Sunday brunch here is a whole vibe. I can't express how gorgeous this restaurant is-- colorful, vibrant, and filled with so many captivating details. The ambiance alone makes the experience feel special. Also... have you ever seen a Spanish hibachi-style restaurant before? No? Me either! Such a unique concept! Now let's talk food. I'm a dessert-first kind of girl, and although I saved it for last, the Tres Leches completely stole the show. You genuinely cannot get one like this anywhere else. It was soft, ultra-moist, and full of coconut goodness. I would absolutely come back just for that dessert alone. We also ordered the Huevos con Bistec, Carnitas Hash, and Ceviche Campechano. The steak in the Huevos con Bistec was cooked perfectly -- tender, flavorful, and seasoned just right. The crispy bite-sized potatoes paired with it were perfection. I also appreciated that they accommodated my request for egg whites. Everything we tried was delicious, and my boyfriend thoroughly enjoyed his meal too. Did I mention they do bottomless mimosas eyyyy! My boyfriend's favorite part of any brunch. Shoutout to our server, Ashley, for taking care of us. She was very patient, attentive, and kind. Honestly, we had a wonderful Sunday at Descanso. I absolutely recommend checking them out! read more

Decided to stop by here on Cinco de Mayo because why wouldn't I? Have to go somewhere and Descanso had plenty of festivities to go along with food and drinks. So made a reservation and headed over for dinner. The restaurant is a good size with seating in the front and back along with around the bar. We started with cocktails, the Pasion y Plata and the Mango Pelar. The Pasion y Plata is basically a passion fruit margarita with real passion fruit puree. Pretty tasty. The Mango Pelar was another tequila based cocktail with orange and mango flavors. Very refreshing. For food, we started with the oysters and the Taquitos de Camarón. The oysters were very small, be warned. I didn't know if they are always this small or it was just this batch or what species of oyster they were, but here we were. They were ok overall, really didn't stand out. The Taquitos de Camarón, on the other hand, were very tasty. They come with marinated Mexican shrimp, blue corn tortillas, mango-habanero aalsa and morita aioli. They weren't very spicy but had good flavor, great amount of shrimp meat and the blue tortillas hit. Definitely would get again. We also got a side Volcano taco to try. It is a surf and turf taco with steak and shrimp, plenty of cheese, habanero pickled red onions, serrano peppers and more, served in a flour tortilla with a blue corn tortilla on the outside. Just a great bite For entrees we did the quesadilla plate and the carne asada. The quesadilla plate comes with two open face quesadillas with different types of cheese. It's actually a fun play on the quesadilla, probably better adding some protein to them, but still tasty. The carne asada was delicious, cooked perfectly, juicy and flavorful. Overall, very nice restaurant with plenty of options for food and drinks and most of the items worked. Would definitely recommend the volcano taco and the Taquitos de Camarón. Skip the oysters. read more

See all

We learned this is not a Mexican fusion of teppanyaki, it's an elevated plancha experience. Do not go expecting a Benihana's type dinner and show. What you will get instead is a delicious meal cooked by someone like Dante who will occasionally treat you to a huge flame display for fun. The chefs working the plancha are friendly and are chosen because they 1) can cook like the best of the best, and 2) they can do it while conversing with guests. I had a wonderful conversation on Maillard reactions, seasonings, how the grill works, and how to cook a carne asada vs a rib eye. Feel like we happily got a cooking lesson from a cordon bleu chef, and he was so game to answer questions. The carne asada was incredibly delicious, but know it takes longer than some other meet. He's able to do it all on the plancha. The plating was beautiful on top of roasted potatoes with an onion pepper mix that wasn't fajitas vegetables (no, really). We also had a delicious Peruvian fried rice and home made blue corn tortillas that were amazing and cooked on the plancha. Best thing though wasn't even the food from the plancha, which was excellent. I might have had the best tropical ceviche I will ever have. Going back to regular ceviche will be hard. read more

