Does that mean you are going to join us?

I am not familiar with the area

No-o, not going to join you until you are a family of three. ( I just love babies). Brentwood is in West Los Angeles, close to UCLA, between Westwood and Santa Monica. Nice.

I only know that Brentwood is in the L.A. vicinity because of a famous white Ford bronco chase

If you want to meet baby girl you are going to have to make a trip to ELP, or wait a few years until I take her to Disneyland

I can't wait until she arrives

Yup. This is the right area. Funny thing is that tourists still hang out at Nicole's condo, even though the address on Bundy has been changed. O.J.'s home has been torn down and another home has replaced it. Am very excited about your little daughter-to-be, JFE. I know you will provide wonderful descriptions and your enthusiasm will permeate all of the FT Boards.

Are you questioning me?

Since I'm having final exam during that week for just one day, which is Monday, I would have tons of time during the rest of the week unless I return to Asia.

Going back to the topic, how much does the dinner approximately cost? If the price is affordable, I might join y'all to have a meal. I just want to meet Los Angeles based FTers before leaving here.

I'm willing to make the drive up there from SAN, i just don't know if/when i'm free that week.....

I should be in town that week as well and will probably be able to make a "DO" on the 26th. There are a wide variety of excellent restaurants in and around Irvine/Tustin so don't let those Brentwood types try to sway you to drive all the way up there!

You guys chose the place, I am not familiar with any of the restaurants in the area

It will be great to meet another FTers

Bump.

Anyone else interested?

Where should we go?

I forgot all about this!

So you'all got a date I see -

THU, MAY 26

Now for a place. With the sun going down just after 8pm, you may want something with nice drinks, good food and a killer view of the sunset, perhaps alfresco?

Irvine is nice, but its inland, no views However, on the fwy, it is just 5 min from Newport and 10 more min from other Beach cities like Huntington and Laguna, both with great sunset views

Options -
Newport, not as many sunset view restaurants as most are on a bay. Dressy and expensive, but definitely a scene. Alot of big fish in a small pond so things get a little competitive and stagnant. A bit of an older crowd mostly, so it takes a bit more to get noticed i.e. boobs get bigger, hair gets more bleached, tans get faker on the 50 year-old women who think they are still 30. And for the men you'll see, even if you are at a place where its supposed to be younger people, there is always some girl who wants to hang out with her friends, but has to lug around granpa i.e. her "boyfriend" for the night, so you will see alot of that tell-tale old guy reddish brown hair dye all over Newport.

Laguna, gorgeous. The type of people that have houses all over the world, may have a house here. Lots of trust fund babies and ladies who do lunch. No real reason for anyone to have a chip on one's shoulder or prove anything, so the vibe in Laguna is very nice. There are a couple of oceanview restaurants here, including a couple right down on the water with glass enclosed patios.

Huntington, land of the young and buffed. Not having figured out how to charge $15 for a beer (like Laguna and Newport) to keep the riffraff out, it is now too late and everyone who is too young, too cool or too casual, comes to downtown Main St to party and drink $3 beers while shirtless. Plus, theres's tons of alfresco dining, sunset and beach views, the pier, validated parking, ... On hot days and evenings, one can walk with the throngs down Main St. and see shirtless guys and bikini top girls hanging off the balconies of upstairs bars, patios and out of the cars that still slowly cruise the little Main street in between this bedlam. Its kind of like Tijuana, but in So Cal, and with beach water that is just a little cleaner

Looks that way

Alfresco sounds good, view of the ocean is a plus, after all, I am coming from the desert

Don't mind driving a little bit, as long as I am not stuck in a freeway for 3 hours. I am going to a class in Laguna Canyon road. So if there are areas I should avoid I will appreciate it.

Something you said did catch my eye

Don't think want to do the tuxedo route though


Sounds like the most interesting option

They won't let me in

But the bolded comment does sound interesting.

I am going for a training session, so I am not going to take any dressy clothes. But I could take something additional if we decide to go somewhere fru-fru

Hey, we're not all like that in Newport!!! Rather broad generalization.... Agree with your comments, although the pier in NB resembles Rosarito at times too! Laguna would be my choice by far - great restaurants, great views, charming town - at least have drinks at the Surf n Sand Hotel for a great water view! I'd eat at 230 Forest or Cafe Zoolu. Too bad the Laguna Village Cafe is closed - most incredible views for the least $$ in Laguna.

Just a bump, as the date gets closer.

Anywhere is fine with me, I am not that picky

Sounds like for those that have checked in i.e. care, the choice is Laguna. If we want alfresco (or glass enclosed) we could go to Beach House and be right on the beach, or Coyote Grill and have a hillside view of the water, but not much in the way of sunset as the northerly view is somewhat blocked by tall trees.

brendamc is right Cafe Zoolu is one of my favs in Laguna, but its not alfresco and it doesn't have a beach or sunset view. As for the Village Cafe, that would have been the perfect secret spot - so, its still not open? Bummer.

As for Surf n Sand beforehand for drinks, its just dressy enough and pricey enough to exclude some FTers who may otherwise join us.

SO, here it is, the final decision. I just called and got us reservations on the deck at 7:45 pm (just before sunset ) 2 4-top tables, so we should be happy at -

THE BEACH HOUSE in LAGUNA BEACH

6:45 pm - Drinks in the Bar
7:45 pm - Dinner on the Deck

http://www.thebeachhouse.com/laguna_beach.htm

Attendees -

jfe
auh20
lisamcgu
Vaze?
civicmom?
brendamc?

If you are on the list or not, please let me know if you are attending so I can mangle our reservations as needed, like giving up a table if we don't need it or, gosh forbid, adding one which means we will probably have to eat inside on the patio.

I'm sorry - I was just offering suggestions - I have a conference with my daughter's math teacher that night. Have fun, tho - Beach House is a great idea - I didn't know they would confirm seats on the deck - good job!!