Love this spot it's got such gorgeous vibes We ordered the croquet with jamon, which are small round shaped, but so delicious and worth it Patatas bravas which are good per usual Mangos with Uni and bone marrow just did not work for me even though these are three of my favorite ingredients Seafood Paella was excellent and highly recommend this dish Churros initially did not come out hot and they were super apologetic and sent an extra dessert of mango sorbet to more than make up for it Excellent & attentive but not overbearing service Perfect girls night out or date night read more

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Came here for a quick bit to eat and was craving Tapas! What I ordered - croquetas jamón (cheesy be more sauce than ham, smaller portions than expected) 7/10 - Patas Bravas (spicy red sauce yet still crispy with a nice garlic aioli on top) 8/10 - Bluefin crudo (crunchy pickled red onions and fresh bluefin) 10/10 Efficient service at the bar! Everything tasted fresh and was filling, would recommend for an elevated catch up with friends! read more

My boyfriend and I really enjoyed our date night here. We stuck to tapas only and didn't get any paella or protein plates. It was so fun to try smaller bites of several dishes. We shared 8 small plates and we were very satisfied. My personal favorites were the Bluefun Tuna Crudo and the Scallop and Corn Pintxo. Also loved the seasonal veggie dishes like the Tomato Salad and Green Snap Peas. Everything tasted so fresh. I haven't had much Spanish food in LA. The flavors are less intense than some of my other favorite cuisines (Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese), but still really delicious in more of a nuanced way. What really stood out was the amazing service we received from every single person, especially Eddie and the host that also checked on us throughout the meal. You can tell how passionate they are about the food. The cocktails were also amazing. Very thoughtfully curated unique flavors and not overly sweet. Really complemented the meal. The ambiance was great as well. Beautiful space, comfortable and cozy but spacious and perfect lighting, nice vibey music. And they have happy every day from I think 530-7. Can't wait to come back and try more from their rotating menu! read more

I was surprised by my date with this new find and I was not disappointed! Food and service were excellent. We're still thinking of the dishes that we had and I'm so excited to come back. The servers and host were very attentive to our needs. I wanted to use the Gambas sauce for the Paella and server understood right away and gave me a spoon. I can't stop thinking about the Arroz Negro with the aioli and the Croquetas de Coliflor which is one of the best tapas I've had . The Vaca which is their aged prime ribeye with roasted Chicory was tender and flavorful. They have a great selection of classic Spanish tapas that hit the spot. I just wish they had Spanish hot chocolate with the Churros and I'd be in heaven. The vibe of the interiors were modern but still welcoming and the restaurant is huge. Definitely my favorite Spanish restaurant in LA at the moment. read more

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Fantastic tapas style restaurant serving inventive and modern dishes! Really enjoyed the open space with kitchen in view and windows. Great spot for a large group and is inviting yet intimate. They change their menu pretty often so it keeps things exciting. Highly recommend the Seafood Paella and Beef Cheeks! I also enjoyed the Fried Eggplants to share as well. Service was great and attentive too while explaining the dishes well. Would love to come back and p read more

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Accidentally bumped into Picala as I was trying to find a place to go for dinner around West Adams. Called me lucky, it turned out to be extremely pleasing experience. From the warm welcome, gigantic gorgeous space, till small gestures like treating us to free baguette and butter as we needed to wait for awhile for our dishes to be ready. Our server was so attentive despite having to deal with multiple tables. Their smokey butter was our highlight of the day. SO SO GOOD and we've never had such peculiarly addicting flavor before! Must have!! We got their Croquetta Jamon and we loved the melted cheesy center despite we wished we could taste more of the jamon. The Grilled Pork came next as nice surprise. Appearance wise looking not huge yet pretty filling with thick, juicy and tender meat; served just at the right doneness level and accompanied by farro. The meat itself was already so flavorful but the chimicurri sauce brought it to the next level. We left with happy tummy knowing we'd be back pretty soon. read more

