It's been a while since I put up a post about one of my LA adventures, and I've been meaning to write about my visit to 626 Reserve for quite some time now.
JKC and I met up at the end of June to grab some dinner at this new downtown spot. By day, it's an art gallery. By night, it transforms into a wine tasting bar with tapas. It was their grand opening week, and we were excited to be sampling something new in the city.
It was an early summer evening, and we opted to take advantage of the great weather to sit outside on their sidewalk patio. A quick glance of their menu and we found a page of small plates of salads, appetizers, and other edible snacks as well as pages upon pages of wine selections. As I looked at the menu, I was fascinated by the Warm Paprika Dusted Nuts [pictured above, $2] and had to order them.
Too bad they were a fancy version of beer bar nuts. They were neither warm nor spicy, as I had expected. What it lacked in flavor, it made up for in effort and quantity. Neither of us could finish these nuts.
We then sampled the Chicken Panini with carmelized onions and provolone cheese [pictured above, $9]. The sandwich was served with a "petite salad" on the side, and was tasty but uninspiring as it lacked any kind of color to the sandwich. I might have added some roasted bell peppers to give it some pizzazz.
The California Asian Chicken Salad [pictured above, $8] was served with sesame dressing and was one of my favorite dishes. It came with bits of zucchini and mandarin oranges for some crunch and sweetness - very refreshing after all those nuts.
After battling the buzzing flies around us at the patio table, we moved our dishes inside where the jazzy atmosphere was hip and the room was air-conditioned. And after a little while, more patrons came in and we were no longer alone.
We also ordered small plates of Chicken Fajitas Quesadilla [pictured above, $9] and the Maryland Crabcakes with Remolaude Sauce [pictured above, $14]. The quesadilla was the best thing we ordered for our tapas dinner while the crabcakes were a bit salty for both our tastes.
The owners and servers were super friendly and down to earth, but with the close proximity to Downtown LA's transient population, it was all too unsettling and disheartening to see so many homeless men and women walk past the restaurant. And what do you do when your boundaries are shattered, when the walls of the restaurant are no longer there, and when a helpless (yet brave) soul enters the room? A woman not more than skin, bones and a rough exterior came inside and approached us. I don't remember how much we gave her - it wasn't much, and the restaurant owners came afterwards to escort her out.
It's a hard thing to face sometimes - that I'm privileged and blessed to be able to enjoy my life while so many struggle and are without. But sometimes the Best of LA is being able to stop, reflect on what's good and what needs work, and to do something about it - and that is ever so hopeful and heartening.
626 Reserve
street: 626 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90014
tel: 1.213.627.-9800
metered parking or strange downtown lots
8 comments:
Hey Kristy,
Glad there was something enjoyable on the menu! Sorry to hear about the uncomfortable experience...but that was really nice of you two.
Thanks for this honest review ... I was really curious about this place. It's still someplace I might try out if I'm ever nearby, but I don't think I'll make a special trip to go there.
JKC?! johnney chong? um anyways I found the best sandwich place. Larchmont Wine and Cheese. Italian sandwiches. amazingly good
Hey Anon! From JKC's second review of the place, she mentioned that the nuts were much sweeter with sugar added and that it was much better the second time around. I may have to check it out for one of their wine tasting nights. It helps that she lives right across the street. =)
Hey KT! It would be nice to check out some of the gallery art before eating at the restaurant. I may do that the next time I head out that way.
Hey Josh! Long time no hear or see! I love Larchmont! Let me know when you want to hit up Cafe Beaujolais for dinner when you get back from Seattle. And let us know when your next art show is. =)
Wow. Very well-written. I know exactly what you mean, having had a similar experience at a grocery store near my house. We're even more insulated here in Orange County, so in an atmosphere of $100 sushi dinners and $800k homes, it's easy to forget that our reality isn't necessarily shared by everyone. Needless to say, I've upped my annual contribution to Second Harvest.
Great food blog. I enjoy it very much. Please check out the one I just started at http://chubbypanda.livejournal.com. I'd love to get some feedback.
I saw your first photo on this post and got all excited at the prospect of eating those gorgeous potatoes for brunch soon. Then I actually read your post and realized that they are spiced nuts. Bummer!
Kristy...I am sooo glad you came to hang out at the wine tasting. It was really good catching up over wine and gelato. Yum times! Good luck planning this week...make sure you get some rest and fun time in OK!
Hey ChubbyPanda! Thanks for coming on by! Gotta say that I love Pandas! And welcome to the fabulous world of food blogging in Southern California!
Hey TAG! I never thought that the nuts looked like taters... but after reading your comment, they DO look like a good morning hash. :( But alas... no peewee potatoes but I may try my hand to make them to look like these! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hey Jeni! Thanks for the invite! Always good times, for sure!
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