A lifetime of eating Mexican food, living in Mexico and speaking Spanish fluently couldn't have prepared me for the culinary whirlwind that I experienced last night at Damian. Accompanying friends who have been long time patrons of Damian served as personal tour guides through the labyrinth of menu selections that culminated in one of the most memorable meals I have ever had as a native Angelino. What makes Damian so remarkable is the layers of flavors that appear in every dish and the surprising combinations of ingredients that while seemingly so disparate, create a fusion of flavors that one wouldn't think possible in one cuisine. The service is impeccable and the environment relaxing, intimate and simply world class.
Grace K.
We came to Damian's to celebrate a couple of birthdays and we were very impressed with our experience. First off, fhe interior dining area and outdoor patio are both stunning. Clean, simple, dark rich wood furniture and accents, high industrial ceilings with exposed vents, subtle skylights. The bar and kitchen area are also very visually dynamic. They also offer valet parking right outside of the restaurant. The menu is simple and to the point. Divvied into 4 sections, starters, appetizers, mains, and sides. We were a party of 4, and our waiter recommended that we order 4-6 starters and apps, and 2-3 mains. We opted for 8 items total (including 2 mains) and were fairly satisfied. We also finished off our meal with 4 deserts and americanos. The menu items were all presented in a simplistic clean fashion, and the taste profile definitely matched the aesthetic. Items such as the ceviche, Crudo, guacamole were all very simple, minimal, and fresh. Of our main courses, both the carne asada and branzino were delicious and well prepared. We also ordered several cocktails, standouts being the mezcal and Cadillac. Their cocktails may look small but all packed quite a punch. They also have a house sommelier which is always a plus. The service was notable, all servers were very attentive and pleasant. The dining area did dim down at about 7pm with the dinner crowd coming in, so if you are more adapt to brighter lighting, I recommend making reservations for an earlier dinner. We began our meal at 5pm so it was perfect timing as the lights dimmed right at the tail end of our meal. The hostess' at the front desk were also all very friendly, greeting us warmly as we both entered and exited. Overall, an amazing dining experience for a special occasion. If you are looking for a standout meal to celebrate or simply treat yourself with a bit of a splurge, would highly recommend Damian's.
Ryan M.
Food was good, not great. Cool Ambiance. Service was spotty. They take your order all at once at the beginning and say they will course it out, but it seemed liked a lot of the dishes came out all at once and we felt rushed to eat before it all got cold. Toward the end of the dessert they kept asking us if we were done even thought we hadn't finished. We felt the servers were just trying to get us out by then. Highlights were the Duck Carnitas, Crudo de Atún, and the Calamar. Overall it felt a little overpriced. If they prices were lower it would be considered great, but for the prices the service should be much better.
K A.
I love going to Damian. Fantastic food. Great vibe. All the people who work there are friendly and know everything upside down and sideways re the menu and also cocktails, beer, and wine. This is not a cheap night out but it is the kind of place that sweeps you away and you forget your worries and just enjoy the night and your company. I love it there. Highly recommend.
Armando
Although I may not agree with some of the menu items, this restaurant has really nailed the overall experience. Both indoor and outdoor seating exceed expectations. Even an outdoor automated roof shielded me and my date from the rain. The outdoor heat lamps kept us nice and warm. The food was definitely elevated classic Mexican cuisine. We were there for brunch on Easter Sunday. Me and my lovely date ordered the chilaquiles with a poached egg, aguachile in carrot habanero sauce garnished with paper thin sliced jicama and pinaple (very creative), and a tuna tostada that seemed to fuse Japanese and Mexican concepts deliciously. We had lamb birria with all the fixings. We ate like kings. Our wait staff were very attentive, helpful and friendly. In the end the manager came to ask us how our food was. Great service. My favorites were the lamb birria, the tuna tostada, and agua de palo santo. I love this place.
Louise S.
you know what I'm sick of, going to these incredibly expensive, supposedly unique and special restaurants and ordering a glass of wine for $20 and getting this mean little pour. what the hell, you're charging me $58 for a piece of fish and you can't pour a glass of wine that doesn't insist I order another one in short order. it happens all the time at these places and I think it's an insult. the food at Damian is so so. I thought the ceviche was lacking spark and originality. I liked the tuna and the corn tamale was delicious. the branzino was fine. good service. but $240 later for two, I wasn't really very happy.
