Los Angeles' Best BYOB Restaurant 2008

Dedicated neighborhood crowd packs in for slices of the original California pizza.

Reviews:

• “Avoid for the service”
• “Our favorite local restaurant…”
• “Great at night for a dark, chill vibe”
• “Excellent customer service!! "
• “Caioti Pizza Cafe”

Tips: All specialty pizzas include mozzarella in addition to any other cheese listed—but they don’t all come with traditional sauce. Be sure to carefully read the description before ordering.

Caioti Pizza Cafe or email Caioti Pizza Cafe

A sophisticated stop in downtown Los Angeles.

Reviews:

• “I signed up for City Search just to complain about this place”
• “Terrible Service, Average Food, Wait Staff Could Care Less”
• “Another example of “haute pretentious cuisine”….."
• “Good food, excellent wine, decent service, a bit small if you can’t sit outside”
• “Great Experience”

Tips: Don’t use the numeric address to find Cafe Pinot—it’s on the corner of Flower and Fifth.

Cafe Pinot

The valley’s favorite French restaurant maintains its popularity with fresh ingredients, bargain rates and fine service.

Reviews:

• “Cozy Elegance not to mention fine food”
• “Time Slot Seating? Dot waste your time.”
• " TUDE, SNUDE, and RUDE!!!"
• “Fantastic dinner for four – under $100”
• “Delicious food!”

Tips: Reservations are hard to come by, so plan ahead and consider visiting for a late dinner.

Cafe Bizou

Westwood bistro serves French cuisine, design-your-own pasta, brunch, and wine by the bottle or glass. Catering is available.

Reviews:

• “Great food and great customer service”
• “Eat less but eat Well”
• “Great Experience”
• “Amazing service and wonderful food”
• “Perfect Date Spot”

Tips: Wednesday nights feature all-you-can-eat mussels.

Soleil

Patina Group updates former Pinot Hollywood space with a stylish lounge, haute-American small plates, and snappy signature cocktails.

Reviews:

• “Looks Like Things Have Changed”
• “Good food but very small portions”
• “Good, but not amazing”
• “HORRIBLE service”
• “I’m still hungry!”

Tips: Order the “staff meal” as a light dinner, and get a bargain price on whatever the kitchen team is eating that day.

eat. on sunset or email eat. on sunset

Low-budget tropical decor reigns supreme at one of Thai Town’s cult-fave spots for traditional dishes and unique specialties.

Reviews:

• “Best Thai joint!”
• “Great Thai”
• “Thai me up, Thai me down”

Tips: The restaurant’s sign on the mall listing board is only in Thai—look for the mall just east of the huge two-storey Thailand Plaza. Parking is only a nominal fee with validation.

Ruen Pair

Expense-account diners and couples pack this sleek, modern steakhouse nestled amid towering skyscrapers.

Reviews:

• “Great steaks, ugly restaurant”
• “A completely unsatisfactory experience in every sense. Avoid.”
• “Not worth $200 for Dinner!”
• “Big Fans!”
• “Disappointing customer service, poor quality food, uninspiring decor”

Tips: Weekday happy hour, 3pm-7:30pm, offers a separate menu, which includes jerk pork, buffalo wings and hummus platter. Dinner menu items can also be ordered in the bar.

Nick & Stef’s Steakhouse

Quiet stretch of Robertson turns a dozen tables into the Left Bank with a nod to fresh California cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Best Brunch Ever”
• “Consistently Good”
• “A terrific taste of France "
• “Cute but crowded…”
• “mediocre food”

Tips: Vegetarians will find ample offerings such as the fresh fruit plate, cheese plate, cucumber salad, strawberry spinach salad, grilled eggplant sandwich and some quiches.

Cafe Flore or email Cafe Flore

Hiply stylish neighborhood cafe focused around Italian specialties, artisan cheese and charcuterie.

Reviews:

• “A Charming, Flavor-Focused Experience…BYOB”
• “Amazing Cheeses!!! "
• “Cheese… YUMMY”
• “favorite casual restaurant”
• “Worst Pasta Ever!”

Cube at divine pasta Co. or email Cube at divine pasta Co.

From strip-mall spaghetti stop to local institution, this is home-style Italian food that won’t break the bank.

Reviews:

• “Best Pizza on West Side of LA Period (from wistful NYC’ers)”
• “Great pasta, despite a long wait "
• “Just try it…”
• “Great find”
• “Wonderful little slice of L.A.”

Tips: The tiny Marina del Rey location doesn’t serve alcohol, but feel free to bring your own. Beer and wine is served at the more spacious Westchester branch.

Alejo’s Presto Trattoria

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