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 Spanish melon and 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.

Love portuguese food and the culture is so welcoming, the ambiance and vibe did not miss the mark…read moreat all. Not sure the ethnicity of the team but they were also very welcoming and kind. We sat at the bar and recieved great service. They also remember my brother from visiting so often. We tried the Piri Piri Chicken, it was half a chicken, perfect for sharing. The seasonal snap pea salad with tarragon and mint leaves was refreshing and a great start. They do run out of pastel de natas, I believe it was once only served on the weekend but now weekly, They offer ginja and green wine, and they def didn't forget the iconic tiles you see everywhere in portugal. Shrimp was my favorite !

Tbh food is very mid, I was very excited to try this but the portion sizes are extremely small…read more They suggest 6-7 items - 2 mains with some starters and apps combined. I really wanted to love the place, but I won't be back. There are so many similiar options that has better food options. Happy hour includes $10 margaritas and tinis, I ordered a margarita first 10/10 and then a dirty martini . We were seated close to the bar and saw my glass was set aside with olive juice and the bartender just poured the vodka over it - not shaken, disappointed because their olives were delicious; 4/10 on the tini. The fries were one of my faves other than that if YOU live nearby yeah worth it for HH but not for a 2 hr dinner. It's such a cute restaurant; great decor and vibes. Parking is a bit difficult we parked 2 blocks away. Staff was attentive, food was served quickly. Try it for yourselves see what you think ‍

Covell was such a great experience! I wasn't sure what wine I wanted because I enjoy both red and…read morewhite wines, but the bartenders were incredibly knowledgeable and helped guide me to the perfect selections. Their recommendations were spot on. The atmosphere is intimate, cozy, and honestly perfect for a date night. It has such a warm and inviting vibe that makes you want to stay for hours. Unfortunately, we arrived just after the kitchen had closed, but that only gives me another reason to come back. The service was truly top-tier, and the wine was absolutely divine. I even enjoyed both a white and a red during my visit. Normally mixing wines can leave me with a headache the next day, but the bartenders paired everything so thoughtfully that the wines complemented each other beautifully, and I felt great afterward. I can't wait to return and experience both the food and wine together next time. Highly recommend!

Another reviewer nailed it when she said this wine bar had great vibes and was reminiscent of some…read moreof her NYC haunts. I absolutely agree. There was a split second, when we were sitting outside, I totally had a NYC summer flashback having drinks with friends in friendly neighborhood bars. The staff here is friendly and helpful. Even if you're a wine newbie, it's not intimidating. We'll be back.

Despite growing up and living in the LA area for 10 years more than El Cid has been in existence,…read moreand knowing exactly where it is located -- having driven past it dozens of times -- 2/7/26 was my first time here. My wife found a Groupon special and we celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary here. It was an excellent choice! It's a great date-night experience, but not inexpensive . . . the regular price is $85 per person, plus beverage cost (mixed drinks are $16-$19, beers are $9-$10), so things can add up pretty quickly. After navigating traffic to get here, we were blessed to find a parking space directly across the street on Sunset at exactly 5:45 pm, although this is about 1/4 mile in either direction to the nearest crosswalk. So we carefully crossed mid-block, thankful for a couple of drivers who stopped on the east-bound side to let us finish our trek. Entering the restaurant, you have to travel down several sets of steps, so this is not an easy place for those who are physically challenged. Additionally, the handrails are rather low (I'm 5'9") which is yet another challenge. Once downstairs, there is one step up to the dining area and, dimly lit, it's easy to forget it's there when you leave, and several folks stumbled on the way out (but none actually fell). The dining area is intimate . . . with seating for only about 100 persons, and all seats have a pretty good view of the stage where the flamenco performance takes place. Not a good idea to try your luck and hope there are seats available if you haven't made a reservation. (Note that making reservations can be a little tricky. It doesn't seem like anyone answers the phone live, but they do respond to voice messages and are very pleasant to speak with over the phone). Shortly after being seated, we were served a bowl of vegetable lentil soup which was hot and tasty. Not long after that, our arugala salads were served. The citrus vinaigrette dressing was excellent, although we both agreed that we were disappointed that wasn't more salad on the plate -- there were two slices of fresh orange and a snip of apple underneath the arugala. We both ordered the salmon entree, and it was delicious! A generous 6 ounce (skin on) portion that was hot and perfectly finished. It rested on a small portion of lentils and the plate was decorated with what appeared to be a couple tablespoons of a Green Goddess type of sauce. The paella for two looked good, but mussels just aren't one of my "things." Dessert choices were churros with chocolate sauce, flan, or chia seed pudding. My wife chose the flan, and I had the chia seed pudding. Both were great, not overly sweet, and just the right portions. The hour-long flamenc show started exactly at 7pm and we were captivated by the dancers, the guitarist, and vocalist. These were not "spring chickens" and their routines were physically demanding. It was a delightful experience, and we would recommend it to anyone. The Groupon savings was significant, so look for it before making reservations.

