It was my first time here. First off, valet parking is on an hourly schedule, not a flat fee. Park across the street for $5. Thank me later. I can't recommend this place more! There were 5 of us. We had biscuits and Persian cucumbers with burrata to share. Delicious Bloody Mary's and mocktails and some potatoes that were heavenly. Our server, Diedra, "Dee" was a delight. We were loud, starving and full of questions and she never lost patience. She was funny, accommodating and gracious. We wanted to sit outside, but you have to be a party of at least 6. They're very strict about that. We sat in the middle part of the restaurant. It felt like outside. They have chickens outside and artists spaces and bookstores all in the same area. I can't wait to return. 10/10, highly recommend. read more

See all

Cute farm to table dining in the Arts District. Everything we ordered was delicious, though there was an oddly long wait for our food and the party that ordered after us was served first. Despite this, I would still dine here again because the food was so good. read more

Manuela - New American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My partner booked a reservation for us for date night at this spot. We were running so late to our reservation due to me unfortunately. I was worried that we wouldn't be able to be seated being that we were over 30 minutes late but thankfully they were able to still seat us! The aesthetic and ambience inside this restaurant is absolutely beautiful! All the staff members we encountered were extremely kind. We ordered about 4 to 5 dishes in total and although the meals were delicious unfortunately I wasn't really blown away by anything. The food was still good! I would never say that it wasn't delicious. However, from seeing how highly rated this restaurant was I was just expecting to be blown away by some of the meals and unfortunately I wasn't. However I'd still recommend to give it a try! You might love it :) read more

See all

What better way to experience a celebration- amazing food and drinks! I tend to go for a craft beer or a nice glass of wine but couldn't resist the cocktails. Ordered the Archie and if i wasn't driving, I could've had many more. The Smokey mezcal with a hint of citrus was a perfect balance of flavors. The star were the venison burger and the oyster mushroom plate! Attentive staff and a gear vibe overall- yes, we are planning to return- hopefully in an uber to enjoy the other drinks read more

See all

Wow. What an experience. I believe this type of menu is designed for the new generation and indeed it was a 23rd century food. The salads were huge. I got A dish that was called Hen something mushroom. But there was no hen in it. That's how sophisticated this place is. That said the food was flavorful. The potatoes were delicious. They were very accommodating as well. My wife always gets Avocado Toast, and it was not on the menus, yet they brought them separately. The ambiance was specially good. A disclaimer, there is very limited parking and the valet is $20 and the public parking about the same if not more. If you live in the area it could be a hang out place, but, I wouldn't drive from Encino in a near future. read more

See all

I love this place! ambiance is wonderful. whether you're going for brunch or a romantic date or a cool spot with friends. servers are all super nice and love the bartenders here too! cocktails are delicious. i liked the one with the their Florida Man bc mezcal. for dinner try their cauliflower dish- marinated to perfection with citrus and roasted perfectly. loved their okra as well. Their chicken was a 10/10. Scallops always a good choice here. corn bread was also delicious. shrimp aguachile was also good. For brunch: you must have the biscuits whether you're coming for brunch or for dinner. They have a lovely shrimp and grits that's a huge portion. French toast was also delicious. The beignets came out a little cold unfortunately but they would've been good otherwise. same with their benedict and keep in mind, it's not an easy dish to share. read more

Manuela - New American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I had high hopes from this restaurant after seeing all the reviews and accolades, but unfortunately it fell short of meeting my expectations. The 3 good things about this restaurant were - 1. Since the restaurant is located in the Arts District of LA, parking is quite convenient and hassle free. 2. The spacious and open dining area with different options to pick from - indoor seating, outdoor seating and garden seating. The ambiance is quite nice and showcases art as one would expect. 3. Fast service They also have a garden across from the courtyard. Everything they grow there is used in their dishes and cocktails. I was dining solo so I opted for the bar seating area. I didn't order any drinks but the bartender had made an extra Bloody Mary so he gave it to me for free. Even for a free drink, I have to say it was very imbalanced- too much heat and excessive salt. Anyway, I tried their cast irom cornbread and popover benedict. Cornbread was decent but a lot for one person. I wouldn't order it again. It was light but had a bitter aftertaste. The popover benedict was an absolute disappointment. Hollindaise was barely there and the poached egg was overcooked. Inside wasn't runny at all. It was really bland. An overall underwhelming brunch item. read more

