(323) 871-2666

1155 N Highland Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038 34.091881 -118.338609

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Neighborhoods: Hollywood, Central LA

AMMOCAFE.COM

Price:

$$$

Last updated 4.07.12

Category:

Restaurants, Catering

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Romantic Dining, Brunch, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Online Reservations, Date Spot

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

New American

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About AMMO

Featured Review

Mar Yvette

Contributor

You wouldn't know from the surrounding stretch of nondescript storefronts and post-production studios, but this Highland Avenue spot turns out some of the finest (and most refined) feasts in Los Angeles. Beyond the faded sign and enclosed sidewalk patio, the space--set with blonde wood tables, distressed leather chairs and shiny concrete floor--is simple, if not stark, yet calm even when it's full. Nearby industry types (of the blue jeans and polo shirt variety) file in for lunch, but as night falls, a steady stream of far-flung foodies, seasoned couples and a few yuppies here and there begins…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The Valserrano Rioja is fruity and full-bodied, reasonable at $8 a glass; house elixirs--Virtual Buddha peach and Depth Charge berry are the most popular--taste like grown-up fruit punch.
Know Before You Go:
The popular turkey meat loaf is only served for lunch and Monday nights at dinner. Vegetarians will find plenty to eat here, too.
The Extras:
In addition to the relatively small wine, cocktail and (mostly imported) beer list, non-alcoholic options like the organic coffee and mint tea--made with fresh hand-picked leaves--are served in a French press.
When to Go:
Weekend brunch--featuring gourmet twists on classics like duck confit omelets and French toast with caramelized apples and creme fraiche--is offered from 10am-3pm.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “elegant yet simple with lots of stylish wood and warmth and a cozy bar.”
  2. “Minimalist decor with maximum flavor, Ammo is one of Hollywood's best lunch options.”
  3. “GREAT FOOD, fun and pleasant atmosphere”
  4. “great food, excellent service, fantastic wine, cozy setting.”
  5. “The ambience was great, the service was attentive, the food was to die for and the wine list was interesting.”
  6. “My husband and I have been going to Ammo for the last few years whenever we feel like having a great meal in a nice atmosphere and we are prepared to pay a little extra for great service.”
dessert
81.25% positive
  1. “They've got some pretty interesting ice creams on their dessert menu.”
  2. “Everything from the amuse bouche to the deserts is creative, fresh and, best of all, delicious.”
  3. “We did not order desert because of came next ( behavior of the server)”
  4. “After such an amazing meal, we couldn't leave without dessert even though we had a show to get to.”
  5. “Normally, if I'm reviewing a place, I'll only order flourless chocolate cake because it's almost impossible to make well and I'm a sadist.”
  6. “Skip the middle-of-the-road, overpriced food and go straight for that wonderful cake.”
  7. “The desserts are really good too.”
  8. “Here, the cake was DIVINE.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “They have a great espresso machine in the back, I always try to have some sort of coffee drink at the end of the meal because what will come out seems very Italian, classic and simple.”
  2. “elegant yet simple with lots of stylish wood and warmth and a cozy bar.”
  3. “we started out with cocktails that were delicious.”
  4. “great food, excellent service, fantastic wine, cozy setting.”
  5. “always order a terrific bottle of wine which the helpful manager selects from their great wine list.”
  6. “great drinks (loved my whiskey sour)”
  7. “The coffee's good too.”
  8. “The drinks are great.”
  9. “This is a great place for unpretentious but elegant food, fine wine and excellent friendly service.”
  10. “ordered the wild bass braised in the wood oven with baby artichokes, teardrop tomatoes, cannellini beans, preserved lemon, Castelveltrano olives, white wine and fresh herbs.”
  11. “The coffee and cappuccino were very tasty and they also had a good selection of afterdinner wines and liqueurs.”
  12. “The ambience was great, the service was attentive, the food was to die for and the wine list was interesting.”
food quality
88.76999855041504% positive
  1. “Their food is delicious and unique.”
  2. “My husband and I have been going to Ammo for the last few years whenever we feel like having a great meal in a nice atmosphere and we are prepared to pay a little extra for great service.”
