I'm from Italy and it was a fantastic experience! The pasta was incredible -- in my opinion, the…read morepasta menu is the absolute highlight. It was freshly made (you could definitely tell!) and served in great portions. The Fettuccine alla Nerano were amazing, with incredible flavor and texture. Back in Italy, pasta with clams is my favorite dish, so I was super excited to order it since it's not easy to find in the US. It was done just right -- really great! The seafood was fresh and high quality. The only minor detail is that the clams were fresh and local, likely Pacific clams, which have a less intense, briny flavor compared to the Mediterranean vongole veraci that give off that rich sea aroma. But hey, we're in Los Angeles, so you naturally adapt to local ingredients. The Caprese appetizer was good, though I wished the portion had been a bit larger. Dessert was delicious, especially the zuppa inglese gelato -- the flavor took me straight back to Italy! Exceptional staff, too: I was pregnant and needed a shaded or air-conditioned spot, and the hostess went out of her way to find a table that suited my needs. The waiter who served us was equally wonderful! We left full and super happy. Thank you!

The food was fantastic as was the service. The wait staff, Dalton, made a recommendation upon…read morerequest, and he was spot on which was the pomodoro entree & one other. The recommendation was a hit. I also ordered the prosciutto e melone as an appetizer, it was a magnificent meal. Dalton provided professional, courteous, and swift service without rushing; he made the experience all that much more enchanting. Dalton was an absolute delight! I highly recommend this restaurant, whether with your crew or date night!!

Shohei Ohtani broke my heart. Or rather Fugetsu Do did when they told me there's a $15 minimum to…read moreuse credit card. I placed the blue Dogders-themed Sho-mochi back on the shelf, promising I'd return soon with ransom money. I never break a promise. A week later, I walked in with a $10 bill and walked out with $3.50 worth of change shuffling in my back pocket. Shohei and I are skipping town. I took the train to a stop far from covetous eyes. I devoured the 1st mochi street side, liberating smooth white chocolate ganache from its stretchy mochi enclosure. Then I ate another one. Was it worth the two trips and the odd feeling of handling paper bills? Sure, because long before Shohei, I've loved Fugetsu Do. Korey's Chocolate mochi is my all-star, named after the founder's great grandson. Years ago, Korey's dad, Brian Kito, was at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Monterey Park, demonstrating how to make mochi. He told us he created this treat because his son likes chocolate. I was hooked. I usually buy their confectionery at the local Mitsuwa or Marukai. It's inspiring, though, to see this shop in real life, standing on First St. as the oldest business still operating in Little Tokyo. Shuttered during WWII when the Kito family was incarcerated, it was rebuilt from scratch when they returned with no money or access to their equipment. The founder's son Roy and his wife Kazuko slept at the Buddist temple while he worked as a waiter to save up. With determination and community support, Fugetsu Do reopened for business in 1946. It is now a piece of living history, a testament to human hope and mochi, stretched and pounded, only to come out stronger on the other side.

Yummy mochis! I can…read moredefinitely say it was worth traveling to little Tokyo from our hotel for this gem of a place. I got an 8 piece box and a 12 piece box. My only regret is I came when they were actively restocking half of the mochis (like 4 trays at the same time worth). I wouldn't have mind waiting for them to restock, but the way it's set up with the long lines and crowds you kind of are pressured and rushed to order right away even if half of their selection isn't visible to get. The employees are friendly but in a "hurry up and quickly tell me what you want" way to keep the line moving. I managed to snag a couple pieces they were restocking but did feel rushed and fomo of the pieces I didn't get. It's hard to know what you want or order if you're unfamiliar with their descriptions, there's no pictures or menu, and the selections they are restocking are hidden behind a counter you can't really see. So it's not like you can point to a mochi either. It felt a bit like a random guessing game of not much communication of what they have available and them also staring at you expectedly trying to get you to hurry up and order. Not the best feeling but still very happy with the mochis I got. Just unlucky I guess with the exact timing. The mochis themselves were very delicious and I was happy with how they turned out. In fact I flew back to the Midwest with both boxes stuffed in my suitcase, and shockingly they survived the trip. I and my family were eating them and finished all of them by 3 days later, with only a slight degradation of chewiness. I'd say that's extremely impressive for maintaining of freshness. Hopefully those who visit from out of town find this review helpful and are wondering if it'll keep. I didn't put these on the fridge and kept them room temp the whole time too. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy!

