Generally steeper than the neighborhood spots. PARKING: Most downtown parking lots have highly reduced rates after 6 pm. There is a lot at 3rd between Los Angeles and Main that is only $4 all day any day. Parking on Figueroa is free on Sundays.
410 Boyd 410 Boyd St. 213-617-2491 Hours Monday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Tuesday - Friday 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Eclectic Japanese
"The Ivy covered building that 410 Boyd sits in is just on the edge of little Tokyo. Local artists show their works on a rotating basis inside the black and white newfangled dining room. A 3/4-length basic bar sits on the back wall and the floor is gray and black tile is always filled with scurrying happy waiters. Chef Cash Brouillet aims to please with his fresh fish of the day lunch and one pound New York steak that sells out frequently."--Downtown News
Barbara's at the Brewery 620 Moulton Ave. (Brewery Lofts Complex) 323-221-9204 Mon-Sat lunch until 3 pm, dinner 6-9 pm American bistro
The Blue Velvet
750 Garland Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Just north of 8th Street between the Harbor Freeway and Union Ave.
Phone: (213) 239-0061 Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm,
Sat-Sun 5:30pm-10:30pm
Bar: Daily 5:30pm-close
$$ See our review
Checkers Restaurant
535 S. Grand Ave. 213-891-0519
Dinner 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Elegant dining in a historic hotel.
$$
Ciudad 445 S. Figueroa 213-486-5171 Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner nightly $$$ South American-Central American fusion Mary Sue Miliken and Susan Feniger's new place. Green-banana tamales with pork, olives and raisins; plantain gnocchi; salmon tartare; poached Chilean sea bass.
Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria 648 S. Broadway. 213-627-1673 Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. A Los Angeles classic, unchanged for 67 years. A bit shabby, but its ersatz woodsy interior is irresistable, the food is good and cheap and with lots of choices. $
Formerly known as Little J's, this one-time jazz club is now a hot restaurant and bar for the loft scene. It has fabulous food with a French flair. This sprawling 25,000- square-foot venue includes an upscale casual restaurant, sexy lounge with a 30-foot bar and DJs music, sprawling patio with fire pit, cigar smoking section, VIP cabanas and L.A. skyline views. Chef Ryan McKay's (ex-L'Orangerie) menu features traditional American comfort fare, such as fried crab cakes, ahi tartare, grilled rib-eye steak, fish of the day and braised short ribs.
La Bella Cucina 949 S. Figueroa St. 213-623-0014 Figueroa at Olympic Italian $$ Entrees start at $8.95. Excellent menu, nice ambience. Parking in lot across the street, free after 7 pm
The French Garden 1936 E 7th St Los Angeles, CA 90021 (213) 623-4028 Price range: $8-12 Charming, very reasonable, outdoor spot hidden away in an inner courtyard. Free valet parking.
Liberty Grill
Liberty Grill 1037 S. Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: (213) 746-3400 www.liberty-grill.com
Hours: Monday - Friday: 11:00am - 9:00pm Sat. 4-10pm Closed Sunday Price: $30 and under
This hole in the wall restaurant is on Flower across from Staples and looks much smaller than it really is. It has very good, and reasonably priced food with excellent service and an outdoor patio that is inviting. The food is American comfort food with entries of meatloaf, mac and cheese, burgers and short ribs--all of it very well prepared and good.
McCormick & Schmick's 633 W. 5th St. 213-629-1929 Mon-Fri 11 am-9:30 pm Sat-Sun 4:30-9 pm Seafood $$ Largest fish house in L.A. Both traditional and contemporary menus.
The Palm is a legend in New York and the Staples location has quickly risen to the top of The Palm's locations for popularity. The restaurant features mainly steaks and some seafood. Our favorite is the Gi-Gi California Salad which features ice cold iceberg lettuce, shrimp, bacon, blue cheese, eggs, green beans, and diced tomatoes. -- Tom McCurnin
The Pantry 877 S. Figueroa 213-972-9279 24 hours American, plus a bakery $ Best for breakfast. Mountains of hash browns, giant pancakes, huge slices of their own sourdough toast. Unchanged since the 1920s, the crowd gathers outside after 7 am on weekends. Now owned by former Mayor Riordan. Free parking on Figueroa on Sunday, or has a cheap lot across the street.
Pete's Cafe and Bar 400 S. Main Street Parking at 4th and Main 213-617-1000 On the ground floor of the San Fernando Building at the corner of Fourth and Main streets. A 3,200-square-foot American bistro. Lunch daily from 11:30 am, Brunch Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm. Dinner nightly, 5:30 to 10 pm. Late-night menu, 10 pm to 123 am, Sunday through Wednesday. Open until 2 am, Thursday through Saturday.
Soups at $6, entrees $8 to $18 or so $$
Riordan's Tavern
875 S. Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 627-6879
Hours: Daily 11am-11pm See our review
Royal Clayton's
Royal Clayton's 1855 Industrial Street Los Angeles, CA 90021 (213) 622-0512 www.royalclaytonspub.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. Sat 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. Sun 4:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
This new restaurant is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the trip down Alvarado to Industrial (just North of 7th). It features French food and fabulous wine and beer. Avoid the steaks--they are thin, tough and overcooked, but the lamb chops are some of the best in town.
Seven Restaurant
555 West 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 223-0777
Hours M-F 11-11
Sat: 6-11
Sun: Closed
Web Site: http://www.sevenrestaurantbar.com/
Located in the historic Quimby Building, this small restaurant features a magnificent hanging glass sculpture in the lobby consisting of hundreds of blown glass bubbles, enhanced by lavender light, representing champagne. The menu is small and distinctive, with salads, steaks, pasta, and fish, all with a special flair.
Thanh My Seafood
406-408 Cesar Chavez
213-680-1950
Mon-Sat 9 am-6 pm
Vietnamese
Traxx 800 N. Alameda (inside Union Station) 213-625-1999 Mon-Fri, 11 am-10 pm, Saturday 5 pm-10 pm California fusion $$$ Reservations required
Trifecta Ultra Lounge and Sports Bar
200 S Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013 www.trifectalounge.com
Monday-Friday 10:30am to Midnight
Saturday & Sunday 9:00am to Midnight See our review
Water Grill 544 S. Grand 213-891-0900 Mon-Tues 11:30-9 pm, Wed-Sat 11:30-10 pm, Sun 4:30-9 pm Seafood
Expect to spend about $55 per person here. The portions are small and the style is California minimalist on the food, in a charming old building with lots of marble, across the street from the Main Library. The seafood is arguably the best in town to be had anywhere. Without alcohol expect dinner for 2 to run about $110 including tax, tip, and parking.
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