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LA choices for NY foodies

Large group of foodie friends looking for a fun night out, special guests from NYC (including me!) want to experience unique LA dining. It's a weekend and we can't get into most of my first choice restaurants with our large group but here are our options:

Red Medicine
Lazy Ox Canteen
Irori Sushi
Foundry on Melrose

Please weigh in and let me know what you would choose! :)

For the second night, I need to choose between Picca and MB POST, so opinions on that also appreciated :)

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  1. I've had good meals at Red Medicine but have also had some pretty middling dishes. You might want to see if you can get a last-minute reservation at ink. for dinner and then stop by Red Medicine for their late night offerings.


    1. Check out this extensive thread:


      I agree with Uhockey in that I found Red Medicine superior to ink. Also, I agree with his assessment that the uni congee is one of the best dishes anywhere these days. Both of us have dined extensively in NYC.

      At Red Medicine you can't go wrong with the following: brussel sprouts (one of the tastiest versions around and much tastier than versions using bacon or pig ears as a crutch), maitake mushrooms (with long beans and cauliflower puree), roasted pork shoulder (crispy molassas crust), and the famed congee (make sure to spring for the uni supplement). These dishes knock it out of the park. The other dishes are not as stellar but still all very tasty.

      1. some other places to consider are baco mercat, animal and gjelina.

        red medicine is solid. the coocnut bavois is my favorite desert of the moment right now.

        1 Reply
        1. re: cdub

          +1 for both Animal and Gjelina. I would add Son of A Gun to your list also. I am a giant fan of Manhattan Beach Post. great small plates. I have never had a bad dish there. Both chef and restaurant are up for 2012 James Beard awards.

          435 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

          Son of a Gun
          8370 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

          1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

          Manhattan Beach Post
          1142 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

        2. Where will you be staying? Will you have access to a car?

          The food scene Los Angeles is sprawling and very diverse. Do you want to eat Korean, Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, or other national cuisines? The are likely to be quite different from what you have in NY.

          14 Replies
          1. re: raytamsgv

            Yes, Gjelina, Son of a Gun, Ink, etc, were all on my list but being that it's a weekend with a pretty large group we can't get into my top choices. We are staying in Beverly Hills and will have a car. I am also a vegetarian (no meat or fish) so that limits some options.

            We would love to have Japanese/Sushi! I just called and can get into Takao Sushi. They do veggie options for me. Thoughts?

            1. re: lavendula

              For vegetarians Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica is a great choice. Scarpetta in Beverly Hills offers a great vegetarian menu at all times. Providence does a wonderful vegetarian tasting menu.

              Rustic Canyon Wine Bar
              1119 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

              5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

              225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

              1. re: wienermobile

                +1 the Scarpetta recommendation, as I had two great meals there last year. In five meals at Providence, though, I cannot think of one memorable course that didn't have either fish or meat.

                1. re: degustingdiary

                  It is a special vegetarian tasting menu that Providence will do on request. It is not part of the regular menu. It was wonderful. Call them for more details.

                  1. re: wienermobile

                    Ah, that makes sense--apologies for my inanity.

                  2. re: degustingdiary

                    We have a Scarpetta in NYC, is this one much different? I tried to get into Providence as well but no go.
                    Given the options above (places I can get into), what is the best option?

                    1. re: lavendula

                      you may also want to try hatfields and tasting kitchen. some places on the list won't be too helpful if you're a vegetarian. there's a limited number of options at places like lazy ox. rustic canyon is great.

                      i'd skip scarpetta. there's minimal difference from the ny scarpetta.

                    2. re: degustingdiary


                      Easy. 63 degree duck egg with soft polenta, fondue of reblochon de savoie, and black truffles. Also the pasta alla chitarra with black truffles.

                      1. re: Porthos

                        I cannot argue with the spellbinding descriptions of those two dishes, Porthos, but I'm resigned to admit that neither has crossed my path. And the former sounds new; alas, I haven't been back to Providence since a disappointing meal last summer.

                        1. re: degustingdiary

                          Okay, for night 2 - Providence, Picca, or MB Post???

                          1. re: lavendula

                            My vote would be for MB Post. If, however, you want to experience the closest thing to Le Bernardin on the west coast, then go with Providence.

                            1. re: lavendula

                              1st choice Providence. 2nd MB Post. Do know that your meal at Providence may run double of MB Post. Enjoy both are great.

                            2. re: degustingdiary

                              Go now. With the pasta alla chitarra with black truffles, it is a generous shaving that goes over your pasta.

                              Also, the live spot prawns baked in salt are back in season.

                              I don't find Providence as refined as Le Bernardin, but maybe that's why I find it tastier.

                              1. re: Porthos

                                The spot prawns are arresting, but I won't be back in LA until late May (just as Australian black truffles are arriving).

                                To my mind, Le Bernardin is more consistent in terms of food and service, whereas the quality of my dinners at Providence depend almost entirely on whether Donato is working front of house.

                  3. You can find any food in the world in New York, so rather than focusing on unique LA food, focus on the LA "type" of restaurant. Check out Spago, Dan Tana's, The Ivy, and other restaurants where you'll likely see actors and other LA "types."

                    Posters may complain about these recs because they are a bit touristy, but that's my point. Not to say the food isn't good (though Dan Tana's isn't "great").

                    9 Replies
                    1. re: EarlyBird

                      Returning to my original question, out of the restaurants listed where I can get a table for my large group:

                      Red Medicine
                      Lazy Ox Canteen
                      Irori Sushi
                      Foundry on Melrose

                      What is the best is the best choice, food wise?

                      1. re: lavendula

                        Red Med, but definitely call ahead both to make a reservation and to make sure they can accommodate your party.

                        1. re: degustingdiary

                          Lazy Ox looks like they have a bunch of veggie options on their sample menu. Maybe not so online?

                          1. re: lavendula

                            Yeah, not sure. But if you're still seeking the best vegetarian-friendly food based on the list you've enumerated, it will be at Red Med: rice porridge, coconut bavarois etc.

                        2. re: lavendula

                          Easy. Red Medicine. Lazy Oz would be my #2.

                          1. re: lavendula

                            Lazy Ox would be my choice - and yes, they have lots of vegetarian options. Though the menu changes often, there's always a non-meat polenta dish (every one I've had has been amazing), as well as salads, vegetables, and grains.

                          2. re: EarlyBird

                            Out of curiosity, how is the food at Spago??

                            1. re: lavendula

                              Food at Spago is always excellent.