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We're longtime fans of Lark and Loquita in Santa Barbara, and were excited to check out Picala for a double date with Esther A. and Brad H. We went on a Saturday, and the reservation was easy to make just a few days in advance. Turns out the restaurant is huge, one of the marquee businesses of a big mall-ish development called the Cumulus District, on La Cienega between Culver City and West Adams. The setting isn't especially interesting, but the restaurant is attractive, with high ceilings and a nice, contemporary build-out. The vibe was lively, very grown-up Saturday night. We left our kids at home, as did our friends, and within thirty seconds of walking in, we ran into two other couples we know, who'd done the same. Service was great, helpful and attentive. We enjoyed a long, boozy dinner, leaving after 11 when we found the restaurant had pretty much cleared out. The drinks were excellent. We started with cocktails, and I loved my Melón, a refreshing drink made with cantaloupe, olive oil-washed mezcal, lemon, and agave. The others were quite good, too. La Mancha mixed passion fruit with manchego-washed tequila, lime, orgeat, and pimentón; the Picala Sunrise was a margarita with fig, blanca tequila, lime, agave, and blood orange; and the Rosado was an interesting sangria with a bit of vodka, grapefruit, and an aloe liqueur called Chareau. We switched to wine for the bulk of our meal, a lovely Rioja that went well with our food. We ended up getting three bottles. We regretted the third the next morning, but enjoyed it at the time. The food was delicious. We got the jamón ibérico to start, thin slices of oily, luxurious pork, served simply with crusty baguette. Patatas bravas were crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, well seasoned and finished with aioli and salsa brava. Bright green snap beans came with romesco and Idiazabal cheese. Then there was the shaved mango, the most memorable dish of the night. Ripe, juicy mango draped over lush Santa Barbara uni, with smoked bone marrow and lime zest on top. Gambas al ajillo were classic and satisfying, plump whole shrimp with garlic sauce and baguette. The Santa Barbara rockfish was a stellar piece of fish, served with almond gazpacho, pluots, and mustard greens. The rack of lamb was a small rack, but tender and flavorful, with gigante beans, market figs, and mojo rojo. Then, of course, we had a paella, opting for the mariscos, with calamari, Caledonian shrimp, clams, and wood fired cherry tomatoes. I particularly liked the calamari and the pan-scorched rice. We also saved the sauce from the gambas to eat with this paella (at our server's suggestion), and I highly recommend this shrimp on shrimp situation. For dessert, we had Basque cheesecake and churros with dulce de leche. Both solid, if not standouts. To be fair, though, we'd had a lot to drink at this point, and may not have been very focused on our food. This was a fun dinner, and the restaurant delivered in every department. We've been to the Lark and Loquita several times each, so I expect we'll come back to Picala, too. read more

What I loved: - New spanish restaurant, that socal dining scene lacks - they validate parking for 2 hrs at the cumulus lot shared with the whole foods - interior is gorgeous during the bright sunny evenings and is a whole different vibe when the sun goes down. - drinks/bar phenomenal - get the melon and saffron - service immaculate - they gave us some cava and orange sorbet to celebrate our anniversary - food - authentic and great quality. Desserts are delicious. What I have slight complaints about: - the time it takes for the dishes to come out, esp the paella (i know it's standard; 45 mins). But we're also driving from orange county so the wait feels like forever. My partner is vegetarian and the tapa plates have limited options so he went for the verduras paella and I tried some apps. It was challenging for the kitchen to coordinate and send it out together. - dishes tend to feel slightly greasy or grease forward. A lot of Paella and apps share the aoili as either a topping or sauce or are fried, and that can saturate the pallete quickly. Overall, it's a wonderful place for a fancy night out. I hope they change their bar n appetizer menu seasonally so we can try more things! read more

