Went to Firstborn yesterday. Overall foods are really good, but their Ogen Melon dessert is out of this world.

My husband and I dined here for the last night of DineLA and had a spectacular meal. It was a last minute decision so we didn't get a seat inside where it's dark and vibey, but sitting on the patio outside in the plaza was still really nice on a warm summer evening! Our server was very friendly and helpful in what we should order, and we felt very well taken care of during our visit. Over the course of the evening, we ordered the peach cocktail, strawberry goat cheese jasmine cocktail, Tommy's margarita, and kumquat apricot cocktail. My favorites were the first two - you could really taste all the components in them, so complex and interesting!! The kumquat apricot was also fun and refreshing for a hot night. The margarita was fine. Full disclosure - I ordered this drink because the ingredients looked really unique and interesting but I don't like Mezcal because it usually overpowers a drink, and that is kind of what happened here (couldn't taste any guava or green tea notes), so take my opinion with a grain of salt. For food, we got the following: Course 1: - Lamb terrine (5/5 great if you like lamb, it is delightfully gamey - in a good way) - Tomato Tartare (3/5 I think I wasn't into the trout roe with this but it was fresh and nice) Course 2: - Pork sausage in crepinette (4/5 fun presentation but this didn't blow me away) - Ragu of wild mushroom with tofu gnudi (5/5 the sauce on this was so good) Course 3: - Fried chicken (5/5 perfectly fried and loved the pickles on the side) - Mapo tofu with sweetbreads (4/5 good but I've had better mapo tofu, not a big lover of organ meats but the sweetbreads were great) Course 4 (best course): - Beef cheek (5/5 so incredibly tender and flavorful) - Spiced lamb saddle (5/5 so many flavors going on and the meat was cooked to perfection) For dessert, we ordered the corn sabayon and the roasted strawberry desserts but they brought us the strawberry and melon desserts instead. We realized we didn't get the corn dessert until we were halfway through eating what we received. We mentioned it to our waiter jokingly but he actually brought us out the other dessert too, which was such lovely service. Honestly, even though we didn't order the melon dessert, it ended up being the sleeper hit because it was served with a an amazing creamy honey mousse underneath the melon shaved ice. It was really something special, and I'd highly recommend it. Overall, I'd recommend this for a nice date night or a splurge dinner with friends. It's not cheap, but the quality was definitely there both in their fare and their service. It was a great exploration of Asian fusion done in a fine dining/tasting menu-style. read more

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Overall 3.5 We went in to celebrate a bday. This is the first place that gave us complementary bubby ONLY for the bday person?! It's a 4 course menu - we informed them of our restrictions and they graciously accomodated. Giving it 3.5 for this and the drinks. Everything else was ok/mid. Started with tomato tartar and melon with a sauce and pepper oil. Then the middle courses were 2 prawns (me) and tofu pasta (him). The mains were fish (me) and porridge (him). Nothing had any significant standout flavors. It felt like they were not catering to people who came to try genuine traditional food or even food with some traditional flair. Desserts were ok. Service was slow. Id be interested to see if their menu changes to see more variety or more flair to their cooking. read more

