O.C.’s Vaca is now soft opened in DTLA in the lower level of the Beaudry at 7th & Fig. Official opening is 11/20.
9 Likes
Thanks for posting this.
Anyone been to the OC location? How is it?
1 Like
I have not, but it’s Michelin-listed, which usually means decent.
I’ve been to the OC one and it’s actually very good. I think this would be more exciting if it weren’t in Downtown, but it opened where it opened so we’ll see if the business is there. I think Amar Santana’s a very talented chef!
10 Likes
Will vouch for OC Vaca. Stoked that they’re in DTLA now. Thanks @NewTrial !
7 Likes
Very good. Decent paella and tapas, excellent steaks.
3 Likes
Have enjoyed my trips to Vaca in OC. We keep trying to book Vaca for larger groups and outings but it’s hard fitting in 8/10 folks. Hopefully the DTLA space is a little more open but with the same good vibes.
Good place to try a few large format steaks for the table. Tapas are tasty. We enjoyed our meals at Broadway too, Chef Santana’s first joint before his Top Chef fame.
4 Likes
W: I thought it was okay. Good if you’re looking for steak, which was just a tier below Gwen for me. Everything else was just passable, albeit enjoyable. Amateurish; a business endeavor. I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant given that San Laurel is nearby. The best thing was the wine list, with several bottles from R. Lopez de Heredia, who is Spain’s greatest wine producer in my opinion. (But the wine list lacks the breadth and erudition of San Laurel’s list.)
P: I enjoyed the meal. I will come back again.
P (after informed it’s the same price as San Laurel): San Laurel is definitely better.
2 Likes
Definitely worth a visit if you are ever in Northern Spain! Some great wineries in the Rioja alta around Haro.
3 Likes
I went for a soft open meal at Vaca. First off, the service was excellent. Shane the barkeep made my countertop dinner a great experience.
Now, the food… Highlights were the calamares, the pan con tomate (deconstructed version), the nice socarrat achieved on my paella Valenciana, as well as a delicious off-the-menu tortilla Española.
However, the continental vibe at Vaca DTLA location drifts quite a bit to Latin America in its cooking. Not necessarily a bad thing per se, but personally I was expecting more of an Iberian bent here. Perhaps my expectations were too tempered by my prior visits to their OC location. For example, the paella was inexplicably topped with a bunch of scallions. Their version of basque cheesecake arrived slathered with unnecessary whipped cream and (overly chewy) baked apple slices. The flan was quite dense, and lacked the eggy lightness of a Spanish flan.
The build out is brand new and impressive. I will return to see how the menu and cooking will evolve.
9 Likes
I will add that service was very, very nice and attentive. Everyone was obviously trying hard.
2 Likes
interesting notes everyone.