Picala - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Our tall, trim bearded waiter was excellent. Open, friendly with great knowledge about the menu so he was able to explain the ingredients, cooking process, Spanish terminology. Pícala is a huge, well appointed contemporary space where the light is slowly turned down so low, it's hard to see the food as the night progresses. Such a shame since according to a Japanese aphorism: "We also eat with our eyes." 1) Sopa de Ajo: Ibérico Sausage extra hard & dry, almost flavourless in nice chicken broth. 2) Roasted Almonds with cumin, rosemary undertone. 3) Shaved Mango: Uni & bone marrow emulsion. Smokey, tart Myers lemon agrodolce flavours. Skip this. There are no naturally growing mangos in España. Better to eat a Southeast Asian Papaya Salad. 4) Sardine Escabeche: Tartine toasted, crunchy Pan de Cristal. Plush, tasteless sardines marinated in light vinegar with cilantro green herbal Aïoli, mildly garlicky olive oil aerosol. *5) Tuna Crudo: Looks like raw albacore tuna dressed with possibly light soy sauce. Rings of pickled onion. Salpicón: scattering of chopped veggies marinated in lime. Underlying it all, Mojo Verde is a thick purée of fresh cilantro, garlic, cumin, olive oil, and vinegar. Tastes nutty with a parsley greenness. ***6) Jamón Ibérico de Bellota: Aged 5 years, cheesy, fermented, buttery, meaty yet unearthly. Way superior to Prosciutto di Parma or San Danielle which is saying a lot. Standard rustic baguette. *7) Bilbao Sausage: Whole chorizo earthy, porky, paprika, salty, fermented, with julienned onion confit in chicken broth with touch of Vermouth. 8) Cochinillo: Roast suckling pig with cabbage chimichurri. Portion of a leg marinated, slow roasted. Wild, chewy, rubbery skin, covering fatty, soft meat, plush yet bit mushy. Nappa cabbage dressed with orange blossom Chimichurri which tasted more like cilantro vinaigrette. *9) Arroz Negro: Paella dyed black with squid ink. Chewy yet soft, nutty, bit sweet, Ocean funky. Soft, fishy, julienned calamari white meat . 10) Vaca: Aged rib-eye steak, but not very beefy. Chewy, marinated in olive oil, herbs. Radicchio, a type of chicory. "Picala's aged prime rib-eye gets presented with a dollop of egg yolk, anchovy for added brine, and a pleasant bitter add of grilled chicory." 11) Dayboat Rockfish: Tasting like cod. Firm meat, fibrous, nice fish meat; lightly grilled. Fibrous, fried artichoke. Couldn't sense the saffron sauce. 12) Calamar: Whole body cut into rings. Firm, yet turning soft as one chews. Salsa Verde is a light broth with marjoram-like sweetness, Gigante beans similar to lima but firmer. **13) Fideos: Thin Cappelli d'Angelo al dente, deep Umami, seafood broth. Caledonian shrimp, venus clams, bay scallops, and topped with Aïoli. 1-13a) Vibrante: Spanish Gin, Pastis/fennel liqueur grapefruit juice. Garnished with fennel leaves, grapefruit slice. Refreshing licorice scented cocktail. Dessert: 14) Basque Cheese Cake: Burnt, baked, moist, creamy, airy. Blueberry confiture. *15) Torta de Santiago: Almond flour for dense, chewy, heavy mouthfeel. Rustic and satisfying. Yogurt and blueberry compote. **16) Chocolate Mousse: Bitter chocolate ganache. Raspberries, crème fraîche, crispy sprinkles. *17) Burnt Butter Ice Cream: Beurre Noisette infused vanilla ice cream. 18) Churros: Had better in Mexican eateries. Too light and airy, no substantial heft and overfried in oil that seemed stale was accompanied by dulce de Leche sauce. 7 of us sampled the 18 items, coming out to about $100/ person which is not bad in this period of inflation. The asterisks are suggested dishes and the only photos uploaded to my review. 4 stars read more

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UGH I really wanted to love this place, but unfortunately the food is very mid. Service and aesthetic feels like you're at a super nice, fancy place but the food just doesn't live up to it. We got the Baguette & Smoked Butter (the butter was good but the bread needs some serious work), Asparagus Salad (this was actually our favorite item, which is kinda crazy in itself/I'm not sure it's even on the menu anymore), Patatas Bravas, Huevo Roto and Paella. My main issue was that the paella was not good when this is supposed to be what they are known for. My husband somehow thought it was too salty, while I thought there wasn't enough flavor (I do not eat my food salty at all so this was strange), but we both agreed that something was just off with the flavor. The patatas bravas and huevo roto were ok but honestly, this place just felt overpriced for what they taste like. For dessert, we got the Churros which were ok but also needed work. They could've used more cinnamon and were much too oily. Unfortunately, we will not be back. The 3 star is really just for the phenomenal service but I would really give the food a 2 overall. read more

