THE GORBALS

How excited are you that I'm doing another restaurant review? Ok... Anyway, here is a review of The Gorbals. This is a restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles that belongs to chef/owner Ilan Hall. You may remember him as the Top Chef season 2 winner.

The Gorbals is located in the historic Alexandria Hotel. This makes for a slight creepy vibe as you approach the entrance in the lobby. Might I also add that the lobby is quite reminiscent of the lobby in the movie "The Shining". As you walk into the lobby, there is a piano playing on auto pilot and elevators that look like blood is about to pour out of them. Moving on...

As you enter Gorbals, you wonder if they spent any money what so ever on the look of the place. The floors are bare with the adhesive still on them from the previous floor that once covered it. The bar is made of stainless steel. The center communal table is carved from one single tree and the bar stool are giant wood blocks. May I also mention the the lighting is about as good as a dimly lit candle in a wind storm?

Anyway, lets get onto the food. When asked about the concept of the food, I was given this answer: "The Gorbals is Jewish food date raped by bacon". Seeing as my last name is Shapiro (super duper Jewish), you might think I would have been offended. Au contraire, I was extremely intrigued.

I started off with their hit dish... Bacon wrapped matzoh balls with a horseradish mayonaise. For some reason these baby matzoh balls wrapped in bacon are one of the tastiest things you could ever eat. This dish is the epitome of Jewish food being date raped by bacon and I loved it! The menu changes daily, so there are always surprises. They also have a chalk board with specials on it. This can also include some interesting culinary treats. I went on a Saturday when they had a special called "pork belly buns". This comprised of braised pork belly, sliced, then fried. The fried slices of pork belly then get put on sweet hawaiian rolls with mayo and pickled onions. There is nothing regarding jew date rape about this dish, but it is damn good.

Gorbals is a restaurant that you love to eat at cause everyone working there is having as much fun as you are. It is a casual atmosphere that serves food that shouldn't work, but it does in the most shocking way. The menu here is ever changing, so you can be sure to have a new culinary face slap every time you go. They even play jokes on you. For instance: One night they had a specials menu that said "free Disaronno on the rocks"... The funny part of that is they don't even have disaronno at the bar. The chef de cuisine that night on the menu was Robert Pattison, most known as Edward Cullen in the Twilight movies. These guys are obviously having a good time.

Gorbals is one of those restaurants that you really shouldn't like due to the lack of professionalism they have towards running a restaurant. However, you fall in love because you find yourself having a great time and leaving more than satisfied. Gorbals has become one of my "go to" restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles.

Recommended dishes, fun facts and tips:

Dishes - Bacon Wrapped matzoh balls, pork belly buns, crispy broccoli, highland steak, sticky toffee pudding.

Fun facts - open until 2am Thurs-Sat

Tips - They do not take reservations, so choose your dining times wisely. You may also eat at the bar. Note: be sure to look at the chalk board for their daily specials.


The Gorbals
501 S Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 488-3408

ANIMAL

I decided to open up this blog with one of my favorite restaurants anywhere, Animal. Animal is the kind of place you go when you want no frills, no sommelier, no ass kissing and food with flavor that will punch you in the face.

Let me begin by describing the overall aesthetic of the restaurant... The store front is black with no sign anywhere to be seen. As you walk in you will notice the bare bulbs, white walls with no art and burnt wood tables. This place will not be trying to get the panties off the girl you're taking here for a first date.

The owners/chefs of this restaurant, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, cook food that will make you crave it like you are 8 months preggers. They are just a couple of dudes that make food they love to eat and if you like it too, great.

I must warn you that the food here can get to be on the heavy side and most everything includes some kind of meat, mostly of the pig variety. That being said, I'd suggest you don't bring your headband wearing vegan friend.

The menu here changes daily. I love this because every time I go, there is something new and interesting to eat. They do keep the most popular crowd favorites on the menu to prevent being tarred and feathered. Let me go into detail about these favorites: BBQ Pork Belly Sandwiches are maybe as addicting as crack(so I've heard). They take baby brick sized pieces of pork belly and braise them for 12 hours, throw some homemade bbq sauce on them with crunchy slaw, finishing it by throwing it all between buttery brioche buns. The result of this is a melt in your mouth bbq sando that makes you want about 35 more before you leave. Another crowd fav is the Fois Gras and Biscuit. This dish is comprised of a large piece of fois gras that is scored and seared on both sides just until it gets to be deliciously brown and crispy. The fois gras is then placed on top of a sweet homemade cornbread biscuit and is topped off with a dirty maple sausage gravy that ties every ingredient together.

In conclusion, Animal is a restaurant that speaks only with its food. It is a place where you can go and feel comfortable knowing that you won't be judged cause everyone is there for the same reason that you are. Kick back, have some wine, enjoy yourself and most importantly... Shut up and eat!


Recommended dishes, fun facts and tips:

Dishes - BBQ Pork Belly Sandwiches, Fois Gras and Biscuit, Pig Ear, Poutine, Flat Iron Steak

Fun Fact - Animal is open until 2am on Friday and Saturday

Tips - Make reservations a couple days in advance or you can sit at first come first serve bar that seats 6ppl.

Animal Restaurant
435 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 782-9225

Sit tight...

Reviews will be coming in as soon as we get our ass in gear.