I’m coming from east of DTLA, and colleague is coming from Santa Monica. I suggested Culver City area.
In addition to Akasha, does anyone have a place that might fit the bill for this? The bill will likely be out-of-pocket and the conversation likely to be 60-90 minutes. So not a long time, but longer than comfortable in many fast casual spots.
Zaytinya has an abbreviated / more affordable lunch menu.
Roberta’s is quite good, though carb heavy.
How nice does the setting need to be?
Pasta Sisters is fast casual but might be fine for a 90-min meeting.
I’ve had Tandoori Eats once as take out (I thought it was very good). Interior is casual (although I assume table service), and it’s in this weird, unappealing triangular lot next to a liquor store. But it’s super, SUPER close to the Palms station, and if casual works…
Destroyer is about a thirteen minute walk from the station. Lingering is on the menu there. Food is great, too.
Helms Bakery is a 8-10 min. walk from the station…
Zaytinya and Roberta’s are the closest. Margot is another good option (get a table on the roof).
As the OP is comfortable walking to Akasha, options such as Brothers Sushi and Arth might be of interest.
Tandoori Eats is soooo good. But no soooo nice.
To be fair, I did ask how important ambiance was. 
Since OP mentioned that lunch will be paid for out of pocket, I assumed that cost is a factor.
I know. I love gong there. I can imagine others might not. But I think it is super close to the rail line and a great suggestion.
Indeed. I suggest it to one of my friends, and she was like, “I consider that to be a to-go only place…”
I was actually kind of pleasantly surprised when I got my to-go order b/c I thought it was going to be a total dump (and it wasn’t!).
Thank you all! Colleague agreed upon Zaytinya, and declined Tandoori Eats. We shared baba ghanoush and salmon durum. Really liked the durum with accompanying salad. I’m sorry to say it was a light crowd which meant we lingered with no compunction to wrap up.