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I recently dined on the patio with my dog and appreciated how easy the parking was, the restaurant offers two hours of validated parking. The food itself was good and refreshingly not overly salty like so many restaurants in LA, which we really appreciated. The service, however, was surprisingly chaotic. Over the course of dinner, we had three different waitstaff, with two separate people introducing themselves as our "new waitress," only for the previous one to reappear later. Servers also kept bringing us dishes meant for the table next to us, and I basically had to direct where each plate was supposed to go. It was a bit confusing and unexpected, especially given how polished and upscale the restaurant looks. I hope they work out the kinks soon, because it would be a shame for an otherwise lovely restaurant with solid food to be held back by inconsistent service. read more

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I recently ate at Loquita in Santa Barbara and loved it, so I was excited to learn the same restaurant group had a spot in Los Angeles. From the moment we walked in, the entire staff made us feel genuinely welcome. The manager and hostess greeted us like we were the only customers in the restaurant, and our waitress was enthusiastic about sharing her favorite dishes. The food lived up to the hospitality. We had the seafood paella, a beautiful prime ribeye topped with a whimsical egg yolk, and the Bluefin Tuna Crudo with refreshing pickled onion. The crudo was so good that we ordered a second one after finishing the first. Great food is important to me, but thoughtful hospitality can make or break a restaurant experience. This place gets both right. Make sure to stop by for a wonderful evening sometime soon. read more

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WOW! Start to finish this dining experience was fantastic - food, staff, ambiance, it was a 10/10. My husband and I loved Loquita and were thrilled to hear about Picala opening. We took my parents for a birthday dinner and everyone was throughly impressed. Quite note - if you take uber there, for some reason uber has the wrong address so make sure you get dropped off in the right place! We walked into a gorgeous, bright, airy setting, each table was meticulously set and the tables had great spacing between them so you're not cramped. I loved the open kitchen so you can watch the dishes being made. Staff were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and it was clearly a team effort for every table. Now to the food and drinks! We ordered 5 tapas and 2 mains between 4 and it was the perfect order, we finished all of it and got dessert! Croquetas de Coliflor - perfect starting bite! Creamy blue cheese, really savory and delicious. Pan con Tomate - one of my fave dishes in general, but the way they put a good char on the bread was really tasty. Tortilla Española w/ Jamón - fluffy, savory goodness, the ham was a great addition. Shaved Mango - super interesting dish, maybe wanted more of the bone marrow & uni flavor but it was refreshing. Bilbao Sausages - really tasty, the onions had great flavor too! Paella - smoky, flavorful, and with true socarrat! I would order this again and again! The chicken was cooked perfectly skin on and the peppers! Vaca - really nice rare to med-rare steak! The chicories were delicious too. Basque Cheesecake - just get it, you won't be let down. Churros - I'm Greek and they almost were fried similar to loukoumades, really amazing! The lovely staff brought over a sorbet with a birthday candle too! If you drink, the El Clasico was such a fun take on a martini, it's a must-order. Cant wait to return soon! read more

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What an exceptional experience at Picala. I have been a fan of Chef Luis Sierra since his tenure at Lulu at the Hammer. At Picala his elevated and authentic Spanish cuisine really shines. First, the restaurant is beautiful with soaring ceilings and everything is very light and bright. Every staff member with whom we interacted was gracious, professional and knowledgeable. We ordered several dishes which came out one at a time at a very comfortable pace. Every dish we tried was beautifully presented and delicious - Sardines; Tomato Salad; Jamon Serrano & Melon; Bilbao Sausages; Scallop & Corn Pinxto; Rack of Lamb. Definitely will be back and wishing them much success. read more

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Easy parking by the whole foods. FYI they do validate. So our parking for less than 2 hours there was free. Started with the rosado sangria, it was refreshing and not too sweet. Tapas: The patatas bravas were actually our favorite. They were perfectly fried but tender on the inside. And the spices! Wow, we loved them. Had the olives, and really no notes. They were good olives lol. Croquetas de jámon, were delicious. Nice and cheesy on the inside and nice and soft as well. Mains: Chicken and chorizo paella :I am the kind of person who likes the crispy rice at the bottom of the rice cooker.... So I really loved them. The char and smokiness was amazing. Really added a nice depth to the dish. Would come back to try their other paellas! Especially since that's what they're known for. Vaca: the steak was so tender and juicy. No Notes. Also really good with the patatas ! read more

