I usually walk to Bottega Louie when visiting The Broad. And I haven’t had dinner downtown in years (other than Arts District places).
Going to the excellent Jeffrey Gibson exhibit this month (saw this at the 2024 Venice Biennale and can’t wait to bring friends to see the show here - do go!), and have 4pm entrance. Where to go nearby for dinner at 5:30?
bavel
bestia
camphor
camelia
I should add that we’re in two cars and hoping to walk. Not looking to go to Arts District.
San Laurel?
san laurel
asterid
The Ray Garcia restaurant at Disney Hall? Haven’t really heard any reports, good or bad, but very quick walk
Redbird
Maccheroni Republic
Kippered is super fun if you’re willing to make a meal of tinned fish.
Maccheroni Republic is a great idea but I seem to remember no reservations? Will we need them that early?
Rossoblu
We walk to the following before / after Walt Disney Concert Hall (next to Broad)
San Laurel
Maccheroni Republic
Asterid
Au Lac
Kippered
We are higher on San Laurel than others I guess, but it’s easily our favorite—really of all downtown restaurants and certainly in this area.
You do have the option to just hop on the subway for two stops which will get you to Little Tokyo and a short walk from Arts District. Both stations are brand new and quite clean. Camphor is a short walk from the station. Also Baroo.
Au Lac is a personal favorite - it can sometimes get crowded before performances, but 5:30 should be easy.
Grand Central Market has many choices and can be quick but is not good for a leisurely meal.
Badmaash and Redbird are reasonably short walks (but a steep uphill return awaits).
And Abernethy’s in the Music Center has a rotating-chef concept: the current chef is Adolfo Perez.
Glad to see someone praise Au Lac. It’s a delivery staple for us — once every two weeks or so.
We only went to Asterid, the Ray Garcia restaurant, once. It was fine. It wasn’t Broken Spanish. It was more like toned-down food that would be suitable to all concert goers.
I think the area would be well served by a bumped up version of Houston’s. I want craveable food that is good for happy hour or a 60-75 minute sit down meal.
For me, that’s not San Laurel; Abernethy’s has had a lot of quality control issues; Vespaio is borderline Olive Garden some nights; Au Lac isn’t fun to walk to from the Disney or Music Center/MOCA/Broad area. Asterid’s appetizers and shareables just don’t hit for me, and their burger is only available for Sunday brunch. If you’re trying to eat before a concert there, the chicken entree is $42.
Danny Boy’s is legitimately enjoyable for me, however, is super casual and the setting has airport concourse ambiance.
Kippered has has a few composed dishes. Lovely Salads. Cheese and Charcutiere from the cheese shop. They also opened a great new Brunch utilizing the kitchen in the cheese shop.
These are excellent choices that are not too far a walk. I always go to Badmaash myself.
Oh how I wish there was a Houston’s downtown, or at least an R+D Kitchen/Honor Bar. That’s the sort of place I frequent, and want, when catching up with a friend. Quality martini paired with a terrific French Dip or burger.
Some of these suggestions don’t hit the mark for me, they’re either too experimental or too heavy. I think we’ll go with Maccheroni Republic or our old standby - Bottega Louie.
Thank you to all who gave suggestions, it’s been fun perusing menus and seeing what’s what in DTLA nowadays. I worked in the fashion district for many years (until 2020) and am surprised so many of the restaurants are still in business. That’s good news.
Any more ideas, keep 'em coming! And make sure to go to the Jeffrey Gibson exhibit at The Broad, opens on the 10th of May.
If you’re looking for a quality martini and burger, Camphor is a really great option. I believe their burger is made with a blend of beef and duck and their martini is made with olive oil and herbs de provence infused vokda. They are both pricey though.
Kendall’s?
Kendall’s is not great in my estimation. Amazing that it’s stayed open so long — long after Patina and Cafe Pinot, both of which I preferred.