Restaurants: Special Dining P-Z
PACIFIC DINING CAR: 2700 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
(310-453-4000)
Open seven days, 6:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m., this is a good
place to go for an after theater snack. Originally built in 1921 in a
replica railway dining car parked in downtown L.A., this has been
a family owned restaurant from the beginning. Primarily a steak
house, other offerings include veal and fresh seafoods in season.
The tangy original steak sauce is still served. For late dining, or
after the theatre try their late supper menu, where you will find a
selection of light dishes such as omelettes for a more moderate
price. The original restaurant is still downtown at 1310 W. Sixth St.
PARKWAY GRILLE: 510 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena.
(626-795-1001)
The drive from the west side is worth it; this is an outstanding
restaurant featuring contemporary California cuisine. A wide variety
of entrees includes applewood-smoked chicken, hot oysters with
corncakes and sausage, crispy duck with peppercorns, pasta, pizza,
gumbo and more. Portions are large and service is excellent. A nice
selection of wines by the glass. Open Monday–Thursday 11:00 a.m.–
10:00 p.m., dinner menu starts at 5:30; Friday–Saturday till midnight;
Sunday from 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
PF CHANG’S
326 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica 90401
(310-395-1912)
The menu features traditional Chinese offerings that illustrate the
emerging influence of Southeast Asia on modern Chinese cuisine.
Chang’s goal is to attain harmony of taste, texture, color and aroma
by balancing the Chinese principles of fan and t’sai. Fan foods
include rice, noodles, grains and dumplings, while vegetables, meat,
poultry, and seafood are t’sai foods. Their menu includes many
vegetarian offerings, soups, lots of chicken, duck and seafood, a
variety of chow mein and noodle dishes, lo mein beef, chicken and
pork and shrimp and a variety of rice dishes. Try the Great Wall of
Chocolate dessert. Nice wine list by the glass or bottle. Open until
midnight on Friday and Saturday, until 11 p.m. during the week.
Also located at the Los Angeles Beverly Center, 121 N. La Cienega
Boulevard; in El Segundo, 2041 Rosecrans Avenue, and several
locations in valley including Sherman Oaks, Burbank.
RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE: 224 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills.
(310-859-8744)
This is the place in L.A. to go for steak. They serve
only Eastern corn-fed USDA aged prime beef. Their steaks are
broiled in butter — very rich and very delicious. Other menu items
include fresh fish and chicken, and for dessert they offer bread
pudding with whiskey sauce, pecan or apple pie. Open Monday–
Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from
5:00–10:30; and Sunday 5:00–9:30.
TYPHOON: 3221 Donald Douglas Loop South, Santa Monica Airport
(310-390-6565).
Pacific Rim food with a view of the airport makes
for a fun environment. Fish, beef and chicken entrees from all over
Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Americas, with a nice variety of
rice, salads and soups. Everything is a la carte, but portions are
ample and beautifully presented. Try their Cosmopolitan cocktail.
This is a hot spot; reservations required. Open from 5:30 p.m.–
10:30 p.m. daily for dinner; from 12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. for lunch
Saturday–Friday; from 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
VITO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT: 2807 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica.
(310-450-4999)
A traditionally styled Italian restaurant with
soft lights and wood-paneling in their three cozy dining rooms. This
is a nice spot for a romantic dinner. Large selection of pastas and
salads, as well as chicken, veal and fish. A separate Pritikin menu
also available. Goodies on the dessert cart are homemade. Open
Monday–Friday for lunch 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.–
10:00 p.m. for dinner; Saturday for dinner only 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.;
closed Sunday.
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