Josef Centeno first gained is reputation when he opened the Lazy Ox.  This downtown chef has plenty on his plate with nearby Bar Amá, Orsa & Winston and Bäco Mercat, but felt compelled to resurrect the glorified burger bar into something with a bit of playful nostalgia.

Last year, Centeno resurrected Pete's cafe in the Old Bank District building. He partnered  with original owner Pete McLaughlin. The restaurant needed a face lift and now another delicious Centeno masterpiece has opened which  makes it a trifecta in the area for him at 4th and Main. 

The menu is amazing as you can see.  Thirty day aged beef Carpaccio, delicious winter grilled veggies, an over the top burger, and baked eggs with tomato, beef and green chiles. He's working a strong set of farmers market-driven vegetable dishes, plus robust meat courses packed with flavor yet undergirded by old-school technique.

The cocktails are fun.  If you have to ruin Champagne with a juice, well Blood Orange makes a fine Mimosa.

Ledlow is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The menu features pretty traditional American faire.  Dinners include Hanger Steaks, Pork Shoulder, great Fish and even Meatballs and Spaetzle. Next time we are ordering the Baked Alaska or Souffle.

The food is delicious and the very helpful friendly wait staff will take very good care of you.  Chalk another one up for Centeno.

Ledlow . 400 S. MAIN ST. LOS ANGELES . CA 90013 . 213. 687. 7015

Reservations go very quickly so try to plan ahead.

MON.-THURS. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 11 p.m.
FRI.-SAT. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to midnight.
SUN. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.
BRUNCH is served every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ledlowla.com

Delicacies such as sebream, shimaji, albacore belly, akamutsu are all a part of Shunka.  Delicious gnomefish with a creamy flesh and its edges slightly charred and topped with a minute dollop of pungent yuzukosho. Next, it'll be sayori. Then, after that, a sultry piece of fat-jeweled salmon belly. More than any other sushi bar that I have been to lately, Omakase is the only way to go at Shunka. Reason being is you probably didn't understand anything I wrote in the last few sentences.  

This is Chef Eiji who guided us through this awesome experience we had a Shunka.  I could not believe that we could eat so much. He kept asking us if we were finished and our response was one more please.  It is to good to stop.

Domo arigato gozaimasu!!!!!!


369 E. 17th St. . Costa Mesa, CA 92627 . 949-631-9854

Sorry no Website to link!

We went there for lunch on a whim one day and decided to try a few things.  The Chicken salad was the best ever.  The roasted chicken, brussel sprouts, and toasted bread made our mouths water.  The croque madame was fab. The fresh egg on top was a treat and made it super moist. 

Walter and Margarita Manzke, chefs and owners of République, compliment each other with their unique talents.  After a stint in Carmel and opening Church and State, another LA eatery, they decided to take over the old Campanile on La Brea.  We were all so sad to say goodbye to that wonderful restaurant but when we knew who was coming in its place, it took the sting out a little bit.

Walters menu varies from Caviars, Charcuteries, Tartes À L'Alsacienne, Pastas, Meat and Seafood.  They serve breakfast all day and a killer brunch on Sundays.  The reviews are always the same.  I had the best French Toast, the best Filet Mignon and frites, the best Burger, Spaghetti Rustichella was to die for.  I will have to say that Margarita's chocolate cake sent me over the edge.