I want to update my review about the location of Zinc that I wrote over a decade ago. Since my…read moreinitial review, I've continued to come to this restaurant. It remains a unique addition to the neighborhood, as well as a good place to grab some interesting dishes. Since the opening of this particular business, the Zinc chain has opened in a few other locations. Those locations are much newer in not only their establishment but their design. This is not to say that this is still not an interesting, well-designed business, but, with time, it has become a little bit rundown. I hate to say it, but that is the truth. This location could really use an update and perhaps a deep cleaning. I was, in fact, kind of surprised at the condition of this business, for example, on the way towards their restrooms. From my opinion, it needs an clean up and an update. Also, the litter that surrounded some of the outdoor tables where I was sitting at my most recent visit was very surprising. This is just something to keep in mind if you're coming here for your first visit. In terms of what they offer for food, though it has evolved a bit over the years, they still have a great, heath-based menu, with some very interesting choices. For all of you vegetarians and vegans out there, you will, for sure, be able to find some tasty food to eat. Once upon a time, this restaurant was impacted with tons and tons of people. It was constantly full with people either going to the bakery and/or sitting down for table service. Shortly past their opening each day, there would be a line of people waiting for service. This seems to have changed, however. Meaning, if you're looking for an interesting place to eat, with some good dishes, at the far Southeast side of DTLA, near the lofts district, and you want a place without a long wait to get a table and/or your food, this may still be your place to go.

This was, without a doubt, the worst experience I've ever had at Zinc. I've been coming here on and…read moreoff for the past four years and have never experienced customer service this bad. We started with coffee. My boyfriend ordered a mocha, and I ordered a salted caramel latte. His drink was fine, but mine had absolutely no flavoring. As a former barista, I could immediately tell it was just a plain iced latte. I politely asked the waitress if they had forgotten the syrup, and she insisted, "There is syrup in it, but I can ask them to add more." I knew there wasn't any syrup, but I didn't want to argue, so I said, "Sure, please add more." A few minutes later, the manager came over and told me they actually didn't have salted caramel. So I asked if I could just get a regular caramel latte instead. She then told me they couldn't make that either because they were out of caramel sauce, the very reason they couldn't make the salted caramel in the first place. So why hand me a plain iced latte and tell me it had syrup when you knew you didn't even have the ingredients? Why not simply come back and let me know you were out and ask if I'd like something else? Instead, I was given a regular latte at the price of a flavored one (plus they later charged me for the syrup they never even added). For context, I had originally ordered a dirty chai, which they also couldn't make. So that's two drinks they didn't have, yet no one thought to communicate that before serving me something completely different. When I told the manager I'd look back at the menu for another option, she responded, "Okay... are you going to tell the waitress what drink you want?" I just looked at her, confused, and said, "Well... yeah?" How else was I supposed to order a replacement? The interaction came across as unnecessarily rude. Then it was time to order food. My boyfriend ordered the truffle burger, and I ordered the French toast. The waitress came back a few minutes later and said they couldn't make the French toast. No problem, I told her I'd also have the truffle burger. She acknowledged it, wrote it down, asked how I wanted it cooked, and what side I wanted. I ordered it medium-well with fries. So both burger orders were sent in at the same time. About 20 minutes later, the food arrived, but only my boyfriend's burger and an extra side of fries that we never ordered. At that point, we didn't even bother saying anything about the fries because we were trying to avoid making things more difficult. We waited another 20 minutes (even though it was so slow). My boyfriend finished eating, and my burger still hadn't come out. Finally, we asked for the check and requested that my burger be removed since it never arrived. That's when the waitress told us I had never ordered a second burger. I was honestly speechless. I reminded her that she had taken my order after telling me they couldn't make the French toast. She had written it down, asked how I wanted it cooked, and asked what side I wanted. Her response was that she thought I meant only my boyfriend's burger. That explanation made no sense because my boyfriend's order had already been taken before she took mine. It honestly felt like we were being gaslit over something as simple as ordering a burger. To make matters worse, after we paid and were finally leaving, I looked at the receipt and realized I had been charged for the salted caramel latte that I never actually received. We had to go back yet again. Thankfully, a different employee, not the waitress or the manager helped us. They were friendly, understanding, and quickly corrected the charge. I'm not sure if management has changed, but this entire experience was unnecessarily frustrating from beginning to end. Everything that could have gone wrong did. Honestly, I should've taken the "B" health grade posted on the window as a warning. We ended up walking over to Blue Bottle next door for coffee instead, and I'd absolutely recommend going there if you're looking for a place that actually values customer service. After four years of coming to Zinc, this experience has me seriously questioning whether I'll ever be back.