Delicious Taiwanese Food in DTLA!! Shrimp wontons is so good…read moreso highly recommend to try it. I forgot to take a picture of that one. We tried a variety of dishes and everything was yummy. Especially when you need some Taiwanese food in LA. The interior was nice and there was plenty of seats. Staff was friendly and the menu had wonderful selections to choose from! The owner definitely did an amazing job!! From food to aesthetics! Will recommend lots of others to come here! My husband loves the food so we will be back again!

Love this place so much!…read more Food is incredible and the service team is so friendly. That stood out to me the most you can tell they genuinely want to be there. Dan Dan noodles are a must.

Valeria's is AWESOME! I was coming to Chile Secos, but it was closed during the Covid-19 slump…read more Valeria's had even more choices of mole pastes, and they were priced lower. I got 7 lbs of different mole pastes for $6 each. Outstanding! They also have beans, dried chiles, rice, spices and some limited groceries. Friendly staff too! Last night, I fixed a pound of Mole con Ajonjoly Telolopan with a quart of chicken broth and some fresh blue corn tortillas to make enmoladas. Incredibly flavorful - a smidge spicy for my family, but I loved the deep flavor with some heat.

I don't do much cooking, but my friends Michael K. and Gino G. do. I accompanied Mike on a grocery…read moretrip to Grand Central Market when he was home for Thanksgiving. Gino had sent him with a shopping list of Mexican ingredients that are hard to find in Seattle, and Mike found most of them right here, at Valeria's Groceries. Valeria's is a vendor in the thick of the market, where you can buy spices, chilis, beans, moles, and a whole lot more, at what struck me as very reasonable prices. Most of the products were displayed in big bulk cases, clearly labeled for easy browsing. The man working the grocery was friendly, helpful, and efficient. He got Mike what he needed and bagged it up for him right away. I love Mexican food and fantasize about making moles at home now and then, but like, my lunch today was a soup that came out of a pantry bag and a frozen Tupperware of brown rice that my mom gave me in early 2018. If I ever get motivated, though, I know I can find what I need at Valeria's.

Downtown Los Angeles but there is valet and plenty of nearby parking. This is clearly a popular…read moreplace so I recommend going before 5pm. Love the set up of the inside. Beautiful Jack and Jill bathrooms. Ric is the manager who came around to the tables to check on everyone and making sure that everything is "excellent". Napoleon was our server who was fantastic. ALL the food is incredible!! Compliments to the chef!!! A must get is the brussel sprouts and the chocolate soufflé.

Still disappointed. However, I will say that to go croc. Madame was much better and they put some…read morethought into it. Also, had the apple turnover which was enough to make me increased to start reading from one to me. I still think it was for customer service not address the undercooked for sandwich and then making us wait for such a long time to bring us the new dish. We ended up having to go to the event hungry. However, when we got back to the hotel, we were able to re-cook the sandwich and it turned out fine. I would still give this restaurant chance, especially since their baguettes and pastries are delicious. Disappointing. Sadly not what it used to be. Bottega Louis WAS our favorite go to restaurant when we visit LA. Unfortunately it has gone downhill. We came here to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. We ordered the Louis Salad with blue crab and Croque Madame. While the salad was as delicious as I remembered, the Croque Madame was completely undercooked and the bread was soggy. We returned the sandwich as asked them to grill it longer. It took so long to recook that we had to leave and they gave it to us in a togo box without even an apology. Even the bread that they serve with the meal has gone downhill. We ended up buying a baguette. At least the baguettes are still decent. But overall a disappointing lunch.

Excellent food and experience! The staff was super nice and we felt like it was a true hidden gem…read more They knew it was my friend's birthday so made a special effort to wish her a happy birthday and include a candle on top of one of the pastries. The food is really good and the tea choices are excellent. The mocktail was a nice add to help refresh ourselves on a hot day. Overall a nice place to celebrate any special occasion or gather with friends. The parking lot next to the hotel is super easy to park at. All day parking around $10, self park.

