Anniversary choice? Yes!…read more The online pics didn't do justice to how intimate and special it can feel. If you choose to sit inside, it is really intimate/romantic. Small space with others close by but they manage to make it feel intimate somehow. Anywho - we didn't chose that option! We sat outside in the covid created sidewalk space. It wasn't as intimate but we love it outside and with the heater on, I was perfectly comfy! Didn't take pics. There are already tons, and I would've be able to get a better shot. But let me tell you what we had and LOVED all of it: - Deviled eggs - favored with olive. Very tasty. - Papas - the hot sauce and aoili made this delicious! - A creamy goat cheese, fig and honey tostado - short rib on small piece of polenta. Fantastic! - Mac and cheese. Divine! I'll be thinking about this for a loooong time! The machego cheese takes it to next level. The pasta - not like any macaroni I've ever seen, was delightful to eat. - Octopus. This was our "wild side" order, because hubby has been disappointed by octopus in the past because it's been cooked until tough. But we took a chance, closing out our meal on this dish, and man we were so glad we did! It's chargrilled, has a bit of smokiness to it, sitting in a lot of drawn butter. It's like a scallop but with more chew to it. It was delicious! The only not so big disappointment was that the reservation site asks if it's a special occasion. So I selected anniversary. But apparently, the staff don't read that I go because no mention was made of our anniversary. I wouldn't have cared except that they asked in advance, so I thought there would be some acknowledgment or maybe a dessert. Wrong! lol! Still, very memorable meal with friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful servers who went out of their way to find a working heater for my table.

The food here was so mediocre. Everything was just okay…read more Mac and cheese: noodles were overcooked and the cheese was a bit too gooey and soupy. The flavor was good though. Shrimp: good but not very flavorful. The shrimp didn't absorb the flavor and juices at all. Patas bravas: crispy but there was something off about the sauce. Lamb burger: best thing we had on the menu Short rib: good texture and decent flavor Overall nothing blew me away. I was a bit disappointed given the price. It's hard to get Spanish food right.

It's the airport, what do you expect. Line was long and only one person working. He was awesome…read more Drinks of course were measured and sandwich ok for $18. Considering how far this place is from the main international hub, happy it was open late (11pm on Thursday 3/19) and happy the young man working was able to handle it. He deserves a raise!

Stopped by this restaurant to get a quick bite while waiting for my flight. It was a small and…read morequiet place, which was good as I needed a calm and quiet environment before boarding a flight. I had a pollo bocadillo and a huge bottle of spring water. The sandwich was brought out quick and it was good. A bit pricey but it was LAX, so it was expected.

The first thing I noticed about Manhattan Beach Post was the plants. Not because there were a few…read moreplants. Lots of restaurants have a few plants. These plants appeared to have union representation. They're everywhere. Hanging from things. Growing out of things. Quietly observing your meal. The whole place feels like someone built a really nice restaurant and then let nature move in as a long term tenant. The room hums. Not loudly. Not aggressively. Just enough. Glasses clink. People lean into conversations. Servers weave through the room carrying plates that look heavy enough to alter their center of gravity. Nobody seems rushed. Everybody seems busy. It's a difficult balance. The biscuits arrived first. Now, I'd heard about the biscuits. People talk about these biscuits the way fishermen talk about the one that got away. Slightly dramatic. A little emotional. Hard to verify. Turns out the stories were true. Warm bacon cheddar biscuits with maple butter. I took one bite and immediately understood why people order a second round. The outside has just enough structure to remind you it's baked. The inside is soft enough to make you wonder whether butter has secretly become a building material. We ordered another. Not because we needed another. Because apparently that's what happens here. The creamy polenta showed up next and felt like the culinary equivalent of a weighted blanket. Comforting. Smooth. Relaxed. The sort of dish that encourages you to slow down and stop checking your phone. The duck was one of my favorites. Lightly fried with crisp skin and tender meat, resting on white Italian beans and rosemary. It felt like something a French chef would cook after spending a weekend in the countryside and becoming briefly inspired by fresh air. At some point you stop evaluating food and simply nod in agreement with it. This was one of those moments. Dessert was equally dangerous. The olive oil cake arrived with strawberries and disappeared much faster than logic suggested it should. The cheesecake somehow managed to be rich and light at the same time, which feels like it should violate a law of physics somewhere. Service deserves its own mention. The whole team operates like a group project where everyone actually did their part. Plates appeared when they should. Water glasses mysteriously refilled themselves. Questions were answered without anyone making you feel like you should already know the answer. The chef's French influence shows up everywhere, but not in a showy way. Nothing feels complicated for the sake of being complicated. Everything feels like somebody spent a lot of time thinking about it so you wouldn't have to. By the end of the meal, I realized Manhattan Beach Post had done something difficult. It felt special without feeling serious. You can dress up. You can come casually. You can celebrate something important or absolutely nothing at all. Just order the biscuits. The plants already know you're going to.

