LA DINING
Mels-8585 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Mels Diner on the Sunset strip is both a convinent and fun eat. Located on the central area of the strip near the Sunset Plaza area, Mels Diner offers a full menu of cold cut sandwhiches, hamburgers, fried chicken, milkshakes and deserts. Mel's Diner is easy to access during the day and they also offer complimentary parking. On weekend nights Mel's can be insane with the after bar closing crowd standing in line for a seat. Mel's is a perfect stop if you are staying in Hollywood or West Hollywood and transitioning over to Beverly Hills or the westside. $$
Saddle Ranch 8371 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
In the heart of the bustling Sunset Strip, along the line of hotels, bars and night clubs is the Saddle Ranch. If your tastebuds are looking for a little southern bbq at its best-fried chicken, ribs, steak and gold old fashioned country biscuits with butter and honey-the Saddle Ranch is the place to go. Always loud, lively and fun the Saddle Ranch delivers a total southwestern dining experience in the middle of LA. With a full on rodeo decor, the Saddle Ranch has a mechanical bull in the middle of the dining room where brave amateaur cowboys and cowgirls take their turn for a ride to the delight of the fellow diners seated around. In addtion there is a outdoor patio that allows those looking to enjoy dinner and all the activity of the Sunset Strip instead. Saddle Ranch also serves a full and very filling breakfast in the mornings and is a perfect place to stop for a meal if you are staying in Hollywood and transversting to/from West Hollywood/Beverly Hills or the westside. $$$
Ago-8478 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Located on the corner of La Cienega and Melrose is Ago Restaurant. Owened by Robert DiNiro, Ago offers an Italian Menu and is a favorite amongst the Hollywood elite and locals alike. Not over priced the restaurant is relatively easy to get a reservation, is always packed, especially on Saturday nights and gives diners a chance to see the occasional celebrity and enjoy a good Italian meal. Ago is typically a stopping off point prior to the Oscars and Emmys for many celebs to either enjoy a cocktail at the bar or a full dinner. $$$$
The Ivy-113 Robertson, Los Angeles, CA 90035
If you follow Hollywood news and are a fan of celebrity gossip sites, you'll know The Ivy! Located in the heart of the shopping district of Robertson Blvd on the West Hollywood/Beverly Hills border, The Ivy is open every day for lunch and dinner. Always packed, always a scene and always lined with Papparazzi waiting to get that next money shot, The Ivy is everything one would expect from LA. The menu at the Ivy is diverse and include items such as fried chicken, pasta dishes, seafood and a variety of salads. Depending on the day, the Ivy can be hard to get into, but with a few days notice is usually easy to get a reservation. On a monthly basis almost every celebrity from every genre-tv, movies and music seems to rotate through.$$$$
Oakfire Pizz 829 North La Cienega Blvd West Hollywood, CA. 90069
LA is known for a lot of things, surf, beaches, movies, but pizza often is not one them. However, the best pizza in town (or anywhere for that fact) can be found at Oakfire Pizza along La Cienega Blvd in West Hollywood. Oakfire offers a variety of pizzas, both deep dish and thin crust. Both are delicious but not over filling. The menu of pizza types is long and diverse, from your standard pepporoni to Hawaiian to bbq chicken-they have all the pizza types and topings covered. Oakfire Pizza has an outdoor covered section as well as indoor and has a pubby/pizzeria type feel. Oakfire is convient walking distance to both the Beverly Center and Santa Monica Blvd.$$
Jerrys 8701 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Jerry's delis in Los Angeles have been around for years and are as much of landmark to the LA scene as the Hollywood sign. Located in several locations throughout the city, the West Hollywood location, located near the Beverly Center and across from Cedars Sinai is an excellent dining option that is fast, reliable and somewhat affordable. Although some items are over priced, Jerris offers a broad menu from cold cut sandwhiches, to ribs to breakfast plates. Jerrys is a good option for those on the dash that are looking to relax somewhat at lunch but yet have a filling meal at the same time. Jerrys other locations are Westwood and Studio City. $$
Dan Tana's 9071 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Blink and you may miss it when traveling down Santa Monica Blvd as you come in from Beverly Hills, Dan Tana's is located in a tiny yellow house looking structure on the north side of the street. Dan Tana's has been serving hearty, very traditional Italian food for over 30 years and is a favorite of those fans of the die hard heavy-spaghetti and meatballs with redwine on a red checkered table clothe and red booth dining experience. Always packed, a reservation far in advance at Dan Tana's is usually neccessary and in addtion to the full Italian experience, Dan Tana's is very synonymous with everything Hollywood and Celebrity. The tv character Dan Tanna from the hit 1970s show Vega$ was named after the restaurant. Celebrities frequent the establishment and in the confined, crowded and loud dining room the experience is lively and fun. An average dinner for two will run you about $100-$120. $$$
Pink's 709 La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Pink's is a hotdog stand on La Brea that has been a Hollywood tradition since 1939. The big hype around Pink's is their world famous hot dogs for which day or night there is ALWAYS a line out front and down La Brea to get one. Offering a variety of cheap hot dogs, their specialty is their chili dogs. They also offere an assortment of fries and onion rings. Like all things Hollywood in this area, Pinks take advantage of its celebrity following when marketing its name and autographed pictures of celebrities on the walls of the establishment. Pinks is a cheap and very fun place to eat when in the Hollywood area. $
Mr. Chow 344 N. Camden, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
If you are looking for a swank, fun and yes, expensive Chinese restaurant, look no further than Mr. Chow. Located in the heart of Beverly Hills Mr. Chow has emerged in recent years as one of the most extravagent Asian cusine destinations in America. Mr. Chow prides itself on offering old authentic Beijing recipes. Mr. Chow is a hot venue with the Hollywood crowd with a new round of reality show, movie and music artists making the rounds every week. Wednesday nights tend to be the more popular evening and there are always paparrazzi nearby to capture the who's who of Mr. Chow. Reservations are definetly required. $$$$