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Holy smokes! Longest review I've ever written, but everything was so spectacular I can't shut up about it. firstborn may be the best restaurant experience for the most affordable price EVER in LA. Where to begin? How about $5 parking next door at LA Sorted? Already off to a fantastic start. We were greeted by an incredibly friendly hostess who remembered I'd reserved a patio table last month. But since Los Angeles has apparently transformed into a horrifyingly humid swamp, she offered us an indoor table instead. We were very grateful because the AC was glorious. The inside is gorgeous: calming colors, a beautiful hand-painted mural, and perfect lighting that transitions from natural light to warm, romantic evening light without making you feel like you're eating in a bingo hall. The drinks were fantastic, too. My wife loved the kombucha mocktail, while I had the Hojicha Orange Milk Punch with hojicha, orange cordial and dark chocolate, clarified with yogurt. It tasted like a sophisticated Creamsicle with a hint of chocolate. SO good. Now for the food. The menu is prix fixe: $68 for four courses. That is absurdly affordable in this town, where it's increasingly easy to spend $60 on a branzino or $75+ on a steak alone. firstborn draws on Chinese flavors and influences, but the food was unlike anything we'd experienced before. The combinations were creative without being gimmicky, and ingredients I wouldn't normally get excited about became some of the most memorable things we ate. First course: Weiser Brilliant & Bonny melons with chilled leeks, lemon cucumber, soy-almond vinaigrette and lovage, plus tartare of raw and roasted tomato with smoked trout roe, ebony rose plum and fig leaf. I don't even particularly love melon, but that dish was unbelievably flavorful. The tomato was equally spectacular. Two familiar ingredients transformed into dishes that were anything but ordinary. Second course: wild mushroom ragù with tofu gnudi, marinated eggplant and spring garlic, plus butter-poached prawns with corn, vadouvan and pattypan squash. I had no idea what tofu gnudi was, and as someone who isn't a huge tofu person, I wasn't expecting much. Man oh man, was I wrong. They were outstanding. There were four and I could easily have eaten 10 more. The prawns were equally out of this world, with perfectly cooked shrimp, baby corn, squash and a sauce with an unexpected peppery kick. Third course: local cod and short rib. The cod was delicate, moist and perfectly cooked. Then came the short rib. My wife proclaimed it the best piece of red meat she has ever eaten, and I understood why. It had a beautiful sear while retaining real texture and consistency--tender without becoming soft and stringy. We asked our waiter how they accomplished it, and he explained that the preparation begins well in advance. If I'm remembering correctly, something like 52 hours went into producing that extraordinary piece of meat. By dessert, we were thoroughly stuffed. We had roasted strawberry with lemongrass and cashew butter, and sweet corn sabayon with black sesame, blueberry and butter mochi. Both were outrageously good. Then our waiter convinced us we also needed the Ogen melon with cucumber snow and honey mousse. Melon. Again. I've already established that melon isn't exactly my favorite thing, yet somehow firstborn made it spectacular twice in one meal. All three desserts were fantastic. And the service deserves its own shout-out. Our server knew every detail of a remarkably complex menu, explained the dishes without turning dinner into a lecture, and gave terrific recommendations. The entire staff was professional, knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic. The pacing was perfect: never rushed, never waiting around. And may I remind you: $68. Four courses. In Los Angeles. I was already plotting our return by the second course. We actually decided we're coming back for my birthday. When you've made that decision before you're even halfway through dinner, you're doing something very, very right. Extraordinary food. Creative cooking. Warm, polished service. Beautiful room. And an almost ridiculous value. Get your reservation at firstborn ASAP before I feel compelled to gatekeep! read more

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Came here for a dinner with my friends and it was all our first time. We just heard a lot of good things about it so we came to try it out. We did make a reservation, so definitely do that beforehand. Me personally, am not too fond of prefixed menus because I can be very picky with what is in a dish, but I was very impressed. You are given 3 choices for the 3 courses and dessert. Our waiter recommended that we all tried different items so we can share a piece from each dish which was the best idea. Overall every dish was quite tasty and very fresh. I did wish for the butter prawns, I got another piece or at least another baby corn on the dish. My favorites were the chicken appetizer and the melon dessert. The dessert was delicious and refreshing perfect for the hot summer night. Loved how the inside of the restaurant was set up and I believe they have some outdoor seating as well. Overall would love to come back. read more

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I came here for DineLA with my friends to celebrate their birthday. Food: 4/5 We had five friends and got their dineLA. We were able to try all items on the menu. Some of their items were pretty memorable like the beef cheek and their lamb neck that were both super tender. However some of their items were really underwhelming like their steamed fish was super fishy. Their mapo tofu was a weird twist on a good recipe that was did not need changing. My favorite item was their leg of chicken. It was crispy and had a good spice to it. Price: 3/5 We got their DineLA menu that was that was $78 per person. The portions were well plated and the presentation was really good, but this place is definitely not somewhere you'd go if you are hungry. The sourdough with seaweed butter was literally three slices with a schemer of butter for $12 additional dollars. Also their duck fat rice was not very good but definitely not worth $11. Ambiance: 5/5 This place is an upscale take to traditional Chinese food. The decor inside reminds of a cute study lounge or a coffee shop. The seating is comfortable and the lighting is dim so it makes the place a little upscale and romantic. Service: 4/5 The servers were great. They came to change our plates after each course came out. My only issue with this type of service was that our meal took about three hours from start to finish. We got in around 7:15pm and did not finish until nearly 10:00pm. Overall, it was a nice dining experience. Was it worth it? No. Would I come back? No. Would I come here for a special occasion to celebrate a birthday or promotion? Yes. read more

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First time guest at firstborn, from the romantic lighting, mod art deco decor, and fantastic food, makes a brilliant China town gem. Reservations are recommended. The wait was longer due the prior guest, yet the lounge with menu preview and drink options was nice. All set menu of two items per course. Water closets located at entrance. Set interchangeable menu, made with fresh ingredients and fun elevated dining experience. Most items were delicious. Least favorite was the fish due to blood line. Everything to the desserts were light and balanced. The service was efficient and well timed. The waiters were knowledgeable with the menu. I highly recommend this local Chinatown eatery. read more

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Beautiful restaurant and wonderful presentation of the food. Most dishes are good but the highlights are Wagyu, duck sausage, and short ribs. The highlight for desserts is the melon bingsoo. The most disappointing dish was definitely the fish dish. It was very fishy and the picked vegetables made it inedible. We exchanged it for the short ribs dish which was fantastic. Overall, the service was great. Not sure if I'd do the prefix menu ever again bc I didn't like most of the dishes but glad that the service made up for this. Cocktails are amazing here so definitely order them! Parking is easy with the lot next door and a $5 flat fee. read more