  3. “Though it can get pricey, the meals are consistently tasty and perfect for dining with picky, vegetarian companions.”
  4. “the place is not cheap, but definitely worth the money for such good food and such a nice time.”
  5. “This is my favorite restaurant in L.A. I eat here for the high quality of the food and the friendly, low-key atmostphere.”
  6. “Overpriced good food with a side of bad service”
  7. “After taking a look at the menu though, I realized that there were a ton of delicious sounding options.”
  8. “The Prosciutto San Daniel pizza was basically just a mound of arugula spread over flat bread and topped with prosciutto, with nothing tying it all together.”
  9. “was also very impressed with the flat bread that came to the table.”
  10. “For starters, we ordered the grilled octopus and what arrived was an impressive collection of string beans covering burnt, chewy baby octopus.”
  11. “Everything was absolutely delicious.”
  12. “You won't find some gussied up terrine of this or that - just a big fragrant bowl of brown rice with tofu and vegetables (tastier than it sounds), or some wonderful turkey meatloaf that is loads better than what mum used to serve (sorry mum).”
  13. “Everything from the amuse bouche to the deserts is creative, fresh and, best of all, delicious.”
  14. “bad food , horrible service”
  15. “After such an amazing meal, we couldn't leave without dessert even though we had a show to get to.”
  16. “You really get a stripped down minimalist vibe at Ammo - everything seems to qualify as fresh comfort food, there aren't too many fussy overthought items on the menu here.”
  17. “great look, bad food, poor service”
  18. “Skip the middle-of-the-road, overpriced food and go straight for that wonderful cake.”
  19. “It's yummy comfort food at its best!”
  20. “great food, excellent service, fantastic wine, cozy setting.”
  21. “The tomatoes were delicious and perfectly in-season.”
  22. “The chef, Julia Wolfson, is so creative; I always look forward to her new dishes, which she adds fairly regularly to the menu, so each visit holds a little surprise for the repeat diner.”
  23. “we had read a nice review by irene virbila in the times 2 weeks ago so we went with great expectations with dear friends who really enjoy the food scene”
  24. “found the staff quick and helpful at lunch, and the food was very tasty.”
  25. “They have a great espresso machine in the back, I always try to have some sort of coffee drink at the end of the meal because what will come out seems very Italian, classic and simple.”
  26. “ordered the wild bass braised in the wood oven with baby artichokes, teardrop tomatoes, cannellini beans, preserved lemon, Castelveltrano olives, white wine and fresh herbs.”
  27. “Savory meatloaf is practically "wet" with fresh tomato and herbs, and their "favorite brown rice", served with chicken or tofu, is also mixed up with asapagus tips, tomoatos, brocoli and other fresh fixin's.”
  28. “The burrata cheese served with the tomatoes was out of this world delicious.”
  29. “AMMO "Loaded with great food”
  30. “The food is very fresh and unadorned.”
  31. “The ambience was great, the service was attentive, the food was to die for and the wine list was interesting.”
  32. “we explained that we'd probably only get a glass each so she brought out a half bottle of chablis which was delicious.”
  33. “Fresh delicious food and great service”
  34. “loved the sauce on the halibut and my friend loved her sea trout with pea shoots and bacon.”
  35. “The food is fresh, the flavors distinct, the dishes creative without being pretentious.”
  36. “We also tried the crispy pork belly with beans, the risotto with peas and asparagus, and the salmon with beets and potatoes.”
  37. “we started out with cocktails that were delicious.”
  38. “would highly recommend AMMO - at least for lunch - to those who want a fantastic meal in an otherwise bleak LA culinary lunch landscape.”
  39. “have loved almost every dish I've tried, from the unusual pickle plate (always a little different each time I've had it) to the refreshing salads and the delicious, tender, succulent pork and lamb main or pasta courses which are so flavorful and satisfy”
  40. “We have been going here for over a year and the food is always consistantly great!”
  41. “My starter salad fit the climate: fresh and light.”
  42. “The food was generally good -- the pork chop with glazed fuji apples was nice, and the sauce was excellent, but the appetizer was charred and dissatisfying.”
  43. “The food is great.”
  44. “The coffee and cappuccino were very tasty and they also had a good selection of afterdinner wines and liqueurs.”
