Pa'La Wood Fired Cooking

Service was great from the hostess to bartender then server. best espresso martini we had from the bartender, loved the live music. Amanda being our server we loved her ! perfect for girls night. <3

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amanda was so amazing service was great , personality was amazing definitely ask to be served by her ! 10/10

Pa’la was an amazing experience! The food was unique and delicious (we had oysters, the miso cod, the gnocchi and Japanese sweet potato) and the service was fantastic. The Cuban jazz music also added a nice touch. Will definitely return!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Seafood, Japanese Sweet Potato

Get the Table! So good!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Japanese Sweet Potato, Brussels Sprouts

I had an impromptu date night with my wife and we decided to try a new place. Thank goodness we landed on Pa’La! As soon as you walk in the hostesses were all amazing and the night only got better from there. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout the meal. Oh and the food, absolutely amazing! This has to be one of the best meals I’ve had in Phoenix from the sourdough focaccia to desert. Every dish, including the Japanese sweet potato side, got even better somehow. I can’t give specific dish recommendations because the menu changes based on the fresh ingredients they have, which is amazing! I definitely recommend you try it out yourself. I included a few pictures of our meal that I remembered to get, forgive me we did start eating before I remembered to get a pick lol.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Japanese Sweet Potato Cilantro Aleppo Chili

shi was cool but errything like 40-50 big ones and everyone there onna date👎

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

We were placed in the back near the kitchen. The surfaces all around were so hard that we had to talk loudly to hear each other - louder than on the street. We waited 32 minutes exactly after ordering to receive our cocktails. Skirt steak is always tough and chewy and their chefs couldn't change that, but for $56, it was ridiculous. The little gem salad saved our meal for three people, which (with tip and tax) was about $250!! Will not recommend.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 2

My partner and I decided to set a reservation for 7:15 PM on a Sunday night.

Once sat, we were quickly asked what we would like to drink and shortly thereafter received our initial beverages.

My partner and I decided that we would commit to the omakase experience. We are both adventurous food lovers and were really excited by the idea of a progressive dining experience.

We were served a total of 9 dishes for our experience:

1. New Brunswick and Oishi Oysters
2. Scallop Crudo
3. Spanish Piquillo Peppers
4. Woodfired Octopus
5. Foie Gras with Palmiers & Pomegranate Gastrique
6. Miso Black Cod
7. Pork Loin with Kimchi and Italian Beans
8. Japanese Sweet Potato
9. Milk and Honey Flan served with ice cream trio

I understand that the typical, prescribed progression of omakase is to guide the palate from lighter dishes, next to richer, fattier dishes, and then to the main dish of intrigue, and finally something to wipe the palate clean. Knowing this, I think this meal had the potential to be spectacular, but due to the pacing of the meal, I felt too bogged down by the previous course to build excitement for the next.

I found the pacing of the entire meal to be haphazard. In my experience with omakase, the next dish should be served following the completion of the previous course. At one point, we had three dishes sitting on our table at once (dishes #6-8). This caused some of the food to get cold and led to a less than optimal dining experience.

Perhaps in the future, a stronger line of communication between the front of house and back of house staff would alleviate some of these concerns. Or maybe even a disclaimer to the covers for the evening.

I would love to give Pa' La a higher rating but the overall dining experience relative to the price point left some to be desired. For $150/cover, there are some non-negotiables that I would expect an omakase to deliver on that were not satisfactory. For this reason, I do not think I would ordering the omakase again.

Dietary restrictions: I have a nut allergy.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Easily one of the best meals I've had in a long time. My husband and I had a variety of dishes, and every single one was fantastic. There is a night club next door, and on the ground floor the music is a little loud, but upstairs you can't hear it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Japanese Sweet Potato, Brussels Sprouts

I really don’t understand why Pa La doesn’t get more hype. I am a Phoenix foodie for many many years and this is hands down my favorite place to eat. They have never once disappointed me. My husband is pescatarian and loves it here- the seafood is amazing and the veggies are the best part somehow. The wine list is also phenomenal. We have gone and eaten nothing but vegetable dishes and been absolutely in heaven. I’m completely obsessed and if you’re on the fence you absolutely must go.

Vegetarian options: They get the umami just right ok vegetarian dishes so you get a very savory experience that is better than any meat I’ve had. If they have the artichokes you must try them!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

What a disappointment. Our expectations were for a great experience. We were immediately put on the back foot when after ordering a draft beer, we were told that there were no draft beers available due to a mechanical issue. And there were only two bottle choices.

We had a nice chat with the bartender and then ordered a couple of starters, the olives and pickled anchovies. Both came quickly. The olive app was laughable. The kitchen opened the fridge and dropped 15 cold green olives in a bowl. There was no attempt to warm or season them. No presentation whatsoever. Just 15 cold olives for $6. Just embarrassing for Pa'la. The anchovies were adequate, served with tiny tasteless pastry rings. Their website menu showed anchovies and almonds for $8 but they had removed that offering and we had $13 anchovies without almonds instead.

This was an underwhelming experience from start to finish. Just awful.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

It was first time visiting, we sat in the upstairs lounge and it was very nice and elegant and the wait staff was very nice and attentive. We really liked the ambiance and decor. The food was also really good. I would have had no complaints until the end of our night, when we walked downstairs to leave and a very strong marijuana smell hit us hard when we got to the bottom of the stairs. The whole bottom dining area smelled strongly of it, I'm guessing since all the doors and windows are open downstairs and it's coming in from outside. The location isn't too great, it's right next to a couple of nightclubs and honestly just seems too classy for that area.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

I made a reservation for the upstairs bar area so that my sister and I could listen to jazz and have some food. When we got there they sat us at the bar, not at a table. When we asked about having a table, the manager actually told us that the tables were called the "lounge". Since we had asked for the bar they were going to seat us at the bar. He absolutely did not care about the miscommunication so we left. They will not get a penny of my money going forward.

Service: 1

Went here for a work dinner so I don't know prices but the drinks were excellent, the food was delicious. It was like 5 star dining quality. The wood fire lamb chops were excellent. The dessert was amazing.

Parking: The parking is the garage across Washington only. Don't go to a different garage.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Absolutely incredible! The quality of food is out of this world. Stared with oysters, then shrimp, a salad, and burrata. Then pasta, ribs, and skirt steak. Finished with 3 different special deserts for the week. Shared absolutely everything with everyone at the table and we were full and content! The service is exceptional - Michelle took such great care of us and helped us match our cocktails to each course. Everyone helps each other out which was lovely. The live jazz music was the perfect volume for us not only to hear live music but still hear and enjoy the company at the table. I can’t wait to come back for Happy Hour, a meal, or to enjoy their Sunday specials. The downtown location is such a gem and a great start to our night on the town!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5