The rejuvenation downtown is an ongoing evolution of businesses rising to the occasion. But one thing that’s been missing is a good steak at a great price. Steakhouses the way steak houses were meant; an elegant dining experience with great meat that leaves you wanting more. Yes, I know there’s Morton’s at 7th and Fig, and LA Prime atop the Bonaventure, but those have always been the staples for business dining and expense accounts. But now a steakhouse for the masses has emerged. Lala’s Argentine Grill is fast gaining a reputation for fantastic meat and a great spot to grab a great steak for a great price. In a landscape overwhelmed by vegan this and organic that, carnivores can join the downtown scene and look forward to some prime beef.

Lala’s operates out of a locale previous under South American ownership, the old Wooden Spoon. This Brazilian restaurant was a novelty back in the day of modern eating, before foodies ran Bravo TV. Now it’s in the hands of another South American standard, the ‘Gaucho’ restaurant. The Argentines are famous for great meat. Whereas as Americans are famous for huge hulking cowboy steaks, South Americans are famous for meat being served as a refined meal. In Los Angeles, more and more meat palaces have been opening. Churrascaria’s have been popping up around town, and when we head over to the Pantages, Los Balcones is always one of our favorite pre-show stops, with their Peruvian take on a great Ribeye dinner.

We had the opportunity to enjoy two incredible steaks. My Ribeye comes out smothered in onions and garlic and an Anaheim pepper. A perfect char stands up to this onslaught of sauces, and the steak is just thick enough to be a vertical mouthful. The plates is completed with a chosen salad and pommes frites. Honestly, I normally would prefer huge steak fries, but soon enough, I realize I’ve eaten them all.

Nancy pairs her steak with salad and veggie kabob. These guys are doing some serious grilling, and that flavor sticks in the veggies and pairs perfectly with the wine.

As impressive as the steaks are, the wine list is equally tasteful and accommodating. On our dinner was joined by Mendoza terriored Cabernet Sauvignon form Los Heraldos Vineyards. Tasty and elegant, this wine was a perfect blend for our dinner, and one that was equally budget priced, but luxury flavored.

The interior of Lala’s is a clean and modern. A nice take on the small downtown diner look. The booths are backed with head high bars that let in space but also give a sense of privacy, so you don’t feel the people sitting behind you. The wait staff is attentive, fun and friendly, and the overall dining experience was just wonderful. I can’t wait to return for more great flavors. I must try the chicken next time, the Pechuga de Pollo looked so tasty, but steaks first, chicken second! And the Empanadas are great. The ham and cheese was the perfect starter.

Lala’s Argentine Grill

100 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA

Lala’s has 3 locations: Downtown, Melrose and Studio City.

You know how much I love BBQ! From San Diego’s Phil’s to San Mateo’s Willy’s, whenever i travel, I’m on the look out for BBQ. But what abut at home? Don’t I have it covered. And when I’m in downtown LA, there’s always one spot I love to check out: Sprint Street Smokehouse BBQ.

The food is great, the locale is low key, and the beer is a perfect selection of local and far out brews that compliment the BBQ.

What makes Spring At unique, other than a BBQ spot in LA, is that its in actually Chinatown. At one point, downtown LA actually technically four BBQ spots. Besides Spring St, and sorry if I don’t remember the names, but there was Lee’s(?) on the corner of Figueroa and Sunset. The owner actually had a second satellite location on 7th street, and then there was a spot in Grand Central Market which closed years ago, but now a redesigned front space at GCM has been re-purposed as Horse Thief, a store front of sorts BBQ spot.

So that leaves Spring St. as the only place you can grab some ‘Bones and Brisket’ in a neat sit down spot with TV’s and music. Interestingly, they actually used to host a comedy night here, but no more.

What catches your eye as you enter is the selection of beers available. Of course they feature Angel City, the localest of breweries, but they also feature San Fernando Valley and Ventura County in addition to San Diego and San Marcos brews. But don’t worry, it you feel only foreigners make the good stuff, England, Belgium, Canada and New York are represented. Hey, they might as well be from another country – no one can understand that accent!

Although there are plenty of BBQ spots surrounding Spring St., I’m sorry, but Korean BBQ does not compare. Pork Ribs, Beef Ribs, Brisket and Burnt Ends are what we mean when we say Barbeque!

And in no BBQ spot is worth its Salt Lick if they don’t have their own BBQ sauces to compliment the meat. I normally wait until about half way through the meat before I start adding extra sauce. That way I get to enjoy the flavor of the meat, and then BAM! I kick it up a notch!

And fear not, it’s not all meat. There are plenty of healthy dining options to join the meat elite. Their sides are just awesome! Slaw, mash, the mac and cheese is killer! And yes, the roasted veggies hold their own as a star with the chili being some of the best you’ll taste anywhere. Honestly, I’d order the chili over most menu items in other restaurants. But here, BBQ is king!

Spring Street Smokehouse

640 N. SPRING ST. 
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
213.626.0535

So a Travelzoo deal comes across the wire and it’s an “Eat and Greet” opportunity to have some fine Italian cuisine and meet chef Scott Conant of Chopped and pretty much every Food Network show. My wife jumps at the chance to do so and we’re off to Beverly Boulevard restaurant row for some celebrity chef Italian fare at The Ponte.

