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Second time back and not disappointed. Loreto is a beautiful location intended to welcome you in while you settle into the start of your experience. The servers are wonderful, all with a vibe that makes you instantly feel calm and ready to embark on this upscale Mexican culinary journey. There is an approach to service that feels team spirited and with a sense of pride when delivering beautiful presentations of your choice, ours happened to be 100% seafood. Let's shout out Samantha first and then we will get to the food. From the moment we sat down, she made a difference in our experience. She was friendly, had an excellent understanding of what we were hoping for in our meal, and approached us each time with genuine enthusiasm. We took her advice on almost everything we ordered, and she nailed it. We were truly so satisfied and appreciative of her expertise. Good job Loreto for hiring this one! Moving on (this isn't a performance review after all) let's get to why you came here! Shout out to the chefs, as each dish is intentional in flavors and presentation. Everything was filled with unique flavors to elevate the fish dishes, which all were incredible in their own right. My husband and I split a Mezcal Margarita, added a bit of spice and cucumber. Delicious. We needed this while our bottle of Chardonnay Chilled! Sounds about right, right? When the Chardonnay arrived, Blanc de Mer, the label boasted oysters, which must have been a sign, as we weren't leaving without eating oysters. Here's what we indulged in: West Coast Oysters: plump, creamy, and simply delicious. Served with lime and salsa negra. We still love the traditional horseradish with oysters, but we adjusted. Salsa negra could have been more flavorful and spicy, just one gal's opinion. Yellowtail Sashimi: fresh, flavorful, and I wanted more but it was perfection. Santa Barbara Ceviche: rockfish, guacachile, and cucumber. Served with tostadas and saltines. Very good. CDMX Tostada: don't miss this. Blue fin tuna, capers, avacado, scallions and cilatro in a light creamy sauce. AMAZING. We shared, I wish we didn't. Atún Picante: at first I didn't see it on the menu and almost got teary, but there it was and it is not to be missed. Tuna, crispy rice, avacado, and salsa negra. So so good. Get two orders. Mejillones "Tom Kha": mussels in a coconut broth with galangal and serrano chiles, served with grilled foccacia. Of note, one piece of foccacia is not enough to sop up that amazing sauce. So we drank it. My husband is a firm believer in having dessert. This time, I'm not mad about it. We laughed with Samantha because we ended up having 3 Carajillos. 2 drinks, one dessert. The drink is hand shaken espresso and Licor 43, poured over ice. This is a Mexican specialty after dinner drink in any restaurant when you venture south of the border. Forget about the drinks, move on to the best dessert I think I may have ever had. Carajillo dessert: The base is a moist piece of chocolate cake, topped with smooth milk chocolate crèmeux and a crunchy pecan toffee.The top is crowned with a thick scoop of pecan ice cream. It isn't too sweet, that I promise. I'm not 100% that I got the description right, but it was damn good. In a city where you can spend your money anywhere to have great food, spend some, or a lot of it at Loreto. AMAZING. Street or valet parking (15.00) Reservations or walk ins. I strongly suggest garden seating, it is absolutely beautiful at night. If this were a performance evaluation, it would go something like this: An area for improvement is for the the host who has greeted us both times when dining. A smile and a kind greeting goes a long way. I'll leave it at that. First impressions are lasting ones. All in all, exceptional experience.
I decided to go here because I saw the pictures on yelp and the food looked really good and fresh to my surprise the portions were very small. I ordered four appetizers We got seated right away without reservations due to a cancellation. Anyway I was a little disappointed because our server did not give us silverware. We got silverware at the end when we decided to leave and after we had finished eating that's when I decided to stop ordering any more food and close our tab due to the customer service. The food that we did order was very delicious
The ambience is nicely decorated with romantic atmosphere. Its vibey even for weekdays. There's an outdoor and indoor seating. Our server was super nice and attentive. Food wise - it is a Mariscos place, so they only have seafood in their menu. We ordered various dishes and everything was great and fresh. The dishes are a smaller portion but meant for sharing. They can accommodate allergies so that was a plus. Parking is really bad though as the location is within residential neighborhood. Valet only for $15.00 plus tip. Also, valet will text you a code and you can only pay that way. You can only pay for your own car. The location is a bit sketchy and deep into the residential neighborhood. But good food and nice ambience.
My wife and I came to Loretto for our anniversary and were completely blown away. We eat at a lot of great restaurants around LA, and this one immediately jumped onto our list of favorites. The tostadas alone are worth coming for. We had the rock shrimp and the bluefin tuna, and both were pretty much perfect. Fresh, balanced, and just ridiculously good. The elote-style shrimp and corn was another standout, and then they brought out this massive grilled octopus that was absolutely incredible. Everything we ordered was a hit. The drinks were just as good. My wife had a nonalcoholic jalapeno and cucumber cocktail that was honestly as good as any traditional cocktail we've had. Really refreshing, complex, and clearly given the same attention as the rest of the drink menu. The space is also just cool. Industrial without feeling cold, with a great indoor-outdoor layout and a really relaxed Frogtown vibe. Service was impeccable all night and made our anniversary feel even more special. Loretto is one of those places where the food, drinks, atmosphere, and service all come together. We left already talking about what we want to order when we come back. Five stars isn't enough.