See all

As always, everything was great at the restaurant. The flavor of everything was, as always, very interesting and amazing. Consistently one of of the best restaurants in DTLA, if not all of LA. read more

Manuela - Amazing cocktail. - New American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The decor strikes a perfect balance of being vibrant and full of character, yet relaxed and inviting. It gets busy during brunch, but the energy adds to the experience, and it's absolutely worth the wait. The biscuits are a standout: warm, flaky, and served with house-made jam which is an ideal sweet and savory combo. The chilaquiles were packed with flavor, hitting just the right amount of spice without overwhelming the dish. I'll definitely be coming back for more. read more

See all

Really cute place. I went for brunch, make sure to get the aguachiles it's delicious. Drinks were delicious too Will definitely be coming back for dinner read more

Manuela - Aguachiles, Roasted Cauliflower, Date Vinegar, Almonds, other - New American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The restaurant is located inside a museum building in arts district. The space is very cute. I made a reservation in advance. It wasn't too crowded as I visit on Tuesday evening. For parking, they have a valet option but I was able to find a street parking nearby. Sangria (not pictured): it was good with the right amount of sweetness Biscuits: a must to order! Made of very thin layers which gives perfect texture. Great with butter and jam served Arugula salad: a great option to pair with other dishes. Vegetables were very fresh and I liked how it wasn't drenched in the sauce Pork chop: definitely recommend! I am usually not a huge fan of pork chop yet I enjoyed every bite of this dish! So tender and delicious Overall very satisfied with the experience and definitely want to come back to try their brunch and other menu read more

See all

How should I say in three words only: cool, relaxing and delicious!!! it's been a couple years that we were there last. It almost seems impossible, but it did improve even beyond what I liked last time. The encampments are gone. The atmosphere is wider and opener, the service spotless. And most importantly: at the end, everything was wonderful and on point. PREVIOUS REVIEW: What a pleasure to go there for an extended happy hour, or better happy 2-3 hours!! Eying that place for quite some time, I finally got the chance to "actually" go. Everything I was hoping for (even an unexpectable parking spot right in front) was met. This artsy place is beautiful and cool with both the indoor and outdoor areas, but the latter was just a perfect fit for a larger group that did not want to go home and kept ordering bites after bites + obviously some liquids as well ... There was nothing that was not superbly done, flavorful, and nicely presented. We ordered too many items to list them all. Again, no risk to try anything on the menu ... and the meaning of the colorful patterns in the ladies vs men's rooms gave ample cause for discussion and longer stay. read more

See all

I ended up leaving with a bad taste in my mouth after feeling like I was nickel and dime. The $24 valet charge, then six dollars for each bottle of filtered tapwater, which was not disclosed upfront, then the 4% service charge was added to the middle of the bill and then you were asked to tip on the service charge. It all added up to feeling ripped off. I will not go back or recommend it to people. read more

Wow! I was not sure what to expect here but I was pleasantly surprised. The fish dishes were so fresh and the biscuits are to die for! Our waiter was very helpful and kept our waters full. The atmosphere is the mix of an upscale restaurant with a casual and modern feel. read more

See all

This spot has been on my list for a while now and it didn't disappoint! The restaurant itself is very aesthetic and the perfect spot for a date night or a night out with friends. Parking a bit difficult to find but if you go a few blocks done, you should be able to find some parking. I ordered the Cream Biscuits, Arugula Salad, Venison Burger, and Butterball Potatoes. All were delicious but the real highlight were the biscuits. Something about them was so good that I'm still dreaming about them. Staff were super friendly and nice as well! read more

