This week, October 9th – 14th all over Los Angeles, 307 restaurants will be celebrating the second week of DineLA restaurant week. I know, right? Just go with it. DineLA is a biennial event sponsored by The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau and American Express®. Select retaurants will be serving three courses at lunch and dinner, but most restaurants focus on dinner. This time around, prix fixe pricing will be divided into three categories
Deluxe lunch $16 dinner $26
Premier lunch $22 dinner $34
Fine Dining Lunch $28 dinner $44
Each restaurant usually offers three options for the first two courses and two options for dessert. With so many options, what is a diner to do? What is a bargain and what isn’t worth the time? Luckily we are here and we are on your side.
Let’s start with the “Deluxe” dinners. The American Farmhouse Ribeye at $26 is a steal, but not much more than their usual reasonable price including Santa Maria-style beans served with a Vegetable Stew, with wine or pie as a third course. At BLD, Chef Diana turns out a stunning Beet Salad, to follow with a Braised Beef Short Rib with a Truffle Leek Puree, and under the helm of Neal Fraser you know you have to order the Warm Apple Fritters. Loteria Grill is a no-brainer. The Hollywood location offers a Crab Claw Tostada Veracruz-Style with Tomato, Capers, and Fresh Avocado as a starter, which is a hard choice against their Cream of Chile Poblano Soup with Toasted Queso Panela. Follow up with Marinated Sirloin Steak Tacos, Fresh Guacamole, Charro-style Pinto Beans,Roasted Tomato Salsa, thrn finish with Herradura Reposado Ice Cream. Other places to check out for $26 include Mas Malo, Starry Kitchen, and Rush Street.
I had the DineLA special at Rosa Mexicano: Guacamole en Molcajete, Enchiladas Suizas, and Flan de Rosa / Espresso Flan. Delicious. I would have only asked for less if the delicious creamy tomatillo sauce on the enchildas. As I told the hostess as leaving: “Ill be back!”
Next up for me, BOA!