tl;dr mariscos food truck meets classy cocktail bar at this trendy Frogtown seafood spot The little sibling to the now-shuttered LA Cha Cha Cha, Loreto is the newest fine-dining destination in Chef Paco Moran's culinary universe. Here, seafood is king, with a vast menu spanning from ceviches to zarandeados (grilled Nayarit-style). With a gorgeous atmosphere to boot, it's no wonder that Loreto is one of the city's trendiest restaurants. The terracotta-red complex is easy to spot among the muted Frogtown neighborhood, and the desert-chic vibes inside immediately feel like the Arts District. Industrial, minimalist features are colored with arid tones. The stunning back patio is a worthy counterpart to the moody indoor dining room. Mid-century modern seating is pressed up to marble azure tables. Groovy instrumental intermixes with cocktails shaking from the bar. Loreto has always had available seating, but expect the indoor space and patio to slowly but surely fill up. The aguachiles and ceviches have been an excellent and reliable kick-off to our dinner. The Aguachile Negro pairs a plentiful portion of fresh shrimp with a dynamic marinade, evolving from an acidic pop to a smoky spice; the Aguachile Verde does the same, but with a stronger serrano-based spice. The Papaya Ceviche calls in jicama and green papaya to lend a crunch to the fresh scallop base. Of the crackers, I much preferred the crispy masa tortilla to the prepackaged saltines. For other small bites, I've loved the crispy rock shrimp Bang Bang! Tostada and the rich Soft Shell Crab Tacos. For the latter, the single, deep-fried crab was sliced in half and portioned between two tacos, and the hefty flour tortillas held up well against the pickles and sauces. Lastly, you must conclude with a zarandeados platter. As someone who always gravitates toward the octopus appetizers, I'm a sucker for the Zarandeados Pulpo. Our whole grilled octopus was dolloped with a chile crema, sharing a stainless steel sheet pan with salsas, tangy arroz rojo, and hearty refried black beans. All of the accompaniments felt carefully curated, and only the dull, room-temperature blue corn tortillas left me wanting (the pre-made quesadillas quickly became gummy). The only dish that's felt like a true dud was the Mar-Esquites. Billed as upscale elote, this pre-cut corn-and-shrimp concoction ended up unpleasantly watery. The service was helpful but mechanical; I appreciated that team members stayed vigilant for unfilled water glasses and completed plates. Valet was $20, but we had no trouble finding street parking a block away. Across multiple visits, our total bill has been in the $120 range for 2 (after tax and tip), and the portion left us feeling comfortably full. Broadly, Loreto translates the delicious food from a mariscos truck into a sophisticated sit-downery, and it's a good bet for impressing out-of-towners.
This place has such a unique festive feel. You really are taken to think you are out of LA an within a tropical paradise. The service is quick but intentional. You should definitely try a drink because you will be shocked at the unique nature of goodness it is. The food is really tasty, and for a table of 2, grab 4 or 5 dishes to share.
Tucked away in a random location but the space itself is absolutely stunning. Great aesthetics, large capacity and plenty of tables--honestly, a perfect layout for a company team dinner or group gathering. The initial impression before the food arrived was 10/10. The Service It was okay. There were awkwardly long gaps and delays between courses, which disrupted the flow of the meal. Seafood: It looks like they dry-age their seafood. The Taste: The sauces themselves were solid. However, if you're not a fan of that distinct, sharp/pungent tang that sometimes comes with aged seafood, it might miss the mark for you. Personally, that specific note was a bit of a letdown. Visually beautiful with a lot of potential for group events, but the execution on service timing and the specific seafood profile left me a bit disappointed. 3.5/5.
This is an upscale Mexican restaurant in Frogtown, Los Angeles. I made a same day reservation on Open Table. Parking was free on the street but hard to find during dinner. They had $15 valet parking. The ground has small rocks, so keep this in mind before you decide to wear heels. The restaurant is dimly lit inside. There is a host at the podium. The bar counter is first come first serve. The greenery inside almost covers the place from looking like an empty warehouse. The outdoor seating is fine during sunset but otherwise gets really dark when the sun goes down. There are no views except your eating party. The menu was not impressive to me. It seemed like a place to share appetizers with a group. The price tag was also too high in my opinion. I only got the empanada and seafood tower. Seafood tower $95 - It looks underwhelming because they use a small tower. On the top shelf, the twelve oysters they shucked were quarter sized. I actually prefer small oysters though. I asked for hot sauce, and the hot sauce was the best thing I had all night. It was so spicy and flavorful. I added it to everything. The bottom shelf had the ceviche and aguachile. They brought a plate of 4 toastadas and a packet of saltine crackers. Shrimp empanada $19 - Hah, this was not worth $19. The empanada was chewy like churro. The shrimp was tender. The flavor was lacking. I added hella hot sauce. Gratuity of 20% is auto added to parties of 6 or more Credit card fee of 3% Bathroom available in two gender-neutral stalls. I can't see myself coming back.
