Celebrating Sunshine Vibes; 5 Spots For Your Next US Summer Vacation
A Date with Dine LA
Photo by Emy
Twice a year in Los Angeles many of my favorite restaurants join together to give Angelenos and visitors a heartwarming culinary experience known as Dine LA. And while Restaurant Week is a treat in all major cities, this one hits home for me and so many others here in our culinary Mecca.
2020’s first DineLA kicked off in February. I decided to make a thing of it and invited my mom and daughter (hello 3 generations of good eats) on a short food tour throughout Los Angeles. Our tour consisted of visiting 4 different restaurants during the promotion.
From the west side to Beverly Hills, we covered our bases. From indulging at one of my favorite classic steakhouses to sampling some of the best clam chowder options at a local seafood staple here in LA, we took this time to enjoy amazing cuisines and service at a fraction of the costs.
Here’s a cute little survey we did covering our Dine LA experience:
Meet the Testers
(clockwise from upper left)
Carol (Grandma)
Lover of all things southern. (Almost) always down to try something new and different
Nadia (Granddaughter)
Part time pescatarian, picky, particular. Did I say picky?
Jameca (Daughter)
Self-proclaimed foodie, always hungry, tastes over everything mentality
Ruth’s Chris
Location: Beverly Hills | Visit Website
Overview:
Priding itself on steaks done right, Ruth’s Chris is my favorite steakhouse. Perhaps its the New Orleans heritage that helps it stand out from the rest when it comes to a fine dining experience. And with a moderately priced pre-fix menu for dinner along with wine features and premium pairings, its the perfect choice when looking for a beautiful ambience and a filling plate
| CAROL | NADIA | JAMECA | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Experience |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4.6 |
Value |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4.6 |
Taste |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Service |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Takeaway:
Service takes the cake with this Dine LA experience. Drinks and appetizers can add up pretty quickly so keep an eye on additions if you’re hoping to stay within a certain budget for this night out.
Eataly
Location: West LA | Visit Website
Overview:
Located in the Westfield Century City mall in West LA, Eataly takes you into a whole new world of Italian culinary greatness. Fusing the two words Eat and Italy, Eataly is a beautiful marketplace where people can eat, shop and learn, all about high-quality food, three activities that don’t coexist anywhere else. La Pizza & La Pasta takes the Italian experience one level up, offering a delicious dining experience right in the center of all of the action. The Dine LA menu was a perfect option for a hearty lunch or early dinner. So while granddaughter was working, mommy and daughter decided to sneak off for a little girls time.
| CAROL | NADIA | JAMECA | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Experience |
5 |
– |
5 |
5 |
Value |
5 |
– |
5 |
5 |
Taste |
4 |
– |
5 |
4.5 |
Service |
5 |
– |
5 |
5 |
Takeaway:
Casual fun atmosphere, food was delicious. Service A+. A perfect option for a tasty lunch with friends or family. Be sure to take some to browse the market for all of your Italian needs; from fresh seafood and delicious cheeses to endless wine options and yummy fresh desserts, you can easily get lost for hours.
Connie and Teds
Location: West Hollywood | Visit Website
Overview:
Inspired by the classic oyster bars and fish houses along the New England seaboard and western coast. Connie and Teds has quickly become one of our neighborhood favorites. (How lucky am I thats it’s literally 10 mins away from my home?) I’m a big seafood lover so my eyes were pretty big for their Dine LA menu, and boy did they deliver with big and bold fresh flavors.
| CAROL | NADIA | JAMECA | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Experience |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Value |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Taste |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4.6 |
Service |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3.6 |
Takeaway:
While the service was just OK, the food options were a big win, satisfying our table of seafood lovers across the board. Value for your buck really rings here. Highly recommend Connie and Teds for a casual night out with family and friends!
Cattle and Claw
Location: Beverly Hills | Visit Website
Overview:
Located inside of the beautiful Sofitel Hotel, Cattle and Claw is a SoCal eatery offering two of the worlds favorites foods – lobsters and burgers. The Dine LA menu selections definitely covered the bases, with options from pasta to lobster pizza to seafood tacos. Drink options are a bit hit so be prepared to order a cocktail (or 3) while enjoying dinner.
| CAROL | NADIA | JAMECA | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Experience |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Value |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Taste |
3 |
3 |
4 |
4.6 |
Service |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Takeaway:
The ambience takes the cake here. With local pop art at every corner, bright colors, and sexy modern decor, you’ll want to settle in and catch up with friends over cocktails for hours!
Live in or visiting LA soon?
In tandem with the tourism initiative, Los Angeles is launching the country’s first COVID-era restaurant week. DineLA has decided to switch things up a bit, offering dine in, take out and delivery options from some of the Los Angeles’s popular restaurants as well as some of the hidden local gems.
The promotion will run through September 18 and comprises nearly 300 restaurants in all. Most of the prix-fixe menus will range from $15-$35 for lunch and $25-$65 for dinner. With delivery as an option this time, you have the option to settle into your home, hotel or AirBnB and enjoy a delicious 3 course meal for crazy good prices!
Be sure to check out all the delicious DineLA culinary options our city has to offer here.
Happy Eating!