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I dined at Firstborn this past weekend & it was one of the most amazing meals I've had in recent memory. The acclaimed restaurant's menu has recently been reformatted, now offering a reasonably priced prix-fixe multi-course menu for $68 = a solid value for such inventive dishes, high-quality ingredients, and deft plating. To start, I ordered slices of Bub & Grandma's sesame sourdough bread with seaweed butter. Course 1: Melons, chilled leeks, & lovage in an almond vinaigrette; Course 2: Maitake mushrooms & tofu gnudi; Course 3: Beef short rib with Jimmy Nardello peppers, potato puree, & romesco; Dessert: Corn sabayon with butter mochi, blueberries, & black sesame; Cocktail: Strawberry-goat-cheese + steaming mug of soba tea to finish. All of the dishes were stellar, delicious, and well-plated. Service was attentive & friendly, the room's vibe warm, inviting, & relaxed. While this restaurant may be a bit out of the way in Chinatown/DTLA, it's definitely worth the drive. Highly recommended. Kudos to chef Anthony Wang & his team. One of LA's finest restaurants that deserves support & patronage. read more

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I really wanted to love this place and looking forward to trying it. The service was great. They were all attentive, accommodating and friendly. Tables were a bit uncomfortable and feet did reach the floor! I'm short but not short enough th have to rest my feet on the table leg skirt the whole meal. Great environmental and decor. $5 parking next door if you state you're going to Firstborn. All the sweeter cocktails are bubbly and taste a bit like grocery bought "coolers". The food was a bit underwhelming. The best dishes were the beef checks and duck. All the food was interesting and creative but not as tasty as I would have liked read more

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Completely surprised by the level of food, service, and overall quality of firstborn. And all while being in a nice but unpretentious space. Incredible value: 4 courses for $68! And the drink program is also exceptional. Cocktails were super tasty. This place is for sure going to be a hotspot for dates soon. read more

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Excellent service by both server and manager, great drinks including n/a, the main dishes were okay to great. I would not recommend-order the fish if prepared similarly in the future, but veggie dishes and steak were tasty. read more

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Run to Firstborn. Food and service excellent. Every dish delighted and surprised the senses. Cocktails are so innovative it is hard to choose. Ambience is lovely too. You are in excellent hands with Anthony, Lisa, and Dana. The $68 four course prix fixe is a bargain. We can't wait to go back. read more

Firstborn - Kumquat and apricot - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We took our firstborn friend out for her birthday dinner, which coincidentally was the actual restaurant's birthday. And we had a grand ole time. Each three of us ordered one item each from the pre fixe menu (at an absolutely steal btw) and the items were a flavormaxxing (our running joke of the night haha) bomb of Asian cultures. I ordered several fish based items that were light and filling, and accompanied it with a non alcoholic drink that tasted like tootsie rolls. The duck fat rice was super umami and it helped augment the flavors of my dishes. Lastly the dessert was a dream. Fruity and fragrant and light enough to eat. Don't let their name fool you- make this restaurant not only a first but many visits. read more

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I saw this restaurant pop up on Eater and YouTube and was interested in trying it. It's a newer spot, located in the northern part of Chinatown in LA. I would say that the prix fixe menu is worth a try, if you're even remotely curious about trying anything on their menu. The options are solid, and the price point is modest for an upscale dinner. I think the courses were good overall, and the flavors were generally interesting. I will also say that I didn't think there was much in the way that will really blow you away, if you've dabbled in a decent amount of finer dining. The interior decor is nice. The bathroom is nice. Both are what you'd expect from a higher end place, and I think they reflect that this is a going to be a trendy spot for diners who want to splurge a little bit without breaking the bank. Service is attentive and pleasant. I have no complaints. The parts of the dishes that stood out most to me were the cabbage and leek terrine (from the Grilled Short Rib dish) and the red braised daikon (from the duck sausage dish). On recommendation from my server, I had the Hojicha Milk Punch, which was definitely more of a taste of oolong and green tea rather than any sort of milk or punch. It mostly just tasted like tea. While pleasant, I do not think I would get it again, as I look for a more interesting taste for a $16 mocktail. My least favorite parts of the dinner, though not bad at all per se, were the sourdough and duck fat rice supplements that I decided to also try on top of the four prix fixe courses. The sourdough and butter were pleasant, although I did not feel as if it was special versus other bread and butter I have had at other establishments. The duck fat rice was truly underwhelming and ultimately just tastes like ... rice, with a hint of oily chicken broth flavor (even if it is duck fat). From what my server told me, the menu is supposedly going to be rotated out every few months to keep things fresh. I may visit again if I see a menu that catches my eye. read more