What a vibe! I came here on a whim for July 4th because my friend and I were looking for somewhere to dine to use her Chase Sapphire Reserve Credits that had food we both liked. We settled on this because it had both seafood and pasta. A bit of a strange combination especially because most of the menu is elevated Mexican/seafood. They only have 3 pasta dishes and the seafood is definitely better, but I'm not mad at the option. I'm glad we chose the patio seating because although the inside is gorgeous, the back patio achieves a level of chill that many LA patios try to do and fail. The main thing was that the tables didn't feel too crowded and there was still so much empty space that you felt as if you were in someone's backyard. Perhaps it wasn't too busy because of July 4th. The seafood here is def the standout. The highland tostada was my fave- delicious, with fresh avocado, crunchy tostada, and succulent crab. The Atun picante, or spicy tuna crispy rice, was ruined by whatever sour sauce they put on it. Texture of the crispy rice was perfect but we both agreed the sauce was too much. Tortellini came out more al dente than we were used to, but piping hot filling, and was pretty tasty. The LA churros with yuzu sauce we could have done without- hot and fresh but dry and thin. The Carajillo dessert was the savior- nutty, rich, and decadent without being too sweet. Drinks were decently strong alcohol wise but we thought they could have used a bit more flavor. Overall I think this is a great place to come for the patio but was pleasantly surprised the food was also good. Will be back for drinks, more seafood, and dessert!
This was a great Mexican seafood restaurant in frogtown. All the items we had were amazing. My favorite was the aguachile rojo, ceviche papaya and branzino zarandeado. All the aguachiles were very good and lots of flavor with the shrimp and condiments though I felt the aguachiles Verde was a little flat. The ceviches were also great especially the papaya. The cdmx blue fin tuna tostada was great. The empanadas de camaron and the croquetas were fried well and tender on the inside with good sauces and condiments. The mejillones Tom kha mussels were also great especially the soup. The tortelli was very soft and tender with the lobster and the branzino zarandeado was amazing with the fried soft tender white fish with copious amounts blue corn tortillas. The drinks were very good and unique as I got the todo santos milk punch that had passion fruit and butterfly pea tea which was awesome. The staff was very attentive and gave great service overall. The atmosphere is very lively and open space. it just feels like a fancy cocktail place but it also feels like a lively family dinner kind of vibe.
The food was AMAZING, location was a little iffy, valet was full (on a Thursday at 8 pm), so we made do with street parking. The inside was gorgeous. You would NEVER suspect something like that was inside. The hostess was so cute! Our server wasn't friendly, but there was a second gal who was much friendlier. The tower was delicious! The croquettes were a fave as well. Branzino was pretty good, but the rice on the side was uncooked. Overall, 4/5. I'd give it another shot, though.
This location is so big and very modern and vibey. We sat at the bar top, but walked to look at the outdoor seating which would be perfect for a nice day or evening where the temp is warm. The food was good, I'd say there were lots of options for the dietary restrictions we had. I would say maybe missing a little flavor here and there. My favorite dish was for sure the ceviche and the cdmx tostada. Lots of flavor on those two dishes. The service was great. The real standout was the servers. They were so helpful and friendly and really were super attentive. The servers were 10/10. Last thing I'll mention is that there was a 3% charge for paying with a card which was weird, so just want to flag! Overall I'd give this place a 3.5 if I could. The location is fun and vibes are good, servers are so great.
Loreto has been on my list to check out for a while and I finally had the chance to visit! I made a reservation online which I highly recommend since it was pretty busy when we went. When we arrived, we checked in at the host stand and were then shown to our table. The restaurant has an indoor/outdoor vibe with the bar located inside. We started off with the oysters and the hand roll and both were good! We also had the aguachile negro and it was delicious! For the tostadas, my favorite was the CDMX. It was creamy and I loved the unique touch from the capers. If you love seafood, definitely worth checking out!
Over the years I've grown to become more and more wary when it comes to high end dining. When I was younger I didn't have the finances to be able to eat at these places so when I did I always wanted to maximize what I ate for the price I paid. As I've gotten older and my finances better that mentality hasn't changed much and it's proven to be the right way to think. I've been to many fine dining restaurants and I've always felt a high price and prestige doesn't mean small bites are justified. With my brother's birthday coming we decided to give Loreto a chance to wow us with high quality coastal Mexican cuisine and it delivered. Design/Vibe - Coastal California indeed Loreto is located in a strange amalgamation of industrial buildings and residential homes. With no parking lot of its own, instead relying on valet parking to move vehicles to a different area, you'll either have to valet park or find parking somewhere on the streets around it. When you walk towards the building the façade of the industrial building slowly starts to fade. As you walk through the entrance and past the inside dining room to the outdoor area you feel like you're in a coastal desert. With plenty of desert flora, low hanging trees, and seating with the same material that would breathe in such climates you feel like you're escaping from the busy city into a Baja vacation. Prices - $17 - $29 This price range is true for pretty much all food and drinks with some food like the Toda la Bahía (Tower) and Langosta Zarandeados being $95 & $82 respectively. But, is the price worth it? Food - Yes, the price is worth (most of) it As I mentioned before, prestige and high