My lady took me here for an amazing birthday dinner. Booked a standard (inside seating) reservation for 7:30 pm on a Saturday night and although a lot of reservations appeared available online, the restaurant was quite busy with nearly all tables filled. They also have a covered patio you can reserve. Inside was really warm and lively with many conversations going on. Music in the background. Decor was great and there was a bar you can sit at. I admit I found this place through social media videos but it was an awesome experience. I was eager to try it since hearing about the Spanish influence, and caught my attention further to hear the owner was from Top Chef! Chef Amar Santana is the owner, and this is the second location for Vaca with the first location in Orange County. The menu is extensive, and has quite a wine list. Very Bestia vibes which I really enjoy. You are served dish after dish, family style (just how I like it). Edward was our server and he was great. The highlight had to be when Chef Amar Santana escorted us to choose out which ribeye steak we wanted, and of course we went with his recommendation. He happily took photos with us--he is SUPER nice and a great guy. Definitely someone you want to support, someone you are happy to see his success. I did quite the research and curated our menu, here's everything we got, served in order. - Jamon Iberico ($65/oz): this was quite pricey. I asked if we could do half ounce, but they said no. I probably wouldn't get this again but if you have the $$ to shell out $65, try it! (7.5/10) - Canelon de pollo ($26): smoked chicken cannoli with a duck liver sauce. Absolutely AMAZING. A MUST order. The sauce is incredibly addicting. (10/10) - Panipuri ($18): this is the Spanish version of the Indian dish. It is unique and delicious. Pouring the tomato gazpacho in the shell before immediately eating it was a fun experience. (8/10) - bikini sandwich ($17): ham panini with cheese. The dish looks bigger than it is in photos, but it is heavy. It's filling if you want a filler. (6/10) - 55+ day dry aged ribeye ($89/lb): choosing the steak you wanted to eat was pretty cool, especially with Chef Amar Santana guiding you. Delicious but $89/lb is very pricey. We selected a 2 lb 10 oz piece. It is what you expect from a well dry aged steak, strong umami and meaty flavor. Cooked perfectly medium rare, though surprisingly the server did not ask how we would like it cooked. They age it well and the quality is great. Only negative is that it was a little underseasoned but nonetheless a fantastic steak. (9/10) - wood grilled whole branzino ($52): I think this is Chef Amar Santana's speciality. Incredibly tasty, wood fire flavor is amazing. Fish was butterflied and mostly deboned. If you fancy branzino, it is a definite try. (10/10) - patatas bravas ($15): spicy potatoes. Delicious, must order. (9/10) - too full for dessert but they do give you a birthday treat, appears to be a pound cupcake coated in sugar with ice cream on top. It was delicious and hit the spot. For the drinks, I got an espresso martini ($17) which I read from another Yelp review was amazing. I can attest, it was delicious. Apparently made with cognac. I saw the bartender cranking out tons of them for the party seated in the patio. I also got a glass of red wine-cacera Tempranillo ($15), they only have a few wines you can get glasses as opposed to bottles from. It is not on written on the menu though. My lady got the sangria roja ($18) which was ok. By the end of dinner we were so stuffed. I will admit we always over order but it is in our nature to try as much as we can because I am unsure when I will get a chance to come back. The restaurant apparently has a deal for 25% off Tuesday to Friday 3-5 PM. This is a very select window, pretty hard for most people to go to but I commend them for trying. My biggest critic would be the price. However understandably everything has significantly inflated in today's economy, you must be prepared to spend. PARKING: park in the FIG & 7TH parking lot on levels L1, L2, or L3. Vaca validates. Parking was flat rate $13 all day on the weekend, but with validation it came out to $7. The restaurant is located at the very top floor above the food court/target/zara. Same plaza just top floor, and adjacent to the EY building, connected to the hotel. A bit hidden but findable. Would I come back? Perhaps, the only thing that hesitates me is the price. I would, for sure, recommend ALL to try the Canelon de pollo. Thank you Chef Amar for a wonderful experience. read more

