Macaroni Grill * * * * / + + + + $$

Who? Rajay, Tatsuzo, Steve, Andrew
Where? El Segundo, Rosencranz & Aviation
Zagat: * * *, $22

Andrew's take: First of all, thanks to TATSUZO for suggesting this restaurant. A nice dining environment with both booths and tables (suitable for a date) and operatic singing waiters. You can snack solely on the bread appetizers, which are spongy and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, and then pack up half your dinner to go. Don't forget to soak the bread in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The sangria was very refreshing, but very watered down with ice - so even 1L of the stuff won't do anything to you. The key is to get the "Create your own Pasta" card: from this you can select your pasta type, sauce and vegetables all for about $9. I added spicy sausages and shrimp (for extra) and it was so very good. Not much of a wait on Saturday night and free parking in the lot across from the restaurant.

Themos' take: This is a nice place that is a mix of 2 type of cuisines: Classic pasta stuff, plus grill type dishes (mostly chicken), and then combination of these two. The food quality is impressively good, the service is excellent, and I have no words for the bread they bring for appetizer (I had 2 whole loafs myself). The audience comprises mostly of families and adults - not your traditional student hangout.