I visited Bar Siesta on a warm spring evening on Monday for a lovely dinner - which, as it turns…read moreout, was the antidote to the Monday blues. We loved the warm ambience of Bar Siesta. There was ample al fresco seating, as well as atmospheric, candlelit dining inside. Menu items were reminiscent of my time in Spain and transported me back to my time there. What we ordered for the table, in order of preference: 1. Patatas bravas - fabulously crispy and flavorful. 2. Sardines - always a favorite, and the lemon zest contrasted nicely with the brininess of the fish. 3. Gambas - prawns were perfectly grilled and fresh. 4. Croquetas - love anything fried or crispy, so this was a classic choice. 4. Sardine toast - again, the lemon zest offset the fishiness beautifully. 5. King trumpet mushrooms - so umami, and almost tasted like steak. 6. The steak - loved the bright sauce that accompanied it. 7. Arroz - perhaps because I was expecting more of a paella dish, this one came out a little more textureless than I would've preferred. Decent flavor; just didn't entirely enjoy the mushy texture. 8. Morcilla de cebolla - I ordered this wanting to give blood sausage another try, but it's still not a favorite dish of mine and would not reorder. Overall, most dishes were enjoyable, well made and presented. We also enjoyed a carafe of basque wine, which complemented our meal very nicely. There's no dedicated parking lot, but there is street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. I was lucky enough to find parking on the street behind the restaurant.

Great service & vibe. Definitely great for date night…read more I tried their blood sausage, sardine on tomato bread, Ensalada Verde salad, and Arroz con Almejas. Blood sausage (Morcilla) was the highlight of the night! Just really delicious and would def recommend for everyone! Along with the house tab white wine, the food pairing was great! Portions are bit small, so not a place to come to pig out, but to enjoy the vibe, service, food, and company you bring. Def reocmmend!

Perfect summer dinner spot after a hike from the observatory!…read more My favorite is all their seafood (and basically that's all we've ordered) the sea bass is just amazing! I love the moisture and tenderness this fillet has! With the skin, but has no fishy taste at all. The sauce has the right amount of citrusy to bring out the freshness of the fish. Cocas I think is what they are pushing for! Like a mini pizza. Definitely worth trying, but compare that to the banger seafood they are dishing out, won't be a big issue to skip for a second time visit. They don't have a tasting menu but in the end, I do feel like all the dishes pair well with each other organically as a whole summer experience. Sitting at the corner, you also get to enjoy the gentle sunset coming through the lush tall trees just outside of the restaurant. Everything just clicked at that moment! (Also our waiter kinda looks like Tom Blyth, and he's so welcoming and friendly!)

Casa Leo is a new Spanish Tapas restaurant at the corner of Los Feliz and Hillhurst offering…read moremodern, avant-garde Spanish in a trendy setting. I came on a Thursday evening with a friend at opening and we were immediately seated. Our waitress was exceptional, walking us through the entire menu and specials from memory, expressing spectacular knowledge of the restaurant, sharing her favorites, what items we could skip, the "must trys", how to consume the soup (sip, don't spoon!) and taking care of us consistently throughout the evening. We began with the Gazpacho ($10), a light, cool, creamy tomato soup with Spanish melon and drizzle of olive oil that was a perfect, refreshing starter. Following was the Ancient Grain and Radicchio salad ($18), an immaculate blend of flavors - hearty grains, acidic lemon dressing, crispy walnuts, a tangy umami cheese, vibrant grassy mint, sweet strawberries, all covered in coarse finishing salt. Truly, all flavor profiles - every taste receptor - was captured in this plate. Next was the Seasonal Coca ($17) , pizza analog with sweet squash which too provided a great contrast of flavors and an excellent crust. Finishing was the Trout Escabeche ($21), a beautiful, perfectly cooked fillet drenched in a delectable broth brimming with flavor. We finished with Helen's Cheesecake ($10), which was delectable - a fluffy, airy center, top covered with a firm, yet light creme, atop a solid crust base. The texture and subdued flavors were unique and the perfect completion for the meal. The acclaim this Cheesecake gets is entirely deserved. It is rare that all dishes are winners, but Casa Leo delivered hit after hit. The Ancient Grain Salad, Trout, and Cheesecake were the winners. By the time we left almost two hours later, the place was packed full of like-minded foodies eagerly enjoying this savory Spanish sanctuary. Prices, above, are slightly elevated for the small plates, but very reasonable for the quality. With flawless fare and supreme staff, Casa Leo is an absolute must-visit, and worth a detour for anyone looking for a unique, Spanish-inspired experience they will remember for weeks to come. ¡Hasta Pronto Leo! I'll be seeing you again soon. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4.5/5 Value: 4/5

