OK, here the deal. Best friend's bday was last week, and my original plans fell through (Kathy Griffin at the Laugh Factory). So now I need a back-up plan. Best Friend is not really a foodie, actually he cares little about food,...

hey Jennifer... I’m a veggie and my fave places to eat in L.A. are... Paru’s Vegan Indian on Sunset M Cafe on Melrose and La Brea Polka in Eagle Rock (crazy Polish amazingness!! Best perogies ever.) Fred 64 on Vermont in...

Hey chowhounders! My good friend is coming to visit in a couple of weeks from NYC. I want to take her to a few uniquely LA restaurants while she is here. She has requested sushi/Japanese, Russian (she is Russian and is interested...

We take our year and half old son to: the Alcove, Michelangelo’s, Fred 62, Cafe Tropical, El Chavo. Is Mexico City not an option for personal reasons? Because it’s quite kid-friendly pre 7:30pm. Then the hipsters get a...

. French bistro food (excellent mussels, hanger steak, duck) and bathrooms are same level. There is a shallow ramp to get in, but that should not be insurmountable. Another possibility is Fred's (Amst. and 83). American food,...

Well, the former Royal Star at 3001 Wilshire in Santa Monica is to become Two Friends, operated by Claude Arnall and Frederick Bambadji, as the full liquor license application was posted on February 16. Anyone have any more info...

I am meeting out-of-town friends for dinner in Sherman Oaks/Studio City. They are bringing along their daughter, who will turn four that night. Any recommendations on places to take them? Bonus points for places where they would...

Two of my friends and I are planning a trip out to your incredible region and I was hoping to find some help planning the trip on the Hound. In SF we definitely want to do one lunch at a dim sum spot, and other meals at...

freds.

I’m turning 27 @ the end of this month and want to go out to a fun place w/ a few friends (as we are very fun girls) for dinner and drinks. I would really like somewhere w/ a trendy scene but not snooty, an upbeat...

(With the caveat that I haven’t been) There is a South African restaurant and bar called Springbok Bar & Grill on Victory that friends have told us is dog (and people) friendly. http://www.springbokbar.com/

It’s not roomy, but I suggest Fred's, on 83rd and Amst. Good basic American fare. Not expensive. VERY friendly staff, and they mostly love kids (we go there with our 4 and 10 year olds, and have been for a while).

Try Hickory Smokehouse in Kingston. Get off at Exit 19 and head about a mile or two west on Route 28. Good barbecue and child friendly. ~Fred19

I’ve been back home for a while now, steaming millet, leeks, and organic Swiss chard, and generally recovering. It’s time to wrap up nine weeks on the road, and to account for nearly 8,000 miles driven (plus many more...

When to Pollo Rico for lunch. Excellent food at modest prices. Attractive decor, large dining rooms and the help is very friendly. Their chicken is out of this world. A Colombian spin to the rice and beans, sweet plantain and...