La Serenata De Garibaldi

The Scene – When Chef/owner Jose Rodriguez opened La Serenata de Garibaldi a decade ago, he was the first to dangle the bait of fine Mexican seafood before Angeleno eaters. Since its remodeling in 2000, the folk art decor has made way for a subdued, whitewashed look with imposing Moorish pillars punctuating the dining room. – – The Food – Fresh seafood bathed in spectacular sauces are the best catch on this menu, with nearly a dozen rich, complex concoctions to choose from. Start with the fisherman's cocktail, a huge bowl of sweet-spicy chilled tomato sauce bobbing…

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Editor's Tips

When to Go:: La Serenata serves a tasty Sunday brunch from 10am to 2pm. Both Mexican and American breakfast favorites are offered.
What to Drink:: Although no hard liquor is sold, there is a wine list, which is unusual for a Mexican restaurant. Or try a refreshing wine margarita.
Parking:: You can park at the meters in front. Or pay to park in the restaurant lot in the back.
The Extras:: The founder of the restaurant has bult a reputation for his prized collection of 30 different sauces.

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User Reviews (28)

ambiance	68.33000183105469% positive	“Our waiter was very nice and on top of things. He seemed to keep the overall atmosphere upbeat, but he was the one shining star.” “They have protected parking around the back, I wouldn't suggest parking on the street in front of the restaurant.” “Located in the heart of East LA, the egg-white walls rimmed with rich oak provide a pleasant decor to dine in.” “This location is especially great (though Santa Monica is lovely as well), because they almost always have mariachi players live (due I'm sure to the fact that they're half a block away from Mariachi Plaza).” “No parking. Had to valet. Waited in the car as no one in sight. Apparently only one guy on duty. He did come running eventually.” “The food is fantastic, service and ambience are great.”
dessert	100.0% positive	“The food was excellent and the tres leches dessert, its to die for!”
drinks	50.0% positive	“Upon sitting down, the gracious staff serves up their best wine and you begin the meal.” “The complaint that I have is that there is no full bar.”
food quality	90.90999603271484% positive	“Their fresh fish selections are especially nice.” “Great to turn onto people who don't like mexican food.” “Great Service, Good food!” “great fancy dinner if you're in the area, and a more authentic scene than the other locations.” “Great food, bad service” “The service was great and the food was really tasty.” “The salmon was really good and so was their halibut.” “Upon sitting down, the gracious staff serves up their best wine and you begin the meal.” “didn't like the Sangria but my BF had a delicious chicken that I believe was cooked under a brick.” “Great authentic Mexican food!” “The table salsa and chips with the little bit of fresh grated pungent cheese on the top kills me every time.” “Ambience was okay, however, the food was NOT good and far from authentic!” “Fresh tasting tomato based, thin sauce with fresh herbs, chock full of perfectly cooked camarones, try it.” “Exquisite sauces and tastes, nothing at all like what you may have thought "Mexican" food was like.” “The food was excellent and the tres leches dessert, its to die for!” “recommend you select a fresh fish from the list and select any one of their house sauces to top it.” “With beyond great great service the food is best described as Gourmet Mexican, yet do not doubt, it is still very authentic.” “Located in the heart of East LA, the egg-white walls rimmed with rich oak provide a pleasant decor to dine in.” “have tried almost everything on the menu, but being the creature of habit I am; I always order the same dish!” “This is tasty and real classy mexican food.” “The fish and sauces were still amazing.” “Rice so soft, it melts in your mouth, beans flavorful not fatty, sauces that are understated yet complex.” “am from Mexico, and this place is by far the best , its all made fresh and very autentic.” “This establishment serves authentic mexican cuisine, it tastes like your grandmothers food served gourment style.” “Outstanding soups (Musroom soup, carrot soup, and corn soup).” “best mexican food” “recommend every seafood dish.” “The food is fantastic, service and ambience are great.” “The best mexican style shrimp cocktail I've has outside of mexico.” “We had a fresh sardine empanada that rocked!” “absolutely LOVE the Shrimp in Cilantro sauce.” “Best fresh fish.” “tasty, reasonable gourmet mexican”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Their fresh fish selections are especially nice.” “have tried almost everything on the menu, but being the creature of habit I am; I always order the same dish!”
overall	100.0% positive	“have been to their sister restaurant in Santa Monica, which is very good, but this place isn't.” “La Serenata is a great restaurant for lunch and dinner.” “good place for a date” “Food is great, and I think this place is good for a date.”
service	71.78999900817871% positive	“The food is fantastic, service and ambience are great.” “Very polite staff.” “Our waiter was very nice and on top of things. He seemed to keep the overall atmosphere upbeat, but he was the one shining star.” “With beyond great great service the food is best described as Gourmet Mexican, yet do not doubt, it is still very authentic.” “If you can get past the horrifically bad service and rude waiters, you will LOVE this place.” “do not recommend this place at all the staff is rude and totally unaccommodating!” “Great service.” “Great to turn onto people who don't like mexican food.” “Both times we were there, however, the waiters were rude, took forever to take our orders, and really ruined an otherwise wonderful evening.” “Great food, bad service” “Don cuco is the best waiter!” “The service was great and the food was really tasty.” “Upon sitting down, the gracious staff serves up their best wine and you begin the meal.”
value	0.0% positive	“Price is quite expensive.”
wait time	0.0% positive	“Service is extremely slow.”