See all

I went in this place when it was Mary Callender. The building is so charming! Now it is a fine Mexican restaurant with a good price. They accept dogs in the patio. The service is excellent, efficient and kind. The food is delicious. We hit a salad that was spicy. But, the waitress told they cook with Mojita chili. It was my first time trying it. Good place after you have fun visiting museums. There is a metro station close there. read more

See all

The reservations here are sort of strict, we couldn't get seated without the whole party present, although that's understandable, seeing that the grill seating was still not taken after being seated at a table was a bummer, either way, the food made up for that, very tasty, delicious, addictive smoked salsa and flavorful pollito I had with the nice mole, it was all delicious. Very fresh feeling seating area, still enjoyed it here and will try the plancha some other time. read more

See all

Came here on a Sunday. Strangely you have to decide where you want to sit ahead of time as they offer completely different menus for sitting at the table vs the grill. Half of us wanted food from the grill but you cannot order off the regular menu there. We were seated at a table. It is very nice inside. High ceilings and decorated nicely. We ordered a fish, 2 quesabirria tacos, posole and a steak. Food arrived. Portionings were very small for the price. Okay. Maybe it's good food.... Where's my fish, oh it's like a Tamale. First bites hmmmm. Probably one of the worst fish I've had just about anywhere. Seemed undercooked as well. Posole from a can perhaps? Any whole in the wall has better posole. Birria tacos as $15 each is insane and the tortillas were tough. The steak, also extremely tough. $5 chips and salsa was a fail with there bad salsa. The best thing this place has going for it is the place itself. The food is just not good. read more

See all

Had brunch out in the patio this afternoon. We split the chips and salsa and the carnitas hash. Our server, Adolfo (spelling?) was absolutely wonderful. Food was great, too. The one thing that threw me off was that the carnitas hash we ordered said on the menu that it came with a fried egg, however, the egg was sunny side up. I detest sunny side up eggs. He made it right and brought me a new egg, but that's an opportunity for the management to make sure the menu is accurate with the correct descriptions. Despite that one slight hiccup,, the experience was great. This is my second time here. Will continue to patronize this place. read more

See all

Visiting the museums, this place is the perfect amount of upscale and laid back. Have the salmon salad - it's fantastic as it looks! (I added sliced Serrano peppers and it was the perfect blend of sweet and heat!) Great vibe, great service, great food! read more

Descanso Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

This review is long overdue. I had the chance to try their plancha experience for brunch. The portion was huge. The person cooking for us was so sweet. I ordered the nachos, and those alone were HUGE and could've been enough for my meal, however I didn't know how big it was. I ordered the rib eye for my main meal on the plancha. It was delicious and I definitely had leftovers to take home. This restaurant is ginormous. It's a nice restaurant to enjoy for anyone exploring either the tar pits, Academy museum, or even LACMA. read more

Descanso Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

After spending some time at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, my family and I came here for happy hour. We were waiting for traffic to die down a bit. We walked in, and the restaurant wasn't too busy, so we got seated right away. We ordered a few items from their happy hour menu, including a guava margarita. Everything was delicious. I especially enjoyed their ceviche; it was very tasty. Everything was delicious, and I would really love to go back to try more of their dishes. Our waiter, Christian, was so helpful. He let us know that their menu consisted mainly of dishes from Michoacán. They import a lot of their ingredients from Mexico. Some dishes took a little longer than others because everything is made from scratch. We loved everything here, the restaurant is beautiful! Hopefully, we can return soon. read more

See all

Loved the place.Cool brick features.food was very good.Loved the fresh salads.All the food is made from scratch in that kitchen.Service was good.Need to try the hibachi area. read more

