Originally Posted by
bigguyinpasadena
Actually I had two meals at "local"chains that were pretty good.
Osteria della Stado(sp-sorry)on State and Ontario-a Lettuce entertain you one off)and A very good old style Italian dinner(huge portions)at Ballo-a Rosebud enterprise.
Lettuce can go either way. It does operate cookie cutter brands ala Mon Ami Gabi, yet is also serves as the finance, marketing, and business end of other high end restaurants like Tru and Everest, leaving the chefs free reign on the concept and menu.