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Had dinner at VACA DTLA and overall had a great experience. The service was excellent, the prices were very reasonable, and everything we ordered was on point. The only minor issue was that there were quite a few flies inside the restaurant. However, considering the location and the warm weather, I understand that it may be difficult to completely keep them away. Overall, it was a great dining experience, and I would definitely come back! read more

Magical new hidden gem in DTLA! I'm loving the new spots that are coming back into the LA food scene so when I found out that Chef Amar Santana (for all you Top Chef fans) was opening a Spanish spot, I had to check it out. This place just feels like home. From the moment you walk in you're greeted by the friendliest staff, who make you feel like family. The inside is so colorful and homey in the best way, with great music and relaxing vibes, I easily spent 2 hours there just enjoying the afternoon, felt like I was whisked right into Spain/Europe, tucked in between the EY building and Fig & 7th! I happened to come in for their siesta hour (currently during 3-5 pm on the Tuesday-Friday they're doing 25% off) so I had the chance to try several of the tapas - I picked the tostada de atun, pulpo à la gallega and the gambas al ajillo. What a trio of seafood delights! The tostada was perfectly prepared, crunchy tortilla shell with a crab salad, yuzu aoli and thinly sliced albacore tuna - hit it with some of that lime they give you for a refreshing pop... gobbled that one right up. Pulpo was really nice and tender too. That's usually tough (literally) to do with octopus so I appreciated the preparation. But I had to give it to the gambas al ajillo as the star for me... it was in this olive oil garlic and chili flake combo that I kept dipping the bread in... all of a sudden my bread was gone - and I'm not even trying to eat carbs right now! Also, their starry night mocktail... amazing. Beautifully prepared and so balanced, feels like you're having the real thing! You would think after all that I wouldn't go for dessert.... But I did. You MUST have the basque cheesecake. It is decadently rich without feeling heavy, perfectly textured, comes with a beautiful cream and the sauce! Omg. Topped with some roasted crushed almonds, you're going to want to eat the whole thing yourself (and I almost did). I can't wait to come back with friends so that I can actually order more stuff! read more

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The paella was D E L I C I O U S. So flavorful. They have a variety of appetizers. My fiance and I ordered a few and enjoyed every item we ordered. We will definitely be returning. read more

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Came here twice in two weeks and while the first visit was more like 3.5-4, our meal last night with family was really a solid 5. Convenient location & parking (they validate), and great atmosphere. Food is delicious BUT can be hit and miss depending on the evening and the dish. Highlights: scallop panipuri, braised oxtail, tostada with tuna & crab, smoked chicken cannelloni with duck liver sauce, both seafood and meat paella--the duck leg was fantastic, and the 5-year iberico ham. Good: calamari with five spice, Spanish olives in cumin & orange zest, bleu cheese stuffed dates, brussels sprouts, fried baby artichoke, patatas bravas, and churros. Lowlights: our first dinner here had an overcooked wagyu steak that really could not be differentiated from a random grocery store Choice steak, dry and almost mealy. I really don't like sending food back unless it's actually inedible so it is what it is. The warm Spanish octopus was a tremendous miss as well, perhaps it's how it's meant to be served but I found it to be overly soft and flavorless. Usually we'd fight over who gets more octopus, and this left us fighting for who gets less lol. The staff here have all been warm and friendly. Steven was our main server both times and he's wonderful. The hostess is also super sweet! Last night was a bit slow early in the evening and I swear all of the servers walked like 10k steps just refilling waters, changing plates, and clearing the table. We didn't have to ask or wait for anything. I don't really drink and I wish they had more mocktail options, but my husband loves the cocktails here. The Disco Sour was great! read more