The food here was absolutely delicious! I came with my sister and we started with the boquerones al…read moreajillo, followed by the mixed paella. Everything was so flavorful and we really enjoyed it. The portions are very generous too. The paella was plenty for the two of us, and could easily be enough for three people if you don't have a big appetite. We both eat quite a bit and it was more than enough for us. The place itself is very simple and unassuming, both inside and out. You honestly wouldn't expect the food to be as good as it is just from looking at the place, but the food really speaks for itself. Service was good, although definitely on the slower side, so don't expect everything to come out super quickly. Overall, the food was wonderful. The paella was amazing, the boquerones were delicious, and I would absolutely come back!

Authentic food; hone-ly service…read more Could well be elevated with more attention to better food presentation, improved ambience and elevated service.

Dim lighting, cool vibes, Portuguese small plates and a 13th anniversary (aww my relationship is a…read moreteenager now!). The steak tartare was bright, acidic, perfectly balanced and it's paired with sweet potato chips.. I had to take a moment! SO. GEWD. The bacalhau fritters was another favorite of mine. Crisp outside, soft inside, salty in the best way. Ask for extra lemons to brighten it further and thank me later. The head on prawns were so well seasoned and beautifully cooked and the sauce? Divine. I would bathe in it. The french fries were perfect but the lemon parsley aioli they came with is the real main character and I will not hear otherwise. Aioli of my dreams. Literally. Caipirinha with port float and Rosa margarita were both giving. Bolo do caco and boquerones also ate. Service was a little cold to start but warmed up as the night went on, and they ended the meal by surprising us with bubbles for our anniversary which was the sweetest thing. Pricey but worth every single penny. Date night, anniversary, or some other special occasion, this is your spot.

A friend and I went to Barra Santos for dinner on a Wednesday night and grabbed seats at the bar…read more Our server was fantastic and gave us such great recommendations on the appetizers that we decided to skip the traditional main-course route and make an entire dinner out of small plates. Barra Santos is a small space, and it was packed when we were there. Sitting at the bar put us right in the middle of the action, and the close quarters gave the room a lively, cozy feel. They also have outdoor seating in front of the restaurant if you prefer a little more space. We started with Maria's Bacalhau Fritters, made with salt cod, potato, and caramelized onion. They came out crisp on the outside and tender inside with lemon on the side. We also tried one of the specials that night, the croquetes, which was a fun addition to the meal. The Summer Melon Salad was easily one of my favorites of the night. The sweetness of the melon was such a good complement to all of the savory dishes we were ordering. With hazelnuts, charred halloumi, and a basil-cilantro vinaigrette, it was refreshing without feeling like an afterthought. We also tried the Endive Salad with oranges, almonds, cheese, cilantro, and a sherry and smoked paprika vinaigrette. The Linguiça Spiced Meatballs had plenty of flavor, although the meatballs themselves were smaller than I expected when the dish arrived. The Sautéed Calamari Toast was another favorite. The squid tasted fresh, was cooked really well, and had a great texture. Between the chili oil sofrito and the charred bread underneath, the whole dish was packed with flavor. I really enjoyed trying Barra Santos this way because ordering several appetizers gave us a chance to experience a good portion of the menu. One thing worth keeping in mind is the portion size relative to the price. Most of the appetizers we ordered were around $20 or more, and the plates lean smaller, which can add up quickly when you're building an entire dinner out of them. I enjoyed what we ordered, but it's something I'd keep in mind when deciding how many dishes to get. Parking in the neighborhood can also take a little patience. I ended up finding a spot a couple of blocks away (definitely give yourself a few extra minutes rather than expecting to park right in front). I'd definitely be up for coming back and trying some of the mains next time. The Piri Piri Chicken already has my attention.