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Services were very good. All the servers are very attentive and explain every dishes and drinks in great detail. But some of the dishes are very so so. I think I want to say, it doesn't taste normal. Maybe it is good and special for some people, but my party don't really enjoy the interesting taste and the non-alcoholic drink which I order tastes very weird, which I can't finish it- even it is just like 1-2oz? My friend's cocktail tastes very so so too. The restaurant is nice and clean. We were there to celebrate a birthday, but we didn't know the restaurant doesn't have any candles. They didn't offer to sing a birthday song or anything for us. I really don't think we will come back again. Not recommended. read more

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SO DELICIOUS!! Excellent food, quality service, and a lovely atmosphere. I came with my parents and parter to celebrate his birthday and it blew us away. $68 per person for a 4-course menu is unheard of. Each dish had multiple flavors and textures and was beautifully plated. Would recommend the fried chicken and melon dessert! Will definitely return for the seasonal menu. read more

I had a nice drink on a weekday evening. The two bartenders were skilled, kind, and attentive. The bar and reading nook are perfect for a cozy, candlelit conversation. My favorite menu item was the Szechuan fried chicken. The spice was addictive. I would come back if I were in the area for another art event or to meet a friend after work. This day I ordered the Sunchoke & Date cocktail for $20. After tax, tip, and kitchen fee it was $26.21. read more

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Firstborn is located inside of Chinatown's Mandarin Plaza, which has its own parking structure that costs $5. The restaurant is fairly low key -- dim lights, a small bar area, and on the quieter side. It's a small plate situation so my friend and I got 5 dishes. Everything tasted great and I especially enjoyed the warm honeynut squash and the chongqing fried chicken. The rice is made with duck fat but I don't taste much of a difference, so that's the only thing I'd skip on. Service is very attentive and friendly. read more

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First time customers. Had dinner last night with the family. For the the price of the pre-fix menu, I believe it was worth it. Food is to our liking. Ambiance is simple and inviting. Attentive staff. read more

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Firstborn is a cute and aesthetic spot located in Chinatown. Perfect for a night out with friends or date night. We were able to snag free street parking about 2 blocks away, but otherwise it looks like mostly metered parking. We arrived for our 6:30 reservation on a Friday evening and the place was nearly empty. But once 7 PM hit, the tables were packed. They unveiled their DineLA menu a bit early but we wanted to try more options and the DineLA menu didn't have what we were looking for. Amongst two, we shared the clam gnocchi, sweet potatoes, fried chicken, BBQ cabbage, and beef short rib, as well as the ginger cookie for dessert. I got a Paloma drink, which had a Szechuan numbing spice aspect to it but was otherwise pretty simple (not sure if it was worth the price tag of around $18-20, but this is LA). I thought the food was good, with some standouts and others not extremely memorable in my opinion. I personally thought the sweet potatoes were ok. They didn't feel like anything I was rushing to order again. The clam gnocchi I was quite looking forward to trying, but found to be mostly salty and one dimensional. It had some crunchy bites, which I liked, and would've wanted more of. And the clams were lacking, too. Also, sadly, the texture of the gnocchi wasn't doing it for me. Things improved with the fried chicken and BBQ cabbage. The fried chicken is excellent. Great crispiness and loved the chili oil. No complaints. The serving is also quite large with 5 big pieces, including 2 large drumsticks. The cabbage was also nice and tender with good flavor. By this point in the meal I was actually pretty full, so our previous dishes would have been plenty for 2 people if you're trying to stay a bit more budget friendly, as the short rib, our entree, was $65 or so. The dish had good flavor, was tender, and felt like a reasonable portion. We opted for that instead of the duck and I think it was a fair choice, though I would be curious to see how it compares. The ginger cookie dessert was a nice finishing touch. I liked the various components and thought it had some fun textures and good balance of flavor. It felt different than other desserts I've had before. Service was stellar - our waitress was very helpful, friendly, and checked in many times. Dishes were changed out each course and our table cleaned. Overall, pretty good experience! I might return in the future to try the duck, but otherwise I think I checked this one off the list. read more

