Hey Guys!
Los Angeles is a city filled with personality ranging from its vast food culture, to its national landmarks and natural landscapes. When I arrived to USC I had no idea how I would tackle all of the perks LA had to offer. LA must have heard my request when it hosts the DineLA Restaurant Week event! Restaurant Week is two weeks where restaurants throughout Los Angeles and Orange County offer 2-4 course meals at a discounted price to encourage people to go out and try different eateries.
The extensive list has restaurants for casual dining, to date night ideas, and business meetings. During this week I have tried The Penthouse at the Huntley in Santa Monica which has arguably one of the best views in Los Angeles overlooking the Pacific Ocean. My first time there I got the Crab Cakes, Pan-Seared Salmon, and finished up with the Creme Brûlée. Amazing. The dining rooms are outfitted with large bay windows overlooking the beach on one side and Los Angeles on the other with a central bar and extensive wine list. It is definitely a great place to escape the bustle of Los Angeles and enjoy the southern California weather. On top of all this, during Restaurant Week, the given menu is less expensive relieving you of any guilt. Afterwards walking around Santa Monica pier and shops completes the perfect blend of urban culture and great food. The Penthouse is an excellent place for dates or just with friends who wish to soak in the beauty of the Santa Monica beach and downtown Los Angeles in the distance.
Another restaurant I tried was M Grill, only a few miles from USC! Here they served Brazilian food where servers come around to your table with different types of meat! First we had our fill of salads, veggies, and other appetizers before the meats arrived. There are a few places to get Brazilian around Los Angeles, but I have found M Grill to be far above average with the service and quality of food making them stand out from the rest of the competition. The short ribs and Parmesan beef were definitely the highlights and to top it off, they offer a sort of baked pineapple slices lightly dusted with cinnamon! So yummy! We easily spent 2 hours of non stop eating there.
Though some restaurants are known to have a certain ambiance, during Restaurant Week people look to try restaurants they otherwise would not, giving each place a new feel. DineLA is a must do event, where you will find hidden gems and fantastic food along the way.
Fight On!
Markus