06/04/10

Skip this place. Poorly run, and overpriced for what it is.

by amandabenger

I have been to their sister restaurant in Santa Monica, which is very good, but this place isn't. Was shocked at what a bad experience it was. Save your money. There's lots of other restaurants in L.A.

Pros: Our waiter was very nice and on top of things. He seemed to keep the overall atmosphere upbeat, but he was the one shining star.

Cons:

No parking. Had to valet. Waited in the car as no one in sight. Apparently only one guy on duty. He did come running eventually.

Once inside, waited to be seated. No one approached. Then the hostess and the owner suddenly came over at the same time and didn't seem to know who was seating us. We were led into a larger room by the manager and waived to a table with a vague gesture, with us not knowing which table the she meant. No menus. Weird.

The lighting is terrible. It was about 8:30 pm on a Friday night but they had it lit up like it was mid-afternoon in Arizona. I have never been to a restaurant in the evening that was that bright. Planning on filming later? Several pieces of art were missing from the walls (screws and nails all over). Were they out for cleaning?! It looked half decorated. The largest light fixture, a chandelier, was caked with dust and cobwebs. Who's in charge of the ambiance?!

I ordered a glass of sangria. Terrible. Tasted like kids punch. The sangria at Prado on Larchmont is *much* better. Go there instead.

Ordered the beet, greens and goat cheese salad. Not good. Goat cheese was just a garnish, not enough to call it a goat cheese salad.

Ordered beef tacos, requested mild spice. Came back extremely bland. Asked when ordering if I could change the corn tortilla shells for flour. "Sure but I have to charge you extra". Come on. It's not like I just asked for corn bread or japatis or something. This is a Mexican restaurant, isn't it? The order arrived with corn.

My husband ordered a beef dish, medium spice. It came back very hot. He loves spicy food and has tabasco sauce for breakfast, but this was ridiculous for 'medium'.

Ordered a dessert to try and get some satisfaction. Another mistake. Bread pudding not good. They need to settle down on the cinnamon usage.

Ordered coffees. Tasted fine, but they were so mild we barely felt any caffeine. Wondered if it was switched for decaf somehow.

Bill came to $89 plus we added tip, so over $100. Total disappointment.

Pros: None
Cons: Food, ambiance, price, parking

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01/17/10

Shrimp in Cilantro Sauce = Culinary Bliss!

by AngelenoNative

I have been coming here since it first opened. I especially enjoy bringing friends or loved ones here on special occassions. It's impressive all-around; the ambience, the food, the service. I have tried almost everything on the menu, but being the creature of habit I am; I always order the same dish! I absolutely LOVE the Shrimp in Cilantro sauce. The sauce is like a light and creamy cilantro pesto with hints of garlic and onion, the flavors just melt in your mouth! It's out of this world and it is the sauce I highly recommend with any of their seafood selections. You have to try the empanadas for appetizers too! The service has improved tremendously over the last ten years. I personally consider this restaurant a historical landmark in Boyle Heights. It truly takes Mexican Nouvelle Cuisine to a higher level. I'm waiting for that cookbook! If you go to their website, you'll notice that it states one of their restaurants is in Downtown L.A.. It's NOT in downtown L.A., it's in Boyle Heights!

Pros: So Many Great Choices
Cons: Which Choice Do You Make?

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05/31/09

Breakfast

by Irma4415

Me and my brother went for breakfast last sun> at La Serenata at the pico blvd. Next to the Landmkark theaters. Oh my god we had the most incredible breakfast, and even the pancakes were better than i thought, i didn't expect pancakes this good at a mexiacan restraunt. But i asked the waitress the place was so empty and she said most of our costumers dont no that we offer breakfast. I highly recommend this place for breakfast, and dont forget the margaritas too.

Pros: Best breakfast in L.A.

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07/07/07

Finally! We've found what we were looking for...

by visa

If you're looking for quality Mexican, this is it. Rice so soft, it melts in your mouth, beans flavorful not fatty, sauces that are understated yet complex...simply delicious. In a world where restaurant mediocrity comes with a high price, this meal is worth every penny.

Pros: Food
Cons: ?

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05/10/07

Great Service, Good food!

by oprygirl

We just had a dinner at this restaurant for a party of 20 people. The service was great and the food was really tasty. Prices are reasonable. Order their seafood. They are known for it! The salmon was really good and so was their halibut. The guacamole is a must taste!

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Editor's Tips

06/04/10

Skip this place. Poorly run, and overpriced for what it is.

by amandabenger

01/17/10

Shrimp in Cilantro Sauce = Culinary Bliss!

by AngelenoNative

05/31/09

Breakfast

by Irma4415

07/07/07

Finally! We've found what we were looking for...

by visa

05/10/07

Great Service, Good food!

by oprygirl

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