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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Recs for a birthday dinner
My family is coming to L.A for Thanksgiving. My brother's birthday is December 1 so we are going to celebrate while they are here. He will be turning 22 but he wants to do something that everyone will enjoy.
So any recs for a fun, tasty, special occasion restaurant but that won't break the bank (since my parents will be paying for everything probably the whole week)? Willing to travel to just about any part of the L.A area.
Thanks!
Emily
7-10-04 
Re: Recs for a birthday dinner
How cheap are we talking here? I think AOC or Luques is great but can be pricey. Geisha House is fun and trendy. I don't like the food at Katsuya. I went to the Pacific Dining Car for steak a couple weeks ago and it was just awful and way, way $$$$.
What kind of food do you want?
In Sherman Oaks -
http://www.cafebizou.com/index.html
We're open to whatever, but my brother won't really appreciate a really nice restaurant (like Campanile) so I don't know that that will be necessary. His favorite restaurant is Ruth's Chris but I think that would kind of be a shame to come all the way to L.A and go to a place they have in Chicago. We've been to BOA Steakhouse. Obviously someplace like CUT would be too much, but maybe a good steakhouse?
He also really likes the cook on the table Japanese places like Tokyo Wako. That's a possibility but again, we might want to go to a place a little more authentic to L.A (plus my mom hates those places).
Some places I was thinking of, but need to look into more:
Border Grill
El Cholo
Angeli Caffe
The Hungry Cat
The Village Idiot
Pizzeria Mozza
Musso and Frank's (would it be way more than a place like Ruth's Chris?)
My Food Blog
Border Grill - They have a great steak. The food is good - there is one in Pasadena, right? The one in Santa Monica is a little run down.
El Cholo - Food is not gourmet but an LA institution to be sure. The one in SM gets BUSY with young wanna-bees on the weekend in the bar.
Angeli Caffe - That lady's place from the lecture, right? Never been there.
The Hungry Cat - Very small, expensive, kind of tucked behind a Borders. Not very festive. Right near my office.
The Village Idiot - Sounds interesting!
Pizzeria Mozza - ?
Musso and Frank's (would it be way more than a place like Ruth's Chris?) Not more than Ruth Chris - the food is old style - they still have Turkey Tettrazzini on the menu. I think the food is good. Old, old LA. Great history as it was THE hang-out for the Sinatra crowd.
You might consider http://www.laserenataonline.com/
or go Polish and try this place: http://www.warszawarestaurant.com/
Warszawa is our family's go to place when my Dad comes in to town. We LOVE it. I love the salads, the potato pancakes, the periogi - YUM!
Of course, the Magic Castle is an EVENT! If you haven't been, consider it. The food is OK IMO, but the magic is spectacular.
This is really fun for a group - everyone sings.
http://www.cotrattoria.com/about.html
Or what about the Robert Blake place we went to?
My thoughts on Pizzeria Mozza.
I think it's good for a group since the menu items are very easy to share.
If Marina can get you passes to the Magic Castle, you should totally do that. Food is just okay but it is such a fun experience.
I love the Villiage Idiot...and never pass up an opportunity to eat there. Another fun experience might be the Melting Pot, there is one in Old Town Pasadena, not sure if there is one in your area or not.