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What an amazing restaurant in DTLA! Came here for dinner with reservations (highly recommend). There is parking in the Fig at 7th parking lot which can be accessed through 7th or 8th street. Park on L1-L3. Take the elevator to the 7th floor. Once you exit, make your way to the Beaudry and there will be signs to the restaurant. Let me start off by saying the service here was amazing. From the host to our waiter, I have to say this was one of the best experiences I have had. I ordered 5 tapas (pan con tomate, pulpo a la gallega, albondigas, panipuri, patatas bravas) and one entree, paella de mariscos. The pan con tomate was delicious as the tomato sauce was definitely home made and complimented the bread very well. The pulpo a la gallega (octopus) was super tender and melted in my mouth. The albondigas (leeks) were nicely cooked and the acidity helped cut through the savory items. The panipuri (scallops) were perfectly cooked. The patatas bravas (potatoes) were crispy and the sauce complimented it very well. I would say the paella was delicious, but was a bit too salty for my taste. Also, the rice was a bit overcooked which was a bit mushy, but the crunchy bottom and the quality and size of the shrimp helped elevate the dish regardless. I definitely think this is a great spot to come with a date or with friends. The tapas I tried were delicious and definitely 5 is a perfect number for 2 people. Again, the paella was a bit underwhelming for me, but could also be an off night. Regardless, I still enjoyed it. I am giving this a 5 star review because the service was spectacular and it made the food experience even better. I will 100% be back to try other dishes! read more

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For those who love DAMA, Bestia, Bavel etc... this has got to be one of the best new restaurant openings in downtown Los Angeles. With a vast menu of tapas if you want to try many different things or just have a nibble all the way to a showcase so you can choose your own steak! Eddie (Edward) gave us an incredible and attentive experience with a great attitude and funny personality he made our night very fun and was amazing to have serve us. This puts flemings steaks to shame. The beef carpaccio is placed on a light crisp rice paper and lightly seared. The artichokes were fabulous and the Albacore was fresh and thick healthy pieces. The fact that I can walk across the street and come here is very dangerous. Finish it off with a basque cheesecake. DISCO SOUR for those pisco sour lovers! Absolutely fabulous. read more

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Had such a great experience at Vaca in Downtown LA! The food was delicious, and the service made it even better. Eddie was amazing, and made excellent recommendations. Mikayla was so attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. Great food, great atmosphere, and even better service. We'll definitely be back! Impressed for sure! read more

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Just had the most incredible dinner at Vaca DTLA. Came in on a Saturday night and sat at the bar where Shane & Cesar took amazing care of me. I had the Gambas toast & the steak frites both chef recommendations and it was easily the best dinner I've had in the last decade & I eat out at least twice a week. Their chef de cuisine, Chef Edward, even came by to check in & see how everything was. This place is a gem, if you're looking for a steakhouse look no further!!!! read more

Vaca - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I've been to their Orange County location before and was really excited to check out the new spot in Downtown LA -- and it didn't disappoint. We ordered the brussel sprouts, the bikini sandwich (the truffle butter is so good), the skirt steak, the hanger steak, and a small seafood paella. The paella came with two prawns stacked on top, which made the presentation look extra nice, and was really delicious. I would highly recommend the bikini sandwich, so think it's really unique and addicting. Must get! Overall, the food was solid and the new location has a great vibe. I cant wait to come back and try the rest of the menu. Happy to have one closer to DTLA! read more

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Loved this place! I enjoyed the Costa Mesa location so I was excited to see them open another one. They focus on tapas and cocktails, and I was pleasantly surprised by the food. The tuna tostada was great to start, but the bikini sandwich was probably my favorite. Crispy bread, salty prosciutto and cheese - what's not to love! Other favorites included the patatas fritas and the cantimpalitos, which are miniature glazed sausage skewers. I can't wait to come back and try more bites and cocktails. read more

Vaca - Tuna tostada - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Very, very good. A minute point, but looping around to find the entrance was a little demanding. Note: valet stand is directly beyond the traffic light. Otherwise, great experience. Food was solid, comparable to anything Andres dishes up without the absurd price point. Space is energetic while standing still. Can't wait to come back and make this a regular hang. read more

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Finding Vaca can be a bit confusing especially if you're coming from the parking lot. If you come from the Fig side, go up the escalators towards the back of Zara and you'll find Vaca at the end of the escalators towards the left. I'm hoping they update instructions on their website, so they don't miss out on business. Anyway, GET THE STUFFED DATES. We loved them so much that we ordered them twice The paella was a bit salty, but the scallops panipuri made up for it. Definitely looking forward to coming here again next just to try out more tapas! read more

