Ever wanted to try places like Dakota and Katsuya but shied away from all those “$$$$” listed on their Gayot descriptions? Yeah, me, too. Fortunately dineLA’s restaurant week(s) is making it affordable for cheapskates like us to enjoy a swank meal out at such high-end restaurants.
From January 27 to February 1 and from February 3 to February 8, a bunch of Los Angeles restaurants — from Downtown to the beach cities — will be offering prixe-fixe meals for just $15-$22 (lunch) and $25-34 (dinner). But hurry and make your reservations now before your favorites get booked up. Either do it through OpenTable.com or call up the restaurant. (FYI, some restaurants require a minimum number of diners for reservations. Shelley and I tried to make reservations at Bistrotek but were told they only accepted reservations for parties of 6 or more. Boo.)
BTW, who were the folks interested in the dessert platter at Simon LA? I was thinking about going there for their $34 dinner…and then trying the dessert platter, too. Anyone game?
Some of my fave Meal Deals:
Circa 55 Restaurant – $34 dinner
Appetizers
- Choice 1 – Pan Seared Foie Gras and Scallop with Chive Puree and Black Pepper Foam
- Choice 2 – Winter Squash Risotto with Sage and Truffle Oil
- Choice 3 – Spinach Salad with Dried Cranberries, Dates, Goat Cheese, Candied Pecans and Miso Vinaigrette
Entrees
- Choice 1 – Pan Seared Ahi Tuna with a Creamy Polenta, Asian Pear Relish and Lemongrass Broth
- Choice 2 – Grilled 8 Oz. New York Steak with Roasted Pepper-Blue Cheese Relish and Thyme Demi-Glace
- Choice 3 – Turkey Meatball Bucatini Pasta with Roasted Garlic, Pesto and Mozzarella
Desserts
- Choice 1 – Trio of House Made Sorbets
- Choice 2 – Journey into Chocolate
- Choice 3 – Meyer Lemon Creme Brulee
Appetizers
- Choice 1 – Arugula and Celery Root Salad with Spiced Pepita Seeds, Pomegranate, Shaved Manchego and Lemon Vinaigrette
- Choice 2 – Spinach Empanada with Pinenuts, Raisins and Cheese
- Choice 3 – Shrimp Tamale Negro – Black Corn Masa Filled with Sweet Shrimp, Peppers, Scallion and Aji Amarillo Chile Sauce
Entrees
- Choice 1 – Olive Oil Poached Artic Char served with Braised Orange and Fennel over Tacu Tacu, a Peruvian “Dirty Rice” Made with Mashed Lentils and Pan Fried Rice
- Choice 2 – Polo Ciudad – Grilled Chicken on Cuban Rice with Cilantro Sauce and Pickled Tomatoes
- Choice 3 – Carnitas – Slow Roasted Niman Ranch Pork served with Mashed Yucas, Black Beans, Fried Plantains and Grilled Corn Salsa
Desserts
- Choice 1 – Tres Leches Cake with Passion Fruit and Prickly Pear Sauces
- Choice 2 – Barcelona Chocolate Cake with Spanish Brandy
- Choice 3 – Coconut Lime Cake with Lime Curd and Toasted Coconut
Appetizers
- Choice 1 – Candy Striped Beets, Blood Oranges, Goat’s Cheese
- Choice 2 – Spicy Tuna Tartare, Tempura Eggplant
- Choice 3 – Prosciutto, Shaved Pear, St. Andre Flatbread
Entrees
- Choice 1 – Beef Tenderloin, Potato Pancakes, King Crab Bernaise
- Choice 2 – Seared Main Scallops, Butternut Squash, Blackberry Gastrique
- Choice 3 – Cornbread-Stuffed Chicken, Cranberry Marmalade
Desserts
- Choice 1 – Chocolate Molten Cake, Passion Fruit Sorbet
- Choice 2 – ‘Peanut Butter Cup’ Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Choice 3 – Sticky Toffee Pumpkin Cake, Chai Ice Cream
The Happy Ending Bar & Restaurant – $25 dinner
Appetizers
- Choice 1 – Miso Glazed Fish Tacos with Wasabi Cream and Tomato Avocado Salsa
- Choice 2 – Filet Mignon ‘Sliders’ on Pretzel Rolls with Chipotle Cream and Caramelized Onion
- Choice 3 – ‘Feel the Beet’ Salad with Gorgonzola and Wilted Spinach
Entrees
- Choice 1 – Roasted Free-Range Chicken Breast with Wild Mushroom Polenta and Honey-Lemon Sauce
- Choice 2 -Kobe Beef Burger and Garlic Fries
- Choice 3 – Penne alla Vodka with Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage
Desserts
- Choice 1 – Warm and Gooey Chocolate Cake
- Choice 2 – Crisp Banana Cheesecake ‘Bunuelos’
- Choice 3 – Platter of Freshly Made Cookies and Milk