Tasca

04/15/2008 Posted by svetkin

I called to check on availability at 4pm on Saturday, and was told that may be I will be able to be seated at 10pm after a show I went to see with 2 other couples. Well, at 10 there were no space available inside, however, outside on the patio there was one corner free, where the owner set up 3 tables together and seated us within 5 minutes. Our waiter was great, attentive and gave us a lot of recommendations, so is the bus boy, food was excellent, we are all into tapas style now. Ceviche was excellent, so are the buratta cheese salad, tuna tartar (we ordered extra later), shrimp dish; service was outstanding. We did not order any drinks from the bar, but all had Sangria with raspberries and oranges. For dessert, the owner treated us to 4 different desserts; all were great, especially chocolate mousse. We had a wonderful time, and would return sometime very soon.

Pros: Food, service, atmosphere

03/27/2008 Posted by floraland

We had a reservation, but still had to wait about 20 minutes. However, the manager came over several times to check on us and was extremely cordial. The bartender was fantastic - wines were amazing, our group of 5 waited patiently. It makes a huge difference when someone is at least checking on you. After being seated, the waiter took his time and was extremely informative. Having recently moved here from NYC, this is the best service at a "trendy" spot so far. Yes, it is loud due to room design and the natural acoustics, but it was perfect for friends getting together for a well prepared meal and great wine. The braised short rib, steak frites and duck confit were cooked perfectly. The person who recomended the wine was fantastic as well, selecting and describing the perfect bottle for a group of 5. I am still getting to know the LA restaurant scene, but this was one of the best experiences so far....

Pros: Food, wine

Cons: parking ( use the valet )

03/27/2008 Posted by koko71

there was definitely a wait before we were sat, but i can understand it because Tasca has been named one of the "LA's 75 Best Reastaurants" by Los Angeles Magazine and it was packed. i have to say that the food was amazing. the restaurant is beautiful. i'll try to remeber next time to request to be seated in the corner booth. We ordered the arancini, so delicious. the Steak Frites, which melted in your mouth and the very yummy braised short rib with butternut squash agnonlotis, the best short rib i've ever had. my server was amazing. very nice experience.

Pros: service, ambience

Cons: make reservations

03/22/2008 Posted by inezk

I ordered a bunch of small plates with a friend and the food was really terrible. They use way too much salt. I complained to the owner and he looked at me like I was crazy. Aside from the food, the ambiance is completely lacking. The lights are way too low and the noise is way too high. You can't even have a conversation because its so loud. I'm going somewhere else next time.

03/22/2008 Posted by loudesebb

Is it just me, or shouldn't a restaurant honor your reservation if you go through the trouble of making a reservation? I had a 9:00 reservation for a party of 2 and I had to wait 45 minutes before being seated. There was barely an apology and the owner/host was completely apathetic. I suppose I could have gone somewhere else, but no one told me it would take 45 minutes of just standing around before we were finally given a table.

Cons: the people that work there

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/22/2008 Posted by bcabulot

My wife and I just got back from dinner and I cannot believe how awful our experience at this restaurant was. We will never go back.

03/21/2008 Posted by bbblaw

My wife and I have been going to Tasca since it first opened. We've watched it develop from a secret little place, to the bustling, but intimate, place it is now. We used to laugh conspiratorially with the early customers (who always seemed to be regulars) about how we can't let the secret out about the fantastic food, service and setting, or we won't be able to just walk in and get a table, but how we couldn't help sharing this gem with our friends. I think a lot of people felt that way. Now the secret is out, and it's full most nights of people laughing and enjoying the food, wine and the company. The staff is excellent, and extremely attentive and friendly. While we can't just saunter in (unless we want to eat at the bar - which we often do) as easily as we once could (reservations are a good idea), we're always greeted with literally open arms. Every night we go there, we meet others who are met just as warmly and love the place as we do. We've introduced lots of friends to Tasca, and they've always reported back how attentive the staff is and how great the food. The food is fantastic, with a few of the tapas standards, but without falling victim to being all the same old tired tapas dishes. We have our favorites (the truffled potato chips are a must, the burrata cheese a great snack, and you can't leave without the braised short rib with butternut squash agnolotti), and we usually pick up one or two of the specials. If there's a foie gras offered as special, no matter how it's cooked, get it (if you're so inclined), the chef always does a great job with it. The wine list is not huge, but it's extremely well chosen, with a number of unique and wonderful wines - complete with a number of great servers that will lead you in the right direction depending on your tastes - and there are always special wines on the board. Honestly, for quality of food, great wine, great people and great atmosphere. There's no place we like more.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/21/2008 Posted by metacat

Tasca is by far my favorite tapas place in L.A. I've been going there since before they had a liquor license and have never left disappointed. The food is consistently fantastic. For two people, try the braised shortribs with butternut squash ravioli, the burrata cheese salad, the truffled potato chips, and one or two of the nightly specials. Their wine list offers a broad selection of choices, with my personal favorite being the Derose "Negrette", or the Linne Calodo "Problem Child" if you're feeling like splurging. All of the reds are decanted and served at the right temperature, which is a nice touch and somewhat of a rarity in L.A. The ambience is warm and friendly, making it a great date spot or fun for slightly larger groups, but do make a reservation, since it's a small place and very popular on weekends. Service has been flawless every time I've been there, and the staff are open and friendly about answering any questions about the menu, wine list, etc.

Pros: Wonderful food and service

Cons: Parking can be tough, so use the valet

03/21/2008 Posted by janjla

I'm really disappointed with my experience at Tasca. I thought it was much more expensive than it should have been. When you go there, you're paying high end but not getting a high end experience. I also wasn't really all that crazy about the menu. It was really limited and the food wasn't anything special. I wouldn't go there again.

Cons: Too expensive for what it is

03/20/2008 Posted by Guccichristopher

Better than A.O.C. Best tapas bar in L.A. Romantic atmosphere definitely one of my favorite wine bar wonderful food excellent service highly recommended . the owners Gustavo and Kristine are very friendly and very helpful, Tasca has the best wine list , the best small plates. Tasca is the best restaurant on 3st. must go and see it to belive it. most try tuna tartar , mussels, lamb chop, steak frets, rissoto, burrata chess salad.

Pros: thumbs up.