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    DAMA

    4.4 (1.5k reviews)
    Closed • 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM

    Order DAMA Takeout or Delivery

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    DAMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - DAMA

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    Reviews With Photos

    Wei H.

    Came for Chef Antonia Lafaso's restaurant. Decor is giving high end chic beach bar kindda vibe. Calamari is good but I wish it's in a bigger piece. They also use squid ink so it's actually black color. Corn was superb. The special sauce was so different. Love the taste. Tostado cooked perfectly. Soft and tender beef brisket. Basically fell apart when you try to pick it up. Fried quesadilla is not my fav. Beef empanadas are not bad. Staff are friendly and very helpful. The restaurant is inside a plaza with couple restaurants together. Outside of the plaza is a little sketchy. Street parking. Free after 6pm.

    DINE LA 2026 menu plus fried chicken tacos
    Vickie V.

    Went back to Dama for their Dine LA menu so I thought I'd post so you don't miss out. For starters you get GUACAMOLE, WHIPPED BEANS AND A CEVICHE TOSTADA. Yes, you get all three so no hard choices have to be made. My first impression of the beans was that they were no biggie but last night they were fire! I almost ordered a plate to take home. You have been warned the ceviche tostada has a kick but squirt some lime on it if you need to and you will survive. As for the guacamole, it's guacamole - need I say more? For my entree I went with the snapper, which came with escabeche, lime, pineapple, cilantro, green onion, and chili rub. In the past, I've strictly stuck to their small plates and I feel that's still the way to go. Nothing wrong with my snapper, I just love all the other little plates more. I went with one other person and only one piece of cheesecake came out. Supposedly it was a bigger slice but looked like an average size to me. This cheesecake is made with manchego cheese so don't expect an overly sweet treat. I did enjoy it. But, I also ordered their flan that is only available in August and I found that to be better than the cheesecake. Get both as one is limited edition. We also got the fried chicken tacos. We were told they were pretty spicy but I felt the ceviche was spicier. They were tasty but did not live up to their oxtail tacos they used to have. Also, squirt some lime on these tacos - you're welcome. This is one of my fave places to dine during peak weather season. Go check them out. Tip: street parking is available if you get there at 5 otherwise valet is $15. Trust, you do not want to park your car anywhere other than that one block where the restaurant is located.

    Outside seating
    Shirley C.

    Wonderful escape right in the heart of downtown. Plenty of street parking. There are lots around too Love the outdoor area They have permanent benches that are cushioned with backrests too So enjoy the outside protected from the wind Most tables are shaded with the buildings surrounding too so you have this nice alcove feel Enjoy your mimosas and cocktails!!

    Excellent cocktails
    Karen C.

    Was brought here by a friend as they knew I was a foodie and wanted to show me their favorite tapas spot Downtown in the Fashion Distric for an early birthday celebration. Cute building with lovely patio seating: from the trailing hanging pothos plants, Spanish tiles, to relaxing latin-house music the vibes were welcoming. I'm not much of a drinker though, when asked if I wanted to make my pina colada a "float" I thought incorrectly about ice cream. It was graciously explained that you take an additional shot of rum and float it on top of the drink or mix in to make it extra boozy. The pina colada is top notch they hollow out a real pineapple to make the drink and it's the size of your face! The watermelon cocktail was delicious and there is also a mezcal option. Tasted like if a watermelon aqua Fresca was combined with a margarita, there is a hint of salt that brings out the fruit sweetness. We special ordered a bunch of different proteins and vegetables at half portions to make a feast: Aguachile- Light refreshing starter, kanpachi perfectly marinated and great for the summer heat. Crispy potato- Phenomenally done fingerling potatoes. Whipped beans- Carnitas on top made this dish. Fried chicken tacos- Found the chicken slightly on the dry side, if there was a creamy/thicker sauce would be even better... nothing wrong with flavor, good mild heat. I did enjoy the fresh shredded cabbage and carrots, reminded me of bahn mi. Empanadas- Loved the acidity of the sauce that cut through the fattiness of the ground meat. Light shell. Crispy Squash flower- Delicate crunch, like an angelic version of a jalapeno popper. Lamb chops- Definition of "treat-yourself" luxurious meat lollipops. Celery salad- Simple dish but the lemon flavor and tartness really helped break up the richness of other dishes. Churros- Light crunch and small, petite dessert. The thin caramel sauce is addicting. Fine dining, for those special occasions or if you just want to splurge for a morale boost highly recommend this restaurant. Valet parking or park across the street or around the corner in a lot for $5-10.

    Suzy B.

    ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WENT WELL! We had the best server our wonderful Diana, which I requested to be at her table because simply she's the best. She is wonderful, kind, friendly, efficient, professional, knowledgeable and very hardworking. The whole team at DAMA is amazing. The 2 young ladies at the hostess counter were very nice and welcoming. The food is out of this world, perfection in every way. OMG Chef Antonia Lefaso you're a genius, and one day we will meet you. Every dish we had was delicious and creative, we still talk about it. The restaurant is simply beautiful, indoor and outdoor and patio. Great valet service. I wish you would open a location in Glendale or Pasadena that would be a dream come true. Thank you Diana for always being amazing and we had the best birthday celebration

    I really enjoyed their take on Seafood paella.
    Joseph D.

    Upon arrival you greeted with a wonderful hostess who sat us, a party of 5. Each dish was equally delicious in their own right. The food was served expeditiously. The ambience is warm and friendly on the inside near the bar. Plenty of seating available indoors or out for a large party. Wine selection is good.

    Jackie L.

    I LOVE DAMA. If I could give this place more than five stars, I absolutely would. I've been coming here for the past six years, and it has truly become my favorite restaurant. From the exceptional food and drinks to the warm hospitality and beautiful location, every visit is a wonderful experience. the service is always welcoming and attentive. I've recommended DAMA to so many friends over the years, and it has become a favorite for them as well. It's rare to find a restaurant that maintains such a high standard year after year, but DAMA does exactly that. I truly love this place and can't recommend it enough. I have several favorite dishes and celebrated many birthdays here. Thank you for six incredible years--I look forward to many more.

    Crispy Pork Shank

    I celebrated my 40th here with my husband and I don't even know where to begin. The atmosphere was so lovely and so intimate. It felt like you were in a tropical island somewhere surrounded by all the greenery. The service, exceptional. Our water cups were never, ever empty. Our waitress was so sweet with tips and suggestions, and quick shoutout to Wilson (I hope I got his name right) who was our busboy that day, he was just the sweetest! The food. Omg the food. We started off with the Whipped beans, which in retrospect you would think ok it's just a bean dip, but this is not just a bean dip. It's a piece of art constructed into a delicious appetizer full of flavor. We also ordered the chicken tacos and the crispy pork shank. I am still dreaming of that pork shank. It was fall off the bone amazing. Drinks and dessert (especially the flan) were killer. I have not stopped talking about this place to my friends and I could not have celebrated a big milestone in a better place! :)

    Crispy Pork Shank
    Tony Y.

    One of the best elevated mexican food I ever had. I can't wait to come back and try the other dishes. My gf and I tried this spot on valentine's day (yeah, i know, little late on the review, but hear me out), it was really romantic i must say. Dimmed lights, patio seating and live music is hard to beat. Our favorite dish was the pork shank, because it was tender and nice to put our own tacos together. My gf really enjoyed the salad, it was fluffed with cheese and it didn't misss. The chorizo and clams was my favorite. Dipping the bread in the juices was sooooo good! Parking can be found on the streets. Might be a little hard, but be prepared to walk.

    Rowena B.

    I really enjoy coming here. The vibe of the restaurant and surrounding area is so much fun and lively. Food always hits the spot and we pick something different every time. Whipped beans, and lamb are my favorites so far. Service never disappoints, server will recommend and always so friendly. This is the second time I've recommended this place to friends and family and they all agree that it's really good. Will definitely come back soon.

    Whipped Beans, Crispy Squash Flowers, Empanadas, Fried Chicken Tacos, Lamb Chops, Fluffernutter
    Randi B.

    I brought my husband here for his birthday and it did not disappoint! Valet parking right outside the restaurant is $14 (they take cards) and is super convenient. We arrived early for our reservation which was no problem, they seated us right away. This is such a gorgeous restaurant! We were seated on the patio and the weather was perfect. At one point the heaters turned on, I asked for them to be turned off and they happily obliged. They have a huge bar and a nice menu of craft cocktails and flights. We each had a cocktail, I had a glass of wine, and he had their whiskey flight as well. All the drinks were great. Menu is a lot of small plates and a handful of entrees. We decided to stick to the small plates so we could try many different things. We ordered Whipped Beans, Empanadas, Lamb Chops, Fried Chicken Tacos, and Crispy Squash Flowers. LOVED IT ALL. My favorites though were the whipped beans - the crispy carnitas on top were soooo good, and the fried chicken tacos, which were very spicy but so scrumptious. My husband couldn't handle the heat and I gladly finished his taco. For dessert were ordered the Fluffernutter, which was the only thing we didn't enjoy much. The fried shell was bland, the marshmallow was way too sweet, and I felt it could have had more bananas for substance, and more salt to cut the sweetness. I was prepared to spend about $300 for this meal, and I was pleasantly surprised when the bill came and it was under $200 for everything! I'd love to come back here again with friends so we can try even more of the menu.