See all

I have learned to love Manuela, in fact, on my last review of the joint I praised their bacon as the best one I have ever had in my life, and that was not an exaggeration for impact, it was an honest statement made for impact. I have been there a few times since my first visit. I love to sip, and people see, and I love to nibble and enjoy the chew. Manuela lends itself to both, easily so you will only hear great things from me about this place! But, this review will not review the restaurant, it will appraise its garden. On a recent trip to Hauser and Wirth (where Manuela sits) I passed Manuela's garden, a few steps from the proper joint, and there was a soiree afoot. I inquired, "What was going on inside?" and a man dressed in a black suit, with a black tie, and a white shirt, informed me that it was a private event. He did not sway his hand as he stated these words, but his tone said it all, no hand gesture was needed. A new micro-mission was born on that day: I would attend a garden soiree at Manuela. I did not know how I would achieve the feat, but, I was denied and thus, the garden became that much more tempting- go figure! Turns out, my wait to set afoot within Manuela's garden, as it held a private soiree, was not long. I did not wish or hope or throw a dime in a well, my invitation just kind of arrived, like some of the best moments in life. I was ready to step in the soil I was once denied. I was ready to hear shrubs applaud my arrival, and ready to smell the scent of herbs waft across a perfect Art District night. I was so full of enthusiasm, just going there was a massive treat, one that I do not take for granted because who else revels in garden with cocktails in hand, but the lucky and the alive! My friend, Conrad was my plus one. We arrived before the sun set. Our first treat, was crudete--- you know raw vegetables and fruit. Both planks were decorated so nicely, I feel comfortable describing them as lovely. I appreciated that one was for fruit and one was for vegetables. If you look closely at the pictures, you realize that their was artistry at work-- the colors of the fruit were meant to take shape and show contrast. The vegetable array was more designated mounds, but still the color of the vegetables was Spring on a plank. I have had the cauliflower at Manuela, and now know where it comes from, maybe, this same garden? I do generally do not like the taste of cauliflower, but the deep shade of royal purple of this cauliflower for a moment made me love it. This might be solid proof that one does eat based on sight first. This is also further proof that things that look pretty have an easier time to be liked in this world, thus aesthetics play a role on how we decide on the value of things. Shocking, I know! :-). Some of the other guests and I were trying to deduce the flavor of one of the vegetable dips. Two of them guessed black beans, I tried it, and I guessed lentil dip. They agreed with me, and offered prizes. Perhaps Manuela can use little signs to educate its guests on the dips we are about to enjoy, or just signs for us to know other food names. I hate to say this but the food was kind of a miss. The pancetta, the small yellow squares on the picture section, looked pretty and delicious. I automatically popped one in my mouth and I needed water immediately, that was not around me. The pancetta was hot, like I could not hold the scolding heat in my mouth. I had to use a napkin to .... figure out the rest. The chicken satay was good in concept but on execution, tasted basic. When some were offered to me, I turned them down, and then remembered to be polite--- "no thank you, I find these....the best to turn down." My words muddled but hopefully came out fine. The steak and mashed potatoes were the bite of the night! The steak was tender, and the mashed were more like a sauce or a spuma, those kind of tricks delight my taste buds. Coming in on a close second were the sweet potatoe tostadas. I think if I were a vegetarian I would write a love letter to them, or at least a long lengthy paragraph of appreciation upon my journal. They also had cookies at the end-- two types. I cannot remember the second, but the first was a chocolate chip cookie with sea salt--- sweetness and salt, mingling again for everyone's delight! The night also offered a signature cocktail. A mix of tequila, melon, and other ingredients, one was called Amaro Angelino, which I did not know was an ingredient. The cocktail was smooth, sweet and clean. It felt like a drink not of alcohol, but of fruit. The garden offered much, its night, its sweetness, its people, its murals, its chat, and its fare. All in all, I was fortunate to attend, and sip, and bite, and tweet, and for that I am truly grateful-- like a ladybug left undisturbed atop a leaf. read more