price doesn't justify small bites. Luckily, Loreto is easily growing its reputation for being a high quality and well executed menu while giving satisfying size dishes. The dishes are what they should be for what the price is. No small spoons of fancy presentation with little substance found on these plates. Instead, you find innovative techniques with familiar flavors. One of my favorite items is the Toda la Bahía. This is a two tiered tower of oysters, ceviche, aguachiles, and poached shrimp. Though the price is high everything feels worth it. It was so good I was tempted to get another one. The Empanadas de Camarón is fried perfectly and dressed with a sumptuous creamy sauce. Biting into one feels like comfort food and it'll be hard to take your attention away from it. If you do plan on getting a pasta I'd recommend getting the Tortellini. It is meaty, chewy in the best way, and the flavors melt into each other creating a nicely spiced, savory bite with the freshness of its ingredients highlighted harmoniously. If there is an item I would say isn't worth trying it would be the Mar-Esquites. I do love me delicious, creamy corn with fresh shrimp but for the price I would say this isn't worth trying. Conclusion - Special Occasions and Celebrations Loreto is a wonderful restaurant where the cuisine satisfies, the vibes are vibing, the diners are so LA, and the flavors slap. Though the bill was high we had a full dinner for 3 people and left completely satiated and satisfied. If you're celebrating anything, from birthdays to promotions, Loreto is a phenomenal restaurant to rejoice in your own revelry. read more
Had a great time here at Loreto. You walk in to a beautiful open bar that kind of wows you. Plenty of seating inside and out. And definitely a place for groups, dates, and casual dining. It's dimly lit and intimate. I came to celebrate a friend's birthday and had a prefix menu. All the items were amazing! Stand out for sure were the aguachile verde and juriel ceviche. Their food tasted very fresh and clean. Our server did an amazing job accommodating a group of 16 of us. 4 stars because our drink orders kept getting mixed up, but I have to give to the staff for showing us a good time. Definitely want to come back to try the full menu! Parking is sparse but they have valet read more
10 months ago
Made reservations on OpenTable but we ran 15 mins late and we brought our dog. Luckily, they were still able to seat us outside on their patio. The patio is very nice with heaters and felt cozy. Service was good. The food overall was good but so overpriced! Prepared oysters $5/piece were fresh with nice sauce. Yellowtail sashimi with just 4 thin pieces was yummy. Yellowtail ceviche with prickly pear sauce was delicious. Soft shell crab tacos were crispy. The scallop tostadas were fishy and not great. We put the prickly pear sauce on it to make it tastier. Saw on the bill that they charge $3.50 fee when you use a credit card. Surprising because this restaurant is part of Chase Sapphire's dining credit. I hope it goes through because the charge on the credit card shows up as Za Za Za. Valet parking is $15. You can try to find residential street parking. read more
Unfortunately, life happened and we arrived late to our reservation, so we missed it. The host let us know they could still seat us, but there would be a wait which was completely understandable. We grabbed a drink at the bar and waited for seats to open up, and thankfully the wait wasn't too long. Our table ended up being by the door, which was a bit uncomfortable since it was windy and cold and the heaters didn't quite reach us. Alexa was our waitress at first and was very attentive and kind before her shift ended, and the next waitress who stepped in was just as great. We ordered the yellowtail ceviche, CDMX tostada, soft shell crab taco, and atun picante as an appetizer. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. The Loreto Sour was my favorite drink. Unfortunately, the Paloma was a bit too sour for my liking. They do offer valet and it seems like street parking would be a hassle since the streets are narrow and very limited parking. read more
10 months ago
We found Loreto through our CSR credit card benefits and decided to give it a try. Don't be fooled by their inconspicuous exterior, Loreto has a beautiful, long, interior bar and a dim intimate atmosphere. Inside is a bit small with a few tables. We sat outside in their patio and were warmed by heat lamps. On the plus side, the small area meant our server had 24/7 attention on your table. We ordered the tower because we wanted to sample everything. If you like zest and refreshing, this tower is for you! All of the items were great, oysters were the perfect sizing. Two of us easily finished the tower, it can be split with 3 if you truly just wanted a taste each. We ordered the Agnolotti to finish. The sauce was so tasty and briney, but was disappointed there was no actual lobster in the pasta. Our cocktails were perfect. Old fashioned that wasn't too sweet and cucumber margarita that was the perfect level of refreshing. read more
Thoroughly enjoyed my post Christmas evening at Loreto! In LA visiting my son for the holidays and he recommended we go! Location is nestled in between houses in the Frogtown neighborhood and right from the entrance this place gave cool and comfortable vibes! We had no reservations however 2 seats were waiting unoccupied at the bar! We were guided to those seats by the host and the food journey began! Our bartender/server was on point from beginning to end. Always on time but it felt like he wasn't even there! Drinks flowed within 5 minutes of ordering and within minutes food started to arrive! This food has Seasoning, Acid, Luscious, Taste (S.A.L.T.) in every dish bay bee! Will definitely be making a return visit soon! read more
A beautifully decorated Mexican restaurant! A perfect place for a date night, especially when sitting outside. It was lightly rainy which added to the ambiance. Low, incandescent lighting with warm winter colors! The service was friendly and attentive. The drinks were great with the Loreto Sour being my favorite. My favorite dish of the night was the Aguachiles Negros. Perfectly spicy and acidic with a good amount of shrimp. The tostada and the empanada were also good! The Branzino Zarandeado was well cooked with a great tasting sauce. The sides that come with it could've been better though. The beans were interesting, a bit sweet. I liked them but my girlfriend was not a fan. Overall I liked this place and would come back to try other dishes. read more