The DTLA Proper Hotel is beautifully designed by Kelly Wearstler, a former athletic faciliity…read more Although I've done several staycations here, tea at Dahlia remained on my bucket list of experiences, since it's only offered on weekends. I finally was able to check it off, thanks to a hotel offer with a dining credit. Dahlia is the gorgeous petite space behind the larger ground floor restaurant space now called Cabrillo (formerly Caldo Verde). Dahlia opened as a bespoke cocktail lounge, then began to offer tea. Now it's just tea. There are five 2-tops and two 4-top tables. All food and beverage venues at the Proper used to be under the auspices of famed chef Suzanne Goin and her business partner/sommelier Caroline Styne. They are no longer affiliated with the Proper, but many of their dishes/contributions remain. The last named vestige of them is on the tea menu, "Suzanne's Deviled-Egg Sandwich". The tea menu has several options: Classic, with a seasonal mocktail, or with different champagnes. I opted for the Classic experience, because the mocktail had mocha, not my fave. Server Lluvia was clearly a Dahlia veteran; she offered a tea-smelling of all the teas that interested me as well as crowd favourites. I ultimately chose one of these faves, Mad Hatter's Tea Party, which had passionfruit and vanilla. I declined milk/cream, but did get lemon. There were rock sugar sticks on the table. It seems the selection of tea sandwiches and sweet treats changes every so often, although the vanilla bean scone, dried currant scone, Devonshire cream and apricot orange jam seem like constants. The sandwich selection at my visit were: cucumber, crab/creme fraiche, beet hummus on pita, smoked salmon and Suzanne's deviled egg. All were delish, the beet, crab and deviled egg especially. The sweet treats were: orange fig butter cookie, spiced apple brown butter crumble, cranberry frangipane hand pie, chocolate mocha macaron, pumpkin madeleine, plus the 2 scones. All were excellent. There were no leftovers. A bit pricey, but a relaxing and lovely experience. The room was not crowded when I visited, adding to the calmness of my visit.

Cozy rustic restaurant Had early dinner on Friday night…read more Service was attentive and friendly Open kitchen Ingredients seemed well sourced Parking limited spots in back of restaurant and street parking Favorites were steak tartare , pork collar and chicken Tuna crudo was solid but thought overpriced for 4 small pieces Definitely worth visiting Plan on $100 per person

Everything at this place is great. The food, atmosphere and service were top notch…read more I believe our waiters name was Nicholas, he was awesome. He coursed out our orders perfectly, gave great recommendations of places to stop while in the city and was a very easy going guy. Bread & Butter - 8.6 Not the best bread starter I have ever had but worth getting. Especially, if you order additional entrees that you can dip it in. The bread was hot and fresh, which are two of the most important things. Tuna Crudo - 9.1 The variation when we went contained lemon confit, thin sliced serrano peppers and basil. The lemon was outstanding and tasted like lemonade candy which paired well with the serrano and basil. Market Lettuces - 8.5 The cheese on the salad, ubriaco rosso, was delicious and it was our first time trying it. The greens were really fresh and lemon vinaigrette wasn't overpowering. Henrietta Potatoes - 8.9 I mean fried potatoes can only be so good. With that said this is about as good fried potatoes can be. They were soft, yet very crispy. The parm on top adds the perfect salt to balance it all out. The 8.9 is a reflection of how it compares to all foods or what we ate during the meal. If if was a rating of fried potatoes, it would be higher. Pork Collar - 9.4 It was great! It was almost as if you were eating a bite of steak. The temperature in which they decide for final preparation was perfect. The flavor was great and contained a hint of smoke. Ricotta Dumplings - 9.6 I would have to put this in my top 10 or 20 best dishes I have ever had. The dumplings were cooked perfectly. The star of the show is the broth. Hard to imagine the amount of mushrooms needed to get the depth of flavor and bold taste of this broth. The dish was comforting, delicious and something I could have eaten more of even after getting full. This is also something you'll want to save a little bread for. Baked Alaska - 8.2 They put their own spin on it. Instead of using ice cream, they use made in house tangerine sherbet. The bottom had a crumbled cookie base. When you have a bit that contains the toasted meringue, the crumbled cookie and just a little of the sherbet it tastes like lucky charms. Overall, awesome experience. Service/waiter gets a 10/10. Make a reservation and go!

The food here is the most repulsive stuff I've ever put in my mouth and that's saying a lot. The…read morechicken wings were like if you didn't thaw out a turkey leg, and threw it in an air fryer and wished for the best. No seasoning, wet and almost raw on the inside and the skin is rubber. The sauce that comes with it, Is like when you experiment with mixing condiments as a child and accidentally make vomit sauce. The pizza is frozen pizza, and not even the good stuff (couldn't even spring for digiorno?) whoever approved this food wants you guys to fail. Or just don't serve food, maybe just snacks- pretzels and popcorn, maybe a hot dog (if you can manage not to colossally mess that up too?)

I'm sad to say after our second visit the food continues to be just average at best with a very…read morelimited menu (at least on a concert night). For the price it should be so much more. The staff / team are great. The ambiance / setting is unique with easy access to the music venue.

