We will be in LA next weekend to see a couple of plays - any dining suggestions near the Mark Taper Forum and/or Pantages theatres??
Also will be in SAN in march for same reason - and I know even less about SAN than I do about LA..we will be at the Westin Horton Plaza in SAN.

2 adults, we like Italian, Thai, Chinese - anything except pure seafood and really fussy French.

thanks FT folks!!! I am happy to return the favor in SF..

------------------
"I always think there's a
band, kid..."

The Westin Horton Plaza is one of our favorite hotels for a weekend getaway (especially using Starwood Free Fridays!). From the hotel it is about a 2 minute walk to the Gaslamp District---quaint! Lots of little bars and some great restaurants. There is supposed to be a really good Thai place there (seen it but haven't gone in). Also Croce's Bar & Grill is very good--along with some good entertainment and cocktails. Or, you can check out the Bitter End and have one of their Black Martinis!

I would just walk the area and pick something that suits you!

Does anyone know anything re Venticello Restaurant in SF?

Jones in Hollywood isn't too far from the Pantages. It's an excellent Italian-type place with reasonable prices. Reservations are a must and it works best if you have your concierge make the reservation for you. We did this from the W LA and the conceirge arranged for a free bottle of wine for us.

Try:
http://flyersplaces.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic/a/cfrm

never heard of it...

sounds like our kind of place..thanks!!

thanks - they didnt have much on LA but it's a good site to know about...

You mentioned that you will be in San Diego to see plays. We've got several terrific theatres, but the most likely to motivate you to travel to San Diego would be ones either at the Old Globe or the La Jolla Playhouse.

If you are going to the Old Globe, my favorite restaurant is Laurel, on the corner of 5th and Laurel. Doug Organ is co-owner and the chef. We have followed him from restaurant to restaurant for the past 20 years, when as a teenager he cooked at a nearby restaurant. Laurel is a comfortably sophisticated restaurant, with California Mediterranean food. Laurel has van service to the Old Globe for a couple dollars apiece. You can park you car at the restaurant and not fight for parking inside Balboa Park, where the Old Globe is located. You can eat your meal, go to the play, and return to the restaurant for dessert and coffee. It is a wonderfully relaxing way to combine superb food and theatre.

Rei do Gado in the Gaslamp Quarter is an excellent Brazilian churrascaria. Its grilled meat is almost as tasty as in Sao Paulo. Fio's in the Gaslamp Quarter has always delivered good Italian food. La Gran Tapa is across from Symphony Hall, a few blocks to the east. It has a good tapas menu.

Karen Krasne's Extraordinary Desserts is a marvelous place, on 5th Avenue a few blocks north of Laurel. It's open from mid-morning to late evening. Her desserts are such works of art, they have made the cover of GOURMET magazine. The line can be quite long at 10pm; it's worth it.

Pick up SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE; the restaurant listings at the back are reliable and comprehensive.

What plays will you see? My recent favorites were THE FULL MONTY at the Old Globe and THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLY at La Jolla Playhouse.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SanDiego1K:
[B]You mentioned that you will be in San Diego to see plays. We've got several terrific theatres, but the most likely to motivate you to travel to San Diego would be ones either at the Old Globe or the La Jolla Playhouse.

We are actually going to the SD Rep to see the play of a friend of mine opening there. . THANKS for the great restaurant suggestions...

------------------
"I always think there's a
band, kid..."

Ah, I knew I shouldn't have excluded the Rep from my list of excellent San Diego theatres! We have followed it from the days that Whoopi Goldberg performed there. They offer a lot of cutting edge performances, and are an excellent organization.

You'll have about a one minute walk from your hotel to the theatre. Besides the Gaslamp Quarter recommendations that several of us have made, a terrific restaurant just a half block north from the Wyndham is Dobsons, 956 Broadway Circle. Paul Dobson is the owner, and also owns La Gran Tapa, which I already recommended. The mussel bisque, with its wonderful puff pastry top, is spectacular.

Also, just a block beyond the theatre in the Gaslamp Quarter is an excellent Greek restaurant, Greek Town, 431 E St. It is family owned and operated.

Enjoy!

You could always splurge and go to the marine room in la jolla...

my personal faves: the crab catcher in la jolla (good food and pink! tablecloths) and rubios (15% off with rubios t-shirt).

IF you are in La Jolla and you like Thai, try Spices. It's v good.

Try Pinnicle Peak in Santee, they have large chewy steaks and cut your tie off if you wear one.

Jay

I'll second the vote for Laurel, which is, in my experience, the best restaurant in San Diego.