Loreto has such a great, open and inviting ambiance. We arrived at 6pm for a 6:15pm reservation and were seated right away which I greatly appreciated. We ordered the negro aguachiles, atún crispy and the Pulpo zarandeado. The atún crispy was nothing out of the ordinary in my opinion but the aguachiles and especially the pulpo entree were incredible. Pulpo can easily turn out to be too tough but this one was cooked to absolute perfection, so tender ands scrumptious. The pulpo dish comes with black beans, mexican rice, quesadillas, tortillas and salsas. It definitely would have been a 5/5 had it not been for the rice. Unfortunately, the rice had no flavor, it tasted exactly like white rice. I tried both the pepinazo and the strawberry basil beverage, the pepinazo is definitely the way to go in my opinion, the strawberry basil wasn't quite as light, it was rather sweet. All in all it was a great experience! read more
4 months ago
The atmosphere was not bad and the food was decent. However, I was disappointed to discover a 3% credit card surcharge only after reviewing my receipt. No one mentioned it when we were seated, and I didn't see any clear notice on the menu or at the table. If a restaurant chooses to add a credit card fee, it should be communicated upfront so customers can make an informed decision. Finding out afterward feels misleading and leaves a negative impression. While a 3% fee may not seem like much, unexpected charges tend to affect how customers feel about the overall experience. Unless the service is truly exceptional, fees like this can make people more inclined to leave a smaller tip to offset the extra charge. A little transparency would have gone a long way. I would have appreciated knowing about the surcharge before receiving the bill rather than discovering it on the receipt afterward. read more
The space is beautiful and the food was all very good. Service was good as well. The only thing that really irked me about this place was the 3% credit card fee. At a restaurant of this caliber, and in this price range, I was appalled by the credit card charge. We really enjoyed the branzino- it's a large dish worth sharing with others. The quesadillas, salsas and habanero onions that came with the fish were fantastic. I really loved the yellowtail ceviche as well. Cocktails and menu items are innovative, and portions are a good size for sharing. I found the crab tostada a bit too heavy and rich, but all of the other food tasted fresh and light. Parking is pricey at 15 dollars. Overall a nice experience, but the credit card fee situation was a major turn off. read more
My family celebrated my birthday here on Friday night. This Mexican fushion restaurant stands among residential area, making it quite unique. The ambience has an upscale vibe and we would have loved to sit downside if it wasn't so hot in Cali. The menu was in Spanish which made it a bit difficult to read. (That's why Yelp is so important). The oysters were fresh and the yellowtail ceviche was quite delightful and refreshing. The blue fin tuna tostada was tasty especially paired with the super crunchy tostada. For main course we orfered the Branzino, which wass cripsy and flavorful. We also ordered the lobster tortellini which I feel it was too pricey for such small portion. And last but not least, the grilled octopus. That was super huge but it was on the saltier side. The texture was soft to chew and very tender. It came with rice and black bean and avocado. One thing I would like to mention is service is a bit slow because they are super packed. Service wise, I would give it a 3.5 star. Would I come back ? Yes. For special occasions though because the price was quite hefty. read more
12 days ago
Came on a Thursday evening and waited about 20 minutes for a table for 3 people. Service was great and food was right up there too! Nicolai was our server and gave some great recs. My favorite had to be the CDMX tostada. Looking forward to coming back. read more
My husband and I had a really nice dinner at Loreto. I booked ahead, so we were seated right after check-in. We sat in the garden/patio area with our dog, which was great since the space is beautiful and definitely works for a date night. It's dog-friendly, though we weren't offered water for him, not a huge deal, just something to note. Service started off smoothly, and our waitress came by quickly for drink orders. We skipped cocktails since we had drinks at the nearby brewery, and went with about six small plates to share. Our favorite dish was the scallop tostada, the scallops were incredibly creamy, and the kumquat and passion fruit added a bright, fruity freshness without overpowering anything. Both the aguachile and ceviches were tasty and generously sized. We also enjoyed the soft shell crab tacos; they weren't greasy and were a great portion. The only miss for me was the cauliflower dish. It leaned overly sour with the yuzu and pickled vegetables, which was disappointing because I usually love cauliflower. We finished with the clam chorizo pasta, which was just okay compared to the raw dishes. A couple of the clams were sandy, and when I mentioned it to our waiter he was very kind and took the dish off the bill-something I didn't expect. Service overall was fine, attentive and friendly, but I would've appreciated a fresh plate after all the raw seafood since the sauces pooled on my plate, and I didn't love mixing that with the pasta. Not a big deal, just something they could improve. I'd also love to see a couple more vegetable dishes that aren't sour, since so much of the raw seafood leans heavily on citrus. Overall, we both really enjoyed our meal and will definitely come back. read more
1 month ago