Vaca - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Overall food was 8/10. Cocktails drinks was 6/10 Seafood Paella $65 was not worth it Had more food but didn't take pictures Would give Vaca another chance to come back to try other plates on the menu. But not their cocktails they have 2 people bill was about $380. A bit pricey here FYI read more

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I can not say enough lovely things about this restaurant! I was in Spain for a few weeks two years ago, and this restaurant is a beautiful representation of the best of Spain. The presentation of every dish is art. I absolutely love the carpaccio. You could taste the quality in every bite. Staff was amazing and friendly. The sangria was excellent. I will definitely go back for a steak. read more

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I was very excited to hear that Vaca recently opened a spot in DTLA as I frequent the area more than Costa Mesa. And my opportunity to visit arrived this weekend! This location is also small, but I like the layout better here. Table seating is at the front of the restaurant and the bar is toward the back. The kitchen is pretty much open to the dining room, and some of tables are extremely close to the line where the orders are picked up and that's when I noticed that Chef Amar was working the line and practically right next to me (I'll come back to that in a minute.) Better lighting in here too and a roomy patio for dining al fresco. The cocktail menu had many excellent options, and it was hard to choose, but I ultimately went with the Vaca Tonic (gin, frozen gimlet, tonic, and basil blossom). It was so refreshing and herbal. Truly something to sip and savor. And for food, I decided to have a few tapas rather than an entree because I would one day like to say that I have tried all of the tapas. And yet I ordered a couple of repeats because who can resist bacon wrapped dates with blue cheese or chicken croquets?! However, I did order one new one which was a special of the night. It was a scrambled egg with sea urchin, and it was fabulous! The service was also awesome! I drink a lot of water and my glass was constantly refilled. My server and various managers/staff checked on me throughout my meal. Much appreciated and notable because I was dining solo, and quite often when you go solo, you get ignored. Far from it here. Then the icing on the cake (or my cocktail) was I met Chef Amar Santana! I am a big Top Chef fan and could not have been more thrilled. He is a class act and a sweetheart even though I interrupted him working the line. I wish much success to Chef Amar and his team at this location. I definitely will be returning and making my way further through the tapas and cocktail menu. read more

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My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Barcelona where we found a love for tapas style dining. When Vaca rolled into our neighborhood in DTLA we were excited to give it a shot. Came here for Valentine's Day dinner. Had a few dishes and everything was delicious. We love sitting at the bar, so that's what we did here. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable on all the dishes/drinks. We ordered to braised oxtail, pork belly, carpaccio and some sort of salad. I took pictures of the carpaccio and oxtail, then got so excited eating that I forgot to picture the rest. Definitely will be back for more! read more

Vaca - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We had a great experience at Vaca! The Spanish-inspired dishes were delicious, and we enjoyed everything we ordered. The drinks were great as well, but the espresso martini was definitely the standout. It was a little warm inside the restaurant, although it was an especially hot day, so that was understandable. Other than that, we really enjoyed the food, drinks, and overall experience. Definitely a place we'd come back to! read more

Visited Vaca in DTLA shortly after their grand opening. I've been to Vaca in OC numerous times and found it to be terrific. Vaca in DTLA is a worthy sister restaurant, with great food and a warm, welcoming environment. Food: Vaca specializes in small, sharable tapas plates (think appetizers), paella (Spanish rice dishes served in large shallow pans), and steaks. Tapas: Had a number of tapas with my friends, including olives with chorizo ("Cantimpalitos" ... sounds like an odd combinations, but it was addictively good), braised oxtail ("Rabo de Toro"), creamy chicken fritters ("Croquetas de Pollo"), and small Iberico ham and Manchego cheese finger sandwiches ("Bikini Sandwich"). They all tasted great and were perfect for sharing among the table. Also had the 5J Iberico ham ... so good. Paella: Had the seafood paella with prawns, clams, mussels, and octopus ("Paella de Mariscos"). What I really like is that is that Vaca makes their paella with the "socarrat," the crispy, toasted layer of rice at the bottom of the pan ... too many places miss this part. Delicious. Service: Service was terrific ... they're still breaking in the new staff, so if anything, some servers were over-eager (which is better than uninterested). Bottom Line: Vaca is a great restaurant, with delicious food and a warm and welcoming environment. Note: Vaca is located on the lower, left side of the Beaudry building. It can be a little difficult to find at first. I ended up using the valet parking at the Beaudry building because I was a little lost, but there is less expensive parking (I believe) at the FIGat7th center which is just a short walk across the plaza to the restaurant. read more

