Hello, I would appreciate advice from this group of helpful experts as I am trying to figure out a special occasion dinner place for next month. Here are some of our criteria for this time: no tasting menu only restaurant; it needs to be on a Tuesday (which kicks out Alto) it cannot be loud; and strongly prefer a nice ambience, which includes not being 6” from the next table. For example, we love Bavel food but it is far too loud and the spouse doesn’t think Saffy’s feels special occasion enough despite the good food.
I have been looking at Funke - is the ambience nice and not loud?
I have also been looking at the Hotel Bel Air - Personally, I think there is better food available, but we think the ambience is quite nice so this isn’t crossed off the list yet.
Osteria Mozza hits the criteria, but we want to try something new. We don’t have interest in République and Chi Spacca at this time (have been to both).
The spouse does not like sushi, but we both really like cooked Japanese food and other Asian types. We have not been to Majordomo - does that fit the noise and ambience criteria? Is there anywhere that we should consider in the Monterey Park area?
From my research, it seems like Osteria La Buca (Valley) could be too loud and perhaps a bit lower on ambiance than we’d like. Is that correct?
Are there any recommendations in Pasadena or nearby?
Is there anywhere in the valley that we should consider? BLVD Steak or other?
Muse (strike Muse, it’s not open Tuesdays) checks most if not all of these boxes. If you do Muse, I recommend trying to get them to seat you in a booth.
If busy, I would characterize Mother Wolf as loud because it’s such a large cavernous space (not Bavel or Saffy’s loud though). Main level of Funke matches your nice ambience and loudness requirement. Upstairs at Funke I felt was louder.
+1 Citrin and Pasjoli on the west side.
Rustic Canyon gets really loud/acoustics are poor if they’re busy (IMO). Tuesday will be quiet though.
In the Valley, Verse may be an option. Can’t speak to the food, but I know they put a ton of effort into the design of the room’s acoustics to balance their live music program and conversation.
Meteora as a dark horse choice. If you like the style and Jordan Khan’s food, which can both be polarizing. It hits the nice ambience criteria. The tables are spaced well and the ample plants and acoustic treatments manage the noise well. It also feels pretty intimate.
Thank you so much for all of your replies! I really appreciate the input and there are some great ideas here that I had not thought of not been to. I will definitely be keeping this list for other outings as well.
The 3 times we’ve been to Mother Wolf was at the first seating at 5:30pm so maybe that’s why it was quiet?
We had the circular booths which were very comfy. Early bird special with the kids.
… and for the record, I do like the current menu at Hotel Bel-Air (it’s no longer a Puck restaurant). Their patio is indeed awesome for special meals, and service is superb.
It was quiet. I found the food exquisitely boring. The only thing I liked is that they have the cellar from the old Melisse and some of the bottles, they’re trying to clear out and they have some interesting bottles at jaw-droppingly low prices.
Agreed. Partner and I adored the food on our one visit, but the noise was really, REALLY bad (and it was indeed completely packed). Our table was also very close to neighbors on both sides (perhaps not all tables are like that).