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After eating roughly a hundred Michelin stars around the world, my usual take on LA fine dining has been: the plating is often very competent, but the soul is frequently out of office. Then I went back to Firstborn twice within three months. This newly listed 2025 tasting menu spot actually made me feel a little hopeful about LA fine dining again. The shiso with razor clam and beef cheek cochon, and the black cod with green Sichuan pepper mala noodles, are both full-on collisions between deep animal savoriness and sharp, vivid spice. Then dishes like roasted artichoke and morel stuffed with green peas bring the seasonality into clear focus. The menu is not huge, but every dish has a defined structure and a bold sense of movement. On paper, it reads a little mysterious and intimidating; once you eat it, everything suddenly makes perfect sense, and honestly, it gets addictive. The ingredient selection and handling are also seriously thoughtful. Take the aged duck main course. I am very much a "if there is duck on the fine dining menu, I'm ordering it" person, and I've had plenty of beautifully rich, tender duck breasts. But Firstborn's version, beyond being tender and luscious, had that Cantonese sense of "gan xiang" -- the sweet, savory aroma you get from naturally air-dried, aged meats. For a second, I had this flashback to going with my family as a kid to Xing Fu Lou in Wenquan for Lutian cured meats during winter solstice. Absurdly good. Calling it the Duck King of the West Coast does not feel excessive. On my second visit, the truffle and wild mushroom "gnudi" was also excellent. The moment it hit the table, that intense truffle aroma made me think of the deep, earthy punch of French Périgord black truffle. But then I thought, wait, where are they getting Périgord in June? Turns out they were using Australian winter truffle, perfectly in season. That sourcing logic is smart. It is not expensive for the sake of being expensive; it actually understands the flavor window. The fire-grilled lamb saddle on the second visit was just as strong. It preserved the soft, tender texture of the cut without losing that sweet, milky lamb flavor. Grilled over open flame to a rosy medium rare, the flavor, doneness, and ingredient choice all landed. To me, a great restaurant comes down to three things: concept, ingredients, and seasoning. Some fine dining places love making everything complicated, stacking seven or eight ingredients together, serving a dozen-plus courses, and by the end you feel exhausted and sleepy. Firstborn is the opposite. It is unconventional, but from amuse-bouche to dessert, every dish explains its own logic clearly. Final feeling after the meal: addictive, interesting, and absolutely worth coming back for. read more

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Such a great experience. The food was delicious, creative, and comforting, and the whole restaurant felt thoughtful without being stuffy. Great atmosphere, warm service, and a meal that actually gave me something to think about afterward. I'd absolutely come back. read more

Great place, great service, very delicious food! Located in China town - doesn't look like much outside, but when you walk in, the ambiance is cozy and chique. Our waiter, Daniel, was very informative, went over the menu and answered all our questions- Making it easy for us to decide between all the options. We ordered 9 dishes and 3 desserts - perfect for our table of 4 - we walked out STUFFED and well worth it. Portions and prices were good for what we ordered. Everything was sooo good and had an umami-ness to it. My favorites were the wagyu tongue (tasted a little like pho), sweet potatoes ( would come back and order 2 next time), BBQ cabbage, egg custard, Fried Chicken (I've never had that crunch before!), their duck fat rice, and their ginger cookies for dessert! *You cannot go wrong with anything you order on the menu, Highly recommend making reservations! 10 out of 10 for me! Enjoy. read more

