McCormick & Schmicks (sp?) is a very nice seafood type of restaurant located downtown in the library tower building. Very nice and the bar area is usually crowded friday afternoons/evenings. There is also a newer McCormick & Schmicks in Manhattan Beach which is fun and also crowded during friday/saturday evenings, as well as one located in Two Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. I like the Manhattan Beach one better than the downtown one.

Also downtown is The Pacific Dining Car, a very fine old style steakhouse where the steaks are superb, service is wonderful and with a very nice wine list. http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...tner=0&ID=5987 If you want to visit the Westside of Los Angeles, The Pacific Dining Car also has a location in Santa Monica. Same great steak, service and wine, just on the westside. Reservations would probably be a safe bet, but you could probably get a table w/out reservations. I have eaten at both locations, and I like either one. Pricy, so make sure you put this one on your expense report.

For mexican style restaurant downtown, try Ciudad. This restaurant is owned by Mary Sue Millikan and Susan Fennigar of "Two Hot Tamales" fame. Good food, lots of fun. http://www.millikenandfeniger.com/CIUDAD/CIU/ciu.htm

You can also try the Border Grill, also by Mary Sue and Susan. Either of these two restaurants are sure to please. Also, Mary Sue and Susan still (occasionally) actually work in the kitchens, so could be a neat way to impress the boss and clients with a celebrity sighting. http://www.millikenandfeniger.com/BG/BGSM/bgsm.htm

In the Universal area are two very nice italian restaurants, Micelli's (sp). Ask your hotel for the italian restaurant that is very close by where the waiters sing. Great italian restaurant, good service and nice food. Ask anyone in the area, they will know what you are asking about.

Also, try Ca del Sole, another nice italian restaurant just a few blocks from Universal. Good food, reasonable prices, and a nice outdoors patio. I have never eaten at Ca del Sole, but the Mrs. has and she recommends it.

If you like Italian food and REALLY LIKE WINE, try Valentino Restaurant on the Westside. Excellent italian food and a wine list like no other. Zagat: http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...tner=0&ID=6131 and gourmet.com http://www.epicurious.com/g_gourmet/...valentino.html

My favorite restaurant on the Westside is Cafe Del Rey. Great tasting food and a view of the Marina that is just superb. http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...tner=0&ID=5609

La Cachette is a tiny little (I would recommend reservations) restaurant in Century City that has great tasting french style food. It's pretty hard to find, but just remember that you need to be on "Little Santa Monica Blvd.", not Santa Monica Blvd. and you won't have any problems finding it. I've only been here back in the days when I had an expense account, but if I remember, the prices were pretty reasonable. http://www.zagat.com/search/detail.a...tner=0&ID=5854

Lots of restaurants on La Cienega Blvd. in Beverly Hills, known locally as Restaurant Row. Here is where all the trendy ($$$) restaurants are, but there are also many reasonable priced.

I can tell you about many more "local" restaurants with good, home style food and excellent prices if you need.

So many restaurants, so little time.




[This message has been edited by onedog (edited 10-25-2000).]