You'd be hard pressed to find a more amiable and talented pair of owner/operators than Robby and…read moreGabriel, who greet you with smiles, warmth and a complete excitement for sharing their space, food and drinks with you. That space is a fun and breezy open-plan dining room on the corner of La Brea and Santa Monica, at the opposite end of the shopping center from Formosa Cafe. Designed in a refreshing circular style, the room is filled with lush banquettes, tables dressed in blue & orange, and a bar lined with white leather stools. The whole place feels like Miami crossed with Havana crossed with West Hollywood circa 1975 -- and between the ambiance and genial staff you just can't help feeling relaxed and ready for a great time. The bar features draft and bottled beers, wine, champagne, and a full menu of fun cocktails made with a brand of Soju that comes in various styles, emulating whiskey, vodka, tequila and gin. The result is an array of drinks that look great, taste great, and pack slightly less of a wallop than regular booze -- but that's okay, because this is the kind of place where you'd like to drink for a while, and doing that without getting shnockered is a major plus. My wife ordered the Unicorn Cocktail, sort of a Cosmo with Cotton Candy. It was light and sweet, and very refreshing. Equally refreshing was Gabriel's Margarita: sour, spicy and served tall over ice, I could drink them all day long. The food menu is an eclectic mix of dishes from all parts of the globe, including grilled fish, hamburgers, a variety of salads, ribs, steaks, seafood dishes, pastas, vegan options, and the two entrees that we ordered: Lamb Chops on Cheesy Grits and Romesco Chicken. My lamb chops were meaty and mild, roasted to a perfect medium rare and served atop savory cheesy grits with a rich veal demi glace. It's a hearty dish with tons of flavor, and it's the absolute embodiment of comfort food. My wife's Chicken Romesco featured tender, juicy white meat chicken that Robby sautéed with onions, garlic, and red bell peppers, then bathed in a creamy, tangy sauce fortified with cashews, all served over rice. This was another crave-inducing dish with an exciting flavor profile that I would cross town to order again and again. On top of all this, they've got a kickin' outdoor patio, they love to book big groups for parties, and they host Karaoke every night of the week. And if all that weren't enough, the kitchen stays open until midnight, serving a menu of late night bites for guests committed to drinking, singing and partying the night away. They're just a month from their 2-year anniversary, so it's a good idea to head in soon for a meal and a couple of tipples, and to say a big congrats to Robby and Gabriel for creating such a fun restaurant with such fantastic food and drink.

I'm a local. Lived in the neighborhood for 15 years. I remember when this location was a "Hot n…read moreJuicy Crawfish" or something - and I never went in there. This place is great! Robby/Gabriel are super charming, the drinks are fantastic, and the food is great! My only regret is that it took me so long to check them out. Don't be like me, WeHo. Get in and check it out!

Been a while since I have been to Granville. Came on a Saturday night, dropped into the bar, had an…read moreamazing Tuscany red wine The bar service was so great, music downtempo ambient, great Wagyu burger & just in that flow state.

I normally really enjoy Granville, so this visit was a little disappointing. I ordered the steak…read moresandwich, which I've had before, but something about it was just off this time. The steak was very shredded and almost stringy, and it didn't have the texture or overall quality I remember from previous visits. Looking at it, it almost felt more like shredded pot roast than the steak sandwich I was expecting. The flavor wasn't necessarily bad, but the meat and texture completely changed the sandwich for me. The fries were good and I still like Granville overall, but when you order something you've enjoyed before, you definitely notice when it comes out different. Hopefully this was just an off day, because this one unfortunately missed the mark for me.

Darling had been on my list for a while. I have Southern roots and love Southern food, so I was…read moreexcited to finally try it. I also made a point of ordering things I probably wouldn't normally choose, which turned out to be a very good decision. Started with the Midnight Club, a bourbon cocktail with blackberry, amaro, citrus, and absinthe. Really good, with enough going on to be interesting without tasting overly complicated. The surprise of the night was the grilled squash and Romano beans. Honestly one of the best-tasting vegetable dishes I've had. Squash, tomatoes, mint, cornbread purée, and this thicker sweet-vinegary sauce all came together incredibly well. There was so much flavor in something I probably would have overlooked on the menu. I also had the black cod with grits and clams, which was fantastic. The fish was boneless and beautifully cooked over buttery grits, and the sauce underneath was so good I wanted a spoon for it. Rich and buttery, a little sweet, with dill coming through unexpectedly in a really pleasant way. Just an unbelievable amount of flavor. For dessert I had the profiteroles with brown butter ice cream, pecan sauce, and date. Great flavors, although they were a little awkward to eat with a spoon. The space itself is very cool, with interesting art and an open-air section in the middle that gives the restaurant a distinctive feel. Friendly service throughout. There was a DJ playing, which was fine, although it was pretty loud where they initially seated me near the lounge. I moved farther back into the restaurant and it was much more comfortable. You'll also hear the occasional "woo!" coming from the bar area. Overall, a really fun meal and several dishes I'd come back specifically to eat again. The squash in particular was completely unexpected and exceptional.