    Celery Salad
    Azusa H.

    My SO took me here for Valentine's Day dinner and I would say he did a really good job:)) The parking was a little tricky since there was only street parking but we were still able to find one nearby. This area was in a small plaza with other restaurants and bars. There was plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. We sat outdoors but it wasn't too cold since they had heaters. The vibes were vibing with moody lights and really unique decor. I felt like this place is perfect for everyone since we saw lots of couples, even families and friends. We ordered some appetizers and 1 entree to share. WOW! All the food was amazing. So much flavor in every dish. I highly recommend this place if you enjoy Mexican food!

    This is a good place to try if you're looking for a place in the arts district and don't care about price. You are greeted as soon as you arrive and the waitress is very friendly. I visited on a Saturday afternoon as soon as they opened, so it wasn't too busy. The food was good, but nothing I would go back for. I would love a better cocktail menu.

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    3 months ago

    What a cute spot. Great service. Drinks were good. Disappointed they over cooked the lamb chops.

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    DAMA Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - DAMA

    Is the chicken dish a whole or half chicken?

    Half

    How much is the valet?

    $14.00

    Hi- We have a fish & shellfish allergy. Safe to eat at the restaurant or is the cross contamination risk too high?

    They actually bothered to ask if any of us had any allergies when we were ordering so I would say it's safe. (Please note, I don't have any allergies so I can't say for sure)

    Do you have valet parking?

    Yes

    Is there a kid's menu?

    No, but I suggest looking at the dinner menu online to make sure there are plates they would eat with you. I have a 5yo who doesn't like spicy and she did great. Depends on the kid b/c it may not be the best restaurant for picky or "beige food"… 

    Any update on corking fee? Or is it still 35/each for first 2 then 50/each afterwards?

    Any thing vegetarian?

    Yes

    Who can I contact for a party of 10?

    I would call the restaurant to make reservations. We were are party of 7.

    Hi! Do I need a proof of vaccination for outdoor too?

    I believe they do. But they didn't really check. You might just bring it in case..

    Do they take a walk-in?

    I'm not sure. But it might be safer to make reservations

    Are the requiring proof of vaccination?

    Yes.

    Is there valet parking or somewhere safe to park near the restaurant?

    Yes, there's valet for DAMA & the surrounding restaurants/businesses. There's also a good amount of… 

    Any vegan options?

    Yes! Menu is online

    Hello, are there gluten free/ vegetarian options? i see a response to this question 3 years ago, but wanted to confirm that it is still current.

    Menu designated such.

    Can I reserve outdoor seating?

    Yes it should be reservation outdoor or indoor

    Would you be able to host a group of 15 people?

    Hi J.C., Thanks for your question.… 

    Are reservations required?

    YES vital.

    Are you open for rsvp? I went to your website and reservation option doesn't seem to work

    Hi D5 M, Our team just tried it and it seemed to work - here's the link: https://damafashiondistrict.com/reservations/… 

    How is the store operating during Covid? What are some good cocktails?

    During this pandemic, tables are distanced 6ft from each other and sanitized properly, employees are wearing face masks and shields. Gloves are being changed periodically as instructed by CDC.… 

    Are small dogs allowed on the outside patio?

    Hi Kai, Thanks for your question! We allow service animals. - Team DAMA

    View All 42 Questions

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    The Obscure Distillery - First drink on the wall.

    The Obscure Distillery

    4.5(234 reviews)
    1.3 mi•Arts District, Downtown
    •$$

    We came to The Obscure for a friend's birthday and had such a fantastic night. This is definitely…read moremore of an experience than just going out for drinks. The atmosphere is immersive, theatrical, moody, and every nook and cranny of this place is beautifully detailed. Our group embraced the requested all-black dress code, and I was a little disappointed that some other guests didn't play along. When a place puts this much effort into creating a particular world, dressing the part really does make the experience more fun. The spirits themselves were excellent. We tasted vodka, whiskey, and rum, and all three were remarkably smooth, interesting, and clearly very high quality. I loved that the tasting was guided rather than just having drinks dropped in front of us. The storytelling and presentation made us pay attention to what we were actually tasting and gave the evening a nice sense of progression. We also happened to be there while comic artist Matt Harley of Marvel fame was sketching, which felt perfectly suited to the setting and made an already unusual night even more memorable. The space is gorgeous: candlelight, artwork, strange little details everywhere, dramatic lighting, beautiful glassware, and even the outdoor fire element. There's so much to look at that you feel like you're discovering something new every time you turn around. Our whole group LOVES Halloween, so this felt like the absolute perfect way to kick off spooky season. It has exactly the kind of dark, mysterious, slightly magical atmosphere we were hoping for without feeling cheesy or gimmicky. We loved the rum so much that we ended up buying a bottle, which also granted us Level 1 membership, so this definitely won't be our only visit. Such a fun choice for a birthday celebration, date night, or a night out with friends when you want something completely different from the usual bar experience. We're already looking forward to going back and seeing what our new membership unlocks.