Food, service and ambiance is great. The show and performers…read morewere good. Will recommend it.

Amalia's is unlike no other ! Flavours can't even be found in our hometown Guatemala ! Such a…read morebeautiful place has a beautiful setting you will be welcomed as if family, such quick and compassionate, consistent service honestly by far 10 out of 10 place I've been coming hear since a child was introduced to this pearl by my grandparents that's how you know it's good lol

This place is located in a seedyish part but don't be deterred there are so many great restaurants…read morearound here! Amalias is one of those gems. Came here on a Thursday night and it was karaoke night! So fun but really loud! Not the place to come if you want to have meaningful conversations! Haha! But you don't really come here for conversations, you come here for the best Guatemalan food in L.A.! Here's what we ordered: Enchiladas- which are nothing like Mexican enchiladas. There's no tortilla. It's actually a really fresh healthy dish and more like a salad. Fresh beets either queso fresco. So good! Cheeseburger and fries - ha! Yes the kid ordered that! He said it was delicious! The grilled fish - this comes with rice, beans and a salad. So filling. The fish was perfectly cooked and so light. The grilled shrimp - one this was my favorite. The shrimp was tasty. I keep craving it and need to go back for more. The thing that I could literally bathe in is there salsas. The green one isn't like regular salsa verde. It's more herbaceous and has just the right amount of spice. The red one is more like a tomato based sauce but I think it has red chilis too although it isn't really spicy at all. It is one of the tastiest sauces. It has a richness and the taste is indescribable. It's just delicious!! I'll be back for tubs of that thank you very much. :)

I met some friends here after work. This is a beautiful spot located in the Conrad Hotel in…read moredowntown Los Angeles. It has a very good feel to it. A great spot for a warm Southern California evening. From the moment we entered all the staff were very friendly and helpful and provided excellent service. The food was outstanding! The combinations and flavors were so interesting and unique. although the portions were a little small. The Lubina was cooked perfectly. The Gambas were tender and paired with a delicious pepper sauce. The wild mushrooms in Laurel cream was my favorite dish and we splurged and got the shaved truffle on top which was a nice addition. All in all an outstanding meal in a beautiful restaurant.

Delicious. Walked in after catching an exhibit at the Broad. The staff were delightful and…read morewelcoming. Our waiter Johnny was very helpful, had incredible in-depth knowledge of everything on the menu and answered all our questions. He made sure to ask about allergies before we even ordered. Food was beautifully presented and flavors were so intense. Would definitely come here again to celebrate a special occasion. The ambiance, the cuisine and view of Disney Hall make it all worth it.

My family and I decided to stop by Encanto Restaurant while in the area. We took a rideshare there…read more The restaurant is nice. It's has a large bar area with natural light that comes in through the windows. They also have a lot of seating. When we walked in we were greeted right away by the host. He asked if we had reservations. We replied with a no. He took a few minutes and the said that he could seat us. He took us to a booth in the corner and then told us that our waiter would be taking care of us soon. He asked us if we wanted anything to drink. We told him water and he brought us some water fairly quickly. Then another person showed up and he told us that they would take care of us the rest of the evening. Our waiter was very friendly and did an excellent job all evening. After looking at the menu we decided what we wanted. We started with the guacamole chips and salsa. The chips were okay. They were lightly seasoned with salt. The guacamole was fresh and the salsas were tasty. I preferred the green salsa as the red salsa was spicier. For my main meal I ordered the Quesadilla filled with skirt steak, pico, avocado, salsa, and crema. The quesadilla was delicious. I've never had a quesadilla like this. It was rolled up and looked like an egg roll. The steak was very tasty with a lot of flavor and the other ingredients were fresh. It was so good. For my side I ordered the rice and beans. The beans were good and had flavor. The rice was perfectly cooked. Combined the rice and beans had flavor and were very filling. Overall Encanto was a very nice restaurant. The bar area is large, the seating was comfortable, the service was very good and the food was delicious.