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A CurtainUp Feature
Restaurant Tips For California Theater Goers
Updated: 2/08/06 -- Washington Boulevard
A note for fish lovers: Wherever you eat, not all fish is good for you. To avoid ordering fish that may have been farmed with pesticides or are otherwise less than ideal choices, check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium's guid of best choices, alternative choices and no-nos at http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_regional.aspx
Southern California Restaurants |Melrose Avenue and Pasadena |Washington Boulevard|Reader Suggestions |
LINKS
Grabbing a Bite Before or After Seeing a Show in New York. . . Snacking and Dining in the Berkshires . . . Miscellaneous $wise Tips For Navigating New York. . . General Links Page
Like our restaurant tips n New York and elsewherer, this is a work in progress which we hope to expand and for which reader suggestions are welcome.
Washington Boulevard
Washington Blvd. is now a hot theatre destination, housing both CTG's Kirk Douglas Theatre and Tim Robbins' Actors Gang at the Ivy. Restaurants range from Starbucks on up. One great deal a few blocks east is the charming Club Tropical, 8641 Washington Blvd, Phone: (310) 559-1127. The Salvadoran restaurant's menu includes salads or shrimp and rice for as little as $10 (meat is also served) and a full bar. You can enjoy Latin dancing on the small sleek floor to the accompaniment of live music on specific nights. Wednesday night is Tango night. Call the restaurant for a full schedule
Southern California Theatergoers' Restaurant Tips
The Center Theatre Group not only has three eateries on its premises, but is surrounded by a host of others, many of which are included on its web site, taperahmanson.com. Those who don't want to amble have a choice: The expensive and extensive menu of Kendall's, the medium-priced outdoor Pinot Grill, or a tasty packaged salad or sandwich from the Deli, which can be eaten around the fountain or at one of the small tables provided. The adventurous can go down the hill to Japan Town, also home to the East West Players. Among the many large and small restaurants here, two of the most unique are the R-23 Cuisine & Gallery at 923-Second Street and Oiwake at 122 Japanese Village Plaza.
The Geffen Playhouse, across from UCLA in Westwood Village, is also surrounded by eating places in every imaginable price and ethnic range. Modest ones include Earth Wind & Flour and Feast From The East (1776 and 1949 Westwood Boulevard respectively), as well as the Westwood Brewing Co. at 1097 Glendon. Recommended upscale restaurants include the new EuroChow (Italian and Chinese with its Martini Lounge), 1099 Westwood, and the classic and elegant Italian restaurant, Tanino's at 1043 Westwood.
Next to the small Coast Playhouse in West Hollywood, which has made itself available to many excellent productions, is the simple sidewalk café Basix, 8333 Santa Monica Blvd. This one's great for people-watching, cappuccino and a small but enjoyable menu.
Minutes from the Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice is Abbot Kinney Blvd lined by so many restaurants that only those recommended by personal visitors can be listed. They include Joe's¸ (1023), Lilly's (1031) and Primitivo Wine Bistro, (1025). There are many quick-bite places in the vicinity, as well.
Melrose Avenue and Pasadena
Melrose Avenue, the funky boulevard of over-the-top boutiques and restaurants of every ethnicity, also boasts two excellent small theatres, The Matrix and the Zephyr. The Matrix was originally a repertory theatre founded by producer Joe Stern, who always double cast so more of his professional company could exercise their considerable talents. I last saw the late David Dukes there in Waiting for Godot" and have reviewed many of their productions in these pages. The small Zephyr Theatre is across the street.
Of the many restaurants on Melrose, a unique bargain can be found on Thursday nights at Angeli's, 7274 Melrose, when they serve a prix fixe family style dinner at long tables for $25. The night four of us made reservations there, the dishes encompassed salads, vegetables, hors d'oevres that included a soft mozzarella cheese spread that was delicious on their French bread, chicken, beef and a chocolate bread pudding for desert. There's a varied wine list and the wine aperitifs include a personal favorite, Lillet