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Inside Chinatown's Mandarin Plaza sits firstborn with indoor and patio seating. This is a 4-course prix fixe menu, coming out to $68/person, before taxes and fees. I've come here two times - with a 5:30 p.m. reservation - and enjoyed the food, service, and ambiance. Pro-tip #1: Do not get their bread & butter starter; it is an absolute waste of money - a mate of mine went only to find out that it is a literal small smear of butter. The price is outrageous at $6 for 3 small pieces of bread and $5 for that butter smear - I promise you, this is not worth your money whatsoever. The first time I came here, we got bar seating and shared everything: 0. DRINKS & AMUSE-BOUCHE 0.1. Hojicha Milk Punch: Kettl Fuuka Hojicha, Cara Cara Orange Zest + Juice - $16 I do not recommend this - all I tasted was the yoghurt. 0.2. Celery root blini, creme fraiche, N25 ossetra caviar, reduction of apple and black vinegar - $15 A little too much apple reduction & balsamic vinegar, but otherwise, 8/10 - a little more caviar would be good. 1. COURSE 1: APPETISER 1.1. Wagyu Beef Tongue Carpaccio: Fermented kohlrabi, mala vinaigrette, arugula I didn't get the appeal of the Wagyu beef tongue - I have a lot of lengua (tongue) tacos and this honestly tasted like every other tongue I've had. The mala vinaigrette was gorgeously mouth-tingly, but I could have done with a little bit more kohlrabi and arugula; after a bite, I did feel a little heavy; despite it being a muscle, it doesn't taste anything iron-y like liver would. 1.2. Trout Tartare: Oro blanco, preserved chilies, jasmine Oh so absolutely fresh - I loved that I could taste the jasmine in a subtle manner & it was balanced perfectly with just the right amount of spicy kick from the preserved chillies, with the citrus juice from the oro blanco truly making this such a stellar "spring" dish with the trout. The gelee jasmine that was served was the right amount of tartiness with the oro blanco that I had knew I had to come back a second time to have it again. 2. COURSE 2: APPETISER 2.1. Duck Sausage en Crépinette: Apple condiment, red braised daikon, swiss chard It's a hefty, single (but not fatty or heavy) meatball and I personally found you only need a little bit of the condiment as it's sweet. 2.2. Stuffed Morels: Tofu and mushroom parfait, young peas, green garlic, buddha's hand This. This is the SINGLE dish that I would get again and again. It was such a fresh, refreshing, light, citrus-y, mildy chewy dish, perfectly balanced with young peas & green garlic. 3. COURSE 3: ENTREE 3.1. Grilled Short Rib: Black garlic, cabbage and leek terrine, yuxiang, pepper jus So rich, but not heavy; almost like it was a mole sauce - the beef was super tender. 3.2. Roasted Local Fish: Preserved mustard, green Sichuan, fennel, glass noodles Delicious, fresh, and light. 4. COURSE 4: DESSERT 4.1. Vanilla Sponge: Red bean, oolong, blackcurrent, blackberry Light sponge, delicous sauce; well made and not-too-sweet - a high compliment. 4.2. Lime Leaf Curd: Cashew, coconut, white chocolate This literally took me back to my childhood in Southeast Asia - I absolutely loved - LOVED - the strong lime leaf flavour, paired with the --Loved the seafood dishes because everything I got was fresh, citrus-y and light dishes; the meat dishes were a little heavier in the mouthfeel & sweeter due to the sauces they came with. The second time, we did patio seating & shared everything, except the last dish: 0. DRINKS 0.1. Oaxacan Old Fashioned: Agua Del Sol Espadin, Empirical Ayuuk, Be Bright Alo Faficho Natural, Fresh Passionfruit, Mole Bitters, Orange Coin Strong and well-made; definitely recommend. 0.2. Lacto Blueberry Fizz: Seedlip Grove, Lacto-Fermented Blueberries, Lemon, Soda - $14 Refreshing; good non-alcoholic option. 1. COURSE 1: APPETISER 1.1. Wagyu Beef Tongue Carpaccio 1.2. Trout Tartare 2. COURSE 2: APPETISER 2.1. Duck Sausage en Crépinette 2.2. Stuffed Morels 3. COURSE 3: ENTREE 3.1. Dry-aged Liberty Duck (for 2): Oolong-scented chestnut purée, grilled cauliflower, blackberries We got our own plate with duck and it so well made with a crispy skin and tender duck meat, paired perfectly with the chestnut purée. This is a must order - having tried other items from that course, I strongly recommend it. 4. COURSE 4: DESSERT 4.1. Vanilla Sponge: Red bean, oolong, blackcurrent, blackberry 4.2. Banana Pudding: Rum gel, tonka cream, brown butter Awesome crunch; lovely, thick gel texture; yummy butteryness. Service was great - attentive, not-too-talkative or hovering, and consistent. I do recommend, like others, coming earlier - with a reservation - because after 6 p.m., they get extremely busy and packed. You can park in the parking lot that this building is in for $10 (cash) or you can try to find street parking anywhere in Chinatown - depending on the day, you might get lucky. Pro-tip #2: There is a 3% service charge added to each bill, but you can ask for it to be removed, otherwise factor that into your tip. read more

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Sadly only about 11 people in the restaurant so we tried to support and just get drinks and an app on a Friday night and they don't have two seats directly next to each other at the bar.. So they offered us to sit in the lounge which was completely empty.. mind you, there were two seats at the bar. They just weren't directly next to each other. But it turns out they don't serve appetizers at the lounge even when the restaurant is basically empty. Was one of my favorite restaurants. Would love to see them get their soul back and stop chasing stars. read more

The food was absolutely delish there were some misses for me just based on my taste preference. Wasn't a fan of the pumpkin just because it wasn't what I expected but also not mad about it. Service was great, would recommend coming earlier when opening because when it gets busy it gets busy. Overall great when it comes to coursing food and swapping plates. Servers are soft spoken and it echos inside, so me being partially deaf was struggling a bit. Ambiance was beautiful, subtle, minimal but clean. Overall felt like someone's home in the best way possible (straight out of magazine). 9/10 rating. Price for 3 with two cocktails and 8 dishes (two not pictured) read more

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I was Firstborn for dinner on Sunday night. I would definitely make sure to make reservations because it got pretty packed as I was leaving. I got seated in a pretty spacious, but I will say the restaurant is pretty small so there is tight seating. We asked our server for a few recommendations and opted for the following: 1. Heirloom tomatoes - probably my least favorite of the night. I thought it was a little overwhelming with too much sauce. I would probably skip this next time. 2. Fish collar - this was the special for the night. The portions were generous and the collar was cooked perfectly. Definitely a must order. 3. Mapa tofu - also delicious. It wasn't super overwhelming with the numbness. And the beef was delicious in the dish. 4. Fried chicken - I saw many reviews on this dish so I knew I had to get it. It was so good. The fry on the chicken was perfect, the chicken was juicy. I also brought a breast home and it was still good and not soggy. Definitely a must get. 5. Clams - I thought this dish would be good and although the flavors were decent, the clams were slightly fishy tasting to me. But, I can see tons of potential to this. I am definitely going to come here again. I know that the menu is seasonal, so would try other dishes. Next time, I might also sit at the bar because it looked pretty nice. read more