It'd been a while since my last nice southern meal, and Chef Brock delivered…read more It's rather dimly lit inside at the evening, but if you can go early enough to catch some daylight, then the tree planted in the center really shows off, and the loungey feel is more evident. The food is mostly excellent. Green goddess salad was very good, albeit a bit heavy on the dressing. Pickled shrimp were a generous size and quite delicious, the pork loin atop corn was even better. The tahini and cucumber was least memorable dish, in fact, I would pass on it. Had three dishes that were all unique yet a bit too similar: Carolina creamed rice, some sort of white bean dish, and a greens atop cornbread mash. All were good but just too close? Cod was also excellent, like the pork loin, cooked perfectly. And the wine list was quite good. Had a peach cobbler for dessert, walnut fudge, and a peanut tart; all were American-sweet so I will defer opinions on that to someone who likes American-sweet dishes.

SERVICE: The venue is decked out in celebrity-vibed…read moreportraits with additional shelf framed images and wall art, a graffiti mural at the entrance with retro-themed bathroom decor. Loved everything about it. The server said the owner is the godchild of Rick James so get for suck vibes. Place is clean, servers were cool, great music which wasn't too loud, people are a vibe, loved their birthday shoutouts, and parking is always so-so in these areas but luckily found a spot on a Sunday on the street. FOOD: I may have to agree with others by saying Annies just may be the best soul food in LA. I enjoyed everything, especially the gravy! We ordered smothered chicken, fish, greens, rice, mac, yams, and the bread comes naturally. Good, no great flavor all around. WELL: Loved it here. Thought about also hosting a gathering here. Will for sure return.

Annie's Soul Delicious was delicious indeed. This was actually my first time really trying soul…read morefood, and I feel like this was a pretty good introduction because there were a lot of things I enjoyed. We got the fried catfish, which was nicely seasoned and crispy, with fried okra, collard greens with smoked turkey, and gravy over rice on the side. My friend got the oxtails with mac & cheese and was probably my favorite dish we tried. The oxtail was rich and tender, and that mac & cheese with the oxtail gravy together was good. We also tried the candied yams, and later got more food to take home because we were too full, like the cornbread. Their watermelon drink was really good too, and we got ours spiked. My friend told me he likes drinking it with Hennessy, so l we had to test that theory afterward. I can confirm it was a good combo. The restaurant itself had a nice, relaxed ambiance and I really enjoyed the food. My only issue was the wait, it was way longer than expected, and I'm still not really sure what caused it. Unfortunately, that was enough for me to knock off a star. Still, the food itself was worth trying, especially if you're craving some comforting soul food. I'd come back, hopefully with a shorter wait next time. 8/10

It's very possible that this is the world's best chicken noodle soup. Rich and pure chicken flavor,…read moreperfectly chewy knife-cut noodles that likely cook in the stock so the starch releases to give it a beautiful texture. Also got the oyster porridge. Very solid dish, but that kalguksu reigns supreme. Valet parking in the lot will run you $5-6, and the best time to go is within an hour of opening. The place fills quickly. The team works efficiently to turn tables without making you feel rushed. Highly recommended.

A K-Town staple! I've been here a couple times and it never gets old. Just wish the lines weren't…read moreso long every time. I tried coming 15 minutes before opening on a Sunday during lunch time and that helped a lot! Would recommend coming during the day if you want to avoid waits. Some of our favorites: -Chicken Kalguksu: I get this every time! The broth is amazing, have never had such a rich, flavorful chicken broth before. You can taste all the herbs, seasonings, and time they took to prepare. The broth is a little on the thicker end, but super filling. -Seafood Kalguksu: the broth is so flavorful and it comes filled to the brim with all types of seafood! The spice actually pairs really well with the seafood too. If you want a spicy stew, this is it! Noodles are thick and chewy too. -Bossam: so yummy! I wish I could get it more often but it's a huge portion, so come with a group so you can try it and the noodles! Everything is quality- the bossam slices, the lettuce, the toppings on the wide. Chefs kiss! My only small gripe is the portions are so big that when I come with one other person, we only have the stomach capacity to eat two dishes! Always excited to come back and try more.

10000/10 brunch, absolutely blew me away. I ordered the Gravy Train biscuit sandwich and it was…read moreunreal. Every bite had so many flavors, perfectly balanced, and the biscuit itself was insanely buttery and soft easily one of the best I've had in LA in a long time. My husband got the steak & eggs with a side of hashbrowns, and it was just as impressive. The steak was cooked perfectly, everything was well-seasoned, and the whole dish felt really balanced. Definitely a spot worth coming back to.

Good food, good ambiance, great service! They made my mom feel really special for her birthday…read more(even though the server wasn't notified by the front of the house after I told them about it. Still fun place to go.