Amazing experience. My wife and I decided to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary at Sampa. Peter…read moreand his staff were super gracious and friendly hosts for the evening. The food was incredible too. The duck and crab rice blew us away. They take a lot of pride in their craft cocktails which also stole the show. Ube clarified drink was 1 of a kind. 10/10 must try!

Located right in the heart of the Arts District, Sampa is one of those LA restaurant that's trendy,…read morehigh‑end, and still feels warm and welcoming. The kind of spot where you walk in and immediately think, Yep... this is where you bring someone you're trying to impress. The ambience hits that perfect balance of modern, moody, and stylish, a little sexy, a little artsy, and fully date‑night certified. Service was on point the entire night, for my experience, maybe cause they know I was was going to tip very heavily. Ha ha ha. Which ai did by the way! Staff was attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without being pretentious. The team here knows the menu inside and out, and they guide you like they're curating an experience rather than just taking an order. Drinks topped off, plates cleared smoothly, pacing perfect. High‑end feel without the high‑end attitude. Let's talk about the food. Filipino Fusion Done With Swagger Ribeye Salpicao, This dish is straight-up dangerous. Tender ribeye cubes seared with garlicky, buttery goodness, the kind of salpicao that makes you rethink every bite you have. Rich, savory, and addicting. If you don't guard your plate, someone at the table will steal a piece. "Because I know I would!" Rockfish Pritong, it was crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside, and seasoned like someone's Filipino auntie whispered the secrets of life into the batter. Bright, punchy flavors with that perfect crunch. Definitely a sleeper hit. Crispy Duck Pancit, This one is wild, pancit with a crispy duck twist that somehow feels both comforting and elevated. The noodles soak up all that savory duck richness, and the crispy skin on top. Wow, a moment of silence for how good that bite is. Papaya Salad, so fresh, bright, and refreshing. A perfect palate reset between the heavier dishes. Crunchy, citrusy, and balanced, the kind of salad that actually earns its spot on the table. Grilled Eggplant Salad, smoky, silky eggplant with a char that tastes like it came straight off a backyard grill in Manila. Light but flavorful, and a great contrast to the richer plates. Pasta Palabok, a true Filipino classic reimagined. Creamy, savory palabok sauce wrapped around pasta instead of noodles, bold move, but it works. The textures are luxurious, and the flavors stay true to the original. Tare Tare Tamale, definitely one of the most creative dishes of the night. A fusion tamale with tare flavors that hit sweet, salty, and umami all at once. Soft masa, rich filling, and a flavor combo that makes you pause mid‑bite. "Mmmm hmmm!" Hamachi, so clean, fresh, and beautifully plated. The kind of hamachi that melts instantly and makes you feel fancy even if you're wearing sneakers. Of course I had my dress shoes on. It has bright citrus notes and just the right amount of heat. Sampa nails the high‑end, artsy vibe without feeling stiff. Trendy lighting, modern décor, and a soundtrack that keeps the energy fun. Perfect for date night, anniversaries, or when you want to look like you know the cool spots in LA. Sampa is Filipino fusion with confidence, bold flavors, gorgeous plating, and an atmosphere that elevates the whole night. If you're trying to impress your significant other, celebrate something special, or just treat yourself to a killer meal in the Arts District, this place delivers. "Always remember the energy you give ...is the energy you receive. One bite at a time! " Miguel C.

The Dubai Chocolate Crepe with strawberries from Ariana's Crepes is my ultimate weekend treat and…read morefull-blown addiction. El Gato Night Market is packed with amazing food, drinks, and adorable vendors, but Ariana's always steals the show for me. The staff are super sweet, quick, and you can taste the love in every bite. The crepe is warm and perfectly balanced -- the rich chocolate and pistachio cream blend together perfectly with that crunchy kataifi, while the strawberries add a fresh, juicy touch. They're only open Thursday through Sunday, which makes the wait feel like part of the ritual -- and totally worth it every single time. If you're headed to El Gato, do yourself a favor and make sure to stop by Ariana's Crepes!

Amidst the backdrop of everything happening in LA this past month, I doom scrolled - a lot…read more Thankfully, my compulsion led to new culinary discoveries. Last night was the first, of what I hope will be, many more trips to this market, god willing. Food - 5/5. Bold flavors sure to smack your palate upside its head. Birria grilled cheese sandwich. El Azteca Huarache sandwich. Nothing but flames . Beverage - 5/5. Jugo de maracuya. Refreshing. Mouth watering. Thirst quenching. I'll be back to try the other flavors. Service - 5/5. Visited 3 booths and it was all smiles. Ambiance - 5/5. Community. Families. Authentic. No pretension, no attitude. Overall - 5/5. Can't wait to return.