Descanso Restaurant - Alambre came with warmest tortillas freshly made. Yum - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Hello everyone this evening I attended a networking event at this restaurant which I've never been to the food was delicious. It was professionally prepared. Cleanliness was the top thing I look at it and restaurant this place was spotless, including the bathroom. Also I want to draw attention to management when there is the opportunity for promotion please think of your servers, Jesus and Henry. They both would be excellent ambassadors for your company. They provided service with a smile brought me sugar for my coffee and tea without me even asking refilling my iced tea without me even asking these are Hallmarqs of good service and they provided a good service without even being tipped tonight because it's a networking event. I don't think that they were tipped, but they treated you like you were their only customer in the world Thank you Bobby Trendy read more

Descanso Restaurant - The event - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came here on Saturday night for dinner and this place is huge! Parking was in the back which was an added plus (they validate) and was greeted right away. I ordered 2 tacos which were a bit pricey and my wife ordered the Hangar steak. We also got chips and salsa ($5 is a steal). My birria taco and relleno taco were both amazing. My wife's steak was cooked very well, and seasoned perfectly. I'd say I think this place is worth it if you want an upscaled Mexican dining experience. read more

See all

Excellent food and service! Plenty of room to be seated. The restaurant personnel were very polite, friendly, and helpful. A "must do" if you want great food! read more

Beautiful and spacious dining room with high ceilings and brick columns. This trendy Mexican restaurant has a large drink menu and a good variety of what I call "modern" Mexican cuisine. They have a great selection of tacos from the traditional chicken, fish, beef, to contemporary flavors, such as pork belly, octopus, and lobster. Tacos are sold à la carte, with each costing around $10 - 18. I think the pork belly taco is their best! Certainly the most filling! Service is fast and super friendly, we came on a Sunday night and it was moderately busy, but we were very well taken care of. Also recommend their ceviche, nicely done with tender pieces of fish and citrus/mango sauce. read more

Descanso Restaurant - Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

I have been eyeing this place for a while because of how cute this place is on the outside. I finally got to try it with a coworker during our lunch and the tacos did not disappoint! I got the taco plate that comes with two tacos of your choice and a side. I got the El Toro and chicharron fish taco with a side of fruit with tajin. The toro was loaded with steak and seasoned well. The chicharron fish taco is now my go to item due to its generous serving of delectable fried fish. The chips and guac are a must!! Their guac had good amount of spice and incredibly refreshing. Great for sharing - I even had some leftover to take home. The ambiance looks like it would thrive in nightlife since the bar looks fully stocked and the restaurant is quite big with lots of open space. During lunch it is a bit dim and lends itself as an intimate atmosphere. The service was good! Because we went during lunch we were a bit rushed to leave so we did have to flag down the check, but other than that the service was friendly. This place may only have street parking. read more

Descanso Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Food was amazing! It's nice to have a delicious Mexican restaurant in this area! Service was awesome and we hope to come back soon

Noon, Thursday, October 09, 2025 My colleague and I arrived at Descanso for lunch. It's a great spot and convenient to the businesses at Wilshire Courtyard across the street. We were seated quickly. It wasn't busy. We chose to eat inside and seated at a booth with plenty of room to spare for another two persons. It's always a cool vibe inside, kind of dimly lit with sunshine peering through the storefront windows. I had a nice conversation, able to hear our conversation well. Service was fantastic. We started of with the usual chips and guacamole. Perfect appetizer with restaurant style tortilla chips and zesty guacamole. I reordered one of my favorite salads. I had the chipotle salmon salad with arugula greens. It was so good but a bit over dressed. Perhaps next time I'll ask for the dressing on the side. Our ice waters were promptly refilled and the busser cleared our table of finished plates. The server was fantastic and on point. Descanso is an easy choice for a business lunch. read more

See all

Visited here for happy hour, I was intrigued by the menu so I Visited. Although there were many items that were attractive, i had a taste for nachos. They were on the happy hour and a nice portion were i felt full after. The waiter was friendly and gave good suggestions. I didn't have to wait long so that was a plus. The ambiance was quiet, I sat at a table but there were a few people at the bar. A really pretty restaurant that is hidden right on wilshire directly across from labrea tar bits and lacma read more

