take a bite of downtown
Searching for that special pre-concert meal to round out a perfect date night? Check out KUSC Program Director Gail Eichenthal's top picks of downtown eateries near AT&T Center Theatre.
Corkbar -- $$
403 W. 12th St. Los Angeles
213-746-0050
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun, 11:30 am - 2:00 am
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Recreating the experience of wine tasting at California vineyards, the Corkbar has about 70 wines by the glass and dozens by the bottle in addition to a dozen artisan beers and farmers' market fresh menu of salads and sandwiches, which can be enjoyed indoors or out on their two patios.
Bottega Louie -- $$
700 S. Grand Ave.
213-802-1470
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri, 10:30 am - 11:00 pm; Sat-Sun Brunch: 9 am - 3 pm; Full Menu: 3 pm - 11 pm
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Restaurant, gourmet market, patisserie and bar, Bottega Louie was named YELP's 2011 restaurant of the year.
Chaya Downtown -- $$$
525 S. Flower St.
213-236-9577
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm Closed Sunday
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Chaya combines urban chic with European comfort and Japanese hospitality. The menu plays off its French-Japanese culinary traditions as Executive Chef Shigefumi Tachibe takes diners on an unforgettable epicurean journey.
Drago Centro -- $$$
525 S. Flower St.
213-228-8998
Hours of Operation: Lunch: Mon - Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm; Dinner: Mon - Sat 5 pm - 10 pm; Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
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Drago Centro is the new luxury dining Italian restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. It offers a broad variety of dining experiences, from intimate tables and booths to large family style tables. The menu is representative of the cultural diversity of Italy. It emphasizes fresh, high quality ingredients reflecting old flavors that have defined Italian cuisine for centuries.
Border Grill -- $$
445 S. Figueroa St.
213-486-5171
Hours of Operation: Sun-Thurs, 11:30 am - 10 pm; Fri, 11:30 am - 11 pm; Sat, 4 pm - 11 pm; Sun, 4 pm - 10 pm
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Enjoy upscale, modern Mexican food in a vibrant setting at Border Grill, the hip, urban cantina from Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters" and Food Network's Too Hot Tamales. Presenting the bold foods and flavors of Mexico, Border Grill has established a new standard for gourmet Mexican fare. With a menu of complex authentic dishes based on the home cooking of Oaxaca and the Yucatan, Border Grill takes Mexican food to a whole new level!
Sugarfish -- $$$
600 W. 7th St., Suite 150
213-627-3000
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sun, 11:30 am - 10 pm; Sun, 12 pm - 9 pm -- no reservations required
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Sugarfish proudly upholds the Trust Me-style of Sushi Nozawa, Chef Kazunori Nozawa's interpretation of the centuries-old Japanese tradition called omakase, where the master chef determines the menu. They keep sushi simple. You won’t find trendy flourishes with clever names at SUGARFISH. All you’ll find is pure, traditional sushi and a devotion to its classic preparation—right down to the eye-opening flavors of their own house-made soy sauce and ponzu.
Colori Kitchen -- $
429 W 8th St.
213-622-5950
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm; Tues-Thurs, 6 pm 9 pm; Sat-Sun, 6 pm - 10 pm
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Colori Kitchen is a small neighborhood restaurant located in a petite storefront on 8th Street in downtown’s historic district that offers country style dining reminiscent of an Italian trattoria. The restaurant, founded three years ago by Chef Luigi Barducci Contessi with his wife Paola & his sister in law Elisa, offers top quality homemade Italian food at affordable prices.