Wanted to love it - service was good, menu options ample, nice but slightly loud ambience (upbeat overhead music) - but the food was just so-so. None of the flavors stood out beyond a little spiciness in the scallops tapas dish. As Michelin star connoisseurs and self proclaimed foodies, this won't make our list of recs for DTLA. read more

Honestly, I'm at a loss for words, which if you know me, is saying something! Went to Vaca DTLA this evening with friends and we were really blown away by everything we had. The service was great, the space was warm, cozy and inviting, but the food and drinks were the star of the show! We definitely rolled up a bill, but it was really worth every penny. There wasn't even a mid-level dish in the bunch. Things that were impressive were the Calamares (honestly shocked at how good this was), puripuri, patatas bravas, the prime steak, the paella croquetas... we had a standout seafood paella as well and just delicious cocktails and Tempranillo. The restaurant is a bit tricky to find, but it's super close to the 7th and Metro train station and valet parking at the Beaudry building is a snap. Our server really knew her stuff and was on top of her game and we were never wanting for water and the empty plates didn't linger. The most amazing drink that I had was the Dark Arts, which was a crazy delicious bourbon and coffee liqueur cocktail that paired perfectly with the churros dessert. The chef, Amar Santana, is in the house and was touching all the tables. Super humble and fun guy! I can't recommend this restaurant enough. read more

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The experience of dining at Vaca is truly one of haute cuisine, hospitality, and class. From the moment you're greeted to when you're seated and every time the staff passes by to check on you, you always feel like you're being tended to with great care. The culinary journey takes you through some of Spain's greatest flavors. Our dinner included: pan con tomate, bikini sandwich, panipuri, patatas bravas, carpaccio, panza de cerdo, Ribeye, paella de carne, mango sorbet, mama Santana flan, and churros. Each dish is composed of finely selected ingredients resulting in bursts of flavor in every bite. It's clear that each plate is composed with great care, talent, and precise execution. The paella was the star of the show, opting to replace the traditional seafood ingredients with a variety of top tier meats, and the bikini sandwich was another standout menu entry. We ended the savory meal with homemade mango sorbet topped with honey, along with the Santana Mama flan, and churros. Quite literally every dish was curated to perfection. As if the food wasn't good enough, the owners Amar and Ahmed made themselves available to us, going above and beyond to answer all our questions, provide insight on the food, and make sure every moment of our evening was pleasant. When we asked to take a photo, they enthusiastically acquiesced. We were made to feel right at home and we can't wait to come back! read more

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This is the brand-new second location of the infamous Spanish restaurant Vaca, and it absolutely lives up to the reputation of the original in Costa Mesa (where I used to be a regular). The DTLA spot offers the same menu, and yes -- their iconic *Bikini Sandwich* is still here. We started with the Brussels sprouts and the Bikini sandwich, both packed with flavor and perfectly prepared. For entrées, we tried the skirt steak and hanger steak, and the meats were cooked beautifully -- tender, juicy, and seasoned just right. One highlight that really stands out is their paellas. They offer them in both regular and small sizes, which is great for sharing or tasting multiple dishes. We ordered the small seafood paella, and it did not disappoint -- rich, savory, and full of fresh seafood. This location sits in the heart of the business district surrounded by office towers, giving it more of a professional, business-meal vibe compared to the original Costa Mesa spot, which feels more like a date-night setting. Overall, I highly recommend this new Vaca DTLA location for anyone craving delicious, thoughtfully executed Spanish dishes. read more