I'm rooting for Firstborn to succeed. Right now, I think they're still working out their flow but the soul and passion is all there. I will definitely come back once a new seasonal menu drops. First off, I had a pleasant dining experience but I was unfortunately seated outside. I wished we were inside to experience their curated ambiance, but sitting outside for a nice meal like this felt second-rate. I can only assume this happened because Steep was hosting an event outside and they tactically wanted passerbys to see us. To me, the highlight was the cocktails. Kenzo, the bar director, was recently at Steep (located in the same plaza) and I fucking love their drinks. Everything is tastefully crafted and there's an extreme level of refinement. My only warning is that some drinks are very boozey and I was surprised at how hard they were hitting. Super good, though. Anyways - I ALMOST ordered the pre-determined Dine LA menu, but I decided to venture off and order my own things. My favorite was a surprise: the tofu dumplings. The texture and broth reminded me of some very good homemade mashed potatoes, which is something I didn't think I'd enjoy so much. The BBQ cabbage was awesome - nice flavor and char, but there's more to be desired since that is exactly what it is - cabbage. Next up, we had a melon "salad" which was very good, although was a little more sour than I'd wanted. It lacked a sweetness that would have made it feel more refreshing. The aged duck breast was great, but the sauce was a little too sweet. In addition, the duck was very heavy and I felt like the duck fat rice only made it more difficult. Feels like it needs another side dish to complement the richness. I will admit: this experience is based on items I thought were interesting to try. They're known for the Chongqing fried chicken, but I felt a little weird ordering that here. I wished I had ordered another refreshing side. The service was impeccable, though. Our server guided us through the entire menu with expertise and Kenzo even came out to make sure we enjoyed our drinks. All things considered, I think there's something missing that would bring them to the next step. It's very good, but I'm looking for something on their menu that will make it impeccable. I still recommend a visit - I love Chinatown, and I love how much energy Firstborn is bringing to this plaza. read more

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My partner and I had an incredible dining experience at Firstborn. The food was absolutely amazing from start to finish. The highlights of the night were the celery root blini with crème fraîche and Ossetra caviar, the trout tartare, the duck sausage, and the grilled short ribs. And a special shoutout to the fried boneless chicken leg -- it was goddamn delicious! The wine list is exciting. It has some hard-to-find aged bottles. We scored a bottle of 2007 François Cotat Sancerre. Cotat is one of the most iconic Sancerre producers, and because his wines are built to age, finding a 2007 vintage on the menu here was a massive treat. While we didn't dive into the proper cocktail menu, my partner ordered the non-alcoholic Hojicha Orange Milk Punch, which was phenomenal, and judging by how beautiful the drinks at neighboring tables looked, I'd assume their cocktail program is strong. Service was stellar. Lisa, who helped us navigate the wine list, was lovely! She was incredibly generous, offering us a few complimentary pours of other wines to taste. Will definitely revisit to try other menu items and their cocktails! read more

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I was so excited to try First Born but ended up a little disappointed. They don't serve cocktails, and the wine list was pretty limited. I also didn't realize how often their menu changes, so the dishes I'd picked out online ahead of time weren't available when we arrived. We sat outside, and since it's in a strip mall, the vibe was very casual. I never saw the inside of the restaurant. Our starters were amazing, but most of the mains were just okay -- except for the fried chicken, which was incredible. The highly recommended duck fat rice, however, was so plain we actually had to ask if it was the right dish or just plain white rice. For the price, I wouldn't go back. read more

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I'm back y'all -- with another review, mkay mkayyy So boom, my homegirl just had a birthday (shoutout to her! ), and she wanted to try something new, so we scurried over to this spot. They offer a prix fixe menu with optional add-ons, and baby... they did what needed to be done. We started with the fried boneless leg of chicken with morita chili crisp jus and soy pickles -- and this? A strong start. Course 1: Trout tartare, oro blanco, preserved chilies, jasmine Super refreshing and honestly tasted way better than it looked (no shade ). Course 2: Duck sausage en crépinette, apple condiment, red braised daikon, Swiss chard I was really looking forward to this one because I love duck, and it did not disappoint. Course 3: Grilled short rib, black garlic, cabbage and leek terrine, yuxiang, pepper jus Now THIS... the short rib was everything I needed it to be. Succulent, flavorful, and cooked just right. Dessert: I'm not even gonna hold you... I don't remember exactly what it was, but I do remember it being good The service was great too -- our server was knowledgeable and really knew the menu, which I always appreciate. If you're in the area, definitely stop by and show them some love. P.S. We Ubered, so I can't confidently speak on parking... but wishing you luck if you drive read more

