As we’re approaching restaurant week eve, I thought this thread would be useful. As I have a penchant for giving entities that do not deserve second chances a multitude of chances, I’m trying to find the good deals or great experiences that are potentially hidden in the DineLA restaurant week.
I don’t want to just ask – after browsing the menus here are some that stuck out to me.
I think the most amusing addition to the week is [Nusr-et](https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela/restaurant/189057), and I might almost be compelled to just see if the infamy proves true.. but that would require me to give them money.
I’ve had [Toku Unagi & Sushi](https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela/restaurant/56535)’s restaurant week menu before, and it was pretty… OK. I give it huge points for presentation (love the lacquered box the unajyu comes in) but the flavor is nothing groundbreaking. Maybe my palate is not there, but I really enjoyed my friend’s sushi set more – this time around, Toku is offering a more expensive omakase-style set for dinner.
[M Grill](https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela/restaurant/417) is always a classic. I sorely miss the $25/pp restaurant week lunch they used to have. I also miss the complimentary dessert that they also used to have for the dinner price. For another option, [H&H](https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela/restaurant/21805) is there as well – I find their cuts less-seasoned which gives much more room to add seasoning of my own; however, I GREATLY prefer M Grill’s chicken hearts over H&H’s. Putting on too much aromatics can be a shortcoming for H&H..
Not sure if this is something new for the week, but they also have a “Michelin” filter – though it does not have finer filters so it’s harder to see who exactly has a recommendation, bib gourmand, or a star(s).
I wouldn’t say I’m a seasoned restauranteur (or even a novice one), I just want to get good food at a good price! Though, with each passing restaurant week, I imagine it’ll be harder and harder to find.
by TAKIFAN555555
6 Comments
For the sake of the conversation, I generally don’t recommend DineLA if you are looking for a deal. The “deals” are often some kind of set menu that includes apps and desserts, but often doesn’t include a signature dish that you’ll want to add on anyway for an additional cost. For many places, DineLA *increases* the average spend per guest. Instead of grabbing a small plate and a signature dish, you order and spend more than you normally would because of the perceived “value.” I fully encourage supporting local restaurants, but this isn’t my personal favorite way to do so.
It’s really annoying having to skim through all the restaurants that put out set menus that don’t actually give you a discount or deal or anything, but I did see Kazan ramen has a set menu that’s $55 for a ramen of choice along with two appetizers. And looking at their menu, it seems like it’s an actual deal at least compared to their normal prices. The lamb in lava is normally $68, so being able to get that plus two appetizers for $65 seems pretty nice, I mean as nice as $68 ramen can be of course
Kazunori costs $1 more than the 5-set and that gives you an order of salmon sashimi.
Kodo looks pretty solid, maybe $10-15 saved.
Wine House Kitchen looks like a standout with a good selection of food that represents the menu and you save ~$20.
I haven’t been here, but[ Capital Grille](https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela/restaurant/109569) legitimately looks like a deal just from comparing to the menu
$65 for Dine LA, for a salad/soup, entree, side, and dessert
On the dinner menu, looks like the 10oz Filet Mignon alone is $63 normally
Lawry’s is the only place I’ve ever felt offered an actual deal for DineLA.
The answer is none/dont/stay home/cook for yourself.