See all

Located inside a gorgeous oasis in the Arts District, the lush surroundings juxtaposed within brick and art. Stunning- we sat on the patio next to the wall of the bar. The music was playing tunes that didn't take over our conversations, while we felt a cool breeze sitting there created by their fans on a warm September day. I took my cousin S there to celebrate her 40th birthday and it was the right choice. The service was excellent and even though gf wasn't marked on the menu we could have a conversation about it without confusion which for me is always good. We started with the cornbread and it was good. I liked that it wasn't too sweet and that there was butter but not completely slathered in it. My cousin ordered the steak rare, whole I had the arugula salad, and we shared the potatoes and tricolor cauliflower. Everything was good and in the future I would more than likely lose the cornbread- only because there was too much food for me. The cocktail list was ample and I appreciated the wine list being organic and biodynamic as this is reflected by the way I buy my wine these days. Would I go again? Absolutely. Everything was excellent and we got lucky with parking. Found a spot, a block away. read more

See all

Excellent customer service, appetizers, main course, dessert and drinks were all 10/10. The place is a for sure vibe. I love places like this. The convenience of valet parking in the front is chef's kiss to the whole experience.. read more

See all

Gorgeous ambiance day or evening, beautifully designed. Fantastic service, friendly staff! Food is wonderful and cocktails are excellent! Such a cool space and an overall awesome dining experience! Will be back for more without question. read more

My partner had came to this restaurant for a work event and raved about the food. We came the following Saturday for lunch. We were sat quickly and our waiter was friendly and informative. We ordered the biscuits, the heirloom tomatoes salad, hanger steak and grilled yellowtail. The food did take a little long in between each coarse but each plate was so tasty and flavorful it really didn't matter. The staff was quick to refill our drinks and clear our plates after each meal. Honestly every dish was so good. Deciding when to go back!!! read more

Oh my God, this place has some the best food I've eaten. Delicious, out of the ordinary food skillfully prepared. All in a beautiful setting with amazing service. 5 stars. The biscuits are a must and so are all the vegetables. read more

Nice ambiance, decent service. Food was ok, nothing innovative or that tasty. Their menu is a bit all over the place, I didn't get what they were going for. We had the chicken (bland), snow peas (overcooked) and the oysters which were nice. It's hard to mess up oysters though. Not sure who's eating "local squid" in LA after the fires polluted the water? read more

Manuela - New American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Everything we had at Manuela's was great! The Albacore dip & the cornbread were my favorite. I loved how the chicken was so easy to eat because it was deboned/flattened & it was seasoned really well. The service and the food were so timely. We did go a little earlier around 6 and when we were leaving around 8:30 the dining areas were beginning to fill up. Our waiter was great and gave us really good recommendations. It was a little dark but otherwise the ambiance was nice and we enjoyed the music. Would definitely got back again. FYI apparently the menu changes every so often. Also, they do not have parking but there is street parking, parking garage and Valet is $20 out front. read more

See all

We went here for our 6 month anniversary and the vibes were top tier. First of all it's a beautiful restaurant and being next to an art gallery makes for a great date combo. Second, their menu is really well crafted with interesting flavors and fresh ingredients. We opted for a seafood night and our favorites were the tuna tartare, cornbread, and barramundi!! To top it all off our server surprised us with glasses of champagne at the end. Overall great experience! read more

See all

Manuela... how you turned my sad night into a happy and memorable one. The ambiance is stunning, peaceful, and perfect for any occasion. My biggest pet peeve is loud music which they didnt have... thank goodness. The highlight was the pork ribs and the pickled sides. Absolutely DELICIOUS! read more

