There is a great restaurant called Josies in Santa Monica. Check them out, make a reservation. It's worth it. Ask for a table by the fireplace.
Then, come back here and tell us all about your experience.
http://www.josierestaurant.com/entermain.htm
The Hump in santa Monica is also awesome - it is literally at the Santa Monica Airport - small, intimate.
You can then go to the more clubby bar downstairs, Typhoon for drinks and dancing.
Do it.
http://www.thehump.biz/
The Lobster - in Santa Monica - it's literally almost on the water at the pier. Great views, fantastic seafood. Google it, I'm too lazy at the moment.
Go for a dinner and time it around sunset. Ask for a window seat. After dinner, walk along the Santa Monica pier.
Lawry's is not that great (in my opinion. I've had better steak etc).
Mr. Chow is not really chinese food. If you actually like ethnic foods, go to Monterey Park or the San Gabriel Valley for great Chinese food that can't be beat (Mr. Chow's is a "forks" type of a place, fusion, where you pay more for decor than food).
Try Little Ethiopia - great restaurants there and fun experience.
Or if you like Persian food, Shamshiri, Javan in Westwood are really good.
For Philipino food, trek down to Little Manila - there's a Goldilocks there and some other mom and pop food places.
Thai town is great for midnight dining. Just above Hollywood. Try Samaluang Cafe. Awesome food, great prices. Reminds me of Thailand.
Santa Monica is just down the 405 from Sherman Oaks (about 10 minutes if you arfe lucky or longer). Hollywood is not too bad either.
Let me know if you need more suggestions.