
For a serious connoisseur, very few things are as gratifying as a skillfully made dish – when each element comes together properly, it’s almost miraculous. On the other hand, a poor meal can tarnish an otherwise satisfying evening, so it’s smart to do some checking and browse around for opinions before figuring out where to eat.
Since that doesn’t make matters complex enough, there’s so much more to bear in mind about a restaurant than just the meal! The ambience of a place really can make an impact in your entire experience, whether it’s snobby and unhelpful staff or a badly behaved baby over the next table. Nonetheless it’s not all negative, obviously – an amazing mood is capable of turning a solid dinner into a fantastic meal!
We’ve lived in Los Angeles for quite a while at this point, and we have amassed a reasonably respectable repertoire of dining establishments we really enjoy, covering anything from tiny hole-in-the-wall establishments to impressive fine dining, and listed here are a few of our all-time faves (though it was so hard to choose!). This is what folks on Yelp.com say when it comes to our choices:
Bottega Louie
700 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(866) 418-9162 / www.bottegalouie.com
Cindy L. (Washington, DC) says:
MMMMMMM….this place was a dream…a loud dream but still a dream; it’s very echo-y. It has a truly beautiful space and ambiance, very European. Very bright and well lit, very good service and the food was excellent. Brunch is a great time to go…I love the deli counter set-up with breads and desserts for carry-out. It was busy and bustle-y but not crowded, everyone seemed at ease including the waitstaff. I will definitely want to go back when I’m back in L.A.
Pete’s Cafe & Bar
400 S Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 617-1000 / www.petescafe.com
Mario Z. (Los Angeles, CA) says:
Bleu cheese fries are amazing, cool decor, love that the kitchen stays open so late EVERY night… honestly makes it a great place to start and end the night. I was a fan of their older beer selection more, and I feel like they’re starting to get pretty pricey, but having a restaurant like Pete’s with a full bar and varied food selection to accommodate whatever you’re in the mood for is unique and perfect for downtown. I like the outdoor patio which makes it a plus if you’re with friends that smoke.
I’ve noticed a lot of people harp on the service… but whenever I’ve tried to strike up a conversation with one of the bartenders or servers I’ve found them to be extremely cool, chill, interesting people. Anyway, rate Pete’s relative to places around town that have the same things to offer and it’s a 5 in my opinion.
Blossom
426 S Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 623-1973 / www.blossomrestaurant.com
Erin R. (El Monte, CA) says:
I’ve tried a few Pho places and after every one I always say: Blossoms better! The broth, the meat, the noodles are always on point! And THANK GOODNESS my new job is only a block away because anytime the temperature drops below 70 me and the girls are here!
p.s. the spring rolls with the peanut sauce! ahhhh so nomz!
When searching for some other stuff to do in Los Angeles, head over and take a look at our other articles about our wonderful metropolis, and make a day of it! We are positive you can find something that might help round out your dining experience into part of an unforgettable memory!







