restaurant

Not sure I’m interested in his new place at $250/person. Regardless, he can cook.

[CFu]

@johngonzales

@P. Willenberg

@D. Wirsig

Saw a blurb on Jordan Kahn’s new project, Vespertine.

http://www.vespertine.la/

Jordan Kahn Has a Ridiculously Expensive Fine Dining Destination in the Works - Eater LA

$250 tasting menu, two seatings per night. Interesting.

This is exciting! I thought something was afoot given Destroyer was lunch only with no alcohol. I can’t imagine he was making any money on it, just using it as a public test kitchen. Vespertine sounds like the sort of creativity I want to support.

I’d guess, go soon. That seems like a tough price point to sustain.

Wolfgang Puck, with Dave Beran as chef, will have an easier time with his upcoming test kitchen thing.

I agree with John. I don’t think that restaurant will be very well lived.

[P_Willenberg]

@M.Kaplan

Jordan Kahn will always have a place in my heart, for Red Medicine and for refusing to serve dinner to Sherry Virbila.

Food critic outed and ousted from restaurant

Not sure I’m interested in his new place at $250/person. Regardless, he can cook.

I hadn’t actually read that piece before. Thanks Mark. Seems they could have politely turned her away too, instead of the photo incident but who knows what other motives they may have had her paper didn’t want to report.