  45. “Add to that ,the water glass that never got refilled--I'm sorry, it might be a pet peeve of mine but it is as sure an indication of customer service as any when you have a water glass that stays bone dry for a good portion of your meal.”
  46. “This is a great place for unpretentious but elegant food, fine wine and excellent friendly service.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “They've got some pretty interesting ice creams on their dessert menu.”
  2. “You really get a stripped down minimalist vibe at Ammo - everything seems to qualify as fresh comfort food, there aren't too many fussy overthought items on the menu here.”
  3. “Minimalist decor with maximum flavor, Ammo is one of Hollywood's best lunch options.”
  4. “Our waiter was not only very knowledgable about the menu but made great suggestions as well.”
  5. “After taking a look at the menu though, I realized that there were a ton of delicious sounding options.”
  6. “The chef, Julia Wolfson, is so creative; I always look forward to her new dishes, which she adds fairly regularly to the menu, so each visit holds a little surprise for the repeat diner.”
  7. “The coffee and cappuccino were very tasty and they also had a good selection of afterdinner wines and liqueurs.”
  8. “tried the pickle plate, which ended up being an incredible variety of unique pickled vegetables, from carrots to cauliflower!”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a great place for unpretentious but elegant food, fine wine and excellent friendly service.”
  2. “It's just a great place to eat.”
  3. “This is my favorite restaurant in L.A. I eat here for the high quality of the food and the friendly, low-key atmostphere.”
service
69.0500020980835% positive
  1. “When we asked to be moved the wait person was rude about it and service was terrible throughout the remainder of the evening.”
  2. “Service: actually the server was quite nasty with us ( young short haired brunette)”
  3. “bad food , horrible service”
  4. “always order a terrific bottle of wine which the helpful manager selects from their great wine list.”
  5. “Fresh ingredients, friendly staff, great music!”
  6. “It was a horrible experience ( except for the general manager who is a very nice man)”
  7. “The ambience was great, the service was attentive, the food was to die for and the wine list was interesting.”
  8. “found the staff quick and helpful at lunch, and the food was very tasty.”
  9. “tastless and owner is rude and incosiderate!”
  10. “My husband and I have been going to Ammo for the last few years whenever we feel like having a great meal in a nice atmosphere and we are prepared to pay a little extra for great service.”
  11. “great food, excellent service, fantastic wine, cozy setting.”
  12. “Great service.”
  13. “Our waiter was not only very knowledgable about the menu but made great suggestions as well.”
  14. “nice service.”
  15. “great service.”
  16. “The staff is friendly and efficient.”
  17. “The waiters are always friendly, and once you've been there a few times, they greet you by name, which I really appreciate.”
  18. “This is my favorite restaurant in L.A. I eat here for the high quality of the food and the friendly, low-key atmostphere.”
  19. “The staff was all very friendly and unpretentious.”
  20. “The last two times we've eaten there, however, we received terrible service.”
  21. “Their staff is friendly and polite.”
  22. “This is a great place for unpretentious but elegant food, fine wine and excellent friendly service.”
  23. “breakfast item $11); service was good though a bit lagging.”
  24. “Add to that ,the water glass that never got refilled--I'm sorry, it might be a pet peeve of mine but it is as sure an indication of customer service as any when you have a water glass that stays bone dry for a good portion of your meal.”
  25. “Overpriced good food with a side of bad service”
  26. “great look, bad food, poor service”
  27. “We did not order desert because of came next ( behavior of the server)”
  28. “Fresh delicious food and great service”
value
90.0% positive
  1. “Though it can get pricey, the meals are consistently tasty and perfect for dining with picky, vegetarian companions.”
  2. “For the price, I would recommend a different restaurant, because this one is definitely not worth it.”
  3. “the place is not cheap, but definitely worth the money for such good food and such a nice time.”
  4. “wonderful turkey meatloaf (not dense, generous slice)”
  5. “Skip the middle-of-the-road, overpriced food and go straight for that wonderful cake.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “Great spot for a quick and healthy lunch.”
  2. “found the staff quick and helpful at lunch, and the food was very tasty.”
2 Star Rating: Below Average