See all

Had walked by Descanso (located on Wilshire between the La Brea Tar Pits and the SAG AFTRA building) and looked at the restaurant when it first opened during the summer but didn't have the time to dine there, made it a point to go when we were in the area again. The dining area is expansive and very impressive, lots of brick and stone, nice lighting with a beautiful bar with a tower of liquors in the center, an open kitchen, ceilings decorated with Mexican movie posters. We were greeted warmly by the host and seated in a comfortable banquette. Ordered the duck mole negro and it was delicious with layers of flavor followed by a soft heat from the peppers in the mole. The leg quarter under the mole was perfectly cooked, tender and moist. The other entree we ordered was the hanger steak cut in a square strip like a tenderloin which was an imaginative take on that cut of meat. The meat was cooked medium rare and served on s bed of grilled vegetables and a light cream sauce. When we asked the waiter about the entree sizes, he mentioned that they were good portions. Very happy that we had room for dessert. Finished with the flan and very surprised with the generous portion which was equal to two orders from most restaurants. Will definitely return to try the different tacos and other entrees from the extensive menu. read more

See all

As soon as me & my party walked in the staff was absolutely amazing! Super attentive and so friendly. The Food was great but we would honestly return just because of staff they all deserve a raise! Amazing vibes great customer service! The hosts where amazing in the front & the back just overall great experience read more

Descanso Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I recently came back here with a friend. She was awed by the interior architecture and loved the food. Service remains too notch and super friendly. And I learned they have free validation for 90 minutes of parking behind their restaurant. Make sure to pay at the machine since we were stuck for a few minutes trying to leave. read more

Descanso Restaurant is a gem. The space manages to feel both expansive and intimate--a complete transformation from the old Marie Callender's that once stood here. With its size and layout, it's perfect for a group dinner or a casual night out. At the center is a large circular bar where you can sip a cocktail, enjoy a snack while waiting for your table, or settle in for a full meal. Conveniently located on Wilshire, right next to the La Brea Tar Pits, it's also a great stop before or after exploring the nearby museums. We visited on a Friday night and were treated to live music, which gave the space an inviting, cozy vibe. We had only planned on a quick bite, but once we saw the Plancha Grill, we couldn't resist. Think Benihana with a Mexican twist: a multi-course meal cooked right in front of you on a sizzling flat top. Dinner begins with your choice of soup or salad, followed by an entrée served with Mexican fried rice and blue corn tortillas. I tried the Pork Loin Alambre--flavorful and well-prepared, though a touch too salty for my taste. Overall, Descanso offers a fun and unique dining experience. I'll likely return for the cocktails and smaller plates, but if you're in the mood for interactive dining, the Plancha Grill is definitely worth trying at least once. read more

Descanso Restaurant - Pork Loin Alambre with blue corn tortillas - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Came here for my mom's birthday celebration and we had a magnificent time. I've been hearing good things about this restaurant so I wanted to try it mainly, that it's a Mexican restaurant with the open grill. For the food option, I ordered the chicken which was very good and the finger licking potatoes and as an appetizer I started off with the Fideo soup and guacamole that was delicious ! everything tasted very good and seasoned to perfection and the chicken was very tender and flavorful. Our cook Hugo was amazing. He has the best personality and he made our private Plancha experience amazing. I was happy to get the private dining because it made it more intimate for my mom since it was her birthday celebration, and I love that they have that option available for their customers. Our server was also very nice. I forgot his name, but he was very patient and he knew all the good things to try on the menu and he was very attentive the whole entire time. He checked on us to see if we needed anything. Also, many of the other workers checked on us the whole time as well to see if we needed more hot water for our tea and more water. The ambiance is perfect for nice celebrations and milestones, and it's a good time. They have a really nice bar inside and it's very spacious with plenty of seats and I love the decor of the restaurant. I will definitely come back here to try their happy hour and their drinks . They have parking in the parking structure of SAG Aftra building. If you validate you could pay five bucks, which is not bad at all. I highly recommend Descanso restaurant . I had a really good experience, exceptional customer service . and good quality food for decent prices. They made sure my mom birthday celebration was a good one and I appreciate that. -Marshay D. read more

