Getting to Lawry's From Renaissance Hollywood Hotel

[Syndrome]

Sorry to keep bugging y'all, but I am clueless about CA. On our Adventure By Disney, we're spending a couple of nights at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel at 1755 N. Highland Ave. Searching online, I stumbled across the CA Lawrys the Prime Rib restaurant. I am a HUGE fan of the Chgo. Lawry's, so I ran directions and it looked like it's only five miles from the hotel and only entails a couple of miles on one street, then turn and a couple miles down another. In theory that's simplicity. In practice, how much cab fare am I looking at, and are the cabbies going to try to rip us off? Is it even easy to find cabs so we'll have a way to get back? And are the restaurants really dressy? In Chicago, Lawry's used to be but now most people just wear jeans.

Lord, I sound like such a hopeless tourist!!

[hobie16]

...I ran directions and it looked like it's only five miles from the hotel and only entails a couple..

Five miles in LA can take an eternity.

[Elena (aka: Bubble Lady)]

Five miles in LA can take an eternity.

[font="Palatino Linotype"]hobbie's right...depending on the time of day it could take a half an hour to get there (i know exactly where it is on la cienega)...a cab may not rip you off, but 5 miles in this city isn't always 5 miles...especially up in that neck of the woods...you could call a cab company and get an estimate (yep, they'll do that, but it's only an estimate :) )...

the dress here is pretty casual these days, so jeans sounds about right (though there are those who will still dress up for dinner...just like there are people who will still dress up to go to the theater :D: )...

if you go let me know how it is...i've never been there myself...ahahaha...and i've lived here all my life...probably less than 5 miles away...and i used to pass by it all the time [/font]

[Syndrome]

If it's anything like the Chicago Lawry's, it will be DIVINE! The cows for the prime rib are raised up in Heaven. When the angels transport them down, they also pause to create a sauce made of horseradish and unsweetened whipped cream that is like nothing you've ever tasted. Their creamed corn and spinach is to die for too. It's one of the very few things I miss now that I'm in FL and a no-miss when I visit Chicago.

The Chgo. Lawry's is getting a rather interesting atmosphere lately tho'. I did a blog entry about it last year (the Lawry's part is a little ways in). If the Beverly Hills location has a bathroom attendant with Blow Pops, I swear I'll die of laughter!

http://celebrationfl.blogspot.com/2007_ ... chive.html

[glendalais]

I think the bigger issue is the fact that Taxis aren't really popular as a form of transportation here in Southern California, so it might be hard to find one. They're around, but most of the time, you have to call ahead and ask them to pick you up. You'll be staying in a more urban area, so it might be different.

Looking at the route, though, you can take the Metro Bus Route 217 (this will be a white and orange bus) from Hollywood/Highland to Fairfax/Wilshire. Then cross the street diagnoally and take Metro Rapid Route 720 (this will be a red and white/gray bus) to Wilshire and La Cienega, which will drop right in front of the restaurant.

[MaddenHatter]

Depending on the time you go, it shouldn't take you longer the 30 minutes to get there from the Hotel.

But, the Hollywood and Highlands corner can be a real bear to navigate. and can take a good amount of sitting in traffic as its a very touristy spot of Hollywood.

So, that said, good luck. and maybe budget an hour each way in the trip. Or go for an early dinner on a weekday. But traffic in that part of town on those streets is a nightmare.

And have the hotel call a cab for you a little before you want to leave.

And be sure to get the phone number of the company, or The restaurant could probably call one for you if you forget this step.

All in all, its unpredictable what traffic will be like. It could take you 10 minutes to get there, or it could take an hour.

[Syndrome]

Thanks for the info. on buses. That looks perfect! Hopefully they run late enough to get us back if we get out late. I ran the routes as late as 11:30 pm and it looks like we'll be okay. Hopefully the neighborhood's no worse than good old downtown Chicago. :p:

[MaddenHatter]

Is good old downtown Chi town gridlocked to the point that only 3 or 4 cars get through each green light? That is what Highlands and Hollywood can get like. Sometimes even worse.

[Syndrome]

Yep, we used to take Lake Shore Drive to get to Lawry's and that was often bumper to bumper, as was Michigan Ave. There were probably times when it took an hour to go five miles!

[felinefan]

Yeah, the reason you can't flag a cab down in L.A. is too many of them were getting robbed that way. Only on Hollywood Boulevard (certain places) and at airports will you find taxi stands. As to Lawry's, I wonder because I'm sure the ones here made and sold their mixes and sauces for sale in the supermarkets; I know the restaurants are connected, but which came first I'm not sure. I'd ask mom, but she's watching a basketball game and is too busy cussing out the players. (Phil Jackson had better watch out!). :D:

Man, and people say the traffic in L.A. is bad.... Chicago sounds even worse.