I think the last time I dined in at a fast food place in LA was Rubios in about 2007. The Habit in El Segundo and Torrance have always seemed super friendly to me.

fsoyars,

Providence is 2 stars and it's really great. I think for me personally at least when I go to any acclaimed restaurant I'd do the tasting menu the first time I'm there.

However i must warn you it is in somewhat of a ghetto looking block and the first time I went there I had to do a double take and make sure i was in the right neighborhood. (I mean it's not THAT ghetto but I was taken aback by where I was when I parked on the streets next to it).

lol wat

Melrose and Wilcox? Jeez, what do you do when you play cards in L.A., Bring a kevlar vest?

LOL hey man I could only get a reservation at like 9 pm the first time i went there

i really want to go back there again, especially with the new dessert chef. and i havent done cheese there before (just recently got into this bizness...still havent decided if i truly enjoy it) so i'd like to give it a try there!

lol I guess he's expecting the area around any restaurant that fancy to look like Beverly Hills.

Haha it's right by the Wilshire Country Club and adjacent to Hancock Park. I can only assume that if Hanster came to my house in Silver Lake he'd **** himself from fear.

edit: ty for the review though Hanster

okay, fine you guys all got me. i live in the OC and work in the confines of newport beach :P so my sense of "ghettoness" may have been somewhat clouded.

also for what it's worth PJ whenever i play cards i almost never leave with any money so i dont have to worry about getting mugged

My friends and I play a variation on slug bug in Newport Beach, except instead of looking for Beetles we look for < $50k cars.

thats a pretty stupid statement. you realize the muggers don't realize you have no money on you before they attempt to mug you right?

More importantly, clearly Hanster needs to come to my next poker game.

I've given up hope on that.

Only if the poker game isn't in the ghetto like Melrose and Wilcox

Glendale. Just bring your gun and move like you have a purpose. It's all about how you carry yourself.

Wanted to give the recommendation of Tirovino, a nice Italian spot on Melrose about half a block west of La Brea.

Really really good pasta that's very authentic. I highly recommend the Tagliatelle with beef sauce. The pizzas are also really good. Good wine selection. Great space.

Also I see that Cobras and Matadors isn't coming up via search.

It's a really fun place that's kinda known for being BYOB. Corkage is only $8. It's small but cool and get's kinda loud in there, so be prepared that it can be a good date spot but only if you're pretty comfortable with the person. It's pretty good for groups but def make sure to have a reservation.

Small plates. My suggestions are

Green Salad
Burrata
Cheese plate
fried chicken
Steak - really really good
mussles - (I'm not a fan, but the gf is. Note she had 3 great experiences with these, and one meh one, that kinda soured her on them for a while)
Spinach side
Arugala salad
sweet potato fries
papas fritas
Churro desert