My wife and I went to go have breakfast and we had an amazing experience! Our server Cesy was very…read moreattentive and friendly which made our visit even better. The restaurant was very elegant we will definitely be coming back soon! Thank you Cesy!

Toast has been on my list of places to check out for a couple of years, and a friend put it back on…read moremy radar back in April. Just a couple of weeks ago, my friends and I were considering our options for where to have brunch to celebrate one of our friend's retirement. Toast was one of the names I dropped in the metaphorical hat, and it won the vote of a few. My friends were surprised that I had named a spot I hadn't yet tried since I'm usually the "foodie" of the group. However, another girl in the group who had been here before vouched for it. I'm glad I finally got to try this place this past weekend, and I cannot wait to return! There were so many things on their menu that I wanted to try. A couple of the ladies ordered green chilaquiles, the friend we were celebrating ordered the Spanish Omelet, another woman I'd met that day had the bacon and eggs, another one ordered the Biscuits and grave with a side of bacon that looked perfectly crispy. I wish I had taken pictures of the plates as it all looked so lovely! I didn't even take a picture of my own food haha. I had my eyes on an omelet, one of the Benedicts or the Chicken n Waffle. In the end, the chicken and waffle won. It comes served with a little container of maple syrup with bacon pieces. The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The waffle was delicious, though I did request for some extra syrup on the side. To drink, a few ladies ordered mimosas, one ordered an iced caramel coffee, and I ordered the Carajillo. I fell in love with this drink last summer in Mexico and do not often see it on the menu. I love the subtle citrus notes the Licor 43 adds to this espresso drink. It is very similar to an espresso martini, and theirs comes topped with a toasted marshmallow. I honestly wanted to try almost every item in their Tipsy Barista section of their drinks. I'll just have to come back that many more times :) Plenty of parking in the mall lot. It does get pretty packed during peak hours. Fortunately I had called ahead to put our group of 6 down. We went in on Saturday around 11:30. It slowed down a bit while we were eating, but started to get busy again after 1. Otherwise, we might have been forced to honor their 90-minute rule. All in all, a great experience from everyone in our group. No complaints on the wait, service or food. That certainly deserves a toast. Great job, Toast!

We came for Dine LA, and this was way above my expectations. I knew it would be a chef-y place,…read morebut I didn't expect to love my meal so much. Dinner was $70 per person and consisted entirely of shared plates. It turned out to be plenty of food. We started with the roasted shishito peppers and the crispy pork belly. That pork belly was the best dish of the night - absolutely delicious. Next came the chickpea fritters, which were also really good. The roasted beet salad was up next. I hate beets. But I still liked this. I wouldn't order it again because, yeah, I really don't like beets. But if you like them even a little, you should get this. I actually ate several bites of this, and it was nice. The Sichuan Chili Bass presented a similar situation as I don't really like fish - but again, I ate this and it was quite tasty. Dessert was a "s'mores" situation - a messy, glorious bowl of chocolate, meringue, graham cracker crunch and strawberries. Service was awesome - perfectly pacing the meal. My friend had a couple of cocktails which were gorgeous. And the room is lovely and light. I don't love the neighborhood and parking can be tough. I definitely would come early unless you're taking a taxi. Genuinely surprised how much I liked this meal. Everything was very well done and clearly made with care without seeming fussy or too precious. Highly recommend and would definitely come back. This is a place to take your out-of-town friends to.

Girl & the Goat has been on my list mostly because I pass by it all the time and it always seems…read morepacked, so I finally decided to see what the hype was about. We made a reservation through OpenTable and arrived about 5 minutes early. They were able to seat us pretty quickly, so the whole check-in process was easy. The restaurant itself is beautiful and spacious, with tall ceilings and plenty of plants. At night, the lighting is moodier and gives the whole space a warm, buzzy atmosphere. Unfortunately, the restaurant itself was also literally warm lol. It wasn't unbearably hot, but definitely warmer than comfortable, especially while eating something like curry. Granted, it was 95°F+ outside that day, so maybe the AC was just fighting for its life. We ordered: * Goat liver mousse * Wood-fired broccoli * Pickled pepper blueberry cornbread * Lamb curry Surprisingly, I think the wood-fired broccoli was my favorite dish of the night. It had a really nice char with a slight tanginess that kept me going back for more. The cornbread and goat liver mousse were both just okay for me. I wanted the cornbread to be richer and more buttery, and the blueberry didn't come through nearly as much as I expected. The goat liver mousse was fine, but weirdly I almost wanted it to taste more like goat? For something centered around goat liver, the flavor felt pretty tame. The lamb curry had a nice curry flavor, but it was missing the depth and complexity I've had in really good curries. There also wasn't much actual lamb in the dish, which made it even harder for it to stand out. Overall, nothing we had was particularly bad, but aside from the broccoli, nothing made me think, "I need to eat this again." The space and interior honestly left a stronger impression on me than the food. Maybe we just didn't order the right dishes, because this place is clearly popular; but with so many other restaurants in the Arts District, I don't see myself choosing Girl & the Goat over them for a return visit.