Good experience at this restaurant in Manhattan beach. Modern take on Southern and general American…read morecuisine. Food was great, but not mind-blowing in my opinion. Some dishes could've been executed better. Going down the list of dishes I had here: - Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits: These were more like scones rather than biscuits. Crunchy with good bacon and cheddar flavor. - Japanese Hamachi Crudo: Unique and I liked the citrusy flavor and creamy texture. However, 3 small slices of fish for $26 was overpriced. - Leafy Greens & Radicchio: Solid and crispy salad with a nice tangy dressing. The cheese also added a lot of sharp flavor which was nice. - Skirt Steak: Good flavor and char, but a bit tough. Also some dry pieces. - Chilean Sea Bass: Lemon orzo risotto was creamy and delicious. The sea bass itself was okay, nothing special. It felt overpowered by the risotto. The fish was moist and flaky though. - 20 Oz Prime Beef Ribeye: Quality was subpar relative to price. Portion size was solid by the steak itself was inconsistent. Some of the pieces were rarer while others were more well-done even though we asked for medium rare. There were also some dry pieces which I did not like. Flavor was good though. - Strawberry and Olive Oil Cake: Was confused since there was just a thin layer of cake, but realized the title also referred to the mousse. I would title it 'Strawberry Mousse with Olive Oil Cake" to make it less confusing. Regardless, this was a delicious dessert! Love the fruity strawberry and savory pistachio flavors as well as the smooth textures. - S'mores sundae: Got this on the house for my aunt's birthday. A generous portion but the components were a bit too sweet for my liking. I visited this restaurant for a birthday that I organized and my experience was overall good. Reservation was made easy using OpenTable and I could also mention it was for a birthday occasion. The ambiance was gorgeous with good mood lighting. Good for group and 1 on 1 dining. Parking is metered or street parking. Overall, I probably wouldn't come out of my way to dine here again, but my experience wasn't bad just not significant enough to put in my rotation. Would come back if someone treated me here though.

We sat at the bar since the place was packed. It was the best decision as the bartender was very…read morefun to chat with. Moreover, the music wasn't as loud near the bar, which I appreciated. From tapas to larger meals, the food is delicious. I missed eating Spanish food, and didn't get my fill at JALEO in Las Vegas. Vegetables, seafood and meat are yummy My favourite was the Anchoa. Please let me know what anchovies you put on those toasts. They were so delicious, I have kept mentioning them every week since. Typically, anchovies are very thinly sliced. This was the first time I've had such meaty and moist anchovies on toast. The bistec was cooked to perfection - juicy. We took the bartenders recommendation on La Flamma (sandwich), which was not l written on the menu, but is served during their sandwich weekly event. The salad was a must to give ourselves some bite during our meal. Simple and great! The only notes I'd give is that the pan con tomate (Pa amb tomàquet) is served on a very thin bread that becomes quickly soggy. And the pulpo was slightly overcooked and harder to swallow due to the heavy paprika dusting over it. Other the than, the flavours themselves were on point