See all

Just the other day I was asking a friend, what happened to the place that used to be Marie Calendars? What is it now? Well, now it's Descanso, a Modern Taqueria. They did an incredible job of nicing this place up!! Wow! Bravo for whoever layed out the floor plan and picked out all the chairs, tables and all that goes with it. It's really nice! It's not what I'd call a casual taqueria. I'd call it close to be upscale, but not snooty. You can come as you are. I even saw some people with dogs in there. It's mostly indoor dining but there's an area to dine outside right along Wilshire Blvd if that's your thing. I can tell they put a ton of money into this place. It's once of the nicest restaurants in the neighborhood. No, I think it is the nicest restaurant in the neighborhood. Nothing else even comes close. Let's talk about the food. I got lucky and it was Dine LA Restaurant Week, so I ordered off the Dine LA Menu. For starters, I had Pazole Rojo. I've never found pazole in LA, It's more of a New Mexico thing. I LOVE New Mexico cuisine but it's elusive in LA. I digress. THe pazole was pretty good. It was mostly pulled pork which was deliciously tender. It hardly had any hominy in it though. I wonder why? It's not often when someone complains thier pazole has too much meat but this could have used a lot more hominy. The chili broth was perfect and the bowl could have been bigger. It was more of a sample size. For the main course I had Salmon Chileatole. It was a beutifully crafted disc. The red chile suace again reminded me of New Mexico cuisine. The sauce was a bit too hot to really enjoy the full essence of the food. My rule of thumb is if my lips are burning, it's too hot and my lips were burning. I went through a couple glasses of tea and my glass of water to power trough it. It was perfect except for added heat. Desert was a Mexican Brownie. I 've never heard of a Mexican Brownie. It was awesome. Marshmallow topping a dense, fudge-like brownie and a cookie crust. Another beautiful presentation. All the food here is presented in a fine dining sort of way. My friend had ceviche and loved every bite of it. We coincidentally were there during happy hour. Well drinks $9. Margarita's $9. They pour good drinks. Beer is $3 off all draft beers and selected bottled beers are $5. Not bad. This place ain't cheap, but it's a sign of the times. Things ain't cheap anymore. I'd say for the quality of the food and the nice atmosphere, you'll find your money well spent. Our server was Noelle. She was fantastic. All the staff we encountered were great. Oh, on my way out I saw they have a section kinda' like a Benihana only Mexican style where the chef cooks your food right in front of you. Pretty cool. They validate parking. We were thre a couple hours the validation covered all but about $2.50 of it. If you ever went into the old Marie Calender's that used to be here, you owe it to yourself to go inside and see what they've done to the place. Sit down and have a drink and enjoy some beautifully delicious food while you're at it. read more

See all

My partner surprised me with a birthday dinner in a private room here last night, and it was such a special experience. The food was AMAZING -- truly the highlight of the night. Every dish was flavorful, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious. The cook (I believe his name was Francisco) was incredible and deserves special recognition. The only hiccup was the drink service and overall pacing. There were long gaps between ordering drinks, receiving food, and even requesting the check. Being tucked away in a private room, we often felt a bit forgotten -- which was surprising for a private event at a restaurant of this caliber. Margaritas had been pre-ordered ahead of our arrival, yet we still waited about 20 minutes after being seated to receive them. Our server was kind and apologetic and mentioned they were short-staffed, so it seemed like a challenging night for the team. read more

Descanso Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

My sister took my mom and me out, and this restaurant was on fire. They made Mexican food in a teppan style that was amazing. Our cook, Hugo, was personable, fun, and enlightening. The place is very cute with cool Mexican modern furniture. I ordered the carne asada, which melted in your mouth. It was so tender and flavorful with Yukon potatoes. The starters and guacamole were very good. The fried rice was delicious. Made to perfection. I will come back. Our waiter was cool, too. Note: Parking is located in the SAG lot behind the restaurant or on the streets. With validation its $5:50 read more