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.

We came here during DineLA week. $55 for 4 course menu. It is our first time here but we had tried…read moretheir kare-kare tamale and ube cheese cake at food festival... so, we were quite excited to dine here. The menu is simple but creative, perfect blend of Filipino and Spanish cuisine. Inasal cesar salad: calamansi dressing is refreshing. Grilled chicken is perfectly grilled add a nice twist to the salad. Kare-kare tamale: signature dish. The braised oxtail is so moist and tender..the veloute sauce is milky. Bucatini and rigatoni are also so yummy. We can't decide the winner. Bucatini is spicy. Rigatoni is milky and buttery... so you decide. Grilled escabeche white fish: the fish is moist with crispy skin. Ribeye is melt in my mouth. For desert, panna cotta is a.perfect ending of a beautiful dinner. Every dish.is beautifully presented. The service is impeccable. There is paid parking across from the restaurant for $10. It is probably one of the best meal we had this year. If you have not been here, Sampa should be on your bookmark to check out.

Dinner at Manuela was such a treat! Everything I tried was delicious, and I'm already looking…read moreforward to going back. I started with the cream biscuits, butter, and country ham, which were absolutely delicious. The market lettuce with pickled carrots, ricotta salata, hazelnuts, coriander, and buttermilk dressing was fresh, flavorful, and equally impressive. I also ordered the Liberty duck breast with wild mountain huckleberry jus, Asian pear, and spruce tip salt. The duck was very good, but the dish that really had my mouth watering and wanting more was the Italian sweet peppers with poblano cream, green chorizo, Cotija, breadcrumbs, and cilantro. So flavorful and satisfying! To finish, I had the banana pudding with macadamia nuts. It was beautiful and absolutely delicious--a perfect ending to the meal. I'll definitely be back to try more items on the menu. Manuela did not disappoint! The service was great and the drinks were strong.

This is a very cool / beautiful restaurant, but unfortunately I felt that the value and service…read morewere lacking, the service in particular. The food was overall tasty, although I felt my steak was tougher than usual for the price point. The shrimp ceviche, although good quality and refreshing, had a slightly bitter taste to it (more so than the usual citrus tang) which I felt detracted from the overall flavor. It kind of felt like there were too many ingredients to it which detracted from the tasty simplicity that the dish is known for, although that is just my opinion and someone else may enjoy it more. The service on the other hand was not particularly good. Our waitress came off as slightly standoffish when asked about gluten free options and failed to refill our water cups multiple times throughout the meal, to the point my partner had to get up and do it herself. The sneaky 4% service charge automatically added to the bill also left a bad taste in my mouth. I have always been of the mind that the responsibility of compensating staff adequately falls on the business, not the public, and any extra tip is for good service and should remain optional by the customer, especially when they charge this much for basic entrees. Our bill came out to over $100 for two people (2 dishes, 1 shared appetizer, no drinks besides water) for breakfast. Overall I'd give this place 3.5 stars, worth checking out, but probably not worth frequenting often. Ambiance is an 8.5/10, the food was about a 7/10, the value was a 6/10, and the service was a 5/10. The food was solid, the ambiance was nice, the value is average to below average, and the service could use a little work. That being said, it's a nice place worth checking out, just make sure you ask to have that 4% charge removed from your bill, and tip accordingly.

Always love going to bar Louie, it's one of my favorite spots! Top worker there is Kenny for sure,…read morehe's definitely apart of the reason bar Louie is a go to place. 10/10 service and drinks!