First date approved! The space was absolutely gorgeous and welcomes both a friendly and romantic visit. Food is great, but portions were small given the price point. Drinks were strong and well worth its price. Felt a bit stuffy inside, wish there were fans or that the doors were closed. Honestly, the other reviews regarding their okay service did not apply to us. Our waiter was so welcoming and insightful about the menu that I feel it would calm down the nerves one may have for a first date! Would come back for a second date! read more
Cute fun vibey spot with such great sunshine. All the ceviches we had were packed full of flavor. We are also pleasantly surprised with the tostadas. The beverages for nonalcoholic options were both delicious as well. It's meant to be shared, so definitely more of a place to order lots of small bites and sample through the menu. Lots of heat lamps as well if you are dining outdoors. Wish parking was easier! read more
2 months ago
Loreto has been my go to restaurant for date night, girls night, and birthday celebrations. The ambiance is amazing and the food incredible. In my recent visit I somehow lost my wedding ring while dining. I reached out to the staff the following day when I realized I had lost it and they did their best to help locate it. They later reached out with good news that they found it! Huge thank you to the staff for helping me find someone so special to me. read more
What a strange location for a restaurant. As many have mentioned, parking is tough in a primarily residential neighborhood that's not well lit and has skinny streets. It's still worth it to avoid a pretty lofty $15 valet fee. Once inside, the place is really sweet! Great vibe and charming outdoor seating. The bulk of the tables are outdoors and we were able to get a heater, but it's worth considering to have proper attire as weather gets chilly. Drinks were good. My wife didn't love her Spicy Pineapple, but my Tijuana Old Fashioned was good. Nice wine selection! Food creative, beautiful and delicious! We loved everything we had, from Civiche to Mar Esquites, to Empanadas de Camaron, to Tagliatelle, all was so good! Setvice, from Nikolai, was excellent. read more
2 months ago
This place was great, upon arrival I was immediately greeted enthusiastically, the environment is super welcoming..the food is order was delicious and hit ever expectation I had of this place . I went for a quick meal I look forward to going back for a full dinner .thanks to ALL the staff that assisted me read more
It's bold of me to say, but this is probably one of my new favorite restaurants. From the second we walked in. I fell in love with not only the interior, but also their backyard patio outdoor seating area. Absolutely love the pink exterior and all the beautiful planters and big trees around. Our server was Jeffrey, who was absolutely lovely. It had been such a long time since we had somebody that was so attentive and just friendly with us. He really felt like a friend recommending dishes to us. I love the Loreto sour cocktail. It was so fresh and delicious. The aguachille with some of the best I've ever had. It was so fresh and that Negro salsa was everything. The Atun picante left me speechless. It was so delicious. The tuna on top was great The 7 mares en croute stole the show. Just picture a broth loaded with lobster, shrimp, clam and veggies all wrapped with a croissant baked on top of it to soak up all that goodness. They actually had to cut the croissant which was so flaky and crispy. I absolutely love this dish. And lastly, we got the bread hole Bronzino, which came with different kinds of salsa, rice beans, and quesadillas to make our own little tacos with it. It was fantastic. Highly recommend this place.! read more
5 months ago
Drinks were amazing. Please do yourself a favor and get the Chiquita Bonita, their blood orange margarita. So good. The entire fresh seafood menu on the left side had my party of 5 drooling and every dish we ordered was incredible. The only item that was the least "wow" for our group was the branzino, but everything else exceeded expectations. Hands down one of the most beautiful restaurants in LA. I genuinely felt like I was in Mexico City the entire time. Also, recommend valet because parking in the neighborhood is tough! read more
3 months ago
First time trying this place, went for a date night. They were able to seat us at the bar immediately. The bartender was very friendly, staff came and check on us periodically. Now the food, seafood was fresh and refreshing, every meal we ordered was delicious. Drink was strong. definitely going back again. read more
8 months ago
Loreto was such a great place to celebrate something special. The atmosphere felt elevated yet welcoming, and the food definitely made the experience memorable. I tried the Mar-Esquites, Aguachiles Verde, and the Branzino Zarandeado. Mar-Esquites: This was incredibly delicious. I had never tried corn paired with shrimp and lobster mayo before, and the flavor was unique, distinct, and so good. A must‑try if you want something different. Aguachiles Verde: These had great flavor, and the heat hits as an aftermath--spicy but still enjoyable. The shrimp was cooked perfectly in the lemon, tender and fresh. Branzino Zarandeado: Really flavorful and satisfying. It came with all the sides--rice, beans, avocado, and tortillas--so you can make your own tacos. I do wish the branzino were grilled, but even as is, it was still delicious. Overall, I definitely recommend trying this place at least once. Great food, great vibes, and perfect for celebrating something special. read more
Kind servers and a beautiful setting (especially the outdoor patio area). My favorite dish of the night would be the Magdalena ceviche. Well seasoned and refreshing. The cilantro made it a perfect bite and the serving size is quite decent. The server recommended the negro aguachiles. It was good but as someone who prefers the verde sauce, the onion ash was a bit too smoky for my liking. The rock fish tostada was delicious but a but mayonnaise forward and a little salty. I would just order an extra tostada for the heavier topping. Overall, solid seafood with great flavors and a nice ambiance. read more
