What a great spot tucked away in the UTC mall, really transports you to Spain. We sat in the patio…read moresection; tables were nice light wood, and we were surrounded by vegetation, giving off a very farm to table vibe. The mocktails were refreshing and balanced!!I was so glad they weren't to sweet. We indulged in the Sierra Sunset, which came on a light up coaster showing off the sunset colors. And also the Lychee's & Cream, which was my favorite. I think it was the use of the kaffir yogurt that really balanced the mocktail and set it apart. The tapas we had were the Salmon Tartar, Patatas Bravas (add crispy Jamon), and Wagyu Empanadas. The citru notes in the salmon tartar really made this dish sing to me; bouncing off the creaminess of the avocado mouse and the richness of the salmon, then finishing with the crunch of the tostada. The Patatas Bravas were nice and crispy, and toped with a creamy aoil then a spicy Bravas sauce with added a nice spice and depth to the dish. However, adding the crispy Jamon is definitely the way to go if you order this dish!! Those Wagyu Empanadas were just the right ratio of meat to dough. Then those Manchego cheese cracker not only are a nice crunch, but also bring a nuttiness that balances the richness of the meat and that succulent mole sauce. Next was the burrata bowl, another favorite of mine. This must have been a whole burrata ball spread out and topped with cherry tomatoes an herbal basil sauce and crunchy kale chips. They even have us some tostada chips to dip in this delicious burrata bowl. They have a whole pallela section under the main dishes, so of course we had to try this out. We went with the Paella Negra; squid ink, gulf shrimp, clams, scallops and broccolini, and of course we added the Iberian ham. This was so decadent and delicious. Definitely recommend topping it off with a squeeze of the lemon they provide you with, it complements the dish. The corrners of the rice were nice and crispy, while the center remind fluffy. Shrimp were cooked to perfection, the dolops of aoli complemented the side ink rice. The addition of the Iberian ham really brought a smokey and salty addition to this dish. To end the night we decided to indulge in the desert trio, this included churros, an orange Mochi, torrija and ice cream. The orange Mochi was light and delicious and definitely and Instagram-able dish. But the one that stole the show for me, was the torrija. Something I had never had before, nice rich brioche style pastry filled with a passion fruit cream.

How exciting we have a Spanish restaurant in north San Diego!…read moreThe place is beautifully decorated, airy and open. It can get really loud as people gather to drink and eat. The food was really authentic. The Spanish albondigas were tender and flavorful. Lobster Paella was the star of the show. Seafood and rice were perfectly cooked. Loved the flavor profile and the lemon and garlic aioli enhanced the dish. Portions were generous. The wait staff team (Victor and Tony and team) were attentive, made recommendations and were friendly. The manager was also on the floor and checked in on us.

Last minute dinner with my boyfriend & his family, & we had such a great experience! The service…read morewas amazing...the staff was kind, funny, & very welcoming. There were seven of us, & we shared appetizers & split the food, which worked out perfectly. The portions were generous, everything was delicious, & we finished every plate. The sangria pitchers were also perfect for sharing! The cozy, family style atmosphere makes this place feel like a hidden gem. They were so sweet to let us enjoy our dinner until closing. Definitely recommend for a date night or family meal!

Food 5/5: fantastic every time never disappoint! This is one of the best Spanish food in LA…read more Seafood was great, squid ink was fantastic. All appetizers are 10/10. They all melt in your mouth. Service 5/5: top service. Ambiance 5/5 I highly recommend!

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 a 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

Excellent experience from start to finish. We were treated like regulars the moment we walked in,…read moreand the host genuinely seemed happy to see us. Vibe not pretentious and food wasn't overly precious. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and gave thoughtful recommendations. The owner/chef even came by to check on us and spent time chatting, which added to the warm neighborhood feel of the place. They were also extremely accommodating with dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. No full bar, but the sangrias were excellent with great flavors, and the wine list was approachable rather than overwhelming. Nice touch that everything is available by the glass, carafe, or bottle, with bottles still being the best value. The vermouth on ice with dessert was fantastic. Every dish was excellent. The strawberry gazpacho was a fun twist, and the artichoke hummus rivaled the hummus at Saffy's, though in a different style. I also noticed the very high-quality olive oil across multiple dishes, which says a lot about the attention to detail. Heads up, they seem to have a cult around their cheese cake, every staffer mentioned it and waxed poetic (as do many reviews). :-) We'll do it next time but opted for the flan which did not disappoint -- texture and flavor spot on. This feels like a place that wants to become a true neighborhood spot. The long bar seems ideal for casual walk-ins or solo diners looking for a quick bite and a glass of wine. We went all out, but you could easily order a couple of plates and a drink and leave very happy. Portion sizes were generous for a tapas-style restaurant. A great addition to the neighborhood and absolutely worth a visit. Fills a niche in the area.

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!

Best Time Best People Best Food. Thats my BBB rating. My wife and I have been eating here for…read moreyears. The live entertainment is Exceptional.

