Hi gang,
So, the All-Star Game is around the corner, and I'm going to be there (and out in the LA area for more than a week before and after, to see the Dodgers play the Cubs before and the Angels play the Mariners after. Editor-in-Chief John Perrotto will be in attendance for the All-Star festivities as well, and BP intern Steph Bee lives in the area, so naturally we're thinking we ought to make a point of meeting BP readers in the greater LA area.
Which brings me to problem #1: Are folks in the area or coming to LA for the All-Star Game interested? Because sitting around and talking about baseball over food and drink is almost always a good time. My expectation is that we'd aim for the weekend before the break, so July 10 or perhaps better still the 11th. How's that sound?
Then there's problem #2: I know LA only slightly better than I do Paris, which is to say I have a vague sense of where everything is (ocean's thataway, etc.), except that it's big, and in its sprawly hugeness, I have no idea where a good place to get together would be. Steph's initial idea of the ESPN SportsZone restaurant near Disney seems sensible, since it doesn't look like the Anaheim location's going to close, but is that really the spot to run with? Folks have anything more decidedly Angeleno and less corporate in character to recommend? Is Anaheim a convenient location for most folks? If there's a better suggestion, let's make that happen.
Finally, it doesn't have to involve pizza.
Register your thoughts here, and let's figure out a plan of action.
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Also, as irrelevant as it may sound, Sunday the 11th is the World Cup final, so the 10th might be a better choice -- why force folks to choose if it isn't necessary?
I would at least try to make Anaheim, but would prefer something closer to downtown L.A.
For train stations in the Anaheim area, Anaheim, Anaheim Canyon, and Fullerton are possibilities for people who want to go that route, though Metrolink has made tons of cutbacks over the past few months and there are few weekend routes.
For what it's worth, I'm in the far NW corner of the SF valley, so none of the mentioned sites are remotely nearby. But, as has been mentioned, there isn't *anything* that's convenient to everybody in greater LA.
I heartily recommend Phillippe's for the food, but it's not really a place you can have 30 people hang out for four hours. See also, Pantry, The.
One of the reasons we didn't really do much in LA was the geography. It's just not easy to find a location and a setting that will get you a quorum. Honestly, a ballgame might not be a bad idea; the Dodgers do group rates in the upper tank that are pretty cheap. Not sure about the Angels.
If you do LA, Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock is great for pizza, but would be logistically difficult (always crowded, cash only, last I heard they didn't take reservations). Masa in Echo Park is quieter, centrally located (walking distance from Dodger Stadium if you're a good walker), and has good stuff besides pizza. Philippe's downtown is a French dip place, not pizza - cheap, good for a group, not particularly great but a uniquely LA experience.
Disclaimer is that I know NOTHING about going out here. All I know is that if you want to go somewhere for a decent burger, breathtaking ocean view, and cheap drinks on a sunday afternoon right on the strand* with no wait in Manhattan Beach; then this is your spot. Sit on the top floor open air patio or at the bar and stare out at the ocean and pier.
* the strand is the sidewalk bordering the beach.
Parking will be a pain, but it will be worth it. The upstairs area will fit 40 people, easy.
Wurstkuche
http://www.wurstkucherestaurant.com/
Has some semi-separate rooms a bunch of people could take over if they wanted (and if they were available--they don't do reservations). Not too expensive, on street parking, good beers, fine sausages of all varieties--traditional, exotic, even vegetarian.
That neighborhood reminds me of Señor Fish down the street, too... huge patio, good food, might be an idea worth considering.