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What a great spot! We ate at the bar on a Sunday evening and wow. Morgan, Mark, and Joey (bar manager) were so hospitable and fun. Drinks? NO NOTES. Cocktail menu does it all. Joey even gave us a sneak peek of a Dirty G&T that's coming soon. Food? We had to stop ordering tapas plates so we could have mains! Lemme just list things as everything was so good! Olives. Baguette and smoked butter (best butter I've ever had). Croquetas de Coliflor. Fideos. Churros. I think the menu may change monthly, so get there soon for these dishes, but I bet next month will be awesome too! The room is beautiful, as much as I'd love to sit at a table one time, the bar is great! read more

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I'd give Picala a 3.5/5, but I'm rounding up to 4 stars because the service was excellent. We ordered a variety of dishes, and while some stood out more than others, the meal was enjoyable overall. Croquetas de Jamón (4/5): Crispy on the outside with a rich, melty cheese and jamón filling. Tortilla Española (3.5/5): An elevated take on the classic, with the eggs cooked more like a French omelet. The garlic aioli on top tasted a little bit like dijon mustard and wasn't sure if I was a fan. Fried Eggplant (3.5/5): Lightly fried eggplant topped with creamy cheese and sweet honey. A unique combination. Gambas al Ajillo (3.5/5): The large garlic shrimp were flavorful, but I wasn't sure they justified the price. Dayboat Rockfish (3/5): Decent flavor and texture, but it didn't leave a lasting impression. Chicken & Chorizo Paella (4/5): Rich, deep flavors with perfectly cooked bomba rice. It was a bit on the salty side, but still one of the better dishes we ordered. read more

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What a vibe! The space is well-designed, the music is great, and the food is awesome. Our server was friendly, attentive, and great at dishing out suggestions. To eat, we had the pan con tomate with anchovy, shaved asparagus, sardine escabeche, pulpo a la planche, paella, and New Zealand snapper; to drink we had the Melon, Verde, and a Naked and Famous. The chicken in the paella was cooked perfectly, the shaved asparagus was tasty, and the sauce in the New Zealand snapper paired well with the fish. My only gripe with Picala was the speaker placement - one was so close to our booth, it felt like a third person was sitting between my wife and me. It was pointed right at our ears and was pretty uncomfortable at times. They only opened a day ago, so maybe they'll move the speakers around. EXTRAS: they validate parking and the Metro E line (La Cienaga/Jefferson) is only a 5 min walk away. read more

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I came here for one of my birthday dinners in May and had such a great time! The staff are so knowledgable and so thoughtful they even had everyone sign a birthday card for me. I don't eat meat but made an exception for this delicious salad that had mangoes and bone marrow - intriguing combo but it worked! Everything was so tasty and food came out expeditiously. Our server was also a delight and so funny. Love having this as an addition to our neighborhood! read more

The food was top notch. My least favorite cuisine is Spanish but this resto nailed their dishes so much that a non enjoyer of comida de Espana loved it. The only drawback was the too light of an aesthetic to make it a cool vibe. But still, great service and great food. read more

Picala - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Beautiful ambiance, delicious food, potently balanced cocktails. Every dish masterfully captures the spirit of Spain using the nonconformity of California's fresh ingredients. All dishes served as traditional tapas, you'll quickly discover that you won't want to share. From one bite pintxos to a selection paellas - you can go wrong with any decision you make. This night we ordered a variety of different options. Gilda (* 5), Ibizian Tomato (* 24 anchovies, pan de cristal & caper berries), Tuna Crudo(* 22 mojo verde & salpicon), Croquetas de Coliflor (* 12 cauliflower & blue cheese), Baguette & Smoked Butter (* 7), Pescado Frito (* 18 saffron date aioli), Fideos (* 56 Caldonian shrimp, bay scallops, venus clams & aioli), Calamar (* 28 Pacific squid, salsa verde & gigante beans), and Vaca (* 55 aged prime ribeye, egg, anchovy & grilled chicory). The cocktails are balanced - but be forewarned - they pack a punch. Being that the dishes are tapas, the cost jumps up really quickly. So be ready to spend a pretty penny filling up on many delicious options. read more

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On 8/28 we celebrated our wedding anniversary at Picala. When we entered we received a celebratory card signed by the employees. During our dinner the Hostess and the Manager stopped by our table and wished us a happy anniversary. Eddie our server was very attentive and did a great job recommending our food and wine which were all great. Lastly, we noticed no one was sitting on the patio and we asked if we could bring our drinks and dessert out on the patio to have a quiet moment. They went out of their way to sit us out there which was a highlight of the dinner having the patio to ourselves. Everyone kept saying they were honored that we chose to celebrate our anniversary there when we could have gone anywhere and the service really reflected that. Thank you! read more