Fantastic experience at two tini Thursday drinking my tini's and flatbreads with my favorite Irene…read moreand manager V. Thanks guys Olivia

The ambiance alone is worth the reservation…read more Redbird is tucked inside the former rectory of the historic Vibiana cathedral, it's one of the most beautiful restaurant spaces I've been to in LA. Between the courtyard, candlelight, lush greenery, and beautiful architecture, the whole place invites you to just slow down and really enjoy the company you're with. Chef Neal Fraser knew what he was doing. We ordered the Everything Parker Rolls, Kombu-Cured Hamachi (truly so flavorful), Black Cod, and the Lemongrass Ribs (super yum!!). Everything was amazing. Everything. The Parker Rolls with the date butter and the Black Cod were both so lovely. If it's your first visit and you have tastebuds, I'd definitely order both. The service matched the atmosphere perfectly. Everyone was warm and attentive. Valet was also very nice in DTLA. A special place for a special night with a special person.

I think the word "disappointed" comes to mind. Hosted out of town guest for brunch here today…read more The AC was not working, service was lacking, drinks were slow to arrive, food was dropped to the wrong person, and the food was too salty. I've been here many times and enjoyed myself, but today was a terrible experience.

We came to Lazy Dog in Downey to celebrate my sister's birthday, and we had such a wonderful…read moreexperience! The food was delicious, and the service was amazing. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive, and the manager also came by to make sure we had everything we needed. Everyone made us feel welcomed and taken care of. We were super, super happy with the service and the overall experience. We definitely enjoyed celebrating my sister's special day here and will be coming back!

The food was amazing! such good comfort food that fills you up! Their fries are so crispy and…read moredelicious. I also had their banana pudding and it was so good! Service was great! The workers are sweet and attentive. There's a lot of seating here!

This is my third time visiting Cara Cara for food and drinks, and it never disappoints! The views…read moreare absolutely incredible, and our waitress was this dope Filipina sista who made the experience even better. The food was incredible, we ordered a few big plates and sides, and everything was packed with flavor. Seriously, everything was superb. The ambiance is also such a vibe. It feels like the perfect after-work spot, but there were also plenty of celebrations happening around us. Great food, beautiful views, good energy, and great service. Definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to.

It is a really nice place to sit and enjoy brunch\lunch near to the pool and a great view over LA…read more Service was patchy. At first it was good but then it got busier and less attentive! We had to wait awhile to order more drinks but at least the lady filling the water was on point! I can imagine it could get quite loud as there were groups having cocktails and enjoying themselves but we got there at 12 and it was fairly quiet then. We had the Ceviche which was delicious, pizza with Burrata and Calabrian chilli, which looked tiny but was the perfect size! We also ordered the Fish Tacos but I didn't like them - the fish was very 'earthy' tasting, reminded me of Tilapia (it wasn't). Would definitely come back

Great spot for a Friday night dinner! They always have…read moredeals. The steak was delicious, the Friday dinner specials were a great value, and the atmosphere was lively without being overwhelming. After dinner, there's a dancing area that makes it easy to keep the night going. Great food, good energy, and a perfect place for a Friday night out. Parking can be a bit tough.

It was my first time dining at Steven's steakhouse. I was there for a retirement celebration…read moredinner. It was Sunday evening and the place was packed. There was a special event going on. Music was very loud and many people were dancing in a small dancing area. The noise level is so loud that my Apple Watch gave me a warning that exposure to this level of noise will cause hearing loss. There was a total of eleven of us. We ordered some appetizers (a combo platter with various fried stuff, and stuffed mushrooms), prime ribs, New York steak with shrimp scampi, Italian surf and turf, and many other entrees. Each entree comes with choice of soup or salad plus homemade pasta (which is a small side of spaghetti with sauce). Bread is served at the beginning. The bread is excellent. The side of spaghetti is very good. The sauce is slightly spicy which I liked. But someone at my table didn't care for it being spicy. I had the Italian surf and turf which includes 8-oz Filet mignon and 6-Oz lobster tail and lobster ravioli. The Filet mignon was okay (average). The lobster tail was over cooked. The best thing on my plate was the lobster ravioli. Needless to say, I was disappointed. For the prices they charge, I expected to have a delicious well prepared meal. Parking for this place is terrible. The parking lot is very small. Street parking is very limited. I would not be coming back. First of all, food was just average but prices are high. Secondly, It was so noisy that it made my dining experience not enjoyable. Last but not least, parking is a problem.