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.

Very nice hidden gem here, it's located off the beaten path, romantic and whimsical with a…read moregoth-like feel. I tried the beignets and they were really tasty, server was attentive and a good looking crowd showed up for "The Obscure" reserved seating for tasting and I was told mocktails if you're not into the spirits of that sort.

The rising sun is an interesting spot! It has a cool gothic vibe so if you want to fit in…read moredefinitely come dressed in black. It's a small self served restaurant with a limited menu that changes, since not everything we saw on yelp was available. When we visited the options were crispy chicken/hot link sliders, different variations of tots and beignets. We went with the crispy chicken sliders and loaded Cajun tots and they were both very flavourful and delicious. The chicken was well seasoned and crispy paired with tangy pickled vegetables and a tasty pretzel bun. The combination of flavours packed a punch but we did wish for a thicker slice of chicken. The tater tots were very well seasoned too and the sauces were yummy, something acidic would be a nice addition to cut through the fatty goodness. When we asked for utensils they didn't have any forks so they gave us one spoon and one knife. We made it work. Definitely want to come back to try other things on their menu whenever they rotate it.

Friendly service. Good drinks. Great for working remotely. I ordered the raspberry spritz which was…read moreperfect in this summer heat. Refreshing and not coyingly sweet. Lots of seating indoors and outdoors. Extra seating upstairs. Bonus: as a sensitive human, I appreciated the subtle and pleasant scent of the bathrooom hand soap. Not the usual pink, drying generic soaps. Didn't stay long enough to order from the food menu. But it's good to know they have a number of options. I'm told the breakfast burrito is a good go-to. Would love to visit again when in the arts district.

Place is cute. i really like their acai bowl. They charge you extra for staying at their location?…read morebut isn't that complimentary with cafes?? It's also fairly crowded and their desks are TINYYY. their charging ports are also rare. i have yet to sit next to one. But i do like their chai latte and acai bowl. so i'll cut them the slack.

This place gets 5 stars because for the area it's a no-brainer (downtown LA is devoid of good…read moreplaces other than near the business skyscrapers)- great food, cool vibe, good bar, cool people working there, well Air-Conditioned, spacious restaurant and bar and barber shop and bike shop (clothing) and moto museum all in one! What's not to love? Parking in the area a little sketch but (weekdays) they might let you park in the lot if you ask nice. ;-). Weekends you should just RIDE there.

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!

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.

Sampa Restaurant…read more This is a review for my experience having brunch at Sampa Restaurant. Sampa specializes in Filipino dishes. "Sampa" is short for sampaguita which is the national flower of the Philippines. WORDS TO DESCRIBE SAMPA: Elevated dining, speakeasy vibes, quality food and service PARKING: Parking can be difficult since it is close to the Arts District, you may want to park in the Public Parking Lot areas FOOD: Lechon fried rice: This dish was exquisite! I loved all of the colors in the rice, which include the fried pork belly, the golden egg yolks, and the pigments of the atchara (atchara: pickled vegetables such as papaya, scallions, and carrots). When I took my first bite of the fried rice, the blend of all of them together was scrumptious! Yes order this dish! 5/5 STEAKSILOG: I would order just the steak alone! The skirt steak was savory, juicy, and mouthwatering! Yummy! 4.5/5 Kare Kare Tamales: This dish was delicious! Kare Kare is one of my favorite Filipino dishes, so when I saw it paired with tamales I was immediately intrigued. The presentation was beautiful. The flavor was rich and unique. The oxtail was tender and the peanut sauce paired well with the savoriness. 4/5 CHICKEN AND PANDAN WAFFLE: This plate was their take on chicken and waffles. The pandan flavor was there, but I wish the waffle was thick, instead it had a crispy thin cookie like texture. 3.5/5 DRINKS: Bartender has skills! Beauty in the booze! I appreciated the artistry in creating our beverages. I loved the details of the flowers and layers of color. Cheers! All in all I had a great time eating at Sampa! I loved the food and service! Maraming Salamat! Sobrang Sarap!

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!!

This is one of my favorite spots to meet up with friends for a casual get together when in the…read moreDowntown LA area! It's conveniently located to the LA Convention Center, Crytpo.com arena, and LA Live which makes it a must visit before or after an event! I am obsessed with their happy hour, which offers healthy items at discounted prices with generous portions! I have been here so many times throughout the years but most recently found myself here during a busy World Cup match! Regardless, the service and quality of food was not sacrificed! I was greeted as soon as I got there and the bartenders were overwhelmed but still friendly and helpful. I was so tempted to get a margarita, since theirs are amazing, but decided to keep it dry and just get their vegan nachos. I was able to score a table outside on their lovely patio, which felt secluded enough from the main street. My food was brought out quicker than I thought and I was delighted, as I was famished! The vegan nachos here are fantastic and the happy price is only $10, which is a steal for what you get! They are costed in the most magical concoction of a bean puree, cashew cheese sauce, and guacamole which all have the most creamy, luscious and savory flavors. It's so hearty and well seasoned and not only filling, but you feel great after. Parking is pretty easy, as there are usually ample meters available nearby. I cannot wait to return again soon the next time I'm in Downtown LA! I am hoping to try more of their vegan options and next time I will for sure get a drink to go along with their delicious food!

Prank has a fun atmosphere and a great location in DTLA, but my experience was a bit mixed. The…read morecocktails didn't quite live up to expectations. I ordered the Espresso Martini, and it tasted pretty watered down and lacked the bold coffee flavor I was hoping for. On the bright side, the food was definitely the highlight. The mussels were flavorful, the calamari was crispy and cooked well, and the fries were delicious. Those dishes really saved the experience . Overall, I'd come back for the food, but I'd probably steer clear from cocktails and order a real drink. Prank is a convenient place for dtla residents in surrounding apartments to come get some quick bites and drinks and catch a live game

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.