Mid-week downtown Los Angeles dinner for elderly relatives SOON

March 16, 2018 9:28 PM

DESPERATELY seeking recommendations. I promised a visiting uncle and aunt that I would make reservations for dinner somewhere good, near where they're staying on 421 W. 7th Street, for March 28. I figured one can get reservations for a Wednesday. But WHERE? It can't be loud - my relatives are in their 70s, and we'll want to talk. It should be culinarily interesting if possible - my uncle is a good, adventurous cook.

I live here but don't work or live near downtown, which seems to change tons every time I visit. My uncle has indicated he'll pay and I won't second-guess that but I don't want to choose something that will cost him more than a couple hundred bucks (two of his guests don't drink) unless I can waylay the maitre'd and pay for anything above that.

posted by goofyfoot to Food & Drink (9 answers total)

Don't know if these are too pricey?
Water Grill
Church and State
The Factory Kitchen
posted by the return of the thin white sock at 9:45 PM on March 16, 2018

I'm not sure if this really counts as "adventurous", but there's a nice patio at Cafe Pinot
posted by kbuxton at 10:17 PM on March 16, 2018

Seconding Water Grill, which is walking distance from where they're staying, easy to talk in and a solid choice.

Or for a more exotic meal in the neighborhood, you could try to get a reservation for one of the restaurants in the new NoMad Hotel in the old Bank of Italy, which is a beautiful room (self link) but would be more expensive.

Avoid Bottega Louie--loud!
posted by Scram at 10:32 PM on March 16, 2018

Perch is a fun space and awesome location overlooking Pershing Square. Reservations definitely recommended, especially if you want to sit outside.

PERCH LOS ANGELES is an elevated resting place. A French inspired rooftop bistro that offers unobstructed views of Downtown Los Angeles that makes it feel as though you are floating at the skyline. PERCH offers two outdoor fireplaces, various fire pits, lounge and table seating both indoors and out.
posted by Celsius1414 at 11:49 PM on March 16, 2018

My first thoughts were water grill or cafe pinot.
posted by samthemander at 11:53 PM on March 16, 2018

It's up the hill on Grand, but Otium gets raves and was one of the top new restaurants of last year.

People I know go nuts for Redbird (not suitable for vegetarians).

I love Factory Kitchen but it has the Bottega Louie loudness problem.
posted by rednikki at 7:27 AM on March 17, 2018

Otium is delicious but I also found it loud.
posted by samthemander at 9:52 AM on March 18, 2018

I've actually been to Otium, just when it opened, and would love to go back but yeah - loud.

Thank you all - I'm going to submit a list of these recommendations to my uncle and ask if he'd like to choose.
posted by goofyfoot at 6:12 PM on March 18, 2018

Just to say that my relatives' visit, after several postponements, finally happened, and tonight we dined at Perch, which was PERFECT. Reservations at 6 for 5 on a Sunday meant that it wasn't too loud, we got to watch the sky change through our two-hour+ meal, it wasn't terribly crowded, and we could visit the Last Bookstore afterwards. My relatives were delighted.
posted by goofyfoot at 11:35 PM on June 3, 2018