Grecia Mendiola
Amazing experience! My husband and I were visiting LA and this restaurant was listed as one of the top 40 restaurants to check out. Finding out that this is one of Chef Enrique Olvera’s restaurants (famed Mexican Chef, haute cuisine), it became a must. We decided to make reservations for my birthday. From the moment we were welcomed, the service was superb. We had the salmon tostada, duck carnitas, and Oaxaca cheese. All very flavorful and perfect to share! We also tried the very well balanced cocktails Mandarina and Qué sabor! Delightful surprise getting the banana leaf flan for my birthday and we also had to tried the recommendation from our server David, the chocolate con menta. You can tell all is prepared with quality fresh ingredients and very well thought out. Perfect to finish with a shot of mezcal which came with cinnamon covered almonds! We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Tostada, Duck Al Pastor
Kenny H.
Hidden in the arts district of Downtown LA this was by far one of the best restaurants I've had downtown. We ordered the calamari and the salmon tostada which I would never eat but tried some and I was shocked that I actually enjoyed both. Then for the main we ordered the chicken Al pastor which had so much flavor mixed with the cilantro and the pineapple butter the flavors were crazy when all out together in a taco. The staff was super friendly even each one went out of their way to greet us and come by and check on us. Would recommend
Amanda A.
Bottom line: lovely space; prices are steep for good-but-not-amazing food. Be wary of undescribed dishes and surprise ingredients. Keep it coming: ambiance, friendly staff, some tasty dishes (the green tomato salsa was A+) Meh: the ceviche was solid and tasty, but not outstanding. The tostadas were bland. Cocktails were fine. Miss me: $98 for duck carnitas is pushing it. I adore duck, so I was willing to go for it and excited to enjoy. However, the duck was underseasoned - the primary flavor was fat. The skin was gooey and I just wasn't blown away. Warning: I watched the waiter write down my allergies, including shellfish, and, when I ordered the innocuous-sounding ensalada verde, he didn't say anything about the ingredients. When I was halfway through what is a truly delicious salad, he revealed the secret - chapulines aka grasshoppers. Not everyone knows that many people with shellfish allergies also have problems with crickets and grasshoppers, so I'm not blaming the waiter for lack of knowledge. I am, however, *super uncomfortable* with a surprise ingredient in my meal. I was lucky not to have had a reaction to this ingredient, but the next allergic customer might not be so fortunate. I'd MUCH rather have gone into that meal knowing what I might encounter and actually consenting to taking that risk.
Tempo N.
Super fire that's all I have to say but I have to ramble on because yelp requires 85 characters to post a review. Don't waste your time dwelling on it. Just go!
Second time dining here and it didn't disappoint. Food was amazing and service was top notch! Highly recommend this restaurant! Must haves: ceviche, prawns, octopus huarache, dry aged branzino, duck carnitas, hibiscus meringue and corn soft serve!
Lou M.
Damian was definitely a place I was waiting to try for a while and I am glad I finally did. The food here was amazing. The drinks were good and our server was top notch. It is perfect for a date night, and I would get meals to share with someone else, so you can try a little bit of everything. The highlight for me was the Duck Carnitas. Yes, it is $98, but it was cooked so well and I kept thinking about it on my way home. The mezcal margarita was on point. Keep an open mind when coming here. Different take on Mexican cuisine but a great experience
Terry O'Daly
Food was absolutely phenomenal, will absolutely be back. Every dish was great, our server was a total delight on giving recommendations and offering some guidance through the menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
tinno A.
I really wanted to like it. The space is beautiful, the cocktails are good and the food is tasty.... Why the three you ask? The portions are ridiculously small.... Even the entrees... their carne asada is 4 slices of meat (less than a 5oz piece of steak) .... Their appetizers and other small plates are tiny... we paid over $400 for 4 people and left hungry... not going back unless they rethink this. Too bad... as I would have enjoyed trying more things.
jon s.
Everything was absolutely impeccable in terms of food quality and flavors that were true to Mexican cuisine... but in new combinations... I'm not a drinker but the waiter gave us the best tasting tequila to sip... on the house. If you have the money to spend, yes go for it!!
