LA-area romantic restaurant?

[JulieN]

Bf told me to pick a place for my birthday, anywhere I wanted. No, I don''t think he''s going to propose, although my birthday is the beginning of his timeframe and he asked if I wanted a limo. Anyway, I''m looking for a place in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, or Downtown... we''re kinda steak and seafood people (no Italian.) Suggestions?

 

[Selkie]

McCormick and Schmicks for seafood.

Lawry''s for Prime Rib

Both are great.

 

[LAJennifer]

Maple Drive in Beverly Hills (always delicious) and Table 8 (I''ve truly never been more satisfied with a meal) on Melrose (across from Urban Outfitters). Oh, and if you are really into the steaks, I LOVE Mastro''s in Beverly Hills (love their bone-in filet and their au gratin potatoes).

 

[LAJennifer]

Oh, and if you are feeling a little more adventurous - I got engaged at Meson G (on Melrose at citrus). Their portions are small but very tasty. Also the vibe is very "mod" - very cool place. I went back there a few months after getting engaged and I was recognized by the manager and the server I had and they brought me some more free champagne!!!

 

[chrisam143]

You should try the Bungalow Club on Melrose. We went there for our Anniversary andmy birthday, it is my favorite place. I wish we would go more, but we live in Irvine, so it is kinda far.

You have to ask for a bunglaow table, it is so private and romantic. And the great thing is it isn''t that expensive, it is pretty reasonable.

I love it! You won''t regret it!

Check it out:
http://http://www.thebungalowclub.com/main.html

 

[firebirdgold]

How about low key french bistro? Lilli''s (Lilly?) in Venice on... um.. I think they changed the name but it was Abbot Kinsey (sp??), that diagonal street. They got a lovely back patio with little lights and everything. Very very romantic. Great fish dishes and a roast chicken to die for.

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 2/20/2006 1:10:52 PM
Author: chrisam143
You should try the Bungalow Club on Melrose. We went there for our Anniversary andmy birthday, it is my favorite place. I wish we would go more, but we live in Irvine, so it is kinda far.

You have to ask for a bunglaow table, it is so private and romantic. And the great thing is it isn''t that expensive, it is pretty reasonable.

I love it! You won''t regret it!

Check it out:
http://http://www.thebungalowclub.com/main.html

chrisam, can you believe this is right around the corner from where I live and I''ve never been there? I might have to check it out this week sometime. Can you recommend a good time to go and maybe a few menu selections?

 

[daisyblue]

If you want truly romantic, fantastic food and old fashioned, top notch service nothing beats L''Orangerie. It is a french restaurant consistently considered one of the best in LA, always a very memorable meal. It is very expensive, but worth every penny. You can look at their menu on the web.

 

[JulieN]

Mm, Maple Drive and the Bungalow Club look so nice. BC especially looks fun.

 

[chrisam143]

Date: 2/20/2006 2:58:52 PM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 2/20/2006 1:10:52 PM
Author: chrisam143
You should try the Bungalow Club on Melrose. We went there for our Anniversary andmy birthday, it is my favorite place. I wish we would go more, but we live in Irvine, so it is kinda far.

You have to ask for a bunglaow table, it is so private and romantic. And the great thing is it isn''t that expensive, it is pretty reasonable.

I love it! You won''t regret it!

Check it out:
http://http://www.thebungalowclub.com/main.html

chrisam, can you believe this is right around the corner from where I live and I''ve never been there? I might have to check it out this week sometime. Can you recommend a good time to go and maybe a few menu selections?

I can''t believe you havent been there. I found them online somehow and we went there for our anniversay. Then my boyfriend suprised me by taking me there for my birthday another time.

The bungalow tables, which you can see from the pictures are really cool. You can close the curtains so it is very private and really romantic. You have to ask for one though, otherwise they may give you a reguar table, there are only about 8-10 of the bungalows. We''ve only been for dinner, which I recommend, because it is dark and you are outside in a candlelite bungalow. I''m not sure how far in advance you have to make reservations, its been a few years since we''ve been, and they were newer then, I''m sure everyone who goes there now recommends it to other people!

I was surprised at how inexpensive they are. We ordered a bottle of wine, an appetizer, and salads, and the meal, then desert and only spent around 100 or so.

For food, we orderd the calamari for appetizer. Then for the entree the steak or the lobster are both great! Then dessert (they have more than what is on the online menu I think) we had chocalte cake and then a thing of strawberries & whip cream and cups of hot chocolate

This is seriously one of the best meals i''ve ever had, the other best being a place in San Diego called the Sky Room at a hotel in LaJolla, if anyone ever goes there, you have to eat there!

If you go there, please let me know what you think!

 

[JulieN]

Jennifer, what is the ambience at Mastro''s? Quiet or loud, dress or casual?

 

[Libster]

I love LA!! We live in Atlanta, but go to LA at least once a year. I have to second and third The Bungalow Club. Just a great place for romance and food. We too had a bungalow table and just loved it! My other favorite is Crustacean in Beverly Hills. Not so much for a romantic environment, ohhhh but the dungeness crab! Makes my mouth water to think about it.

Were were in LA for my Birthday one summer and were staying at The Ritz Carlton at Marina Del Rey and hubby arranged for dinner to be brought to a sailboat he had hired for a sunset sail along the Santa Monica coast. It was amazing and sooo very romantic. The boat captain is named Ballyion and he MADE the night. I often think of this night when asked what my most favorite birthday was in all of my 41 years. I just did a search and here is a link to the boat we were on and other info
http://www.charternet.com/sailboat/paradise/

Whatever you decide to do...Have a great Birthday

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 2/21/2006 2:34:29 AM
Author: JulieN
Jennifer, what is the ambience at Mastro''s? Quiet or loud, dress or casual?

Mastro''s us upscale - not too casual. I haven''t noticed it being too quiet or too loud. Probably more on the quiet side - though the closer you get to the bar, the louder it gets. Sometimes there is live music in the bar.

 

[LAJennifer]

Oh, and Mastro''s has this appetizer that is a "Seafood Tower" - scrumptious seafood neatly arranged on a 3 tier display.

 

[selflove]

How about Chart House in Santa Monica, right on the ocean? The Chart House in Hermosa Beach is built on "stilts", so to speak, and it feels like the waves are crashing right underneath you. Food is awesome, ambiance is the most romantic I know of in LA. I''m sure the Santa Monica location is about the same.

 

[JulieN]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I''m going to save the Bungalow Club for a girls'' night out,and L''Orangerie for some future anniversary (and ask my mom to teach me French pronunciation; her accent is beautiful!) I have a reservation on Friday at Spago (ugh, a late 9:30 PM.) I thought it would be a good compromise between fun and classy.