Recommends

Martha Burr

Joined 10 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. Border Grill's owner-chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken ventured beyond Mexico to the rest of the Latin world when they opened up this Downtown L.A. mainstay. Walls and ceilings are splashed with Miro-like splotches and Picasso-esque scribblings that call to mind the Keith Haring-esque designs at the ladies' Santa Monica eatery. Diners embark on a giddy tour of Latin cuisine with appetizers like albacore slicked with chili and citrus, Bolivian sweet corn tamales, and Argentine empanadas stuffed with wild mushrooms and Swiss chard. Cuban beef stew is kicked up with a dark-rum orange sauce, while moqueca, a Brazilian dish, is a jumble of fish, lobster and shrimp adrift in a subtle coconut-lime broth--the whole concoction ladled over cilantro rice.

Doesn't Recommend

obeezer

Joined 3 years ago

Disappointment. Went to Ciudad for Happy Hour for the first time on March 9th. My co-workers had been raving about how good the fish tacos were and how affordable the HH menu was. The host greeted us with a smile and said it was okay to push 2 tables together. The good service ended there. Our server comes over a few minutes later and drops off two menus. He didn't have a smile on his face, didn't say "hi, my name is...what can I get you?" He took our drink and food orders but couldn't seem to get away fast enough. No offer of chips or salsa, didn't even bring it until I asked 15 minutes later. The salsa was plain, the chips were nothing to rave about. The mojito was good but they make it in a tall skinny glass and fill it with mostly ice, so it's barely worth $4.50 at HH. Our server sees that our chips are almost gone and DOES NOT offer more - I had to ask - AGAIN. My boss decides to splurge and order the Mahi Mahi Ceviche, which is $11.50! It arrives on a large plate, but the portion size is not large by any means. It amounts to about 1 cup of ceviche; they make it look like more by layering on freshly sliced avocado and some interesting shaped chip or something. So, I would definitely not recommend the ceviche. Oh, and by the way, they no longer have fish tacos on the HH menu. In terms of seating, Ciudad has the most uncomfortable bar stools I have ever sat on. They have no back or arm (so, ladies this means you have to hold your purse or put it on the floor), and your feet don't have much to rest on

Doesn't Recommend

nurse76

Joined 4 years ago

Not a good experience. My husband and I had lunch for the first time at Ciudad today. When our lunch came, my husband asked if the beans that came with the lunch plates had or were made with any pork products. We clearly stated to the waitress that he had an allergy to pork products. Our waitress assured us the beans were vegetarian. We asked again "are you sure" . She said without doubt that they are vegetarian and are not made with any pork. He took a few bites and noticed pieces of bacon in the beans! The manager seemed very concerned initially but continued to ask if we had informed our waitress of the allergy, as if it was our fault! The food just was ok.

Recommends

scottc4746

Joined 6 years ago

Excelent Businessperson's lunch. I have been treated a couple times to table top service and everything from service to food quality was top notch. If you are by yourself, the bar offers a business lunch for $10 including beverage. It is a special that changes daily and is great, albiet a bit uncomfortable, it is great. Try it for your next lunch hour.

Recommends

Romomono

Joined 5 years ago

Great food live music on weekeneds. Great food service was was good and they also had a live band playing . The place was packed and we got our food super fast !

A ++

Recommends

joanovarq

Joined 5 years ago

One of LA's Best High-End Restaurants. I have never had a bad meal at Ciudad. They serve up delicious, creative Latin-inspired dishes. Every meal starts with a unique assortment of bread/chips, with two dipping sauces (one made from black olives and I can't recall what the other is made from, but it's good). My boyfriend took me for my birthday and ordered a steak dish which was perfectly seasoned, juicy and delicious. I ordered a seafood dish that was also delicious. In the evenings, the restaurant is chock full of yuppies fresh off work from the downtown highrises. Sometimes the music is a little too loud, and the restaurant feels too much like a nightclub. But the food is fantastic.

Recommends

AnissaTetreault

Joined 5 years ago

Perfect restaurant before a great show at The Ahmanson!. Reviewed by: Anissa Tetreault - I loved this restaurant. The food was so delicious and unique. The ambience was crisp and clean. A great place to have dinner before the Theatre.

Doesn't Recommend

bigfly

Joined 6 years ago

Ciudad not so bueno.. Nice location downtown and nice patio but generally mediocre food at inflated prices.

We sent back two dishes that were just not very good or tasty.

The service was very good but service does not make up for high prices and bland food.

Go somewhere else.

Recommends

gerryjim

Joined 9 years ago

Expensive Flavors of the Latin World. Had dinner the other night. Service was not good. Had to call the waiter or ask the busboy to get the waiter each time we needed something. Their entrees are huge, and so are the prices --- $26.50 to $30. Very noisy when the room is full. I'll only return if they give me a coupon to use. I must say the food was very tasty.

Recommends

travelsong

Joined 5 years ago

Great customer service. night atmosphere at the patio is phenomenal,from time to time they offer live flamenco,its fantastic.