    My wife and I went for her birthday weekend, Camille was our guide and she was fun and great! I was…read morejust a bit disappointed considering the price paid ($180 Devil's Quarter for 2) and our portions of liquor and drink sizes. The atmosphere is fun and looks great, but the only proper drink that didn't feel like a tiny sample was the old fashioned. The rest of the portions felt like I was given only a taste, when the price didn't feel to be justified in the small helpings that we were given. I get you want to avoid drunks ruining the experience, but I walked out thinking "That's it?". Not saying people wouldn't enjoy what they offer, I feel if all their experience drinks were about the size of their old fashion it would've definitely been a 5 star review. In closing I don't want to dissuade anyone from trying it out, but I didn't feel the value in the total experience, felt more like they wanted to warm us up to spend more at their bar after the "experience".

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    The Green Room - Cocktail lounge hidden inside Castaway with stunning views

    The Green Room

    4.6(697 reviews)
    12.0 mi
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    This place is a must visit!!!! How did I not hear about…read morethis place before? Booked a reservation easily for a Friday evening, there's not really a bad seat in the entire place. Cute cocktail bar with a view, The view is incredible at sunset on the outdoor patio. We enjoyed cocktails, beer, and the filet mignon sammie. The food was SO good. Perfect for cocktail hour, but they also serve the full menu from castaway here so you could even order dinner if you wanted. Really beautiful presentation for the cocktails, reminds me of Barton G before it closed. They have a buzz button cocktail which was super tasty! Service was extreme friendly,and accommodating. Everyone was making sure we were satisfied throughout out time there. I will for sure be back, and if you're looking for a cute date night spot this it! I will be back to try more of the tapas!

    The Green Room... I am not sure why service gets such a bad rating- never had any issues with that…read more I like their signature cocktails and food options... l am giving them 4 stars only because of the most recent experience that I had... I checked the hours, and it said this place closes at 11. My friend and I came at 9... and guess what... the place was closed. Why? I don't know. We were just told that they'd decided to close early that day. Mind you, Castaway was still open that night. Why would a bar close before its posted hours? ‍

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    Thunderbolt - Burger was great! The food runner was a lady and she was 5 star!

    Thunderbolt

    4.4(272 reviews)
    2.2 mi•Echo Park
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    Thunderbolt has been on my list for way too long! I was trying The Parks Finest next door and lo…read moreand behold but what did I see? Thunderbolt!!! Post dinner drinks had me very excited! We walk in and the place is beautifully done inside! Chill ambiance, nice materials, cool tile and artwork . We chose a booth, but there were plenty of seating options on a Sunday earlyish evening. The menu? Whoa! Wtf in a great way!!!! They explain the science behind how they create every elixir aaaand how they are so sustainable! #1 sustainable bar in North America and apparently #24 of top 50 bars in North America! We tried the: Fu Gwaa Falsetto: SO cool! They used a bitter melon, which is hard to include in things, and made a dope drink! The sprinkles on top were my fave and tied the drink together. Koji Killer: dessert drink for sure, but I kinda needed a second one delicious! Barcelonette: refreshing, light, lovely P Town Boxing Club: a little disappointed that I couldn't taste the pandan as much, didn't get as much of a distinct flavor Hops Don't Lie: canned, refreshing, my partner like it! The servers/bartenders were so cool and knowledgeable about the menu, they even brought us samples and let us know if we didn't like something they'd replace it! And did! Will definitely be back to try more concoctions

    I tried this spot when I was looking for an after work place for my girlfriend and I. First…read moreimpressions,I like the vibe and music of this place, definitely seems chill and a spot for locals. The wait staff was super nice and the service was prompt and attentive. I went on a Monday, right after they opened at 5 pm, it already people sitting at the bar. The crowd was very chill, very typical Echo Park low-key characters, quite a few seemed to know the staff well. The food and drinks were all fine to me, I had a couple old fashions, my girlfriend had a specialty drink with brunt orange something, she liked it. We tried the chicken thighs, fried green tomatoes, and the chicken biscuit. They all were good, my only issue, the chicken biscuit item is not served on a biscuit like I was thinking , its just on a sandwich bun essentially. Overall, I would go again maybe on a Friday or Saturday night to see the difference, if any of the crowd and vibe.

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