Kate Mantilini 9101 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Kate Mantilini is a cross between a diner and upscale dining experience. Located on Wilshire Blvd at the intersection of Doheny Drive about two miles east of Rodeo. KateMantilini offers a variety of menu options from turkey meatloaf, steak to sandwhiches and salads. Some have said the restaurant is a tad over priced while others argue its good value for the food. The clientale is mostly Beverly Hills locals. $$
Century City Mall 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067
In recent years the food court at the Century City Mall has undergone a multi million dollar reonovation to now be one of the best casual dining areas with an array of options on the westside of Los Angeles. With something for everyone the food court is perched on the second level over looking all the main shopping areas and high rises of Century City. There is a vast number of choices that work well for a budget that include Panda Express, Sparros, Fudruckers, Baja Fresh to name some of the bigger names. There are other vendors that serve platters involving prime rib, turkey, chicken, korean and sushi as well. The crowd is perdominently all business people from the adjacent Century City Mall on M-F and local West LA (Bel Air, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, etc) shoppers on the weekend. Parking is free for first three hours and its a perfect spot to get a good meal on a budget if you are hanging around the Beverly Hills and Brentwood/Bel Air areas. $
Pink Taco 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Pink Taco opened a few years ago in the Century City Mall and Las Vegas. Almost over night the restaurant became a favorite amongs local Angelenos who love and appreciate their good Mexican food. Although not for the budget weary, Pink Taco won't kill your checkbook either. The food is truly delicious. The Pink Taco menu is at a glance your typical Mexican food offerings-enchiladas, tacos, etc. But on closer inspection the dishes tend to be of very high quality above and beyond any other Mexican food type offerings. All their meals are well prepared very tasty and will leave you filling satisfied. Part of the seating of the restaurant is on an outdoor deck where on clear days you get a view looking into Beverly Hills and all of the Bel Air and westside areas. There are current plans to open additional locations in Hollywood and San Diego. Pink Taco is a perfect stop if you are visitng Beverly Hills or transitioning from a hotel in Hollywood/West Hollywood/Beverly Hills to the beaches of Santa Monica.$$
Duke's 21150 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Walking into Dukes one cannot help but feel like they are on a paradise island in the middle of the Pacific. Situated on a piece of land off the PCH that juts into the ocean, anywhere you sit in the restaurant you are pretty much guaranteed a 360 view of the Pacific. Unlike some restaurants that forgo the location for taste, Dukes serves up a delicious choice of menu options. Most dishes are your standard seafood options-calamari, shrimp, salmon etc. But Dukes goes above and beyond to make sure each dish is prepared with a flavorable and personal touch. In addition to the main restaurant there is the Barefoot Bar. A dining option in its own right, it is here you can enjoy hamburgers, nachoes and of course beers and cocktails while enjoying the beautiful ocean view. Phone: (310) 317-0777 $$
Bay Cities Deli-Santa Monica
Located on Lincoln Blvd just off the 10 freeway (Santa Monica Freeway) is a deli that those in the know of Santa Monica and Venice will vouch is probably one of the best delis ever. Bay Cities Deli is an Italian Deli where every hour fresh loaves of Italian bread are rolled out and make for delishous submarine type sandwhiches. Some of their specialties include the Godmother where all the standard Italian cold cuts, dressings and cheeses are loaded on and their meatball sandwhich where gigantic Italian style meatballs lined with marinara sauce are implanted into the bread. Bay Cities offers an assortment of Europeon importanted side dishes, deserts, chips and wines. Bay Cities is perfect for the budget traveler, one meal at $10 can easily be saved for a later meal. By being close to the beach its a perfect place to stop if doing a picnic by the water.$
Wahoos
With several locations throughout the West LA area, Wahoos is a local favorite. Its main dish is the Fish Taco, although they offer a variety of other items as well including chicken and pork bowls. Their menu is simple, delicious and fun. At Wahoos all orders are taken at the counter where you get a number and wait for a server to bring the food. Its a casual atmosphere, the food is consistent and never dissapoints and is perfect for the budget traveler. $
Farmers Market 6333 Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Farmers Market at the Grove has been serving lunch and dinner for over 60 years. Back in the early days of Hollywood, this was the place to see and be scene. Today the Farmers Market offers a cozy and old fashioned looking food court. There are dozens of choices that include New York style pizza, Chinese, Turkey carved by slice, ribs and Mexican. In addition there are several candy vendors serving up fresh chocolates and bakeries offering the freshest in rolls, muffins and pastries. With unlimited options and not one meal over $10, The Farmers Market at the Grove is an excellent dining option. $$
IN-N and Out Burger-Westwood and Hollywood on Sunset and Highland
While not exactly unique to just LA, N and Out Burger has a few locations that are strategically located on the sightseeing path most travelers will travel in LA. IN-N and Out is an excellent value mean (usually less than $6, more times than not less than $5) and is a good althernative to McDonalds or Burger King. Made with the best ingredients ( you can see the untouched onions, potatos and tomatos in the back ) their burgers are juicy and filling. Their fries are made on the spot where you can witness the splicing of potatoes and the strands placed in a frier. IN-N and Out is packed at all its locations so there is usually a wait time of about 10 minutes after the order is placed.$