Had a chance to dine at The Rising Sun. The setup is simple. You find a seat, order through a QR…read morecode, and pick up your food at the window when it's ready. There is a small seating area, and the seats weren't particularly comfortable, but the space seems intended more for a quick stop rather than a long sit-down meal. I ordered the beignet, breakfast po'boy sandwich, and chicken and waffles. - The beignet tasted good, but the portion was quite small. - The egg in the breakfast po'boy was burnt, which affected the overall flavor. - The chicken and waffles tasted like frozen food that had been reheated rather than freshly made. On the positive side, the service was very kind and friendly. However, overall the food was disappointing.

Mandatory 15% service fee added to bill. I asked why and was told the owner adds it to give…read moreservice staff a livable wage. Came for Valentine's day lunch. outdoor seating only and next to parking lot; smell of cars ugh; seat ourselves, order via QR code, pick up your own food, check on food and drinks about 5 times because we were not told when it would be ready; got half our order and told the rest wasn't ready and they would bring it to us; never happened so went back to get our Caesar salad and tater tots and they were clueless about my order; waited and was handed a salad the size of my palm hand-disappointing; the vibe of staff was poor, unfriendly and seemed annoyed more than anything. we cleaned our own table and agreed vibe no n food good enough. Food: tater tots, chicken and waffles, breakfast poor boy, Cesar salad, lattes, beignets. won't return. lesson learned: walk away for forced mandatory service fee. owner just raise prices of food instead.

Verve is a great coffee spot for brunch or working. Very friendly staff, delicious coffee (although…read moreI only get Americano). Large open space with plenty of seating and greenery. It's nicely separated in sections so it still feels cozy. We tried their breakfast sandwich and it was delicious. The Portuguese muffin was sooo tasty with the slightly spiced sausage patty.

Love the interior. It's so bright and airy with tall ceilings and there's a good amount of seating…read morewith two levels. Staff is friendly and service is pretty quick. I think there's only 4 or 5 dedicated parking spots available out front so you'll likely have to street park unless you get lucky. It can be difficult to find as the entrance is more on Santa Fe than it is on Mateo. I ordered an iced chai latte and my date ordered a pour over. I think he was pretty satisfied with his drink but my drink was mediocre. Chai lattes are my go-to so it's easy for me to compare and the drink here just doesn't have as much flavor as I expected and tasted watery. Not itching to return but if I did, I'd order an açaí bowl or a pastry as those seem pretty good.

Came here with my fiancé on a Sunday morning, and there was plenty of seating available. The food…read morewas absolutely delicious, and their cold brew was so good! He ordered the huevos rancheros, and I got the regular breakfast; both were amazing. The service was super sweet and welcoming, and we loved the laid-back vibe of the place. Overall, such a great breakfast spot, and we'll definitely be back!

I just adore this spot- it was exactly what I needed after an exciting day in LA with my friend who…read moreknows the area well. Despite a fly assaulting our time, we got the best deviled eggs I've had since Granny made them. The balsamic glaze with candied bacon was SO good after being so hungry. We also shared the nachos and chicken Cesar salad and let me tell you, that chicken on the salad was cooked to perfection. Try it. To top it all off I got the coconut matcha drink which has no dairy and did not hurt my tummy, I can't wait to get it again! I also can't wait to watch all the motorcycles that come through, that was quite the treat! Okay thanks bye!

This place is awesome. Food is great and staff are friendly. We'll be back definitely!read more

Who says Filipino food can't be considered fine dining? Chef Josh Espinosa is showcasing how the…read moredishes we're accustomed to can be prepared with an elevated approach. Sampa is located in the Arts District near the intersection of S Hewitt St and E 5th right next to Urth Cafe. There's a parking lot directly across the street from the restaurant but you can also park around the corner by Arts District Park for $5. If it's your first time visiting Sampa, you have to be open minded towards the concept itself. Yes, the dishes here are smaller in portion and costs more than your typical fast casual spot. All the servers here are attentive and offer to help with what to order if you're unsure. For dinner, the Crispy Pasta is their take on crispy pata but served with spinach tagliatelle. The crab fat fried rice is a no brainer and depending on the night you come, I highly recommend the Sinigang xiaolongbao special. You don't have to be Filipino to appreciate what Sampa is doing for the culture, just come by and see for yourself.

