Restaurants: Special Dining A-O
For something special(reservations suggested):
BORDER GRILL: 1445 4th Street, Santa Monica.
(310-451-1655)
Mary
Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger present the bold foods and flavors
of Mexico and Central America in a lively restaurant decorated in
wild and bright colors. Their menu offers authentic dishes based
on recipes these classically trained chefs learned in the homes and
markets of Mexico. Try their sea bass veracruzana, green corn
tamales or their ropa vieja (a bowl of grilled beef, beans and pork).
Their Mexican chopped salad is delicious. Full bar.
CAFE DEL REY: 4451 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey.
(310-823-6395)
A contemporary, upbeat restaurant offering an unusual variety of
beef, chicken and pasta while you enjoy a nice view of the Marina.
Appetizers include blue crab cakes, sesame crusted ahi salad,
oysters, gravlax and cucumber spaghetti and pan fried goat cheese.
For entrees, try the Peking duck, grilled blackened swordfish,
macadamia nut crusted halibut, or one of the pastas. Portions are ample and beautifully presented; service is excellent. The menu
changes daily. Full bar and extensive wine list.
CHEZ MINI: 246 26TH Street, Santa Monica.
(310-393-0558)
A French country style restaurant which is actually several small
brick buildings and courtyards located behind an ornate iron gate.
Each cozy dining room has its own fireplace with a courtyard in
front. The menu includes fish, beef and poultry. Specialty items
recommended are the black mussels from Prince Edward Island,
mushroom and fennel salad, poulet Chez Helene, and the
vichyssoise. The grilled pork chop, sauteed calf’s liver and leg of
lamb are also excellent. Open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday,
open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Street parking.
INN OF THE SEVENTH RAY: 128 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga.
(310-455-1311)
This unique restaurant offers romantic
creekside dining as well as several nicely decorated dining rooms.
Their menu includes some unusual vegetarian dishes plus fresh
fish, beef and chicken. Open daily for lunch 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
and from 6:00–10:00 p.m. for dinner. On Saturday they are open
10:30–3:00. Sunday brunch from 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
LAWRY'S THE PRIME RIB: 100 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills.
(310-652-2827)
For beef eaters, one of L.A.’s best restaurants. Your
choice of California, English, Lawry’s or Diamond Jim Brady cuts
of beef accompanied by the “Famous Original Spinning Salad
Bowl,” mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and whipped cream horseradish. Make your reservations early, as the place really fill
sup. Open 5:00–10:00 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 5:00–11:00 p.m. on
Friday, 4:00–11:00 p.m. on Saturday and 4:00–10:00 p.m. on Sunday.
OCEAN AVE. SEAFOOD: 1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica.
(310-394-5669)
Situated across from Palisades Park, this attractive
restaurant offers an ocean view patio. Their oyster bar features
oysters from around the world. The fish is fresh and expertly
prepared; “Today’s Catch” features a dozen entrees, from Hawaiian
Ahi to Lake Superior Whitefish. This is a nice place to celebrate a
special occasion. Open for lunch from 11:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; for
dinner from 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Sunday–Thursday. Friday–
Saturday open until 11:00. The oyster bar is open until 1:00 a.m. on
weekends, ’til midnight during the week.
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