Spago
Photo: courtesy of the restaurant
Though fine dining may have cooled off a little as a result of the past year’s economic turmoil, celeb chefs remain as popular as ever. Fortunately, many of them have opened more casual concepts, allowing diners with tighter budgets to get a taste of their culinary vision. But how do these budget-minded sibs stack up against their high-end counterparts? Read up, and then add your own votes and opinions.
Wolfgang Puck
Arguably LA's most famous toque, Wolfgang Puck keeps packing them in at pricey perennial favorite Spago, while also offering his fare at lower prices at new places like Wolfgang Puck B&G.
176 N. Cañon Dr.
(Wilshire Blvd.)
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-385-0880; reserve online
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 26 |
25 |
25 |
$78 |
It “just keeps getting better” for devotees of this Beverly Hills “can’t-miss” “classic” that’s still “on top of its game”, serving the “superb” Californian cuisine of Wolfgang Puck (who often “comes out to greet diners”) turned out by chef Lee Hefter; the “royal” service proceeds at a “stately pace” in the “lively”, “elegant yet casual” interior or on the “serene patio” where patrons “dine under – and among – the stars”; so though it “may require your first-born as a deposit”, it’s “ever so worth it.”
800 W. Olympic Blvd.
(Figueroa St.)
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-748-9700
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M |
The eponymous chef-restaurateur expands his presence to burgeoning Downtown with this indoor-outdoor Californian at LA Live that offers a midpriced menu of his signatures – from pizza to prime meats and calamari to kurobuta; a musical-note motif repeating throughout the floors and light fixtures seems appropriate, considering its proximity to shows at both Staples and Nokia.
Susan Feniger
Susan Feniger, half of the Two Hot Tamales, has been bringing her specific take on Mexican cuisine to the City of Angels for decades, and she's still at it – her highly affordable Street opened earlier this year.
1445 Fourth St.
(bet. B'way & Santa Monica Blvd.)
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-451-1655; reserve online
| Food |
Decor |
Service |
Cost |
| 22 |
19 |
20 |
$34 |
“They still have their mojo” assert champions of this “legendary” Santa Monica Mexican from celeb owners Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken serving up “stylized” south-of-the-border dishes and “tremendous tequila drinks” to wash ‘em all down; a “friendly” staff and brightly colored murals make up the “lively” atmosphere, although sensitive sorts call it “too loud for enjoyable eating”; P.S. happy hour is a “delicious deal” with $4 drinks and $3 tacos.
Street
Photo: Natasha Bedu
742 N. Highland Ave.
(Melrose Ave.)
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-203-0500
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Susan Feniger (Border Grill, Ciudad) has taken over a former Melrose District coffeehouse, turning it into this Eclectic street-food eatery with high ceilings and an outdoor patio; its inexpensive, multiethnic menu – offering small plates from all over Latin America and Asia (with a few European stops) – brings back memories of the chef’s first creation, the much-loved City Restaurant.