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