See all

Descanso Restaurant is an elegant Mexican-Fusion restaurant located a few blocks east of the LaBrea Tar Pits. I popped in to see what was offered on their happy hour menu. Friendly staff members greeted me. The venue is open and airy with beautiful wood and lots of natural light. I sat at the huge round shaped bar. The bartender gave me a happy hour and regular menu. So many tasty food options on both menus. Ordered the nachos the first time I went to Descanso Restaurant and the ceviche on my second trip there! The cucumber and sal margarita was refreshing! Will definitely be revisiting this devine restaurant again and again! read more

See all

Came with a group of 9 with reservation on a Saturday at 8:30pm. Traffic is pretty chill at this time, and there was live music! Super good weekend vibes. I ordered the Dine LA menu with the Pozole Rojo, Short Rib Estofado, and the Mexican Brownie. Everything was delicious! In retrospect the pozole and estofado turned out too heavy for me, if I were to come back and order again I would definitely get the Ensalada as a lighter app to balance out the short rib. The pacing of the dishes was a little abnormal, maybe due to our large party. There was 20min between app and entree, and 20min between entree and dessert, but we finished the app way early and the dessert came before most of us finished the entree. Staff was super nice and helpful with lots of add ons throughout the night. read more

See all

Miracle Mile can leave you tired and desolate sometimes...the vagabonds; the street urchins; the fentanyl that's scourging our youth and our streets; I think Paul Rodriguez was arrested today for carrying some "fenny " ...we'll pray for him... Come into DESCANSO for some respite from the darker side of Hollywood... and LA Situated next door to the SAG building so you may not be able to run too far from any celebrity sightings... this place is darker and dimmer inside... run by a Michoacán style cuisine family..not sure if from CULIACÁN... or not... the Cartel capital of Mexico ... this cuisine will have you salivating though but on a much more different level.. $5 for chips and salsa... a super generous sized basket with some Chipotle laced red salsa... that is really addictive but won't destroy your insides... the Chilis are hot .. but well balanced... I finished the whole thing... and I'm still standing...will have you on your knees begging for more... have you no shame?! Couldn't finish the gargantuan basket of warm and freshly baked tortilla chips but I did order a side of Guacamole to help me finish it all.. Modelo on tap...Modelos running around as your servers...they cute not gonna lie... A short rib taco that was fall off the bone shredded to perfection ... I added that funny salsa that splashes Chipotle flavor all over it... I'm making a mess of myself... how can people see me like this... I have a reputation to uphold! For more clandestine meets... step away from the booth style seating that surrounds a circular bar with tv's and move to the back where the real high rollers live... Wagyu Beef Hibachi style made right in front of you?! Lobster?! Chilean Sea Bass anyone... at around $80 per person a plate ... this side of the restaurant will cost you a little more.. but looks and smells well worth it for a return visit...they even have a separate menu for those that wanna feel "connected"... Which is exactly what I plan to do... Did I mention their dessert?! Delectable and light yet creamy Tres Leches cake; or a flan or arroz con leche cheesecake?! Huh!? Yes please!!' May I have another !! All the wait staff is super professional and nice... and there is no shortage of service or attention as multiple waiters and servers and bus boys are circling around constantly making sure your water is filled ... etc and etc Descanso has me by the wall with my boots up on the table like a real Desperado ... Not desesperado though... Check yourself my boy.... And pull your boot straps up... This is cowboy heaven... but on a Mexican Michoacán level ... Level up!!! read more

