Howdy all, I’ve a dining conundrum. I, an eastsider, venture west to play Rancho Park twilight rounds all summer long. We got off the course at like 820 and we’re starving, and I don’t know the area at all.
Where should I eat around there? Usually, we go to Mian or Mizlala in West Adams. Used to love the Lodge concept on Pico that is now closed. What else should I be thinking of?
Basically, the requirements are no reservations and I need to have some shot of getting 4 people in. Thanks!
Per the listed hours in a Google search, the following places are open late enough, are pretty close by, and are also tasty: Sichuan Impression, La Serenata di Garibaldi, Jaipur (closes at 9:30PM), Lala Rice. Lala Rice has been pretty busy the 3 times I’ve gone, but hopefully relatively fast turnover?
It’s not exactly Chow-ish, but Bossa Nova on Pico is super convenient for late night dining, and the food is good enough, IMHO. No idea about getting a table for 4, though.
Izakaya Hero is open late, but I don’t know if you can just walk in w/o a reservation (the few times I’ve been, they’ve been pretty booked out on a Friday).
Sawtelle is close by, but many of the places don’t open that late (IMHO). Coco Ichibanya is open until pretty late hours, but the food is… passable. Furaibo is also open late-ish (I haven’t been in yrs).
Apple Pan is close by; I have no idea what the seating situation is (is it only bar seating)?
You’re very close the Century City mall. Not sure if any of their restaurants or if the food court are open that late.
You’re also not SUPER far from Pizzeria Sei, but, again, no idea about a table for 4.
@paranoidgarliclover - Apple Pan has indoor bar seats and outdoor picnic tables since the pandemic.
I would just go park by Sawtelle and check to see which has the shortest wait out of the following (none take reservations):
There’s tons more on Sawtelle, but these are the one’s I frequent.
Love the place (and that’s also my go-to order there), but they close at 9PM (AFAIK). Might be a bit tight for OP.
Killer Noodle has huge gyoza??? How did I not know this before???
Too many options, but one I will throw out there is Lustig — friendly, casual Austrian food prepared by a skilled chef.
Good catch on Dong Ting, my bad!
And, yes! They’ve been making them since the start of the pandemic. Last time we ordered them, my dad ate so many he was in pain.
I used to love Daikokuya’s down the street, but the taste has changed and I’m not into them anymore.
Aside from Sawtelle, do try local favorite gastrobar Il Moro. Also, on Pico, there is really good Northern Indian at Jaipur. Down the street, do not forget iconic La Serenata de Garibaldi for excellent Mexican also. Chilli Thai (more Pico goodness) is a really dependable hole in the wall. Cafe Aroma on Overland serves solid Serbian.
In Century City, try DelFrisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse and Capri at Eataly, both open till quite late. (Skip Javier’s; it’s not great…)
Happy Rancho Park’ing!
The menu looks quite good but very little is Austrian (more or less the Schnitzel) - it’s more “New American” with some Central European influences
Some other area (or nearish) options that might work time-wise:
Aroma Cafe on Overland below Pico
Moon House on Santa Monica near Sepulveda (across the street from Sichuan Impression, mentioned by paranoidgarliclover)
Six Chow House on Pico near Overland
Stalking Horse on Pico near Patricia
Vicini on Pico near Overland
Wellesbourne on Pico near Overland
They probably close before 8pm but pre golf course……
Marty’s Hamburger Stand.
Combo burger, tots, and orange bang! Is it the greatest burger? Probably not but it will hit. For goodness sakes an Orange bang on a summer day is just perfect
Marty’s is a local institution. Too casual for the OP’s request, but definitely try their breakfast sando with bacon (maybe before tee time?). It slaps.
Stalking Horse and Vicini are meh in my book.
Adding chili to my combo burger was the move in high school. I’d probably die if I tried that now. Love Marty’s.
To all, many thanks for the replies. There are so many interesting spots that as a non-local, I’ve never considered.
@paranoidgarliclover : were you the first one to post about LaLa? I went on the board’s recommendation a few weeks back and really enjoyed! It’s firmly on the list. Had never heard of Jaipur and will definitely check it out. Same with Izakaya Hero. That would be perfect post-golf fuel. Ugh, called Sei last night at 8:30 and they were sold out of pizza.
@komajiyokai : Will definitely try Dong Ting when the days get a tad shorter, and we finish earlier. Looks so good. Had never heard of it! Also need to check out Killer Noodle. I do love Tsujita as well.
@PeonyWarrior I keep meaning to check them out! Post-round schnitzel sounds superb.
@J_L : Ugh this is why I posted here. I knew you all could help me out. Will def try Jaipur and La Serenata de Garibaldi. They both look great and have never been on my radar! I do like Aroma! That’s on the old list. Still desperately crave the cevapi I had when I spent a summer in Split about a decade ago.
@NewTrial : Wellesbourne is a great idea. I like their cocktails a lot. I’ll check out these others! I’m so lost on the westside neighborhood spots, so this is a great starting point for me!
@JeetKuneBao : lolz I’ll try this place soon.
Not the right time of day, but Metro Cafe in Culver City has a chevapchichi sandwich at brunch/lunch. Quick internet search indicates this might be the same thing?
I think I might’ve been the first one to post about Lala Rice? But it seemed like at least few others had already tried it. Glad you enjoyed it! We enjoyed most of what we’ve gotten there, but the eggrolls and thai-spiced fries are a skip (not bad, but not anything particularly interesting or special).
have you tried the chicken gyoza at Venice Ramen? Amazing …and large…
from yelp
Not a great area, of course. (Not relevant for you, but the diner at Rancho used to be decent - very crispy hash browns. Alas. Under construction for years.) I think Factors is acceptable for post-golf and pretty close to Rancho, with the thinking that you probably don’t want to head too far west. A short drive away are Madre for Mexican (Oaxacan), Simpang (Indonesian), or the Doughroom (Pizza/Gastropub).
Woah - haven’t tried these, look great. Bookmarking for the next time I have a gyoza craving. Thanks!
i’ll have to check that metro sando out. this looks like a slightly elevated version, but same concept, which im down for.
