This is my meal, it’s called GIRL DINNER.  You know the dinner.  When you’re too tired from crushing your day and you don’t wanna put together a whole meal, you throw a few things together and voila!  Either by yourself or with your girlfriends, here is a list of places in LA where you can mish-mosh a meal together and truly have it all!

Bon Vivant – Atwater Village – @bonvivantmc

Bon Vivant is a  gem of a restaurant that is vastly overlooked, but for the girls who get it, get it.  It’s easy to drop in and ask Patrick, the local cheesemonger, to make you one of the best charcuterie boards in the state of California.  Throw in some Pomme Frites, and some salmon toast points and you’ve got yourself a prime girl dinner.  Lots of metered parking is available, or if you’re willing to walk around the block, there’s always some free slots on the street.  

Third Stop – West Hollywood – @3rdstopla

The 3rd Stop  is where you go after working your stressful job to zone out and grab a pint or two.  While they only serve craft beer and wine, they happen to carry one of my favorites, Abita Purple Haze straight outta New Orleans.  Everything on the menu works in your favor to design your ideal meal from chicken wings to spicy ahi tuna tartar bites to fire roasted artichokes.  Make friends at the bar or sit quietly with your thoughts as you devour some roasted beets and burrata.  Simply perfect!

Porto’s – Burbank – @portosbakery 

Want to treat yourself to the finer delights of a San Fernando Valley Girl Dinner? Look no further than Porto’s Bakery!  Follow the locals when assembling your meal and start with the Potato Balls.  From meat pies (how British!), to turnovers, to various chocolate delights, Portos is the perfect one-stop shop when you’re too tired to prepare a healthy meal. So grab your food to go,  snuggle up in the blanket on the couch, watch your favorite comfort show, and snack until you fall asleep. Don’t be scared by the lines here, they move quickly. 

Manchego – Santa Monica – @manchegosm 

We love a beach day, but when you’re soaked full of the sun and need to snack the night away, there’s no better place than Manchego.  With sangria in abundance, their goat cheese and dried fig tostada and deviled eggs are fantastic ways to start off the night.  Snag a bowl of their mac & cheese, and perhaps even order a second plate of the ghost cheese and dried fig tostada (yeah, it’s that good).  Top your meal off with their delightful tiramisu and you’ll be as full as possible after a long day of unwinding by the sea!

Bacari – Silverlake – @eatwithbacari 

Wanna act like you live in a magical treehouse while enjoying all the miss matched snacks you can dream of?  Then look no further than Bacari.  While they have multiple locations, the one in Silverlake is something special.   Everything on the menu is meant to be shared and the portions are perfect for even the most abundant Girl Dinner.  From scallops to beef cheek to chicken sliders to ricotta and beet gnocchi, Bacari has a tasty cocktail menu to match each selection perfectly.  Valet is available outside or come early to attempt Silverlake Street parking!

PRANK – DTLA – @prankbar
Walk up.   Sit down.  No reservations needed.  Prank Bar is your best bet for your Girl Dinner after the big game or random downtown adventure!  Their happy hour is fantastic and features far better cocktails than you’ll find at the average spot. Order the Vegan Nachos (I promise you won’t notice!), the cauliflower, throw on some shrimp skewers and you’ll be set.  While Prank has key vibes they still maintain high quality service and food so you won’t be disappointed in your visit.  Street parking isn’t too bad for this part of downtown (unless there is a game), but with plenty of $10 -$15 lots nearby, Prank is well worth the visit!