Best bets for Saturday Lunch in LA?

[gmi3804]

I'm looking for a great place for lunch on Saturday. I only have one meal in LA, and sky's the limit. However, many of the best places don't serve lunch on Saturdays or only serve brunch (which I'm not interested in). So far, the best I've found is Spago. Ordinarily that would be good, but I've been there and would rather try someplace new. Thanks!

[Chris Cognac]

Where are you going to be? Do you want local ethnic Mexican or Japanese? do you want a fancy meal? Would you like to sit at the beach and watch people roller skate by while you eat?

L.A. is a big place, help us to focus it down a bit and we can give you some great ideas!

[gmi3804]

Where are you going to be? Do you want local ethnic Mexican or Japanese? do you want a fancy meal? Would you like to sit at the beach and watch people roller skate by while you eat?

L.A. is a big place, help us to focus it down a bit and we can give you some great ideas!

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I'm looking for something Spago-like, i.e., California/French. Fancy is good. Not into sushi. Last time in LA we ate at Sona, Grace, and Bastide. Loved all three. Looking for something along those lines, but it's difficult to find places like that open for lunch on Saturdays.

[Carolyn Tillie]

Joe's in Venice. They "do lunch" Tuesday through Friday and then have a brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

[gmi3804]

Joe's in Venice. They "do lunch" Tuesday through Friday and then have a brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

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Oops - forgot that I've been to Joe's too. And JiRaffe. Both excellent!

[andiesenji]

Doesn't One Pico at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica still have their nice Saturday and Sunday brunch?

It has been a few years since I had a meal there but I liked it very much and it is decidedly French.

[LarsTheo]

I like La Dijonaise in Culver City. It's close to Surfa's restaurant supply and some interesting shops on a side street/alley - one that has very interesting Japanese antiques. It's not much for atmosphere (very casual), but the food is very good, and they bake their own bread.

[SiseFromm]

I hate to be the broken record around here, but Lucques seems to certainly fit the bill you've described. It's rustic California Fresh with French influences.

[gmi3804]

I hate to be the broken record around here, but Lucques seems to certainly fit the bill you've described.  It's rustic California Fresh with French influences.

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I've been there too!

[JFLinLA]

Right across from La Dijonaisse is Cafe Beacon. A newish restaurant that was rated #1 new restaurant in LA magazine. It won't break the bank but the food will be great. Be sure someone orders the black cod.

When you're done, or before you start, wander across the street to see what they're teaching at the New School of Cooking and around the corner to browse and pick up some great kitchen and gourmet food stuff as Surfas.

Does Campanile serve lunch? I didn't see that on your list.

[rjwong]

Does Campanile serve lunch?  I didn't see that on your list.

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FYI Campanile Restaurant serves brunch, not lunch.

Finding a restaurant for Sat. lunch (not brunch) is not so easy. Mind you, I found a few places for your consideration:

Hotel Bel Air does serve lunch at Sat. One can eat in the Restaurant, or on the Terrace next to "Swan Lake."

Kendall's Brasserie is in downtown LA by the Music Center. It is part of the Patina Group, headed by Chef Joachim Splichal.

Pacific Dining Car is more of an old-fashioned high-end steakhouse that started way back in 1921. It's located just outside of downtown LA across from Good Samaritan Hospital.

[Carolyn Tillie]

Okay, GMI, since we Californians are batting a thousand, how about going to the opposite end of the spectrum... Consider eating quintessential Los Angeles: Pink's Hot Dogs, Phillipe's French Dip, a Langer's Pastrami...

What do you think?

[fyfas]

How about The Ivy on Robertson ?

A true Hollywood "scene" even at Saturday lunch and while some feel the food to be not great in the Spago sense, the crabcakes ARE excellent. A nice bottle of white wine, sit outdoors, weather permitting; I could do it !