I remember seeing a glass house on the beach somewhere in Orange County. I really wanted to throw something at it...

as usual Ben is being negative, whats wrong with a glass house? Being able to not afford things is not a reason to put others down, life lesson 1

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I think he just forgot the I didn't see anything negative. It's more like WOW - I wonder what would happen if I threw something at that glass house. Like Spicoli in Fast Times - duh that's my skull.

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I wasn't being negative; it really was like what would happen if I threw something at it. But I'm sure people have tried that and the owners wouldn't have a glass house if that were the case.

Secondly; I really want to know why you would say a thing about me usually being negative? Where do you get that from? Can you link to me something that shows me being negative?

I think you are being more negative towards me for telling me what I can't afford.

ylwjacket -

Here's some restaurant suggestions if you haven't planned any specific out any reservations. Since you have kids with you, I've tried to give you some good choices where you can take the kids too, but still have excellent food.

Santa Barbara

Sojourner Cafe for lunch, reservations probably not necessary for lunch.

Santa Monica

Chaya Venice - excellent Asian-French fusion food. Celebs wil wonder in on occasion. Go early if you have the kids.

Border Grill - Mexican influenced dishes. Kid friendly during early evening.

Typhoon - a high end Asian fusion restaurant with every type of Asian cooking under the sun (chinese, japanese, thai, vietnamese, korean, filipino, etc.) Only place in L.A. that serves cooked insects!

Pasadena - all of these are within 5-10 min of the Ritz-Carlton Pasadena.

Bistro 45 - French American food, very small classy restaurant off the beaten trail. My personal favorite in Pasadena.

Saladang and Saladang Song - best Thai food in LA bar none. It's so popular they had to build 2 restaurants side by side. Very kid friendly at all hours. Great for either lunch or dinner. There is usually a line forming at 6:30 PM at both restaurants, they are that good.

Burger Continental - (The name is a misnomer, they actually have Middle Eastern food, great kabobs, kid friendly, probably a better choice for lunch instead of dinner, belly dancers at night)

Il Fornaio - it's a chain, but has the best pasta in LA IMHO. kid friendly if you reserve a private room.

El Cholo - Standard mexican food but well done. Very kid friendly.

Barn Burner - Texas style rib joint located next door to El Cholo. Picnic benches and butcher paper table cloths. Very kid friendly.

Marston's - for breakfast only, kid friendly, best bowl of oatmeal ever.

The best soft tacos in L.A (carne asada, carnitas, al pastor, lengua, sesos, cabeza) are sold off a taco truck on Fair Oaks Ave. 1 block north of California St. between 7PM and 2AM. Great for a midnight snack - just look for the truck with a long line of people.

Have a great trip.

wow - thanks for all the tips. i'll be tapping in on my mobile device to show these to my wife when we get there.

thanks again!

There's a lot more excellent restaurants in Santa Monica, but I live in the city next to Pasadena, so that's why the Pasadena list is bigger. When is your trip planned?

Don't count out Finger-Licking good Soul Food in LA.

1. Harold & Belle Creole Soul Food
*** LA on Jefferson Blvd
2. M&M Sould Food
Kodak Theater
Mall Toward Back
Hollywood Blvd.

Seafood dishes are the cheapest and the greatest in Moterey Park, Chinatown. It really helps having someone speaks Cantonese but you could still get by. I do.

I agree with all the Asawadude's selection. My favorite is the Border's Grill. Tortilla and salsa combination is superb. Margaritas are out of this world. They got a restaurant in Mandalaybay LV too.