Restaurants: Nearby Dining A-E
Here are some recommendations for restaurants in adjacent areas:
ANNA'S: 10929 W. Pico, West Los Angeles.
(310-474-0102)
Many
original Northern Italian dishes including fettucine fantasia, fieleto
di tacchino, linguine sorrento al cartoccio. Their cannelloni is
excellent. They also offer thick-crusted Sicilian style pizza or crispy
thin-crusted pizza. Full bar, excellent wine list. Open 11:30 a.m.–
11:00 p.m. Monday–Thursday, until midnight on Friday, from
4:00–midnight on Saturday, and from 4:00–11:00 p.m. on Sunday.
APPLE PAN: 10801 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles.
(310-475-3585)
This tiny building houses a 50’s style cafe offering some of the best
hamburgers in town. Their apple pie, of course, is terrific. Counter
service only, and expect a wait. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–
midnight. Closed Monday.
BAJA BUD'S: 1315 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica.
(310-393-6060) and three West L.A. locations: 11205 National Blvd.
(310-478-2770), 11819 Wilshire Blvd. (310-477-2885), 10850 W. Pico
Blvd. (310-475-8844). Corn tortillas and spicy salsas made from
scratch; their homemade black beans are delicious. No lard is
used — only canola oil used in cooking. Menu items are very
reasonably priced. Beer and wine; very casual.
BAJA CANTINA: 311 Washington St., Marina del Rey.
(310-821-2252)
Relaxed beach atmosphere with an outdoor patio for drinks and
dining. The restaurant itself is decorated with antiques from all over
Mexico. Monday is taco night with all the soft beef tacos you can
eat. Tuesday is barbequed lobster. Margarita brunch on Sunday.
Open Monday–Saturday 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; Sunday 9:30 a.m.–
11:00 p.m.
BEACON: 3280 Helms Ave, Culver City
(310) 838-7500
A small, yet
airy little restaurant offering innovative Pan-Asian fusion. Try their
oysters, fried crispy on the outside; soft-crusted ahi pizza, misomarinated
black cod, chicken pad thai or wild salmon with redonion
chutney. Desserts include coconut rice and mango brulee and
lychee ice sundaes. Their homemade fruit infused sake’s are just
amazing. Portions are a bit small, however.
BRENNAN’s PUB: 4089 Lincoln Blvd., Marina Del Rey
(310) 821-6622
Brennan’s small menu includes burgers, pizza, sandwiches, fish and
chips, and salad. Turtle Racing every Thursday night at 9 p.m. Darts
and live entertainment as well.
CAFE 50's: 838 Lincoln Blvd., Venice.
(310-399-1955)
This is a small
no-nonsense diner serving up good breakfasts, sandwiches and
dinner. The walls are decorated with poodle skirts and photos of
Ozzie Nelson and family. The waitresses are dressed in the 50’s
style and there is a jukebox at every booth. Open daily 7:00 a.m.–
11:00 p.m. Also at 11623 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A. (479-1955)
CASABLANCA: 220 Lincoln Blvd., Venice.
(310-392-5751)
An unusual
Mexican seafood restaurant decorated entirely in photos and
memorabilia of the 1940’s movie after which the restaurant is
named. All the fish is fresh and the entrees include red snapper
Veracruz, lobster thermidor Mexican style, oysters, clams and
calamari steak. The homemade albondigas soup is very good. Open
all week 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. Reservations suggested on Saturday.
CHAN DARA: 11940 Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles.
(310-479-4461)
An excellent Thai restaurant offering spicy stir fry, curries, soups,
salads, and more. House specialties include Catfish and Peppers,
Bangkok Pepper Steak, Roasted Duck, and Thai BBQ Chicken.
Open 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. on Sunday–
Thursday, open 5:00 p.m.–10:30 on Friday and Saturday.
THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY: 4142 Via Marina, Marina del Rey.
(310-306-3344)
Located right on the water, the outdoor patio dining
offers a fine marina view of the sailboats and is a popular spot for
Sunday brunch. Indoor dining also available. As the name implies,
the Cheesecake Factory has 30 varieties of some of the best
cheesecake you’ve ever tasted. They also have a salad bar and the
extensive menu includes hamburgers, chicken, salads, ribs and
omelets. Especially recommend the warm shrimp or chicken salad.
Huge portions served. Take out bakery counter. Open from
11:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Monday–Thursday; 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on
Friday and Saturday; 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. on Sunday (brunch from
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.). No reservations accepted. There is always a
wait list on the weekends. Also at 364 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly
Hills (310-278-7270); 605 W. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach (376-0466)
and 6324 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills (818-883-9900) and 11647
San Vicente Blvd. (310-826-7111).
CHEZ JAY: 1657 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica.
(310-395-1741)
A tiny, dimly lit pub which serves fresh fish and steaks. Jay, the
owner, will most likely stop at your table for a chat. Full bar. Open
for lunch Monday–Friday from noon.–2:00 p.m. and for dinner from
6:00–10:00; Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Open
until 2:00 a.m. every day for cocktails.
CHIN CHIN: 11740 San Vicente Blvd.
(310-826-2525)
“Chin Chin”
means “to your health” and, other than trace amounts in some food
products from China, there is no MSG used in the preparation of
their food. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Especially
recommended the boiled chicken potstickers, classic shredded
chicken salad tossed in a tart red ginger dressing, and white fried
rice. Traditional fare such as kung pao chicken, lo mein, mushu,
and chicken chow mein are also highly recommended. Everything
on the menu is available for take-out and they will also cater
home or office parties. Other locations at 8618 Sunset Blvd.,
W. Hollywood, 310-652-1818; 12215 Ventura Blvd., Studio City,
818-985-9090; 13455 Maxella Ave., Marina del Rey, 310-823-9999.
All locations are open from 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. Sunday–Thursday
and 11:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
CLAIM JUMPERS RESTAURANT: 9429 Tampa Ave., Northridge.
(818-718-288)
Also located at 24301 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance,
(310-517-1874) The theme centers around a miners paradise,
complete with a wood and iron decor. The menus are printed on
“old-looking” brown papers. Enormous portions of steaks and ribs.
Other items include wood-fired pizzas, hamburgers and soups.
Specially recommend their garlic cheese toast. If you have room
after eating your dinner, their desserts are outstanding; large and full
of chocolate. Some favorites are the Chocolate Motherlode Cake,
Jumpers Mud Pie, Brownie Finale, and deep dish pie. The bar is
full and impressive. Take out platters available. Hours: Sunday–
Thursday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
EL TORITO MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND CANTINA:
13715 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey.
(310-823-8941)
Large portions of good food,
reasonable prices. Be sure to investigate their margarita menu.
Very lively, especially on weekends. Open 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Sunday–Thursday; 11:00 a.m.–11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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