You must try this restaurant…read more Champinones y Trufa - Our favorite dish! Incredible seasoning and flavor. Crudo de Salmon - Excellent marinade, accompanied by a tangy spread and an aromatic herbs and spices. Pan con Tomate - Delicious, fluffy focaccia topped with a savory, garlicky tomato topping. Alcachofas Fritas - Lovely crisp artichoke hearts with a tangy sauce. Flan De La Casa - Better than any flan you've ever had! We almost ordered a second. It is incredibly rich and flavorful, especially with the pear and almond topping. Sangria (Red) - A nice sweetness and fruity taste. Watermelon Margarita - Very sweet and enjoyable. Cucumber Mint Cooler (Mocktail) - Not very sweet, and refreshing. Gorgeous interior and lovely, shaded patio dining. Service was excellent.

This might be my new favorite restaurant in Pasadena, although for a price tag…read more Came in with a party of 10, so ordered probably 80% of the menu apart from drinks. There were 0 misses. We tried four different paellas: Seafood, Seafood Noodle, Squid Ink, and the daily special (which I've sadly forgotten). I genuinely can't pick a favorite...they were all so incredible. I've had some pretty bad experiences with overly salty paella, even in Spain (!!!), so I was relieved Dos Besos wasn't that. Great selection of tapas as well. We basically ordered everything. The standouts for me were the Galician octopus, mushrooms in truffle cream, and the cured meats. But holy, everything was so good. I am not a huge fan of red wine but the sangria was fruity and went down smoothly. Desserts were also fantastic, I especially loved the torrijas. The chef, who's from Barcelona, was incredibly kind and came out personally to offer complimentary pan con tomate with our endless jamón orders. Incredible experience and I would love to come back every day if I had the financial means to.

Been here many times with my wife and we loved the food. The quality is great and it's a good…read moreenvironment to wind down. I give it a 2 star rating because their service isn't great. We loved it when we had the owners, husband and wife on the floor. In our recent visit, the owners weren't there. No one came to check on us or refilled our water not at least till the very end of our dinner because they wanted to see if we wanted to order dessert. Now, we watched them bus other tables out in the patio with water and frequent visits. There were only a few tables occupied at the time so the restaurant wasn't busy and definitely has the capacity to serve. I will not be coming back again sadly. Customer service is what makes or breaks a restaurant for me.

Every visit here is an unforgettable experience. From the food and service to the overall…read moreatmosphere, everything reflects an exceptional level of quality. The service team is incredibly professional, attentive, and detail-oriented. With plenty of staff available, they are always paying attention to guests and making sure everyone feels well taken care of. Every dish is full of surprises, with amazing flavors and beautiful presentation. The restaurant itself is elegant, clean, and comfortable, and combined with the outstanding service, it creates a dining experience that is truly worth recommending. This is definitely a place I would love to come back to again.

One of very few elite dining spots in the heart of LA. Only 14 seatings per night so you can…read moreimagine how difficult securing a reservation could be. Still cannot believe we were able to join the small community of people that had the honor to experience the artistry of chef Aitor Zabala and his remarkable team. Somni presents a 24-course, carefully curated tasting menu. Only one seating per night and dinner usually runs about four hours long. Doors open right at 7:30 pm and you are seated in the garden where you will receive a welcome drink (Tokyo fizz which is a Japanese sake/yuzu cocktail) and about 6 small bites that range from sweet to savory. This allows us to sit and relax for about 20 minutes before being escorted into the main dining hall. Dinner is served from a counter top so you have the opportunity to watch each dish come to creation. I personally love this interaction. You are served about 12 main courses expertly composed with Iberico pork, Dungeness crab, mussels, Chutoro and Bone marrow, beef tartare, and fresh garden herbs & botanical elements. My top FAVORITES were the Shiso puff tartare (Best dish hands down), Gazpacho blanco, and the Iberico pork. Very filling. Finally, dinner concludes with tea/coffee and 6 small bites of fruity gel, choc donut, and sorbet. Each course captivates your senses with its vibrant presentation, alluring aromatics, complex textures, and remarkable depth of flavors. Every bite was unique and lingered beautifully on the palate. Would love to come back again. Curious to try their fall and winter menu. Without a doubt, Somni is deserving of each of their stars

The food is great and the happy hour is nice. We sat outside and our server was wonderful…read more However, I dislike how LOUD it is. Outside they have a speaker blasting music, which is too much considering that on an outside patio you already have just regular street sounds.

Ambiance: we came shortly before sunset and sat inside which was empty. It can get a little cramped…read moreinside but overall cozy. Service: I made a reservation online for a birthday and there was no mention of that, the food came out steadily but our waitress wasn't as attentive as I expected, several times we were waiting to place additional order or get water refills Food: the wine and red sangria were delicious, followed by the croquettes and gazpacho. I would pass on the Spanish omelette, to us it was a little plain even with the additions on the side. The paella and churros were decent.