Special Occasion Restaurant

Americas - USA West Los Angeles
21

Pretty much.

22

perhaps so, but always well executed. wine list and service and atmosphere are really good.

more exciting food (tasting menu suggestion): Orsa & Winston or Kato. Rustic Canyon is very excellent but could get loud - unless you get a booth.

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23
  1. Providence
  2. Providence
  3. Providence
  4. Providence
  5. Providence :grin:
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24

Money aside, I would choose Providence for most people (or better yet, Addison in SD). For more adventurous eaters, I would choose Vespertine.

In a lower price range, I would suggest Gwen for most people or Meteora for more adventurous eaters.

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25

Can’t argue with that!

26

I think this is a great suggestion

27

Speaking for well executed … but boring.

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28

Orsa & Winston, Kato, and Providence are all tasting-menu only

29

Can you order a la carte at Baroo?

30

This is a half suggestion / half query (in hopes of not hijacking thread, but I am also curious), but what about higher-end izakayas that could fit this bill? My mind went to Tonchinkan in Arcadia, but didn’t offer it up as it may not totally fit the bill of “special"

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31

kinjiro would have been perfect but they’re closed tuesdays.

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32

Red Bird is good and calm.

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33

We sometimes debate the merits of exquisitely boring, classic European food. I’m a bigger fan of it than Peony. But we both like Citrin for some reason. Service and atmosphere are a large part of it, and they are in some ways inseparable from the food. For example, Citrin’s waiters do not cover our table with so many dishes that we can barely find room our for our wine glasses. This allows us to take more time to appreciate each dish, which is important for food that is driven by execution and ingredient quality.

That said, Citrin was not my recommendation for the OP for the same reason that you criticize it. Many people will leave unimpressed. I guess Gwen could be viewed as boring too, but the dishes have a little more American punch (though perhaps a touch less refinement) than Citrin’s dishes.

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so, in summary, currently in LA you can not find “exciting” food served in a la carte format in a setting worthy of a “special” occasion?

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35

Honestly I’d say Capo. It’s not going to wow anyone with creativity, but the execution is awesome, service is lovely, the room is beautiful (and perfect volume), great beverage program… just obviously pricey.

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36

out of left field suggestion: Verse

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37

There are a bunch of recommendations here for such places.

Plus one person’s “boring” is another’s classic / traditional.

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38

If timed right watching the sunset behind Disney concert Hall at San Laurel would be nice. We sat on the patio in June for b-day so sun sets later.

Osteria La buca is a place to be unafraid to laugh out loud, casual and better with friends.

Pasadena perhaps The Royce @ The Langham. Or The Raymond 1886 has loads of ambience food is fine not Mozza level. I Have not been to Drago Centro or Nick and Steph’s Downtown in long while worth a gamble or Damien or Astrid at Disney Hall. If my wallet permitted I’d high tail it to Providence

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39

Asterid has not reopened. Redbird is a great option, though.

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I just wanted to say thank you again for all of the helpful and thoughtful replies, especially with the “on a Tuesday and not a tasting menu” limitations. Reading through the replies made me realize that we’ve eaten at way more tasting menu and free choice places than we thought, but will be picking somewhere new with thanks to the input (and have additional new choices in reserve). I’m incredibly grateful for this community!

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