Hey you romantic SoCal guys...give me a lead

expat · 03-28-2004, 01:38 AM

So I'm finally getting over to LA to see wifey during an Easter break in April after 3 long months apart (me being stuck in Hong Kong with work and the kids!).

Give me a name of a restaurant for a romantic dinner for two or any better suggestions for a romantic night out (keep it reasonably clean

please).

Cheers
Mark

Leader · 03-28-2004, 06:39 AM

Beau Rivage Restaurant
26025 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu
(310) 456-5733
Beautiful place, excellent food & service.

SteveStromberg · 03-28-2004, 08:22 AM

Villa Nova Newport Beach on the Water.Great Food. Rich at the Piano. We go there every sunday. Steve

Moses · 03-28-2004, 09:20 AM

Three months? Room service.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

The further away from L.A. and its overcrowded / overpriced restaurant scene the better - I'd go for a nice long drive up the coast towards Santa Barbara or someplace like that and find a place on the way - be spontaneous, be creative! Make the adventure hers and yours alike!

expat · 03-29-2004, 01:34 AM

New car, new country, new side of the road to drive on, new in town...yep that would be an adventure!

Quote:

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Make the adventure hers and yours alike!

Steve, the piano sounds like a good move. If ya see lost Aussie and his missus, give us a shout. I'll buy ya a beer or whatever

SilverPoly · 03-29-2004, 10:47 AM

Trust me, this is the place. It is the most romantic place in So. Cal.

http://www.innoftheseventhray.com/

Inn of the 7th Ray

(310) 455 - 1311

It is located in the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu.

Beautiful scenery, outdoors. I was kind of hesitant to post it here because it was my little secret but hey I think everyone should experience this place. Just simply magnificent.

Make sure you take a 911 with you because there's lots of twisties on your way there. The last time I went there I was having a little fun with Jay Mohr in his Ferrari.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Mark, Where in L.A. is the wife currently located? I would automatically disagree w/ most of the advice already given, (although the restaurants are nice), if they involve a long journey in a rent-a-car studying a map. That would suck and ruin the experience, IMO.

L.A., depending on how you define it, is a HUGE land area. People have already recommended places from Newport Beach, (not even remotely in L.A. county), to Northern Malibu, (Beau Rivage), which is a ~1 hour drive from central LA @ 3 o' clock in the A.M.

Post your approximate location and I and others familiar w/ it can steer you right.

FWIW, my favorite places are mostly in the canyons of the Hollywood Hills, Four Oaks or Pace are better than anywhere on the beach for atmosphere, also IMHO.

dd74 · 03-30-2004, 12:20 PM

L.A. - like Beverly Hills/Fairfax:

1) Chaya

2) El Cielo

3) The Ivy

expat · 04-03-2004, 04:06 PM

Hey guys thanks for ll the imput.

Denis, wife is located in Malibu Canyon. Your right, I should try to keep it simple in terms of travel. Hopefully I will have the new car tommorrow, studying maps tonight!

I'm on two weeks holiday/business here so should have plenty of time for checking some nice restaurants you guys have mentioned.

Thanks again.

Mark

PS any P-drives in the next two weeks around LA? Saw quite a few 911's on the way from LAX today. Kinda freaky thinking that some of these cars could be driven by Pelicans I know but don't know (if ya know what I mean).

dd74 · 04-04-2004, 10:21 PM

If you're dining in Malibu, this is the best place I've found so far: it's called Granita, and located just down the hill from Pepperdine University.

http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/myrestaurants/fine_dining/home/frame.php

I've tried literally every Malibu restaurant. This is a Wolfgang Puck eatery, and highly acclaimed. The ribeye is not to be believed (rare), and the martinis have quite the kick.

As for the drive to Granita - you can take Topanga Cyn. west to PCH and go through the twisties of Big Rock on up past Cross Creek and into the vicinity of Granita.

Or...

You can take Malibu Canyon west to PCH which lets you out right at Pepperdine. You'll pass the Hughes think tank too, which is always interesting.

To me, it's a toss up between the drive and the food. Hmmm...nah, I'll take the food. It's just as good if not better than the drive.

Moses · 04-06-2004, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dd74
The ribeye is not to be believed (rare), and the martinis have quite the kick.

A ribeye and a good martini. Thats the ticket.

concentric · 04-06-2004, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dd74
L.A. - like Beverly Hills/Fairfax:

1) Chaya

2) El Cielo

3) The Ivy

Chaya is frickin' excellent. Don't pass up your chance to visit this fine eating establishment. A producer friend of mine and I get together to eat here all the time. I even drive an hour in traffic just for the food.

JCM

speeder · speeder's Garage

Chaya is a beautiful restaurant, I've had several pleasant experiences there. Hey, beach guys, is Chaya Venice still open? That would be another idea since Mark is at the beach.

L.A. is one of, if not the best restaurant town in the U.S.

dd74 · 04-06-2004, 10:09 PM

Denis: I've been to Chaya in Venice. It's great, though I like the one in Hollywood a little more - beautiful interior, etc. Don't know if Chaya-Venice is open. I can't see why it would close down...

One restaurant I always wanted to try, but never got the chance is Schwarzennegger's place. What's it called? Schatze, I think? On Main Street in Venice?

Anyone try that place out?