Service: Fantastic, they would check in but not so much that it would ruin the flow of your night. Water refills were timed great and when they noticed we were drinking a lot, they started replacing the bottles themselves instead of interrupting our conversation. Food: Magdelana - amazing. Would recommend, acidity was great. Octopus ceviche - too much oil? The acidity didnt really come through so it felt a bit flat. Grilled cauliflower - delicious. So nice to get some bright, fresh vegetable flavors. Tuan crispy rice - like any other place, pretty standard. Nopales cavatelli - forgot to take a picture but it would really good. Excellent chew on the cavatelli. Churros - alright, wasnt as airy as some really good churros but I appreciate that it was in the shape of "LA". Melon ice cream - this was pretty good. It also had frozen cubes of cantaloupe and honeydew which was great texturally but it was so frozen that you couldn't really taste the melon itself. Ambiance: A nice spot, elevated service and would be great for date night. Can be on the pricier side but if you use InKind (tip: get the gift cards from Costco), it can be much more reasonably priced. read more
3 months ago
We finally tried Loreto for our anniversary and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is beautiful and our server was so kind. We did wait quite a while for some of our food but it was worth the wait. read more
3 months ago
Love their creative menu. All the Baja inspired dishes were delicious. The ambience was hip and cool. Service was great. Highly recommend! Plenty of street parking. read more
6 months ago
Such a cute spot! This place was spacious and had a huge outdoor patio area. Cons: the host not looking at me when I approached him to check-in for our reservation or when I asked him a question about seating. That was annoying and snobby of him. We also had to wait almost 30 minutes past our reservation time. A few groups (with the same party size as us = 2 people) that arrived after us were seated before us. Hmm.. Pro: our waitress made up for the cons, was really sweet and genuine (you can't get a lot of that in these parts of LA), and made our whole dining experience better! Bummed I forgot her name to give her the shout out she deserves The food was amazing! We ordered the aguachile negro, atun picante, jurel ceviche, CDMX tostadas, and shrimp taco to share. The portion was perfect. The dishes tasted very fresh and enjoyed how they played with the flavors for each dish. We knew we had to come back from our first bite! read more
Loreto managed to surprise and delight me from start to finish. Located in Frogtown, I wasn't anticipating how big and beautiful the restaurant was. With its openaire style and small plates, it reminded me of restaurants in Mexico City. Our server, Ashley, was lovely and paced our meal perfectly, which I was deeply appreciative of. I started with the milkpunch, which was gorgeous thanks to its butterfly pea powder. It was sweet, but also had a surprising smokiness which created a beautiful balance, depth, and warmth. To start, we had the papaya ceviche, which was bursting with heat tempered with extraordinarily fresh scallops; a wonderful way to open up the palate. Next, we had the bang bang tostada which was truly great. The shrimp was cooked to perfection and the flavor was (pardon the pun) bang on the money. When deciding between the pastas, Ashley recommended the tortellini and I'm so happy she did. I was worried about portion size, but it was the perfect amount of food. Nice flavor with the lobster, but also interesting texture thanks to the pepitas. Would've loved it to be a served little warmer though. And finally, after having food envy from the table next to us, we had to finish with the mar-esquites, which was a kind of deconstructed street corn that had me in a chokehold. I'd come back just for the shrimp dishes. A great experience all around. 4.5/5 read more
7 months ago
The ambiance and the quality of the seafood is what the stars are for. If I could beak out the ratings- I'd give 5 starts for the quality of the food. But, you know what I'll remember more? The rude and arrogant staff. It hit us as soon as we walked in the door with abruptness from the host (even though we were early for our reservation). The saltiness continued throughout the meal. You'd think that an establishment with such high quality decor and ingredients would demand the same quality of its employees. They have one job- create a memorable experience for those who chose to give you their money. This didn't happen and so, they can keep their attitude and I'll keep my money. read more
The very serene, severe, and austere environment envelops you from your first steps in the door. The bar wraps around the entrance end guides you into the expansive dining hall with tall ceilings, moody lighting, and a patio just beyond glass walls. You won't know what any of the words on the menu mean, so get comfortable with asking your waiter. They will give honest (very honest) recommendations and you will be happy with the outcome. The food is outstanding and you will be surprised how much you get (for the most part). It's a sharing style menu, so Order about two plates per person and everyone will walk away satiated. You could probably get away with 1 plate per person if you account for the dessert and cocktails!! Such a chic place in such a weird location. Really have to hunt for this and fight for parking once you get there. They have valet but it's not cheap so really just uber - you aren't coming here to save money anyway lol. Go all out. Charming night out. Go for it. read more
Upscale mariscos restaurant in frogtown. We had reservations at the bar, it took about 15min to seat us. Yellowtail sashimi was fresh and so flavorful. The rojo aguachile definitely had a kick too it and was quite spicy. We also ordered the branzino that came with rice beans tortillas quesadillas red and green salsa and pickled onions. The branzino was cooked well we weren't a big fan of the sides it came with. Service was great and ambiance was lovely. read more