Best affogato ever! I had a great meal that began with the Happy Hour menu and loved it all, and to…read moreend with a superior affogato made me really happy. The perfect espresso poured over a silky vanilla bean gelato at the table is to be cherished. Our server was an amiable gentleman who was happy to answer my questions - including his preferred pastas, and more. Caesar salad (with a side of chicken breast) was refreshing and substantial; very shareable. Just enough dressing, not drowning, the crisp romaine alongside homemade croutons nestled within. The Calamari Fritti was expertly cooked and presented: Savory and addictive, it comes with a somewhat spicy red sauce - not as intense as arribbiatta. You'll definitely want to try a Pinsa, a Roman take on pizza. It's small but might pizza, and outstanding. We had the Marguerita, which had delicious gooey mozzarella and basil. Velvety crust with just enough crunch. Ask for some chili flakes to boost your heat. Could have easily stopped there, but grateful that my lunch hour got sidetracked, so we showed up really hungry. We also ordered a pasta, which, frankly, I expected to taste and then box. But no --- the pasta insisted to be loved, and loved it was. While there's a number I'd like to try, with Gilberto's blessing, we got the Bolognese. Served with tagliatelle (though they sounded flexible on your choice of noodle), this was wonderful. No curveballs, no razzmatazz, but simply a hearty, flavorful, meaty dish. The table side parmesan is of course something to say yes to. Wines by the glass at Happy Hour are good and a nice deal. Very enjoyable here. In addition to our server, the owner (I think), and another member of the team circulated and stayed visible, available and friendly. Dining alfresco is fun; there's a lovely afternoon breeze and it's not too close to the street. I look forward to returning to try more dishes, Happy Hour or not. Still, will likely still finish with the affogato.

As someone who worked in hospitality for years, I don't throw around five stars. Cesare earns them…read more The pinsa with French Brie and peaches? Order it. Don't think about it, just order it. The food is creative and really well executed. But the real story here is the owners. This husband-and-wife team is on the floor, hugging guests hello, making everyone feel like a regular from the first visit. That energy flows straight to the staff. Warm, attentive, no attitude. The crowd is half the fun too. Cedars doctors, young couples on first dates, families, neighborhood regulars. All ages, all vibes, everyone having a great time. That mix doesn't happen by accident. It happens when a place genuinely has soul. Go. Sit at the bar if you can. You'll be back.

Great brunch options, and the staff always friendly. They also have lunch options too, but the…read morebreakfast is where it's at.

Just left about 20-30 mins. I've passed by this spot so many times and said one day I'm a go lol…read more Today was that day. I stopped by today for lunch. It was busy but not overwhelming. Everyone was already seated and eating when I walked in and sat down. It was a real chill vibe. Sports game was on. It was some quiet. It's a nice space for a cafe. They have two dining sections as well as a patio section out front. Prices were reasonable. I had an espresso martini for the first time and it was amazing. Both Natalie and Jazmin are some amazing waitresses/bartenders. The food was good. I ordered the chicken and waffles. Being that it was Cajun style I was expecting more of a Cajun seasoning but the chicken was still good. It was a decent amount of chicken pieces. $9 for the express martini was not bad at all. $19 for the chicken and waffles was about average compared to other spots in the area or nearby. I can see myself returning.

The Griddle Cafe never disappoints! If you come here hungry, be prepared because the portions are…read moremassive. I went with the shrimp BLT, and it was amazing. Tons of shrimp, crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato on perfectly grilled bread. Such a simple combination, but everything worked together so well. And the mountain of fries on the side definitely makes this a meal you could easily share. Of course, you can't go to The Griddle without getting French toast. Thick slices, perfectly golden on the outside and soft in the middle, topped with powdered sugar and butter. Add some syrup and it's basically breakfast heaven. This is definitely not the place for a light breakfast , but that's exactly why I love it. Huge portions, great comfort food, and one of those classic LA breakfast spots that actually lives up to the hype. The shrimp BLT and French toast are both a YES for me. 5 stars!

After being loyal customers for close to 20 years, my children and I went to the Griddle on Sunset…read morethis morning. My younger daughter has a service dog which they wouldn't allow into the restaurant , the manager was rude and dismissive demanding the dog's service papers, and her disability, which is against the law. I was absolutely DISGUSTED so we had no choice but to leave! We left! So it seems that the only way to eat at the Griddle is if you don't have a disability! I urge people with disabilities and their loved ones to find a New place to enjoy your breakfast!

The French onion soup was absolutely delicious! Everything we ordered was so satisfying, and the…read moreatmosphere was beautiful and cozy. We really enjoyed the whole experience and would definitely come back!

My server, Rachel was so attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. She helped me choose my food…read moreand it was delicious. I was dining solo and she was very pleasant and a made my evening a delight. Next time I find myself in Los Angeles I will definitely come back.