So, I’m meeting with a VERY IMPORTANT business associate on Thursday, March 31st, downtown, or near downtown.
I’m not a lunch-meeting-type person, nor do I typically have a lunch-meeting-type job, so this is totally out of the ordinary for me. She’s flying in to meet with a number of people (not just me), and has asked me to pick the destination.
She said “pick a restaurant” and my brain just kinda shut down. I literally almost said Marisco Jalisco, which would have made for a great lunch (for me), but not necessarily a good impression.
My criteria would be:
Within 10 to 15 minutes of downtown.
Quiet enough to discuss business.
Not going to make me look unhinged for recommending it.
Not too extravagant.
Good food.
Drago Centro - Classy, gorgeous dining room, and sensible Lunch Menu prices. Great homemade pastas.
Factory Kitchen - More low-key than Drago. Homemade pastas as well.
Redbird - Chef Neal Fraser’s flagship restaurant. Beautiful modern design. American Small Plates. Open for Lunch Tues - Fri. Totally forgot they open for lunch now.
Personally, I like Factory Kitchen a lot, but its an edgier venue (both location or food). Drago or Chya next door would be better choices (in the cant go wrong vein) in my opinion. I would also consider NicK & Stef’s - which is great for a business lunch - but may be a bit pricy.
If you are ok with just ok food and want a business setting at a lower price point than Drago, Chya or Nick & Stef’s, you can go to the Grand Cafe in the Omni Hotel. Its very suitable for a business lunch but not memorable in any way food wise.
Great point @Thor@Sgee about Factory Kitchen. I guess being in LA for a while, you get used to that stuff, and Downtown LA redevelopment these days is so “in flux” that you get used to seeing brand-new stylish development mashed up against homeless people.
Given that and @Moomin’s “VERY IMPORTANT” phrase, I’d say go with Drago Centro and Redbird (or Nick & Stef’s). Some classy, gorgeous spaces, and very professional.