Had read and heard about this spot in frogtown and able to get reservations on a weeknight recently. Arrived and was greeted by staff. For those parking, Valet available for about $15..street parking exists but streets not well lit so didnt want to chance it and just valeted. Anyhow, staff were nice and the space itself is warm, dimly lit with cool music playing. We were seated and ordered a round of drinks ( lots of tequila and mezcal options available) which had nice flavor. The Aguachile Side with cilantro oil is not to be missed. Foodwise lots of options, but hit some of the ones mentioned on Yelp! Bang Bang tostada was great with aciditiy, crispiness and a little spice. Papaya ceviche also was good but had a little stronger seafood flavor with scallops. Really found the crsipy rice with tuna unique and enjoyable. But the Branzino...absolute chefs kiss...we ordered with a side of A5 Wagyu which the group loved. The fish was full of flavor and sides were perfect. Overall, a gem of a restaurant which is reasonably priced for the level of food given. Add in great drinks and atmosphere and you ve got a hit! I ll most definitely be back....you should go... read more
2 months ago
Quaint, intimate restaurant located on a residential street in Frogtown. The outside is unassuming but once inside you get a vibe similar to Bacari in Silverlake. The staff is friendly and the menu features a great variety of seafood options served on small plates. Great for sharing and trying multiple dishes. My wife and I opted for the following: 1) yellowtail sashimi, 2) the Jurel ceviche, 3) CDMX tostado, 4) Atun Picante and 5) Empanadas de Camaron. For cocktails, we indulged in the Todos Santos Milkpunch and the Loreto Classic. To end the night, we chose the Carajillo dessert. The food is prepared using very clean and quality ingredients, simple in nature but authenticity comes through. We loved the simplicity and taste of the yellowtail and prickly pear ceviche and the bluefin, avocado and capers tostada. The crispy rice was different than what we were accustomed to but still found the dish tasty and interesting. The shrimp and sea bass empanada was light, airy and crispy. This restaurant reminds me a bit of Holbox in that most dishes are simple in nature but extremely clean and tasty. A winner in my books. read more
1 year ago
Now that I've been to this restaurant twice and for two very different occasions and different sized parties, I feel like I can give a meaningful review. Ambience is very nice. Really lively and elevated without being stuffy. Both the indoor and outdoor experience are great despite a little different vibe. Moodier, upscale, city vibes inside. Airy, natural, boho, and a little industrial outside. Beautiful huge indoor fig tree inside but the outside tree is also stunning. Feels like you're in a different country. Service. Everyone was extremely nice and chill but I will say it's overall slow. Both the date night I went on and the big group dinner of eight had pretty slow service and our drinks took a long time. They took so long on our date night, which was the first time I dined here that without even prompting or complaining, they took off one of the drinks from our bill. For the big group, we didn't get our drinks until we were done with our appetizers. Drinks were all good but pricey and I was disappointed by the Loreto sour. Recommend the mezcalita or margaritas. Food. Overall tasty and unique. I would say the ceviche and the aguachiles is where they shine. All of them were really good both times. I wish they served more tostada and saltines though because we had to ask both times. The pastas are also very unique and flavorful. Highly recommend. We didn't get the zarandeados plates the first time since we were two but for the large group we ordered a couple- pulpo and branzino. We also ordered the steak special for Father's Day. These were my least favorite. Beans were tasty but the pulpo was overcooked/burnt and the steak was tough too. Branzino was ok. All the sides including the esquite were solid. The churros are unique and fantastic. Fluffier than a typical churro and the sauce is amazing. Good espresso too. Overall, a fantastic restaurant for both a small and large group. Will definitely recommend it and return, but I would focus on the food items that I recommended above, order drinks right away, and enjoy the vibes! read more
Boy was this place difficult to get seated at. Luckily, made it to the bar. Straight to the food. The seafood tower is a must get!! Mountain of rawness. Fresh and melt in your mouth. Gives you a peek at many of the dishes on the menu. The octopus appetizer is also a great addition. Thinly sliced octopus in a jalapeño citrus onion oil seasoning. This place is known for fresh seafood. I suggest trying all the raw dishes to really gage how fresh their sourcing is. I loved everything I ordered and would return! They have a lot of Spanish wine selections. Tried the Albarino recommended by bartender and it was nice and crisp. Paired really well with the seafood. What a wonderful meal. A gem tucked in a residential neighborhood near Elysian park. Enjoyed every bit! read more
We had a romantic dinner at Loreto, and it was perfect for date night. The atmosphere is beautiful, both the indoor and outdoor spaces have warm, dim lighting and a really nice vibe. Our waiter was attentive, he took the time to explain each dish and offer recommendations. We enjoyed everything we ordered, my favorite was the ceviche and the cocktails were delicious. Valet Parking available. read more
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Ask the Community - Loreto
What's the cake and corkage policy?
How much is corkage and are there rules like limits?
How to make a reservation?
Loreto takes reservations on Open Table. You can access it from the restaurant website or directly through Open Table.
Does anyone know if small dogs are allowed on the patio?
I think so cause I seen guest with there dogs by them
What is the restaurant's phone number? We left something tonight (brown bag) at the restaurant and don't know how to contact them.
Is there a phone number?
i couldn't find one before i went and just tried my luck walking in to get a table. I think you have to email them for any questions.
Are non service dogs allowed if they remain in a stroller?
Whats the dress code?
There isn't one but I'd say "business casual" or fashionable for the vibe & ambiance.
What is the corkage policy/fee?
Do they accept walk ins?
We walked in on a Saturday night around 7pm, no tables available but sat at the bar and enjoyed a wonderful night.
Is this business open for lunch?
They have a window in the back with chairs outside that's open for lunch
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