A lifetime of eating Mexican food, living in Mexico and speaking Spanish fluently couldn't have prepared me for the culinary whirlwind that I experienced last night at Damian. Accompanying friends who have been long time patrons of Damian served as personal tour guides through the labyrinth of menu selections that culminated in one of the most memorable meals I have ever had as a native Angelino. What makes Damian so remarkable is the layers of flavors that appear in every dish and the surprising combinations of ingredients that while seemingly so disparate, create a fusion of flavors that one wouldn't think possible in one cuisine. The service is impeccable and the environment relaxing, intimate and simply world class.
We came to Damian's to celebrate a couple of birthdays and we were very impressed with our experience. First off, fhe interior dining area and outdoor patio are both stunning. Clean, simple, dark rich wood furniture and accents, high industrial ceilings with exposed vents, subtle skylights. The bar and kitchen area are also very visually dynamic. They also offer valet parking right outside of the restaurant. The menu is simple and to the point. Divvied into 4 sections, starters, appetizers, mains, and sides. We were a party of 4, and our waiter recommended that we order 4-6 starters and apps, and 2-3 mains. We opted for 8 items total (including 2 mains) and were fairly satisfied. We also finished off our meal with 4 deserts and americanos. The menu items were all presented in a simplistic clean fashion, and the taste profile definitely matched the aesthetic. Items such as the ceviche, Crudo, guacamole were all very simple, minimal, and fresh. Of our main courses, both the carne asada and branzino were delicious and well prepared. We also ordered several cocktails, standouts being the mezcal and Cadillac. Their cocktails may look small but all packed quite a punch. They also have a house sommelier which is always a plus. The service was notable, all servers were very attentive and pleasant. The dining area did dim down at about 7pm with the dinner crowd coming in, so if you are more adapt to brighter lighting, I recommend making reservations for an earlier dinner. We began our meal at 5pm so it was perfect timing as the lights dimmed right at the tail end of our meal. The hostess' at the front desk were also all very friendly, greeting us warmly as we both entered and exited. Overall, an amazing dining experience for a special occasion. If you are looking for a standout meal to celebrate or simply treat yourself with a bit of a splurge, would highly recommend Damian's.
Food was good, not great. Cool Ambiance. Service was spotty. They take your order all at once at the beginning and say they will course it out, but it seemed liked a lot of the dishes came out all at once and we felt rushed to eat before it all got cold. Toward the end of the dessert they kept asking us if we were done even thought we hadn't finished. We felt the servers were just trying to get us out by then. Highlights were the Duck Carnitas, Crudo de Atún, and the Calamar. Overall it felt a little overpriced. If they prices were lower it would be considered great, but for the prices the service should be much better.
I love going to Damian. Fantastic food. Great vibe. All the people who work there are friendly and know everything upside down and sideways re the menu and also cocktails, beer, and wine. This is not a cheap night out but it is the kind of place that sweeps you away and you forget your worries and just enjoy the night and your company. I love it there. Highly recommend.
Although I may not agree with some of the menu items, this restaurant has really nailed the overall experience. Both indoor and outdoor seating exceed expectations. Even an outdoor automated roof shielded me and my date from the rain. The outdoor heat lamps kept us nice and warm. The food was definitely elevated classic Mexican cuisine. We were there for brunch on Easter Sunday. Me and my lovely date ordered the chilaquiles with a poached egg, aguachile in carrot habanero sauce garnished with paper thin sliced jicama and pinaple (very creative), and a tuna tostada that seemed to fuse Japanese and Mexican concepts deliciously. We had lamb birria with all the fixings. We ate like kings. Our wait staff were very attentive, helpful and friendly. In the end the manager came to ask us how our food was. Great service. My favorites were the lamb birria, the tuna tostada, and agua de palo santo. I love this place.
you know what I'm sick of, going to these incredibly expensive, supposedly unique and special restaurants and ordering a glass of wine for $20 and getting this mean little pour. what the hell, you're charging me $58 for a piece of fish and you can't pour a glass of wine that doesn't insist I order another one in short order. it happens all the time at these places and I think it's an insult. the food at Damian is so so. I thought the ceviche was lacking spark and originality. I liked the tuna and the corn tamale was delicious. the branzino was fine. good service. but $240 later for two, I wasn't really very happy.