Amazing food quality and place please visit the matcha was very good and flavorful they use…read moreJapanese authentic matcha so even if you don't want js food go grab drinks here

the food was so so amazing!!! usually i don't like arugula, but they put this delicious dressing on…read moreit and it really elevated the taste of the arugula. it also really went with the sandwich, which was equally as delicious. the brie was perfectly melted and went amazingly with the cranberry walnut bread. i also got the chocolate bread, which is so good when warmed up. the owner was also so sweet and the food came out pretty fast. the interior of this cafe is also so clean and relaxing. perfect place to study!!

Bar Prank in Downtown Los Angeles is one of those spots that perfectly captures the energy and…read morepersonality of DTLA. It's a walk-up bar, which already gives it a unique, casual vibe--but what really makes it stand out is the crowd. The people here are eccentric in the best way: a mix of creatives, professionals unwinding after work, and groups just looking to have a great time. It creates an atmosphere that's lively, interesting, and never boring. The bartenders deserve a shoutout because the service is consistently on point. They're friendly, attentive, and know how to keep things moving even when it gets busy. You can tell they take pride in what they're serving. One of the best features of Bar Prank is the layout. There's a ton of seating, which makes it perfect for just about any situation--whether you're coming solo for a quick drink, meeting friends after work, or pulling up with a big group ready to take over a section. Add in the TVs around the bar, and it's an easy choice if you want a laid-back spot to catch a game or just hang out. Now let's talk drinks. During Golden Hour, the Old Fashioned is an absolute steal at $10. I tried it both smoky and regular, and both versions were excellent--smooth, flavorful, and well-balanced. You really can't go wrong with either. The food also holds its own. Whether you're grabbing chicken strips or just looking for something to snack on with your drinks, it hits the spot and complements the overall experience. I used to frequent Bar Prank a few years ago when I lived downtown, and coming back recently, I can honestly say it's just as good as I remember--if not better. It's one of those dependable spots that delivers every time. If you're in DTLA and looking for a fun, versatile bar with great drinks, solid food, and a memorable crowd, Bar Prank is definitely worth checking out.

This is one of the coolest spot in DTLA in my opinion. Here's why... there is an easy feel to the…read moreatmosphere as soon as you walk up to the entrance. The open patio, the bar area and how it wraps around the corner where there is a smaller intimate section. The music was awesome, the bartender has a great pour and the people seemed to be really having a great time. As I look around I see there is an open upstairs area that looks down onto the first level. So cool right? I had a conversation with two regulars and they swear by the menu. Plans are made to come back and I must try the food when I do. Cheers!!

Distrito Catorce is a gem in Boyle Heights that delivers on all fronts. The food was outstanding!…read moreFresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared, with authentic flavors and quality ingredients that stood out from the first bite to the last. The ambiance was welcoming and the art was tasteful. What truly elevated the experience was the service. The staff were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making us feel genuinely welcomed throughout the meal. They were quick to offer recommendations and ensured everything was perfect without being intrusive. We ordered the tostaditas de atún agua chile negro, beet salad, carne asada taco and Al pastor taco and watched the World Cup game. Distrito Catorce combines exceptional food, a great atmosphere, and top-notch service. It's the kind of place that leaves you planning your next visit before you've even finished your meal. Definitely plan on coming back to watch more World Cup games.

I knew heading into Distrito Catorce that I wanted to see three things . The closing art exhibit,…read morehear the live band, and finally try Chef Jonathan's menu. It was basically a grand slam. To be honest, I was already biased because his Smorgasburg pop-ups were consistently good. But Distrito Catorce is different , it's like art. My favorite dish was the tacos de papa with salsa macha. The crunch of the potato taco riding into the salsa macha and crema felt like home, but with some extra pop. His salsa game is on point. The scallion salsa on the ribeye taco was also gas. Lastly, I really dug the tostadita de atún. It hit perfectly on these hot summer days. Low-key, I still want to try the El Rey de Noche. Tacos de beef trompo are starting to hit LA, and dude was ahead of the curve making picanha-brisket tacos de trompo. Service is smooth too. The servers are helpful, and solid at the bar. Overall, it's a cool spot with a menu that feels unique to LA.