Eclectic Kim Review: Manuela

Dinner at Manuela was a mouthwatering take on California cuisine in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles, California

If there’s one thing I absolutely love, it’s going off of my friend’s recommendations for places to enjoy. In this case, I overheard Manuela mentioned in passing, through another conversation. As I have keen ears for opportunities that I might find delight in, I quickly took note and asked my friend Ted if he’d visited with his wife. He said that they’d loved it – which knowing his high standards, was a glowing endorsement.

So when it was time to reserve a spot for dinner with Erik, it was only natural that I make reservations at Manuela in Downtown Los Angeles.

When I arrived, the STRAWBERRY PAPER PLANE (Whisky, Select apertivo, amaro, lemon, strawberry) was the first thing that I ordered.

That’s one thing about Los Angeles restaurants – they know – as a collective, how to craft a well balanced cocktail.

The LAUGHING BIRD SHRIMP AGUACHILE (cucumber, avocado, radish, serrano-lime, benne seeds) simply felt like summer in my mouth. The flavors were crisp, fresh and delicious.

The BARBECUED OYSTERS (charred poblano butter, lime, breadcrumbs, parmesan) were also outstanding.

Next up were the CREAM BISCUITS (Col. Newsom’s aged country ham, Steen’s butter).

Now, if there’s one thing about me – it’s that I absolutely love prosciutto. It read on the menu that it would be a slab of Canadian style ham.

But what arrived in front of us was elevated excellence. Which was delicious, melt in my mouth delicious.

The DIVER SCALLOPS (brown butter-bacon vinaigrette, mustard greens) were savory perfection.

I ordered a HOUSE NEGRONI (Sipsmith London dry gin, Forthave aperitivo, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, rocks) to enjoy with our main course of PEADS & BARNETT PORK CHOP (spring onion, guindilla butter) and BUTTERBALL POTATOES (crème fraiche, pickled onion, shishito, horseradish).

All of it was absolutely outstanding.