DineLA Restaurant Week, extended!

During DineLA Restaurant Week, some of LA's best restaurants offer a prix fixe three-course menu, sharing some of their most popular dishes during lunch and/or dinner. And although the restaurant week was slated to end, Grace Restaurant (along with other participating restaurants) have extended their offerings another week.

So when MM messaged me to get together for dinner last week, I vaguely remembered that it was DineLA week and checked the list for something good to eat.

Only one stood out to me.

It was the one restaurant that I've been wanting to try for the last few years.

Grace.

It wasn't difficult to convince MM, and soon - we were on our way.

We called but no tables were open at that time. The bar area, though, had a few seats and we were lucky to snag two when we walked in to the restaurant. The bartender greeted us with eyes that smiled and made us feel quite at ease.

"You two would like to order dinner from me here at the bar? Not at a table?"

We ordered the Grace Gimlets as we looked over the DineLA menu and replied with a flirty, "Of course!"

But really, we lied.

A table opened up, and we were quickly seated in the dimly lit, sophisticated dining area. Through the beautiful mirrors on the wall, I spied handsome couples, after work crowds, and girlfriends like us who occupied the space.

Our cocktail drinks were made of gin, blood orange juice, and a rosemary simple syrup ($10). MM was reminded of a drink she had elsewhere, but since I rarely order cocktails, I was pleasantly surprised with its refreshing mix of flavors. It was a rush of wintry comfort, sweet spring, and summer citrus all in one.

For our three-courses, we opted to upgrade a couple of items from Grace's DineLA posted menu. MM and I split our dishes family-style, which really...is the best way to dine out. We started with the Dungeness Crab Salad in a Meyer lemon vinaigrette and the Shrimp Cavatelli with peas and mushrooms.

When the crab salad was presented in front of me, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I didn't mean to, but what came out of the kitchen was definitely NOT expected. On a rather large plate was the smallest bit of crab meat - the size and shape of a school cafeteria tater tot. It was devoured in two bites. One for me. One for MM. And although I was a little disappointed with the amount plated, I have to admit - it was delicious.

The shrimp pasta was much heartier with earthy tones from the mushrooms, and came in a much more decent sized amount. We were able to taste all the wonderful flavors in a few more bites, satisfying our palates and getting us ready for our next course.

For our main entrees, we ordered the Lamb chops with artichokes and mushrooms - cooked medium pink, and the John Dory white fish with gnocchi and mushrooms. Both dishes seemed to disappear like the evening ahead of us. The chatter and crowds all faded into the background as we laughed and reminisced the ups and downs that our friendship has seen throughout the years.

By the time our two desserts came out, we were squirming in our seats - full of good eats and a belly full of laughter. Somehow, though, we managed to clean our plates of Sticky Toffee Pudding with hazelnut gelato and bruleed bananas, along with the Salted Caramel Mascarpone Panna Cotta with rum soaked cake, passion fruit, and pomegranate. Both were absolutely divine!

The young man on his date sitting at the next table over was absolutely hilarious - extolling praises to all who would listen about the sticky toffee pudding. You'd think that his date would have been the one in love with this chocolate dessert, but it was HE who was making all kinds of grunts and moans with each bite he took. Absolutely hilarious.

So, for three courses and two cocktails, our bill came out to about $70/person with tax and tip included. Not your every day meal, it was still a good deal for a dinner for two at one of LA's best.

Grace Restaurant
street: 7360 Beverly Boulevard | Los Angeles, CA | 90036
tel: 1.323.934.4400
url: www.gracerestaurant.com