Descanso Restaurant - Some of the best Chipotle style red salsa this side of the border...estilo Michoacanense... padrino!!! - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Robin our hibachi cook deserves 4/5 stars. She was very enthusiastic and had a really bubbly attitude. A very positive person and cooks great pork, rib eye, mexican corn / rice and carne asada. The experience was lost when the conversation from Robin extended further than what I could bear. It was great that we had a cook in front of us prepping and completing our meals, but with the long conversations I grew tired and wasn't as hungry by the time my plate of carne asada was ready. I don't believe i was the only one in the party who felt that way. It was less of a show and more of an interview at some points during the cooking. The house margaritas for happy hour have a great balance, but for $9 it should've been in a tall glass. And the potatoes were dry and cold when served on my plate. Pay for parking, but it can be validated and only cost $5 afterwards. Service was great. Personally, I would not want to come back here. It was a one and done experience. Robin you know how to cook. read more

See all

Pretty bummed by this place. Service is terrible, food is just okay. We were visiting the La Brea tar pits and wanted lunch. Since this was the only option within walking distance, we decided to eat here. Major regret. The restaurant was fairly empty and yet it took more than 20 minutes to get seated. It was another 20 minutes to place our order and another 20 minutes to get our food. Multiple times they told us they would bring us chips and salsa, yet it never showed up. We ordered the salmon salad, breakfast burrito, carnitas skillet, and chilaquiles. Presentation was nice, but the food was just okay...nothing special. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. read more

Rating is not reflective of the food but service. This is my 3rd time to Descanso within (1) month. I will say from my 1st visit which was superb to the 2nd and now 3rd visit the issue is consistency. I would love to see more consistency with customer service! They have some staff who have great customer service like: Daniel and Shai and since experiencing them I would say they are the epitome of great customer service, balancing attentiveness and just making sure the customer is well taken care of. MORE ON MY Third visit: We had reservations for a birthday and group of (4). Half of the party was late and I really felt attitude from the guy saying: if they aren't here within the next few mins we won't be able to seat you at the Plancha because they're others waiting and they want to get started. (First, chill out is what I wanted to say but I kept it cute) I believe it's not what you say but how you say it. It felt like I was getting scolded. While another lady stood there quietly, observing... We were about 15 mins late as a whole. Reservation was for 5pm. We weren't late on purpose coming from 45 mins away there was traffic. Continuing... Anthony was our waiter - I felt I had to go find him for things I needed (i.e. straws, letting him know it was a birthday, etc.) Anthony was nice but not attentive - also seemed visibly nervous and shaky throughout. We had to ask for containers they weren't offered -- we had a lot of food and had to ask for bags to put the food in... then Anthony lost my parking validation ticket (needed to get my car out the lot) making us go over the time frame and then I had to pay to get out the lot. My Second Visit: We had a waiter (Adolfo) I believe his name was --kept forgetting parts of our order (i.e. ordered chicken nachos and received them w/o chicken), forgetting things we were asking for... (i.e. guac, sauces, Mexican rice). He forgot so much that I didn't even bother reminding him about my to-go order I just wanted to leave. So, we left without my to-go order! Ultimately... PROS: FOOD IS AMAZING!!! CONS: It seems like every time I've come here it's been a totally different experience each time -- not for the good I know things happen and people aren't perfect it's just CRAZY that from my First visit to the Third seems like service has gone downhill. Again: I appreciate Shai and Daniel (all the folks should be trained to mirror the service they provide, imo) Kitchen staff are doing amazing --cranking out amazing dishes. I'm just really huge on consistency being thee key! If I return, I will update this review which reflects visits from: 6/14 & 6/28. read more

See all

If I can give a 6th star I would to Descanso in Los Angeles. You have to come and see this amazing ambiance for yourself and enjoy a great dining experience with a live chef . Michael provided amazing dishes with a unique up close experience. We were celebrating a very special family night and they didn't disappoint every step of the way they were the friendliest staff you will ever meet , checking in like clockwork. read more

See all

Amazing experience!!! Perfect place for a group dinner in my opinion. Hibachi-style dinner but with Mexican streetfood-inspired dishes??? I was in love. The portions are also massive, I was full and couldn't even finish my entree - but it's all good because I love leftovers lol. The restaurant itself is also nice, with a full bar in the middle too. Definitely great for birthday dinners. I will be back! read more