Amazing experience! My husband and I were visiting LA and this restaurant was listed as one of the top 40 restaurants to check out. Finding out that this is one of Chef Enrique Olvera’s restaurants (famed Mexican Chef, haute cuisine), it became a must. We decided to make reservations for my birthday. From the moment we were welcomed, the service was superb. We had the salmon tostada, duck carnitas, and Oaxaca cheese. All very flavorful and perfect to share! We also tried the very well balanced cocktails Mandarina and Qué sabor! Delightful surprise getting the banana leaf flan for my birthday and we also had to tried the recommendation from our server David, the chocolate con menta. You can tell all is prepared with quality fresh ingredients and very well thought out. Perfect to finish with a shot of mezcal which came with cinnamon covered almonds! We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni Tostada, Duck Al Pastor
Hidden in the arts district of Downtown LA this was by far one of the best restaurants I've had downtown. We ordered the calamari and the salmon tostada which I would never eat but tried some and I was shocked that I actually enjoyed both. Then for the main we ordered the chicken Al pastor which had so much flavor mixed with the cilantro and the pineapple butter the flavors were crazy when all out together in a taco. The staff was super friendly even each one went out of their way to greet us and come by and check on us. Would recommend
Bottom line: lovely space; prices are steep for good-but-not-amazing food. Be wary of undescribed dishes and surprise ingredients. Keep it coming: ambiance, friendly staff, some tasty dishes (the green tomato salsa was A+) Meh: the ceviche was solid and tasty, but not outstanding. The tostadas were bland. Cocktails were fine. Miss me: $98 for duck carnitas is pushing it. I adore duck, so I was willing to go for it and excited to enjoy. However, the duck was underseasoned - the primary flavor was fat. The skin was gooey and I just wasn't blown away. Warning: I watched the waiter write down my allergies, including shellfish, and, when I ordered the innocuous-sounding ensalada verde, he didn't say anything about the ingredients. When I was halfway through what is a truly delicious salad, he revealed the secret - chapulines aka grasshoppers. Not everyone knows that many people with shellfish allergies also have problems with crickets and grasshoppers, so I'm not blaming the waiter for lack of knowledge. I am, however, *super uncomfortable* with a surprise ingredient in my meal. I was lucky not to have had a reaction to this ingredient, but the next allergic customer might not be so fortunate. I'd MUCH rather have gone into that meal knowing what I might encounter and actually consenting to taking that risk.
Super fire that's all I have to say but I have to ramble on because yelp requires 85 characters to post a review. Don't waste your time dwelling on it. Just go!
Restaurantji Recommends
Second time dining here and it didn't disappoint. Food was amazing and service was top notch! Highly recommend this restaurant! Must haves: ceviche, prawns, octopus huarache, dry aged branzino, duck carnitas, hibiscus meringue and corn soft serve!
Damian was definitely a place I was waiting to try for a while and I am glad I finally did. The food here was amazing. The drinks were good and our server was top notch. It is perfect for a date night, and I would get meals to share with someone else, so you can try a little bit of everything. The highlight for me was the Duck Carnitas. Yes, it is $98, but it was cooked so well and I kept thinking about it on my way home. The mezcal margarita was on point. Keep an open mind when coming here. Different take on Mexican cuisine but a great experience
Food was absolutely phenomenal, will absolutely be back. Every dish was great, our server was a total delight on giving recommendations and offering some guidance through the menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I really wanted to like it. The space is beautiful, the cocktails are good and the food is tasty.... Why the three you ask? The portions are ridiculously small.... Even the entrees... their carne asada is 4 slices of meat (less than a 5oz piece of steak) .... Their appetizers and other small plates are tiny... we paid over $400 for 4 people and left hungry... not going back unless they rethink this. Too bad... as I would have enjoyed trying more things.
Everything was absolutely impeccable in terms of food quality and flavors that were true to Mexican cuisine... but in new combinations... I'm not a drinker but the waiter gave us the best tasting tequila to sip... on the house. If you have the money to spend, yes go for it!!