Where do I even begin with this fantastic establishment. My favorite wine bar ever. Wow. The care…read moreand dedication the staff have is amazing and you can tell they are genuinely passionate about what they do. It is really nice being able to come to a nice bar and receive such fantastic service. They will let you taste a few wines depending on what you like and it is awesome. The atmosphere is very vibey too, dim lights nice decorations and over all a great place. Need to come back and try the food menu now! Ciao

Covell was such a great experience! I wasn't sure what wine I wanted because I enjoy both red and…read morewhite wines, but the bartenders were incredibly knowledgeable and helped guide me to the perfect selections. Their recommendations were spot on. The atmosphere is intimate, cozy, and honestly perfect for a date night. It has such a warm and inviting vibe that makes you want to stay for hours. Unfortunately, we arrived just after the kitchen had closed, but that only gives me another reason to come back. The service was truly top-tier, and the wine was absolutely divine. I even enjoyed both a white and a red during my visit. Normally mixing wines can leave me with a headache the next day, but the bartenders paired everything so thoughtfully that the wines complemented each other beautifully, and I felt great afterward. I can't wait to return and experience both the food and wine together next time. Highly recommend!

I like this place a lot! I would recommend looking out for special events and specific nights since…read morethere is pretty regularly a cover charge. I've been there for sort of queer latine events and it's fun and vibrant and the space is really nice and big and reminiscent of Latin America

Not accessible AT ALL. If you enjoy a back entrance through…read morea junkies alley then by all means, you can access the bottom floor - they even have a pop up ramp for the entertainment. However, if you need a bathroom as a woman, they don't offer accessibility (I had to use the men's filthy restroom). I was considered more of a nuisance than a patron and i do not recommend this venue for people with access needs. The staff did their best but they have a long way to go.

This place is located in a seedyish part but don't be deterred there are so many great restaurants…read morearound here! Amalias is one of those gems. Came here on a Thursday night and it was karaoke night! So fun but really loud! Not the place to come if you want to have meaningful conversations! Haha! But you don't really come here for conversations, you come here for the best Guatemalan food in L.A.! Here's what we ordered: Enchiladas- which are nothing like Mexican enchiladas. There's no tortilla. It's actually a really fresh healthy dish and more like a salad. Fresh beets either queso fresco. So good! Cheeseburger and fries - ha! Yes the kid ordered that! He said it was delicious! The grilled fish - this comes with rice, beans and a salad. So filling. The fish was perfectly cooked and so light. The grilled shrimp - one this was my favorite. The shrimp was tasty. I keep craving it and need to go back for more. The thing that I could literally bathe in is there salsas. The green one isn't like regular salsa verde. It's more herbaceous and has just the right amount of spice. The red one is more like a tomato based sauce but I think it has red chilis too although it isn't really spicy at all. It is one of the tastiest sauces. It has a richness and the taste is indescribable. It's just delicious!! I'll be back for tubs of that thank you very much. :)

Authentic. Delicious…read more Two words to describe my experience at Amalia's Restaurant. Right in the heart of LA, at the corner of Beverly and Normandie. If you know the area, you'll know the parking situation. There's a plaza lot, which, on the night I came, was half empty--and it's free. Or you can try your luck on one of the side streets. I'm not sure about restrictions, but I didn't see any meters (though I wasn't really looking). Speak Spanish or bring someone who does. The evening I dropped in, the host/server/cashier didn't speak much English. I managed, but it definitely helped that my plus-one is fluent. Inside, it's all tables, set up to accommodate live music and dancing. Combined with the décor, including paintings, it felt like sitting in a Guatemalan courtyard, hanging out with food and drinks. There wasn't any music or dancing that night, but it was lively enough with the background music and the other guests enjoying their meals and having a good time. As for the food--see my pics! My friend and I shared everything in the photos. It was a combo, so we got a little bit of everything. We included drinks and dessert, and there were no to-go boxes needed. Knowing how labor-intensive some of the dishes can be, I have to say I really enjoyed how simple yet flavorful the dishes were--even down to the salsa. One of the two house salsas had a nice kick, and I enjoyed mixing them together. Hell yeah, this place is on my list to visit again--more than likely, sooner rather than later.

good view. nice food. very great service…read more duck was amazing. the rib eye was juicy. the drinks were refreshing. good view of disney hlal. i recommend thisp lace

Pre-opera Sunday brunch! It was a lovely day and the restaurant's menu, layout and location was a…read moregreat start to the day. We enjoyed the prixe fixe menu. It's a great option to try a little of everything on the menu. The pace of the meal was relaxing and we were able to enjoy an unhurried brunch. My favorite: Hitamasa crudo Grilled lubina Café bombon Enjoy!