This Is the first time I've opened Yelp in a long time and even longer time that I've left a review, but I could not stop myself from finding some way to express my gratitude to what a wonderful service experience I had at this restaurant tonight. I met some of my best and oldest girlfriends at this restaurant. We hadn't seen each other in a minute, we live on far parts of town. We always have fun together, but Tara of Picala brought us to another level .. she brought a champagne for no reason , she brought us love, she brought us the best energy. there was also our waiter whose name I am forgetting and feeling terrible about that but he was absolutely incredible. They made a fun dinner into a beautiful night where we felt so loved and happy. This is what going out to dinner should feel like. Amazing restaurant and experience 10/10. read more

Picala is the newest tapas joint in LA and feels like it has already found its footing. The menu, as expected, is fairly diverse with highlights like the fried suckling pig with crispy rind, and well executed favorites like the surprisingly spicy and smoky patatas bravas and tortilla. We particularly liked the tomato salad to help lighten the meal, and finished with the well fried churros. The quality of service here also landed well above what we expected for the price point. We're excited to come back and eat our way through the menu. read more

We had a wonderful experience at Picala. The service was attentive from start to finish, and as a parent of a child with celiac disease, I especially appreciated how knowledgeable the staff was about gluten-free options. While the menu doesn't specifically mark gluten-free dishes, our server was able to clearly explain what could be accommodated. I also overheard another table discussing dietary restrictions, and the server was just as patient and informed with them, which really speaks to the level of service. The food was fantastic. The Spanish-style tapas were delicious, and I loved that several dishes were inspired by the Canary Islands. It gave the menu a unique twist that you don't find everywhere. Our table especially enjoyed the paella, the sausage, and the sliced mango dish, along with several other tapas. Dessert was yummy too! Their burnt butter ice cream is fantastic. The drinks were equally impressive. I had a well-balanced, not-too-sweet non-alcoholic cocktail, and my husband's gin and tonic was light, refreshing, and perfectly made. The patio was beautiful, and our entire group, including our 10-year-old daughter and her friend, had a great time. We'll definitely be back! read more

Picala - Sliced mango with uni and bone marrow, tuna crudo, non alcoholic drink called "Grenada" - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Ive been waiting for months for this.Each time I go to Wells or Whole foods. The place id beautiful, staff amazing and food sooo good The pig ,paella everything just great read more

NO AC. DON'T GO IN SUMMER. Food - Excellent except they removed the Mixed green salad from the menu. Believe it or not, it's actually insanely good. The paella was incredible. I think they've finally landed on the perfect formula. Service - Incredible. Ambience - Here's where things went downhill. It was 90 in LA yesterday and this place DOES NOT HAVE AC!!!. For the level of food and service to be so high, and the price point to also be relatively high, but not having invested in AC, is literally INSANE. We were all sweating during the entire meal. I guess we won't be back until winter when it's cooler. Definitely don't go in the summer. read more

We came here to celebrate our anniversary and had a great experience. We were greeted with a signed card from the staff and champagne. The food had tons of bold flavors and was delighted to try a drink that had a cheese on top! The sardines were surprisingly our favorite and the service was attentive. Would come back to try more dishes. read more

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I've been here twice about a month apart! This place is refined but not pretentious. The staff are super helpful and attentive and the food is TASTYYY!! I loved the gambas, chicken paella, mixed greens and green beans. Also, you MUST get the orange sorbet with whipped creme. read more

This was our 2nd time dining at Picala. The food is spectacular and I don't remember the last time we had such great service. They went above and beyond. Thank you. read more

AMAZING!! Every dish we ordered left me wanting even more! Every dish was so delicious, the highlight was definitely the shaved mango. Mango with uni and smoked bone marrow was such an unusual combination but so so so good!! Not only was the food delicious, but the service we received was incredible. Our waiter Eddie was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The service we received was truly just spectacular. I definitely recommended this restaurant to my friends and family! Whether it's a date night or a nice night out, this is the hot spot to check out! read more