Vaca - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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VACA DTLA is a new restaurant in the LA food scene. I came back recently after a Yelp event because I loved it so much! The interior feels very high end but also intimate. There's significantly less seating than I had initially imagined. The restroom situation is a little strange as it's an all gendered restroom with individual stalls. The service was once again amazing. They are constantly coming around to refill waters and checking in on us. The Panipuri was once again delicious and a highlight. This time we mainly came to try the desserts and wow. The Flan was delicious and creamy, maybe even too creamy! But the most surprising thing was the birthday treat. The poundcake and ice cream NEEDS to be on the menu!! This was so delicious! The homemade Cookies and Cream ice cream was so yummy with bits of cookie inside. The pound cake was baked to order so it took a while, but it was so worth it. Overall, VACA DTLA is definitely a must visit after surprising me with how great it was! read more

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Vaca is a new Spanish Tapas spot and it did not disappoint and was a vibe! From the service and the ambience and the location was great. Here a few of my favorite dishes below read more

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Vaca DTLA , nestled in Downtown Los Angeles, transports diners to the vibrant culinary scene of Spain. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by a bold and refined dining experience that promises to tantalize your taste buds. The star of the show is their house specialty, the Prime Ribeye Steak. Aged to perfection for 50 days, this steak boasts a deep, rich flavor that melts in your mouth. Accompanying it are the Gambas al Ajillo, a sizzling dish of prawns sautéed in olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes. They pair perfectly with the warm, crusty grilled bread. The Paella de Mariscos is the true centerpiece of the menu. This seafood paella is a symphony of flavors, featuring an abundance of prawns, clams, mussels, octopus, and saffron bomba rice. It's finished with a silky garlic aioli that adds a touch of creaminess and elevates the dish to new heights. To complement the vibrant Spanish flavors, Vaca DTLA offers their signature cocktail, The Vaca Tonic. Crafted with Brooklyn Gin, a frozen gimlet, Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic, and a fragrant basil blossom, this refreshing and aromatic cocktail is the perfect accompaniment to your meal. Vaca DTLA brings a beautiful taste of Spain right to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, offering a dining experience that is both authentic and unforgettable. read more

Vaca - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Hubs took me here for dinner to celebrate early V-day dinner. It was quite dinner which definitely looked like a good sign. Upon check in, there was a bit of a wait to be seated, but we were seated in a nice area where we could watch the chefs/cooks in action. Got our menus quickly and ordered drinks but the bar was backed up so it took like 20 min for my husband to get his drink, where I almost had finished mine. But luckily they gave him a beer on the house for the long wait. Ordered food which was good, but did not blow us away like some of the other reviewers mentioned. Nothing that we actually really enjoyed and said we would order it again, in our humble opinion. The paella took a long time to be brought out, to the point we almost cancelled it. The restaurant just seemed very backed up, in which we heard a lot of apologies for by our super nice server, Eddie. He was a delight. But overall spending 3 hours there when it could have been 2. Valet Parking ended up costing us $21 instead of the $15 we were anticipating and the restaurant does not validate valet parking, which we found out after the fact. Personally, I like Dos Besos in Pasadena much better. read more

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We tried this out for Valentine's Day and we were so glad that we did (and it wasn't because of the very thoughtful rose received by the bartender at the end of our meal. Ha!). We have vacationed to Barcelona and Madrid many times, including for our honeymoon so we felt that tapas for Vday was appropriate. While the hubs was lobbying for Mastros, he reluctantly agreed to Vaca and had no regrets once he tried the amazing food. What we ordered (I apologize for not using the correct menu names): Oxtail, Pork Belly, Carpaccio and a salad. Clearly we are carnivores. We skipped on the typical tapas like croquetas and meatballs and went for dishes we didn't actually have while in Spain. They were all fantastic. The pork belly melted in our mouths and the oxtail was a so delicious in every way possible. It was perfectly braised and fell off the bone. If choosing between the two, go for the oxtail because it is more special. Can't think of any place in LA that has a dish like this. I must confess that I did not tell my hubby about the mushrooms in the dish because I wanted them all for myself. The carpaccio is unlike I've had anywhere else...and I order carpaccio every single time I see it on a menu when we dine out. Carpaccio here is served on a rice crisp and you are encouraged to eat it with your hands. It was fantastic....The rice crisp was a nice touch and added texture that was different in a good way. Cannot wait to return and maybe try a steak next time. I think my hubby is sold and we can make this a solid choice against Mastros whenever we go out for dinner. read more