A little slice of Spain in Santa Monica. The interior of the restaurant feels like you stepped into…read morea Spanish Wes Anderson movie. Cozy, eclectic, and refined. The menu reflects a similar vibe with an extensive wine/cocktail program and tapas to share. I have been lucky enough to visit twice in the past couple months for both lunch and dinner. A few highlights: Lunch - Moruno sandwich: The chicken sandwich was so juicy and flavorful. The Cristal bread, aioli, and small side of potato salad were perfect Dinner - Croquetas de jamon: These were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. They were bite-sized so they were packed with flavor but not too heavy - Gambas al ajillo: It wouldn't be tapas without a hot dish of shrimp. Classic staple and they do it justice, though I wish there were a few more on the plate - Tortilla Espanola: The flaky salt on top was a lovely touch and the ideal size for sharing - Romano Beans: I expected a bowl of stewed beans but there were a pleasant surprise. Grilled to perfection and the char really highlighted the bean's natural flavor I was genuinely impressed with how good lunch was and would love to come back with a book on a sunny, laid-back afternoon. At night, the space transforms into something cooler with great music and vibrant ambience. Highly recommended for catching up with friends, a solo lunch, grabbing a glass at the bar, or date night. The service was solid and was surprised when the owner/head chef personally brought a dish to our table.

I got the shrimp fajita with a salad. I understand this is a Cuban place, but I was so glad they…read moreoffered fajitas! The food was delicious and perfectly seasoned. The salad dressing was a cilantro dressing, which was delicious! The waiter was very sweet and accommodating. The ambience was really cute because there was live Spanish music.

It's been years since I've been to Havana Mania…read more On a Friday evening we were sat rather quickly. The server immediately asked if we wanted a mojito. Of course! Lol The restaurant looks the same from over 10 years ago. Lol The Oxtail Stew was on the menu, so that was ordered along with the garlic shrimp and shrimp fajitas. We were all happy with our meal! I'll make sure to add this back in the rotation.

Si! Mon has been one of my favorite meals in LA, period. Everything is excellent and extremely…read moredelicious and well crafted. The portions are also a solid size and not so tiny you don't leave full. Every single thing I had was a hit, from the fried chicken, to the tartare, to the pork belly and the dumplings - just divine, everything. The service was excellent and the vibes are intimate though the space is large. I highly highly recommend checking this place out as someone who likes most things but rarely loves a place this much, you really need to check it out. The drinks were also well crafted. The flavors take you on a bit of a journey with their complexity and the flavors blend so thoughtfully together. It's a meal to remember, and definitely a great option for a special occasion, too!

Beautiful indoors with nice breeze coming in and the decor is so retro and modern. Waiter was very…read morehelpful with excellent recommendations! Ill rank our food from favorite to least favorite. (1) SURF CLAM CEVICHE #1- the acidity and creaminess and sweetness with very fresh seafood was so high quality. Plantains had a perfect amount of salt and crunch. The thinly sliced red onion was also perfect. It was very flavorful and probably better than Holbox-- if you have been. 10/10 (2) TUNA CARPACCIO YUCA TOSTADA #2- this was the best bite overall, it is definitely small and you finish fast but the flavors were just outstanding. The tuna itself was so fresh and it had a nice acidic flavor with the perfectly crunchy tostada!! 10/10 (3) KANPACHI CEVICHE #3 - a coconut predominant flavor with a mild acidity to it. It also pairs with plantains and they were fresh and perfectly crunchy. Was weary about the corn at first but honestly couldn't taste it and it was so good! (4) AFRO-CARIBBEAN SHRIMP DUMPLINGS #4- my bf loves shrimp and said this was very tasty. I'm not the biggest fan of shrimp but thought it was very creamy, fresh, had the classic shrimpy sweetness and a coconut creamy sauce to pair with it that when used on the rice tastes like a sweet milk rice. These were cooked perfectly. (5) fried chicken #5 - solid fried chicken and good crunch to it with the chicken being very well cooked but I cant say I was blown away by it, it has good flavor when dipped in the sauce which has a nice smokiness and acidity to it that makes it really tasty. However if I came again, I probably wouldn't order again. Lastly we ordered the toffee dessert which was classic and yummy. Nice shareable size. Overall, would return 100% and bring friends from out of town. Terrific flavors and service and definitely a top LA restaurant.