See all

Overall, nice dinner experience with good service and a fun atmosphere. We got seated a little late but the host handled it graciously and was attentive while we waited (we could tell it was a busy night). We ordered the smoked albacore dip, arugula salad, sea bass, venisson burger, roasted sunchokes, chocolate torte, and cardamom cheesecake. While it was all good, the arugula salad and seabass were our favorites. We also got the Stay Gold Ponyboy (Ube with gold leaves) and the Florida Man cocktails which we both enjoyed. read more

See all

This place is now my favorite brunch place in LA. Both dishes we got were delicious but I especially loved the trout tartare. Bread was cooked to perfection! Restaurant was such a cute vibe. We got seated inside but def wanna sit outdoor next time esp during warmer season. read more

See all

Recently had an incredible time at Manuela. George took great care of us -- he was friendly, attentive, and on top of everything. We started off with some drinks: two Poblano Palomas, a Vesper, The Rockwell, and a Parsley Gimlet. For food, we ordered two orders of Kusshi oysters, the Ocean trout tartare, the Smoked albacore dip with Carolina gold rice crackers, the Burrata, the Shrimp roll, the Snake River Farms hanger steak, and the Big Glory Bay salmon. Everything was fresh and packed with flavor. The hanger steak was tender and juicy, and the salmon was perfectly cooked. We wrapped up with a couple of Americanos, and since we were celebrating a birthday, they sent out a complimentary almond ice cream. Top-tier experience all around; already looking forward to the next visit! read more

I've been here several times and it never disappoints! The food is absolutely delicious, there is not one dish I wouldn't order again and again, the service is absolutely impeccable, and the vibe/ambience of the restaurant is super cool and modern. One of my favorite restaurants in LA! read more

Manuela - New American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Disappointing experience overall. Our server provided very little guidance from the start - no food recommendations, no explanation of dishes. We ordered the chicken for our toddler yet she didnt mention it was going to be spicy - we had to wash it off. When the manager later asked why we didn't complain sooner, I was surprised, especially since the server's main message throughout the meal was "no modifications" - i tried getting a salad and add chicken to it. I also asked for gluten free recommendations and was told "Tell me what appeals to you and I'll tell you if it's gluten free," rather than being offered actual suggestions. To their credit, the manager removed the chicken from the bill and gave free dessert. However, better communication and more attentive service would have prevented the issue altogether. We've received far more helpful and knowledgeable service at restaurants in the area like Bestia, 71Above, Perch. Unfortunately, Manuela's service did not meet expectations. read more

What a delish meal: Had the biscuits with ham, Albacore Dip, Chicken entrée ( enough for 2) Heirloom Tomato Salad and Chocolate Cake. It didn't hurt that we were served by a Smith Jerod (Sex and the City) look alike. Beautiful spot! read more

Manuela is always a great time. Food and drinks are is delicious. Welcoming service and the ambiance is warm and welcoming. I love this place! Perfect for solo or group dates read more

Made a reservation at 11:30am, right when they opened to celebrate a special occasion (it was noted on the reservation). We were seated inside near the kitchen, so we asked to be seated in the nicer outdoor patio area. The restaurant was nearly empty and the host said they didn't have any tables available. The server said we weren't allowed to order appetizers first as the chef prefers us order everything at once. I've never been to a restaurant that had this issue. We were hungry and had to hurry to figure out what we wanted. I'm not someone who usually complains. But this place was quite disappointing. I don't go out to eat often anymore and felt bad to have wasted a meal here. The food was mostly tasty. Cornbread, biscuits, mushroom and polenta dish were my favorite . Service was mediocre. Not sure if I'd be willing to try again. Street parking was easy to find two streets west of the restaurant. read more

This place has the honor of being some of the best food I have ever eaten. We tried a lot of different items but the standouts were the cornbread, the Louisiana shrimp aguachile, Double RR ranch ribeye (tender! Medium perfect!) but the crowning glory is the Big glory bay salmon with lemon beurre blanc. We soaked our bread in that sauce until it was gone! The salmon was super tender, pan fried with crispy skin. I'm from Seattle and the salmon here is so much better. Our server was attentive and the organic, greenery with lightscaping was an absolutely wonderful backdrop for our meal. They have heaters if it gets too cool. Special mention for the "stay gold pony boy" cocktail they serve, Highly recommend! read more

