<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> As a preface, I would like to note that my request was for information relating to restaurants near Sherman Oaks (in the San Fernando Valley). Los Angeles is a big place, and no single post can effectively cover all the ground. Also, as I am a vegetarian, the suggestions may not cover some other very good GF-friendly restaurants in this vicinity. During my short stay, I dined at 3 restaurants. All were excellent. 1) Skirball Cafe (inside the Skirball Museum). This is located on Sepulveda Blvd., just south of the tunnel underneath Mulholland Drive, and is also adjacent to the 405 (San Diego Fwy.). I had a chop salad (about $10). The vinegrette dressing was the best I've ever had. There is a great menu with all kinds of very fresh and appetizi ng foods and I would highly recommend it. Plus parking is free and easy! 2) 17th Avenue Cafe on Montana. This is in Santa Monica. Had a homemade vegetable soup that was very good, but might have used a bit more flavor. Then a grilled vegetable chop salad ("chop" seems to be big in L.A.), which was also very good. 3) Daily Grill in Encino (on Ventura Blvd.) They have a website at dailygrill.com which is comprehensive and includes their entire menu in an easily accessible format and also shows their 12 or so locations. Had the Grilled Vegetable Plate (Grilled Vegetables with Steamed Spinach, Broccoli, Green Beans and Cauliflower, also available with Baked Potato). About $14. Another winner. Recommendations from listmates (thank you to those offering help!) follow: The Cheesecake Factory just opened up in Sherman Oaks, corner of Sepulveda and Ventura Blvd. Tempo restaurant in Encino is nearby and has a wonderful mid Eastern vegetarian assortment. Of course it has a lot of dips so one should bring their own rice crackers or rice cakes because the serve with Pita bread. There is a Trader Joe's in Sherman Oaks on Riverside and Hazeltine also. There are several; restaurants that I eat at often in S.O. One is Marmalade, one is Cafe Cordiale, one is Cafe Bijou. I am not a vegetarian so I am not as knowledgeable about that, but the all have great salads. Stanley's in S. O. makes the best Chinese Chicken Salad in the whole world using rice noodles. You won't have a problem out here. The restaurants are all used to people with all kinds of dietary requirements. --------- May I suggest Valley Inn on Sherman Oaks Place in Sherman Oaks? Also, Tony Roma for Ribs on Ventura Blvd. in Encino. Although they are not vegetarian, Valley Inn has a pasta/vegetable entree on their menu. KooKooRoo, a chain of casual dining restaurants offers several vegetable "side" dishes. They have a store in Encino, as well as one in Studio City and Canoga Park. The Sherman Oaks area between Van Nuys Blvd. and Sepulveda Blvds. (near Whole Foods Market) has many small restaurants which offer vegetarian, Indian and health food menus. Genmai Sushi is in Van Nuys which is quite near to Sherman Oaks. They have great vegetarian good,and while not specifically gluten free, they are knowledgeable and eager to please. The Celiac Disease Foundation is also nearby. Look them up in the phone book, they will have a restaurant list. ----------------- I've found this link so far. http://www.larestaurant.com/vegetarian_cuisine.htm I haven't been to these places, but I thought you might be able to call the phone numbers and ask. I know there are some really good vegetarian restaur ants in the area, but the ones I've been too are usually heavy on the whole wheat, semolina, tempeh, hvp, etc. And the ones that do cater to a wheat-free diet have a fair number of oat dishes. It's tricky. I've seen at least two that do rice noodle based soups. With my other food allergies I haven't been able to try it out. Native Foods is in Westwood and has an online menu and restaurant location: http://www.nativefoods.com/ Then there's Real Food Daily: http://www.realfood.com/ Only saw a couple of safe things on the menu. And Follow Your Heart Restaurant and Cafe: http://www.followyourheart.com/index.html (21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303 (818) 348-3240) Saw a few things on their menu. Thai restaurants serve rice noodle dishes, and Sherman Oaks has a few. Charm Thai (13539 Ventura Blvd., just east of Woodman, Sherman Oaks 818/990-7384) does st eamed veggies, curried tofu, and a few other things. I'm not sure about the spices and prep. The Asian and sushi restaurants are another option. I prefer vegie sushi. There's a sushi restaurant in Little Tokyo that'll do cooked veggie dishes; you have to explain carefully what you can and can't have. More and more of the restaurants in CA are diversifying the menus in favor of vegetarians; it's just a matter of spices, sauces, etc. and me remembering what all is up that way. Here's a list of Japanese restaurants in the area if you'd like to try: http://www.californiaroll.com/docs/english/categories/11/index/index.07. html I'd try the hole-in-the-wall places. I've found it's easier to explain dietary restrictions that way. Some of the larger mexican restaurant chains will do veggie fajitas. It's normally zucchini, bell peppers, and squash. If you call ahead of time an d explain they'll make it without seasoning. You can substitute avocado slices for the guacamole.