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The food, ambiance and service were incredible. I'd recommend everything we ordered - fried eggplant, gambas, tomato salad, chicken and chorizo paella, almond cake, basque cheesecake and sangria rojo. James is an attentive, kind and informative server. I will request him in the future. All staff who brought dishes to the table explained the dishes. The hostess was also great. We will be back! read more

Picala - Gambas - Spanish Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Beautiful restaurant and ample parking at Whole Foods. Tried Picala and had some hits and misses. The jamón ibérico was hands down rich, melt-in-your-mouth, worth every bite. Basque cheesecake was just like you were in Spain, burnt top with that creamy center done right. The pulpo was delicious but you get one little tail and for the price and it just doesn't feel worth it. Patatas bravas were fine, nothing special, should be more dense and the sauce should be rich. The tortilla española was more like an egg omelet vs what I've had in Spain, plus it was on the salty side. Not quite the potato thick tortilla I was hoping for. Shaved asparagus salad was amazing, fresh and lemony and a must. Overall a mixed bag, some dishes hit, some didn't. I'd go back for the jamón and cheesecake alone though. Definitely coming back to try the paella which we didn't. read more

Imagine Jim's fondness for pranking Dwight combined with Michael's fondness for Ryan and Angela's fondness for her cats. That's how charmed I was with Picala in Culver City. Opening a new restaurant in LA takes dedication and hard work, and Picala understood the assignment . It was 10/10 (or I guess 5/5 in Yelp ratings) in ingredients, atmosphere, and service. The staff, especially the bartenders, were top tier with their knowledge of the menu and attentiveness. The bartender deserved a Dundee award for Exceptional Hospitality. Fact: I plan to become a regular here and try all the vegetarian friendly tapas and cocktails on the menu. read more

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New Spanish restaurant in town! I've already been twice -- once with two friends and another time solo at the bar. Beautiful restaurant with a stunning show kitchen, a great vibe, and good music throughout. Had a great cocktail topped with Manchego cheese. The Jamón Ibérico speaks for itself -- always delicious, and this was no different. The sardines were a standout: super fresh with a clean flavor. The shaved asparagus salad was light, refreshing, and definitely screamed spring. For paella, the Arroz Negro was the showstopper. The rice was cooked perfectly and well seasoned, and the cuttlefish was tender and flavorful. Service was excellent as well. Kyle did a great job describing the menu and giving us some helpful pointers with ordering. Very engaging service with some fun, friendly banter throughout the night. Looking forward to coming back again soon. read more

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The food and drinks were excellent and the service was strong from start to finish. I already can't want to come back! read more

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This is a great restaurant. The chef is clearly serious about quality. The service was impeccable. It's expensive but well worth it.

We had a wonderful dinner at Picala. Our server Eddie was very knowledgeable of the menu and guided choices well. The food was fantastic, as were the drinks. It is a creative menu and cocktail list. The wine selection is nice as well. Again a shout out to Eddie for an excellent job. He handled our "who pays" family check battle with grace. I know I made that part hard! We shared several small plates and then a Paella. There are so many great things I know we will be back. read more

Very impressed by Picala. I was thrilled to find this place while searching for a good tapas restaurant in the LA area, after moving from New York last year. Great service - the server was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. The modern earth toned decor was chic but cozy. The high ceiling completed the great ambiance, and helped to control the acoustics. A perfect place for date night or great conversations with friends. The food was AMAZING with interesting flavors - from tapas staples such as patatas bravas and pan con tomate to delicious sardines, arroz negro, suckling pig, and paella. The heavenly churros and chocolate mousse were a perfect finish for the evening. Thank you Picala for the wonderful evening! Looking forward to trying out more dishes during my next visit. read more

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I've had the pleasure of coming here twice and have to say the food have been outstanding on both accounts. Not to mention the decor is so beautiful, elegant, and inviting. Great drinks, and very attentive service. It has that overall elegant and yet super fun ambiance. Some of the big standouts are: - Arroz Negro. So much umami flavor, not to mention the super tender cuttlefish - Sardines. Never thought I would ever say this about sardine,but it;s one of my favoriets. To my surprise it wasn't fishy at all, super delicious! - Suckling Pig. So moist and tender and the inside and very cripsy skin - Churros. Very different than most of the other churros you will find in LA, it has a much softer and almost goey filling...super yummy! We'll be back! read more

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