See all

Staff were friendly, cute nice drinks but tbh the food was just okay. I don't get the hype. We ordered multiple apps and the "butterball potatoes" - supposed to be their famous staple but we really thought this was nothing special. Bbq oysters & Kumiah oysters were good but that was the most memorable thing we got. read more

Manuela - Butterball Potatoes, Barbecued Oysters, Shrimp Aguachile, Ocean Trout Tartare, & Kumiai Oysters - New American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

If you enjoy brunch, new American, prioritize lovely interior decor, friendly service, and is less price sensative (this place is $$$), then Manuela might be a 5/5 for you! For me, it was 3/5 if purely considering the food I tried. (I do think it might have been due to failure to order the best items. In retrospect, I didn't really order an entree?! No wonder I felt it was not worth...) Corn bread - great butter, plain bread. I see what they are trying to do by being not sweet, and this might pair really well when eating other items but preferably not by itself. (It was served by itself.) Hazelnut Salad - tastes like a fine salad. Cucumber Roe w/ toast - most preferred item among everything tried so far. I think it was delicious because all the ingredients were something I enjoyed. Roasted potatoes - very classic item that you can't go wrong cooking. read more

See all

Brought here for a simple and sweet bday dinner with my partner. The server was so friendly and full of great food and drink suggestions! We had to have the biscuits and though there was a wait for them they were warm and delicious when they were served to us. I honestly came here for two dozen of the chargrilled/ barbecued oysters ! They're so seasoned and grilled to perfection. We also got good drinks. The yellow one was thee bestttt (I switched over to that one after my first drink) Very busy, few spots of street parking and there is valet offered as well. The space is very cool and had an exhibit of cool cars in the summer ! *can't remember bathroom situation , check was a tad expensive, and I dislike when there's low to no parking read more

See all

I just had their version of eggs Benedict. One small egg covered in what tasted like canned sauce, atop a small piece of ham which tasted like it was boiled (no flavor at all), surrounded by some kind of crusted bread. In a word...terrible. That, combined with very slow service. BTW, the dish plus a cup of coffee was $50.00 (tax, a 4% service fee and a built-in 20% gratuity - we were a group of 8). DON'T DO IT. read more

Would I come again? YES, 100% COOL FYI - Their own garden which is situated across the courtyard from the restaurant. Everything grown is used in their dishes or cocktails, including herbs, pomegranates, chillies and much more. Their garden is also home to their feathered friends, the chickens, who provide them with fresh eggs and joy every day. PRICING / QUALITY 4/5 It's a tad bit pricey but makes sense on the quality of the ingredients. FOOD 4/5 - Cornbread is LEGIT and def should have gotten the biscuits but didn't want to carb overload. Haha (Cast iron cornbread w/Steen's butter) - Market lettuce salad is FRESH and the perfect harmony of greens and crunchiness (pickled carrots, ricotta salata, hazelnuts, coriander buttermilk) - Venison burger was okay probably PASS in the future. Felt the thick large buns didn't complement the burger and the venison just fell apart making it messy. SERVICE 4/5 Friendly service throughout the experience and very aware of ensuring plates were taken away or drinks were filled ip PARKING 3/5 There's valet in the front but if you're looking to self park there's a bunch within the perimeter. It's the art district so why not go for a walk and explore. AMBIENCE 4.5/5 Open and definitely doesn't feel like DTLA when stepping into Manuela. Guess LA Weekly said it best: "There's something genuinely magical about stepping in off the street, into the antique warehouse, and down a wide hallway, and discovering an expansive space, open to the sky, with Manuela on one end, spilling into the courtyard." read more

Delicious lunch today!!! Loved everything we got! The market salad, trout tartare, Chiquitas and burger and potatoes. Very cool Arts District vibe! read more

See all