Los Angeles/Hollywood restaurant recommendations/ideas?

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
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I’m off to Hollywood next month. (11-15June) for my annual trip to the Playboy Jazz Fest at the Hollywood Bowl.

I’m looking for new restaurant ideas. I tend to always hit Grace, Luques, Table 8, Michaels, Totoraku. All great places. and fun.

But what else should I consider? High end, low end, ethnic, all good. Any top notch Ethiopian? Lebanese? Indian? I’d prefer not a ton of driving (I’m not driving to Long Beach for instance, or Palos Verdes), staying at the Sheraton Universal, but some driving is fine.

Thanks.

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Jeff,

I’m sure you’ll get a wealth of input here from all the LA area folks.

Why not see if you can get the impetus going for an Offline??

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I’m hoping so Todd. I have quite a number of them in my Rolodex (Cut, BLT, Bastide, Upstairs 2, Patina) but having real world input from fellow food/wine geeks really helps. Thus why I love these forums.

An OL… don’t you recall all the empty table pictures I got for announcing a Dallas pre-FFII OL?
[gheyfight.gif]

Now… having poked fun at myself, I’m up for an OL if people are game. Thurs or Fri are best for me.

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Yeah, but that’s the Dallas folks. In the LA area, you have one person who is guaranteed to show up at EVERY Offline…

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It would be great to meet Sarah. [d_sunny.gif]

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Jeff - you can head over to Thai Town for great low cost meal at Ruen Pair. 5257 Hollywood Blvd.

Marrouch is terrific ethnic and cheap as well.http://www.marouchrestaurant.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; 4905 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles

If you like Sushi, you can head up to Ventura Blvd in Studio City…Asenebo, Katsu-ya, among others are very, very good.

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Already busy that night.

You should try Tavern–Susan Goin’s new place!

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Oh, you meant Cris?
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Bazaar by Jose Andres

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I wouldn’t normally be the type to recommend an Italian joint, but Osteria Latini in Brentwood/West L.A. is worth it … one of very few LA restaurants that gets my repeated patronage — never had a bad dish, most are excellent … prices are laughably low considering the quality of the food.

the first time i ever went there, not more than 5 minutes after arriving I looked around and realized that practically all the patrons at the nearly-full restaurant was Italian – that’s when I knew the food was going to be good.

Their wine list is serviceable, but overall poor. I cannot remember corkage, exactly, but I seem to recall it being in the $20-$25 range – check that. Regardless, you want to go to this place for the food, not the wine.

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Dude. You wanna go Italian?

OK Angelini Osteria–the most authentic Italian in the Mid City Area. Genius. Awesome.

Piccolo–formerly known as 5 Dudley. Also, amazing and right on the beach. BUT no reservations and their corkage sucks but damn the food it incredible

Osteria La Buca. Best. Gnocchi EVER! Friendly corkage. Very friendly. On eo fhte best kept secrets in LA in terms of really awesome pasta.

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Sona. Il Grano. In N Out.

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Providence
Pizzeria Mozza

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BarBrix, a small plates / wine bar place not far from the Bowl and with former Rocca Chef Don Dickman at the helm!

http://www.barbrix.com/Home.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Palate Food and Wine - close to where you’re staying

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I’ve been to Palate multiple times. We’re friends w/ Octavio and the boys. Unfortunately, they just had a really bad write up in the NYT. Ouch! I’ve had a few bad experiences there as well. They need some help w/ their waitstaff. It’s too bad - those outrageous ginormous grape/lampshade/whatever decor they have is so awesome. [emot-pwn.gif]

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/the-lesser-los-angeles/

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Problems with waitstaff is an endless affliction that hurts many restaurants in LA.

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Not just LA restaurants… all restaurants. BUT the writer attacked the FOOD! I would die.