01/15/10

Overpriced good food with a side of bad service

by theminty

- great drinks (loved my whiskey sour)

- wonderful turkey meatloaf (not dense, generous slice)

- plenty of street parking (valet available)

- a little overpriced (ex: $24 Jidori chicken)

- inattentive service (server never followed up with us, didn't ask if we wanted more drinks, didn't recommend any dishes nor advise not to get an entree when it came with a salad and diner ordered a salad to start)

I would not go back.

  • Pros: turkey meatloaf, veggie lasagna, great drinks
  • Cons: inattentive service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/26/09

Fresh delicious food and great service

by maddylocks

This is normally a lunchtime spot for me, but I came here for dinner the other night and was really impressed. I tried the pickle plate, which ended up being an incredible variety of unique pickled vegetables, from carrots to cauliflower! We also tried the crispy pork belly with beans, the risotto with peas and asparagus, and the salmon with beets and potatoes. All very simple but fantastic.

The desserts are really good too. They've got some pretty interesting ice creams on their dessert menu. I tried a scoop of the watermelon and white chocolate sorbet. Sounds weird, but it's great!

I guess I always assumed lunch and dinner here would be the same... but I didn't realize the dinner was so much better! I'll definitely be back.

  • Pros: great menu, friendly service
  • Cons: What are the drawbacks?
2 Star Rating: Below Average

03/22/09

Mediocre at Best

by PsAndQs

I had lunch here yesterday and was bored to death by it. I had a ham & cheese panini with a salad that was overwhelmed by radicchio. The panini was cold and the cheese wasn't melted. It was edible, but I could have gotten the same thing anywhere for half the price.

  • Pros: cloth napkins
  • Cons: boring, uninspired cuisine
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/25/09

My favorite L.A. restaurant

by greenoaks

This is my favorite restaurant in L.A. I eat here for the high quality of the food and the friendly, low-key atmostphere. The food is fresh, the flavors distinct, the dishes creative without being pretentious. I have loved almost every dish I've tried, from the unusual pickle plate (always a little different each time I've had it) to the refreshing salads and the delicious, tender, succulent pork and lamb main or pasta courses which are so flavorful and satisfying. I frequently order one of the fish entrees and have always been happy with them. I always order a terrific bottle of wine which the helpful manager selects from their great wine list. The waiters are always friendly, and once you've been there a few times, they greet you by name, which I really appreciate. Although I am from one of the 'burbs, I make a point of coming to Ammo at least once a month. The chef, Julia Wolfson, is so creative; I always look forward to her new dishes, which she adds fairly regularly to the menu, so each visit holds a little surprise for the repeat diner.

  • Pros: Consistently exceptional food, friendly, low-key atmosphere
  • Cons: None
3 Star Rating: Average

02/19/09

Gone Downhill

by TastyLikes

Definitely gone downhill. I'd heard so, but just got to experience it first-hand. Food is now kind of average. My partner's fish was barely edible.

Service has dipped below average: our waitress had a particularly sullen predisposition and either hid in the kitchen, or sat at the bar, leaving the busboy to respond to whatever requests we had during the course of the meal. Appeared only to open the bottles of wine.

All in all, Ammo has become just an average eatery in LA, albeit somewhat overpriced. It was pretty empty, so I suppose, we were not the only ones who have noticed the downward slide.

  • Pros: I still kind of like the ambience.
  • Cons: But the food and particularly the service, spoil it.

The Details on AMMO

Place Categories:

  • great comfort food
  • great friendly service
  • terrible poor service
  • friendly staff
  • absolutely delicious everything
  • fantastic meal
  • great look
  • flat bread
  • divine flourless chocolate cake
  • full staters
  • flavorful pasta courses
  • great place
  • delicious tomatoes
  • great drinks
  • delicious lunch options
  • wonderful turkey meatloaf
  • light climate
  • always order terrific bottle
  • recommend different restaurant
  • delicious main
  • rude owner
  • very tasty coffee
  • overpriced food
  • creative dish
  • great music

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