Vaca - Oxtail. Phenomenal. - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We tried VACA DTLA on a whim for our first dive into Spanish food, and it turned out to be one of those rare hidden gems you're glad you stumbled into. From the moment we walked in, the place had a great atmosphere. The music, the lighting, the interior design, everything had this warm, comfortable energy that made it easy to settle in and just enjoy the night. Our server, Kyla, was fantastic. Attentive without hovering, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful in guiding us through the menu. Since it was our first time trying Spanish cuisine, she took the time to explain dishes we were curious about and made some great recommendations along the way. At one point, Kyla even brought the chef out to meet us. We had a chance to talk with him for a bit, and it was clear right away that he has a real passion and pride for the food he prepares. It added another layer to the experience, getting to hear directly from the person behind the dishes we were enjoying. On top of that, the rest of the staff was just as impressive. Whether they were refilling waters, replacing silverware, or bringing out dishes, everyone moved with the kind of professionalism you expect from a high-end restaurant. Going in, we knew we'd be ordering a handful of items since everything is tapas style. What we didn't expect was the level of quality. Honestly, there isn't a bad choice on their menu. That said, there are a few things you would be doing yourself a serious disservice to skip. First, the Vaca Tonic. A fantastic cocktail. Bright, flavorful, and incredibly refreshing. With summer coming up, it's exactly the kind of drink you want in your hand. Second, the Espresso Martini. I already like espresso martinis, but their version takes it to another level. They use Cognac, and it completely changes the experience. Smooth, rich, and dangerously good. And you absolutely cannot skip the Basque Cheesecake as the grand finale. I've had plenty of cheesecake in my life, but what they've created here will make you rethink every cheesecake you've had before. We ended up ordering 14 different dishes, and honestly I'd go back and do it all over again without changing a thing. This is the kind of place you come back to for special occasions. Even if you have to make one up. read more

Wow--what an experience. I took my wife here for Valentine's Day, and everything from the ease of valet parking to how prepared they were for our reservation was top-notch.Our server, Steven, was excellent--his recommendations were spot-on, and his attentive service made the night even better. The tapas were outstanding: the Datiles Rellenos and Croquetas de Pollo were on another level, and the Ensalada de Cogollos was fresh and perfectly portioned.The Prime Denver steak melted with every bite, and the Valenciana paella was absolutely amazing. I know it may sound like I'm hyping this place up, but honestly, this was probably the best Valentine's Day dinner we've had in our 21 years together. read more

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Excellent place. Drinks were amazing. Food was excellent. Great experience overall. Espresso martini is top three I've ever had. Desserts were phenomenal. read more

Vaca - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Recently opened Vaca Spanish restaurant in downtown LA financial district. The restaurant set up reminds me of a steak house in Madrid and Barcelona. The foods were outstanding and service superb! read more

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Food: our dinner was excellent. Favorite app has to be the lamb tartar! We devoured it quickly, it didn't stand a chance. Our steak was cooked perfectly as well. We went with the 55 day aged 36 oz ribeye which was perfect for 2. We enjoyed 2 bottles of Bodegas Beronia Rioja Gran Reserva with our meal. Perfectly went with our tapas. The flavor of the wine also opened up as we enjoyed the steak very well. Ambiance: Fun and romantic. We sat outside and appreciated the heat warmers as there was a cool breeze. Service- Very Poor. From a "high in" restaurant I was surprised by the very slow service, and our very rude server. It took us 45 minutes to get our wine and an hour to get our first appetizers. I understand it being busy, and patient with that. However, when we requested to add things to our tapas order, we ordered one thing then he completely walked away as if we were done talking. Once he came back we let him know that we had more things to order. After he took the rest of our order he gathered our menus.... He assumed we would not be ordering an entree!! When he finally came back I told him "you took our menus and we haven't even ordered dinner" he said "I'm so sorry I thought you guys were done my apologies". After this, he completely changed his attitude and offered us to make our table bigger, when we were leaving tried helping us out on our jackets etc. complete 360. But it was a little too late for that. I hope others have a better experience as my review is mostly due to our very poor service. Your meal here will be very pricey and I would hope good service would accompany that. read more

