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For many years, eating before going to a Laker’s game and especially now during “The Playoffs”, involved an attempt to find a convenient dining spot somewhere before the arrival at Staples Center. Bluntly, while downtown is now in the renaissance mode and there is the Nokia Theater and a soon to be opened Four Seasons adjacent to Staples, the restaurant situation could currently still be described as disappointing for a major city center. During The Lakers “Championship Years” we were constantly queried about reasonably priced and convenient eating that is near Staples or even “just on the way”. Except for a couple of Sushi bars and a BBQ joint in Studio City just off the 101, there were none that we could recommend. And as we all know Sushi isn’t for every one and perhaps especially not for most Laker Fans. Now however after quick playoff exits in recent years, it appears that basketball will be played downtown until June. So the queries have returned with a vengeance. Thus, here is our present downtown food, price, and convenience analyses that can also be adjusted slightly for use at The Music Center. Five of the Six supposedly decent spots downtown all have the immediate problem of being well beyond walking distance to Staples. Some have other negatives. The Water Grill, is not only the best free standing restaurant downtown it is also one of the two great seafood restaurants in the Southern California. However after maxing out the credit card on tickets for the game, little is left for the high tabs generated by the justifiably acclaimed selection of quality fish remarkably prepared by seafood maven David Lefevre and served by a friendly and very competent staff. Further it is not the type of dining you want to rush through. It is to be leisurely enjoyed. They do shuttle to The Music Center. But it is a very long walk to Staples.
Cicada has survived primarily because of its convenient shuttle to The Music Center and a room that most, justifiably consider the ultimate romantic dining spot in the city. You are, however paying for both the ambience and the shuttle. The Pacific Dining Car is downtown and a time warp steak house that has been overwhelmed by the recent onslaught of contemporary competitors. Service is haughty and prices are rather high. This is surprising since most patrons appear to have been collecting Social Security for years.
Years later, when Splichal still had the time to cook, Café Pinot at the downtown library garden was a pleasant, fairly priced choice with rather interesting food just a cut below the famed Patina. It is, however a very long walk from both Staples and The Music Center. Further as Splichal opted to become a nouveau entrepreneur, the talented chef distanced himself from the stoves. You should note that he now never seems to appear on The Iron Chef or other shows opposing Wolfie, Mario, Bobby or even the dreaded Emeril. Café Pinot has become one of his disappointments. There have been other problems at that location. So it may come as a surprise to you that my # 1 choice for pleasant dining, ambience and service at reasonable prices, along with convenient adjacent parking, just three blocks from Staples is Zucca ristorante. As it turns out it is one of just two of Splichal's forays into Italian cooking.
The other is a pizza joint in Disneyland,
It would appear therefore that Joachim has turned in those formerly sharp and serious carbon steel blades in his kitchen for the rotor blades of a helicopter. You see, he now has two other restaurants in Disneyland, plus Las Vegas, Costa Mesa, two in Napa, two at the Music Center and a couple of others around the state. Plus he provides casual dining and... or catering at most of the other performing Arts Centers and Museums in Southern California including the Hollywood Bowl. Go figure. Zucca is on Figueroa and 9th. While the ambience was always inviting, Zucca stumbled at first. It seemed unsure of its identity and direction. It now reinvented itself, offering well executed rather basic ethnic Italian food, but prepared with typical Splichal upscale ingredients. Service is casual and friendly.
There are approximately 10 appetizers and salads priced in the $8 to $10.50 range. Selected soups are $7.50. 3 entrée type salads featuring Tuna, Chicken or Italian Salami are about $17. 10
interesting Pastas are offered including my choice, the eponymous Tortelloni
a la Zucca which is a Pumpkin Ravioli. It is derived from the
wonderful and authentic
northern culinary
area of the Po Valley near the iconic cities of Parma (cheese) and Modena
(balsamic vinegar). Prices are around
$18. Freshly prepared special Risottos are available slightly higher at
market price.
Zucca ristorante
801 South Figueroa
Adjacent Fee Parking Most Credit Cards - Open Daily
"Frankly" Noted Goings On in the County and The Nation Supersizing is Only Part of the Obesity Story As you all know, we refuse to review the "dreaded" chain eateries that have inundated us since none of them offer dining, they offer eating and at every level seem to be the top cause of obesity in this country with super-sizing. At the extreme level think Cheesecake Factory and Claimjumper. Well not it gets even worse. Many of them seem to be calorie and fat liars. Scripps Howard Television (which is associated with our own Ventura County Star) has a vested interest in fine food since they operate The Food Channel. Well they recently surveyed 23 supposed diet menus in places like Applebees, Macaroni Grill, Chili's, Taco Bell (think Westlake Blvd) plus the above, In 78% of the cases, the fat content exceeded the menu specs ranging from 33% more to in some cases 400% more. Calories exceeded listed diet menu specs in 65% of the cases ranging from 10% to 100%. Macaroni Grill was the most egregious. It's Skinny Chicken was supposed to have 500 calories but it actually had over 1,000. Fat content was listed as 6 but contained 49. Brinker's International owns Macaroni Grill and another culprit-On The Border. The management when confronted apologized and said they strive to make their nutritional information accurate. Gino's Trattoria - It seems hard to believe. But Gino has been delivering "down home" Italian food including classic "thin crust" Neapolitan Pizza along with an unequalled line of Southern Italian patter and "schmaltz" that keeps everybody in the restaurant in a good mood. Gino's now has a full service bar which features Karaoke on Wednesdays, Happy Hour on Tuesday and Thursday with 1/2 price drinks and bar appetizers. and Poker Sundays with two free entry tournaments at 6 and 9. All that and Gino for free creates an entertainment and dining experience that may be unequalled in all of Ventura County. Oh Yeah They offer free Crostini with Dinner for two SundaysThurs Gino's is at 720 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Reserve at 805-494-7743 . The Four Seasons Hotel- Many folks around town call this "Murdoch's Folly " . It is hard to tell what he was thinking. The hotel that looks like his office building does not seem to be producing any kind of return on investment. His highly touted head chef at Hampton's is gone, replaced by the sous chef. However they keep trying. Thus they have reinstated 1/2 price Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Onyx Sushi Bar. You can start out with a drink at the lovely outside patio and stay there or move inside to watch the sushiyas do their magic or just sit at an inside table. Call to confirm that it is still in effect. It all may be their misfortune but a fortunate bargain for you to visit a 5 star Hotel and dine in romantic and exquisite surrounding while putting just a small dent in your credit card. There is valet parking as well as open parking as you enter. Reservations may be crucial . They validate the valet parking but it still costs $5 805-575-3000. The long term owner of The Sagebrush Cantina died recently.
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