Restaurant Recommendations - DTLA and Hollywood (Los Angeles, Malibu: theater, restaurants, price)

[MisterCali]

After a rough year of being laid off, I recently landed a great job. I'm using a small portion of my signing bonus to thank my parents for their support during this challenging year. I'm treating them to a weekend in LA. We'll be staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton at 120 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, arriving on Saturday early afternoon. Since they're both big musical theatre nerds, I'm treating them to The King & I at the Pantages in Hollywood, which has an 8pm curtain on Saturday. We're Asian, so we're used to eating late. I'm considering two dinner options:

Pre-theatre, we would want...
...a place in DTLA or Hollywood
...that we could get to relatively quickly from the DoubleTree (either walking, by Uber or Metro)
...a moderately priced spot (say, where you can get in and out for under $45/person)
...where the focus is on cuisine as opposed to ambiance/decor/the 'scene'
...a place where we can have a conversation without screaming (so, no Bottega Louie)
...does not need to be remotely fancy if the food is very good and authentic (ex: Daikokuya Ramen)


Post-theatre, we would want...
...all of the above, but open late for dinner service (as late as 11/11:30pm reservations/arrival)

Because of dietary preferences (or overexposure in their neck of the woods), no...
...Sushi
...Mexican
...Indian
...Burgers / BBQ


So, what you got?

[JohnG72]

Do any of you drink?

Just a necessary to work on pricing...

[adr3naline]

Miceli's for authentic Italian in Hollywood. It's about a 12min walk from Pantages but a direct path down Hollywood Blvd so you'll be entertained on the way. Dishes are about $20 and the service is quick. Expect to spend $70 for the two of you and make sure you call for a reservation if you do go.

[johninvegas]

Pre-theatre, you could go to Musso and Frank Grill. It's the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Hollywood(est. 1919). Depending on what you eat, you can get out of there for less than $45 a person.

[MisterCali]

Originally Posted by JohnG72

Do any of you drink?

Just a necessary to work on pricing...

Yes, but no one needs $20 specialty cocktails. A simple beer or glass of wine suffices.

[426HemiCA]

If you dont mind a drive to the coast, Dukes in Malibu is excellent for seafood and incredible views. Pretty drive from Hollywood if you pick a Canyon road or just follow Sunset all the way to the coast.

[socal88]

In DTLA, I'd recommend either Drago Centro or Nick & Stef's Steakhouse for a nice sit-down dinner.

Obviously, eating in Hollywood in Hollywood may be more convenient. If you like Mediterranean/Lebanese food, there is a great place called Carousel on Hollywood Blvd. not too far from Pantages. There's also a pretty good Italian spot nearby in Los Feliz called Farfalla that's about a 10 minute drive from Pantages.

[BRinSM]

I've heard great things about Terroni in downtown.

[Happy in L.A.]

I like "Little Sister Restaurant," it's Vietnamese cuisine is delicious. They're downtown at 523 W 7th St, and directly across the street from Bottega Louie Restaurant.

[Happy in L.A.]

If you prefer to dine near the Pantages Theater, one of my favorite restaurants in that area is Stella Barra on Sunset. It's a short walk from there to the subway station at Hollywood and Vine, which is directly across the street from the Pantages Theater.