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This restaurant will Leave you feeling warm and sated. Excellent food, great quality, and unique. We had a wonderful evening. read more

If I could give Vaca 6 stars for the paella I would! Their paella de carni is one of the best things I've ever eaten. The explosion of flavors from the garlic aioli, duck confit, beef cheeks and pork belly was amazing! The gambas al ajillo was also good. The best part was seeing Chef Amar Santana at work in the kitchen from our table. We were star struck! This location in DTLA is quite hidden in the lobby of a high rise. I recommend just parking at Fig and 7th to make it easy. We came for valentines dinner and they gave us a free rose which was sweet. We will definitely be back! read more

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I really like the restaurant atmosphere. Foods are delicious with amazing service! I recommend this place. read more

Food was delicious.. Servers were very attentive.. Excellent service.. beautiful environment. Very clean

We had an amazing experience at Vaca! The food was beautifully presented and delicious the Spanish tapas were perfect to share and the oxtail and steak were to die for! We loved the vaca tonic cocktail and finished the meal with some yummy chocolate churros. The atmosphere was warm and inviting for our night out with friends and would be really nice for a date night. The chef and staff were friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from start to finish, just like the Costa Mesa location We can't wait to come back and try even more off the menu! Highly recommend. read more

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There are ghosts in Los Angeles. With no name and no memory, they haunt the grounds we see celebrities' names plastered to within massive shiny stars. As anything else, LA has evolved madly to accommodate new generation after new generation, and now we're almost like a shy to identify, burnt out New York City in the early seventies. Lost and messy. We're in the midst of a quest for superficial individuality and long-lost secret sauce to rise above the rest and propel a few lucky folks forward and out of financial dismay while the rest lie helpless in its miserable wake. Los Angeles needs a cool-down period. Just some time to reassess itself as a fragmented metropolis and remember who built it in the first place. El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula. Our home was originally occupied by the Chumash and Tongva, until in the late 1700's when 14 families traveled from northern Mexico to establish a farming community. This grew into the city of Angeles we worship as a false god today. What is real, however, are the honest people who are trying to bring good food and drink back to the original heart of the city. Hidden amongst the all too glamorous giants of downtown Los Angeles is a small, offshoot restaurant waiting with open arms and frozen cocktails. Vaca is a Spanish style restaurant and third location to Vaca Group owned and operated by chef Amar Santana and everyone's big boss, Ahmed Labbate. Tapas like the canelon de pollo ahumado and vieras a la plancha are bursting with experimental and vibrant flavors daring to be unapologetically true to the family's vision. There are ghosts in Los Angeles, and there are ghosts behind the bar at Vaca off Seventh and Figueroa street in downtown. Rattling her bones behind the guise of a frozen Vaca tonic is Gabrielle Dion, who may not be physically with the Vaca company today, but spiritually lives on through radical and refined drinks. With cocktails developed by bartender's past, there is a spiritual conduit who carefully cultivates cocktail concepts according to his equally rich history, Michael Patrick Rooney. With Vaca group for 13 years, his bones rattle too, but you can still find him behind the bar today, warm and ready to recommend a Tempranillo to perfectly pair with your prime skirt steak. So, if you love to see the history of Los Angeles brought back to life by a passionate family frying fresh croquetas de pollo, or you're ready to mingle with the supernatural while you sip on sherry, Vaca LA is a must. read more

The food was excellent. I tried six tapas, and each one was better than the last. The service was just as impressive, from the hostess to Steven, to the owner Ahmad. Even the bus staff deserves recognition for being attentive and on top of everything. I absolutely love this place and will make it a point to come here every time I visit from San Diego. Amazing food, great atmosphere, and wonderful people. The residents who live above this building are so lucky read more