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What an adventure for my taste buds. I love it when a restaurant pairs creativity with quality. The dishes here are a little hard to describe because they're so unique. Y'all just have to try for yourself haha. Wagyu beef tongue- this is more of a salad. I promise there's some tender beef tongue under all that arugula. Duck sausage- the sausage is what you'd imagine it to taste like but the sauce is the star of the show. Corn congee- if elote and congee had a baby. Perfect blend of sweet and savory Egg custard- the texture is like Chinese steamed egg or chawanmushi. The tomato reminded me of the classic Chinese egg and tomato stir fry dish. So creative and so delicious Chongqing chicken- this might be the best fried chicken I've ever had. I can't find a single flaw with it. Crispy batter that's also light, juicy, flavorful, just the right amount of mala. I got the baijiu Negroni. I can definitely taste the baijiu but it was not overpowering. read more

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This place is a. Hidden gem in china town When I first discovered it they had just been opened 1 days I came back few months later to grab a drink and service is great, Great drinks and got to only try out Duck fat rice and cocktails I plan to come back for dinner was already impressed too bad my stomach was fill for any other meals read more

Firstborn - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Everything tasted interesting and adventurous. Almost nothing tasted yummy. The dish that came closest was the Vanilla Sponge dessert. Despite the dull description, the four layers offered different, complimentary flavors and textures. My companions liked the artichokes appetizer, duck sausage and duck breast. But my overwhelming sense of the dishes was that they were meant to impress, but not necessarily to be enjoyed. And I didn't. read more

Firstborn - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Phenomenal meal, cocktails and service. Must return! I was blown away after wanting to try for so long. I can't wait to come back.

Four of us went to Firstborn for dinner. Firstborn features a prix fixe menu, with the option to add a couple of dishes and bread. The cost is $68 for four courses. A 3% service charge is added to each bill. The food was delicious. Each of the four courses offered three dishes: one meat, one fish, and one vegetarian. They were flavorful. The dishes are small, so you have room for all four courses. Standouts were the trout tartare and beef short rib. They have an extensive, expensive wine and liquor list. The biggest disappointment was their supposedly heralded bread and butter. $6 for 3 small pieces of bread, and $5 for a small smear of butter. Definitely not worth the price. Our server was friendly, but couldn't provide details on how the dishes were prepared. The dining room is all hard surfaces, so it's noisy. Nearby parking is available for $10. We'd like to return when they change the menu. read more

I've seen mixed reviews about this place, but I'm so glad I gave it a try--my entire experience was exceptional! This is a new Chinese-American restaurant located in the Mandarin Plaza in Chinatown. First off, the space is beautiful, with a stylish bar and both indoor and outdoor seating. We started the evening with cocktails, and they were great--meticulously crafted and full of flavor. I was especially blown away by their take on the Midori Sour. I'm usually not a fan of Midori Sours, but this one is made with fresh melon juice that was perfectly refreshing for the summer weather. Every dish we ordered was a hit: melon & cucumber, heirloom tomatoes, bbq cabbage, fried chicken, and corn congee were all standouts. It's rare to visit a restaurant and enjoy every single dish, but this place delivered. The textures were playful, the flavors were balanced, and you could tell the chef showed real restraint--nothing was overdone. It was sophisticated, thoughtful, and most importantly, delicious. read more

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Oh man, I woke up still thinking about that corn congee!! It has the corniest (in a good way haha) flavor, nuttiness from the hazelnuts, herby from the cilantro, and OMG it was spectacular. The most delicious, elevated congee I have ever had. Meanwhile, my man woke up still thinking about that fried chicken!! Thicc crisp, juicy insides, but not greasy, my favorite sauce, chili crisp, on top. Oh boy. Dreamy. Everything else was absolutely wonderful - the melon & cucumber with sesame oil that sets it over the top, the tomatoes with its fragrant jelly, the duck fat rice with its slight meatiness. Oh, and the dumplings, THE DUMPLINGS. My goodness, were those things a gift. I have stars in my eyes just thinking about them. The only thing that didn't hit for either of us was the cabbage, which is weird bc it's a signature dish everyone raves about, but I found it had too much chili powder for my taste and didn't work well with the sauce. But whatever, neither of us cared bc everything else was so dang good. And to top it all off, the corn pie and chamomile (!!) cracker/ice/custard thing were so unique in the best way possible, not overly sweet, floral, and the perfect cap to what is easily my favorite meal of the year so far. We were already listing all the things we'd get when we come back:). read more

Firstborn - Melon & cucumber - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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i cannot rave about this restaurant enough. my partner and i were stunned into silence, indulging in our own little worlds as we tasted this unique and very delicious take on asian fusion. highly, highly recommend trying the lamb and cilantro terrine, as well as the ragu for the next course. the desserts blew us away as well. i don't think i've ever had something that delicious, and i'm not a big sweets person. this was so different, so innovative, and sooo memorable. additionally to the wonderful food, the service and the environment were absolutely inviting, warm, and super friendly. i don't have any pictures, since my phone died. you'll just have to trust this. i don't live near LA (just traveling), and I'm sad to be returning home where this doesn't exist in proximity. don't take it for granted!!! read more