What a gem. Me and…read morefiancé had dinner late last night 5/15 @ 9pm, we did make a reservation at that time and checked in early and they sat us down 10 mins early ((looooved that)). We ordered the Crab cake, perfectly packed together where it wasn't too dense but gently molded. It was packed with umami and this refreshing citrus after taste..it was so damn good. French fries, were a must crispy tasty fries did not disappoint. Spanish octopus, cooked to perfection- lots of interesting flavors and textures we enjoyed. Lastly we shared the tacos (1 cod 1 shrimp), tasty fat tacos. Accompanied with fresh chips and the guac and salsa that was tasty. What really set it for us, was while we were wrapping up the meal. Me and fiancé were toasting to my late dad, today was his birthday. Well we asked for the check and planned to skip dessert. Well before we left our server had packed us the key lime pie to take home..just because. God lord, the timing of toasting my dad, and the generosity had me literally fighting tears. It really was a remarkable meal, we loved every bite. Our server whoever you are your f*cking wondeful and the team you are doing amazing work thank you.

Fantastic service. Halibut was delicious. Wine selection…read morepaired perfectly. This gem was recommended by a local I chatted to at a coffee shop and it turned out really well for my coworker and me.

I rarely write reviews but I just want to say this was absolutely delicious. I now want to try…read moreeverything on the menu!

We had an absolutely lovely dining experience here! The food was excellent across the board, and…read morethe seafood was truly outstanding. We had Jalea Mixta, Grilled Octopus, Grilled Squid and Crispy Salmon, they were all delicious! The service was wonderfully warm, kind, and attentive from start to finish--Elizabeth was an absolute gem! Lonzo's has officially become a neighborhood favorite, and we will definitely be back.

This is what great food is all about. It totally surprised me how good my meal was. I highly…read morerecommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone who loves great food that's made with lots of love. They put their all into every plate that they serve. The service is wonderful and they make you feel very welcome. Absolutely recommend going here. I'm a foodie and writer for several food publications. I definitely recommend going here. Ambiance is what you would expect from a restaurant like this. Come as you are and don't worry about a thing. Enjoy Michael

Really romantic, rustic tavern spot in Venice. The server was really kind and accommodating…read more The pasta was really high-quality and cooked well. The flavors were also not like anything I've had before. The red beet pasta is a must try! The duck breast was okay. The pasta definitely stole the show. Their crema dessert was also a good balance of sweet, creamy, and crunchy.

The Original Versailles has been on my list of LA spots to experience, finally this week, things…read morealigned and my Dad and I had a chance to stop by. Located in Culver City off of Venice Blvd, you will find the legendary Cuban restaurant Versailles. As you walk in you are greeted by a very friendly team of employees, all super excited to see you, for those of you spanish speakers, enjoy speaking spanish, I moved away years ago and to not get much of a chance to speak my native language. The Seating area is very ample, many different booths and table options depending on the size of your party. We were quickly seated into a booth. Throughout the walls you will find artwork displaying the beautiful history of Cuban culture. The food, wow so many Cuban food options, I went with the classic Cuban Sandwich with Platanos Fritos (as a request), they were nice enough to sub out vs fries. Amazing taste, a huge sized sandwich on a super soft french bread roll, my Dad had the Roasted Garlic Chicken served with white rice, black beans and onions, he loved his meal, he could not get over the amazing taste of the chicken and the onions. The one regret he had was not ordering the Ox Tail like he originally had planned but he was so excited to have the chicken, maybe next time. Either way we had a great time hanging out and enjoying the ambiance and the amazing food.

This is a LA classic for authentic Cuban food! I had not been here in years and the flavors and…read morequality of food is still the same! They've redone the interior and it has a nice clean look. The staff here were very attentive and nice. The food came out pretty quickly as well. We ordered the sampler as an appetizer. I loved the potato balls, they were my favorite. For my entree I ordered the Arroz con Pollo. Every bite was absolutely amazing, full of flavor! The chicken was falling off the bone it was so tender. The plantains were probably the best I've ever had. This restaurant is comfort food at its best!