I never write reviews, but I genuinely feel like I have to because I enjoyed this meal so much…read more Listen, this place took me to flavor town!! Everything was seasoned beautifully and cooked to perfection. The fish and oysters were fresh and the drinks were damn good. We also got the charred skirt steak with papas, and it was super tender and delicious. Unfortunately, I forgot to snap a pic because we devoured it so fast. My only tiny critique is that the Kona Kanpachi could've used a little more flavor, but the fish was so fresh and vibrant that I didn't mind. Our server, Denise was super attentive and full of great recommendations! This was one of the best dinners I've had in a long time. I'll absolutely be back. Chef's kiss!!

My family and I decided to stop by Encanto Restaurant while in the area. We took a rideshare there…read more The restaurant is nice. It's has a large bar area with natural light that comes in through the windows. They also have a lot of seating. When we walked in we were greeted right away by the host. He asked if we had reservations. We replied with a no. He took a few minutes and the said that he could seat us. He took us to a booth in the corner and then told us that our waiter would be taking care of us soon. He asked us if we wanted anything to drink. We told him water and he brought us some water fairly quickly. Then another person showed up and he told us that they would take care of us the rest of the evening. Our waiter was very friendly and did an excellent job all evening. After looking at the menu we decided what we wanted. We started with the guacamole chips and salsa. The chips were okay. They were lightly seasoned with salt. The guacamole was fresh and the salsas were tasty. I preferred the green salsa as the red salsa was spicier. For my main meal I ordered the Quesadilla filled with skirt steak, pico, avocado, salsa, and crema. The quesadilla was delicious. I've never had a quesadilla like this. It was rolled up and looked like an egg roll. The steak was very tasty with a lot of flavor and the other ingredients were fresh. It was so good. For my side I ordered the rice and beans. The beans were good and had flavor. The rice was perfectly cooked. Combined the rice and beans had flavor and were very filling. Overall Encanto was a very nice restaurant. The bar area is large, the seating was comfortable, the service was very good and the food was delicious.

I have not been to Barbrix in years -- back when it had the orange signage -- and while it was fine…read morethen, it never really stood out to me. That's definitely changed. I went last night with a few friends and we had a really lovely time. It feels like the restaurant has had a noticeable upgrade, both in vibe and overall experience. The menu is family-style with smaller plates that are great for sharing. Prices feel fair -- most small plates are in the $10-$20 range, with larger dishes around $30. We ordered seven dishes plus dessert and left feeling full, but not overly stuffed. Here's what we tried: Bub & Grandma's Baguette -- $6 Roasted Baby Golden Beet Salad -- $12 Blue Lake Green Bean Tempura -- $11 Ahi Tuna Crudo -- $15 Grilled Oyster Mushrooms -- $13 Pork Schnitzel -- $30 Spring Pea Cannelloni (special) -- $17 Basque Cheesecake -- $9 Overall, everything was delightful. The standouts for me were the Pork Schnitzel -- a great portion, well cooked, served with roasted potatoes -- the Blue Lake Green Bean Tempura, which were light, fun, and super snackable, and the Ahi Tuna Crudo, which was familiar but really refreshing. The Spring Pea Cannelloni was very pretty, but the flavors didn't feel totally harmonious to me. There is a small parking lot in front, which is always appreciated, and a nice outdoor patio that was especially enjoyable with the current warm weather. It really feels like a great little neighborhood spot now. If you are nearby, I would definitely recommend stopping by -- it is an easy, enjoyable place to share a drink and a meal with friends or relax at the bar.

A wonderful now seasoned part of our monthly dinners ng rotation…read more Great food & wine. Knowledgeable service in the hip heart of Silverlake enclave.