Descanso Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

5/5: I've been to a lot of upscale Mexican restaurants in LA and Mexico, and I can honestly say this has been my favorite in LA so far. My party and I entered through the back entrance that you can get to from the parking structure. There is free parking for 90 min then it's $5/hr. My first impression was the bar which was huge and beautiful.The Plancha dining area was dimly lit, cozy, but it was also bustling, loud (as should be expected for a hibachi experience), and there was Spanish music in the background. As part of a Yelp Elite event, I was given a complimentary plancha meal and got to choose anything from the regular plancha menu. I ordered the Caesar salad, Ribeye Steak (medium well), and Fried Rice, plus Chips & Salsa and a Diet Coke to start. ¡Only MY meal mentioned above was complimentary! Everything else was paid for by me and the rest of my party. We started off with chips and salsa. The salsa had a smoky, chipotle-like flavor that immediately brought back memories of my mom's camarones a la diabla (I would love if that dish were ever added to the menu lol) The Caesar salad was creamy, spicy and topped with the most addicting croutons I've ever had. Our chef, Xeo, came and introduced herself before starting the cooking experience. To start the experied, she prepared the fried rice which had corn, bell peppers, and chili aioli. I was initially unsure about the aioli, but once it was all mixed in, it worked well with the rice and added a completely different flavor. The ribeye was cooked just right and paired with fingerling potatoes, serrano peppers (not too spicy, thankfully), and grilled cebollitas. Everything was well-seasoned and the avocado salsa and aioli elevated every bite. Chef Xeo did an incredible job, not just with cooking, but also presentation and efficiency. There were no tricks (aside from the two times the flames were lit), however I personally don't mind. The rest of my party tried the Fideo soup, Carne Asada and the Pollo Maya. The Fideo was yummy and comforting, definitely packed with flavor. I usually pass on carne asada at restaurants because it feels more like a casual get-together dish, but this one was thick, perfectly marinated and grilled. The Pollo Maya was also juicy and tender, not dry at all. We shared the Tres Margaritas flight (cucumber, jalapeño, and orange) and I got couple other cocktails (Pasión y Plata and La Chilanga). These drinks are strong and definitely not sweet. If you prefer sweeter drinks, I'd recommend asking your server. Although we were too full for dessert, our waiter Roger gave us a complimentary scoop of vanilla ice cream with cinnamon sugar buñuelo chips, topped with chocolate syrup. I believe it was related to a birthday mention, so thank you! Can't wait to come back and try more off the menu (especially dessert... the Arroz con Leche Cheesecake was toooooo tempting). read more

See all

We left bc there were literally 5 servers doing nothing and got ignored. Don't go here it's a waste of time. In addition: the host took forever to seat us. There was about a quarter tables seated so not sure why no one was helpful or attentive. The issue wasn't that it was busy bc it was not busy at all. Your staff was lazy. There were 5 servers standing by the bar starting at us for about 15 minutes. read more

Loved this place! Very pretty setting, clean and spacious. My friend and I did the Plancha dining and it was quite fun. It was just she and I at the grill, but our cook was super nice and did an excellent job. The portions were great, and priced very well. Overall a great experience and we will be back! read more

See all

The food here is delicious. The flavors of each dish is noticeable and you can tell that the chefs pay attention to the fine details. Not only that, but you get a fire show with your meal! I would say the experience is similar to hibachi, but with a more upscale twist. I'm aware that the restaurant has standalone tables at the front, which I assume gives a totally different vibe. This review is explicitly for the experience seated next to the grill. I would say the amount of food you get is worth the price. Most of the people around me took home their leftovers. The entire staff was extremely welcoming and hospitable. Parking may be difficult to find if you opt for street parking, depending on the time of day. read more

Descanso Restaurant - 10 oz Rib eye - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

The food was excellent the whole plancha experience was amazing drinks were delicious and strong and the ambience was a vibe read more

Descanso Restaurant - Carne Asada - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all