Most of the restaurants along Beverly Boulevard have rear or side entrance due to the fact that Beverly is a high traffic volume street and there’s really no way to just simply pull up and park. That’s just car culture at its finest. Cool enough, we pull around to the back of the restaurant and drop the car off at the valet. The entry is a classic Italian Villa door. Stepping inside, you are transported into a lovely courtyard dominated by huge, I believe this to be Magnolia, tree. It gives a nice alfresco feel to the dining experience. 

Stepping into the restaurant you step into a maze of fast and frantic servers scurrying about serving the patrons. The back of the restaurant, which is actually the front of the restaurant, you find a large bar with low level Edison lighting. The overall design is slick modern, but a little cramped and claustrophobic. We let the waitress know that we would prefer to sit outside in the patio.

Our waiter, ironically, his name is Chris also, comes over with a huge smile on his face. He walks supposed to be this special tasting menu and we order up. Our amuse-bouche comes out, followed by an appetizer tasting of pasta. Spaghetti al Pomodoro, swirled into a stack that looks less like an appetizer and more like a small entrée. But the pasta is perfect al dente, the sauce tender and sweet and fresh. If this is what the rest of the dinner going to be like we’re in for a treat tonight!

At this point, I will make note of how many times I’ve gone to a celebrity chef restaurant, and in the end, we are thoroughly disappointed. Not tonight. My sirloin comes out and it is fabulous. Sitting on a bed of potatoes and squash, the smile on my face was from ear to ear. The steak was a perfect medium, and so tender and tasty. The squash and potatoes were tender yet firm and full of bright sunny flavor. This Scott guy really knows what he’s doing! Nancy had the Branzino and she was equally pleased with her tasting.

Dessert was a yummy caramel treat, a Caramel Budino. This is basically pudding in a small jar with a caramel layer on top, topped with cookie crumbles. Tasty and a perfect wrap up to the meal. Sorry, I didn’t get any pics, as Chris brought this out just as we were speaking with Scott, and I was pre-occupied so I just started eating. It was soooo good, and by the time I realized it, it was too late.

This was a wonderful dinner, full of character, charm and flavor. The restaurant was interesting, the service impeccable, and the food was fantastic! This rates very high and demands a revisit. Maybe we should just move back downtown to be closer to these restaurants. Just sayin’!

The Ponte Ristorante

8265 Beverly Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 746-5130

One of the rising stars of the LA cuisine scene, The Upper West opened in 2010 and quickly became a local favorite. A couple years later, Nick Shipp, the executive chef from Pete’s Café in downtown LA, came over and provided a menu that is out of this world. Pete’s Café, at least when I was living in downtown, was home to my absolute favorite late-night comfort food combo: Blue cheese fries and a Fransikaner hefe-weissbier.

Now, Nick is here at The Upper West and things are looking and tasting good. The overall design of the restaurant is SOHO lofty. The walls are just enough white to house pictures, and contrast to exposed beams giving it a touch of industrial. The walls are covered with local artwork, but not haphazardly plopped on the wall. They are displayed in a much more comfortable gallery feel. The seating area is spacious bistro with dark toned-wood. This gives is cohesive feel of deep casual with light airiness, aided by to the 15 foot glass walls framing the forward building along Pico Boulevard. Another interesting aspect of the restaurant, in contrast to most others, their private room is actually at the front is at the front of the restaurant and surrounded by glass. This allows a dual purpose for having it as open seating on days when it’s not needed as a private room, but also being able to close it off as a private room that has sunlight and city life exposed. I like this design. Too often, for big birthday parties, they put you in the back room and you feel like you’re in a cave. This setting up front, lets you feel like you’re enjoying the light and the liveliness like everyone else.

The food is fantastic. Anything that’s going to garner a Santa Monica Best Happy Hour vote has to be. Our first trip to The Upper West started off with happy hour, and of course I had to have the Bar Burger, and Nancy tried the Mini Mac & Cheese and Braised Brisket Tacos. And in  the process, I was introduced to the Allagash Curieux beer. The beer is quite interesting as it’s aged in bourbon barrels. Who ages beer? But this allows the Tripel to finish with a taste bourbon to it. Quite nice actually, glad someone actually thought of it. All of it was all an absolute hit.

After this tasting, we had to go back, and we did. Inviting friends for a couples night, we ventured to the entrée world. Nancy’s desire for Octopus was not to be denied here, and my lust for a good steak was equally satisfied. I am not an Octopus man, but I have to admit, this Octopus, had more flavor to it than Octopus to it. Quite tasty actually, and I was intrigued by the ever-present little suckers. Not a problem. And even though I enjoyed the Octopus, it was nowhere as good as my Sirloin. With a touch of Adobo glaze and steak fries dusted in Furikake powder,  the Furiake leaves a hint of seafood from a ponzu-greentea-seaweed blend, that is a nice twist on an old classic.

But I digress. I’ve skipped over our entry to dinner, the Curry Chicken salad that is as tasty as any I’ve had. So much so that I can’t seem to get enough, and I’m scraping the bowl for more. And this had happened only twice in my lifetime, and I can’t remember the last time.

The food is fantastic, meeting and exceeding the flavor expectations, but another added grace is the service. Our waiter, Robert La Croix, is excellent. I always get a kick out of the waiter taking the order without writing it down, and getting everything perfect on delivery. To round out the full effect of an Upper West restaurant, he checks in on us consistently, and we are never far from our requests being met.

And now, I have a new restaurant favorite, and look forward to exploring the rest of the menu.