Places You Should Eat: Warung Cafe
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Often I have something that I want to post about, but I hold off until I can go take a picture to go along with it. That's fine if it get the photo soon, but sometimes that causes me to wait too long and forget to write.
That's why Kathy and I ate Friday night at Warung Cafe and I'm just posting about it now. I feel like every time I walk by Warung it's nearly empty, but yet the times I've eaten there (both before and after renovation) I've thought it was great. The new menu is built around small plates, giving you plenty of chance to try a bit of this and a bit of that.
While everything we had was good, I'm actually going to comment on the edamame beans they bring you even before you order. The beans came salted and hot, and I think they serve as a California substitute for boiled peanuts. That probably only means anything to you if you're from the south, but it pleases me greatly.
Dennis on March 08, 2007, at 09:42AM – #1
Hmmm... I ate there once and found the food to be over cooked, over priced, and rather bland - it reminded me of TV dinners being turned onto a plate and served.
Have they changed owners? If so, I would try it again. If not, I'll pass - it was a very underwhelming experience.
Now Rocket Pizza - that's a different story. They seem to have really improved and the food is good. It's a nice place to hang out.
Coleman on March 08, 2007, at 10:52AM – #2
Eric, were you in there last Friday? If so, I think I might have seen you. I dropped in there by myself and had dinner (after 9:00pm), and thought the food was very good. They had a sashimi salad special with three kinds of tuna, salmon and thinly sliced jalepeno peppers that was sublime. And the mushroom miso soup was fantastic.
I really didn't think the prices were that bad. I had soup, three small plates (some of the more expensive ones on the menu) and iced tea for $26 with tip.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on March 08, 2007, at 11:16AM – #3
Dennis: I don't believe that ownership has changed, but I think the menu is mostly different from pre-renovation. Our experience with the food was exactly the opposite of yours.
Coleman: Yep, last Friday night. We got there around 8:30 or so and were sitting at the table right next to the door. I agree, I don't think the pricing is bad at all. I don't remember our exact bill, but it was right in the range of most other dinners we go out to.
Rico A on March 08, 2007, at 11:22AM – #4
Dennis,
I tried ordering from Rocket Pizza two nights ago and was told that they wouldn't deliver "that far out" when I told them that I lived at Mozaic/Union Station!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's only 4-5 blocks away, isn't it? I would've gone to pick it up, but the guy on the line seemed kind of rude.
Ted on March 08, 2007, at 12:00PM – #5
Rico: I think Rocket Pizza delivers by foot, and Mozaic would be a pretty long hike. They've always been nice to me, so try picking it up next time. The very hot "Meltdown" pizza is to die for.
danny on March 08, 2007, at 06:36PM – #6
I love warung as well. Plus I get a free appetizer each time I go there when I show my red butler card. It's a nice thing to have, here's a link to them where you can get lots of discounts in downtown, http://www.redbutler.com.
Cheers!
haven on March 09, 2007, at 11:53AM – #7
Warung has good atmosphere, and good food. It just needs more people. Why is Petes so popular, yet other good places dont get enough people? Also nearby- "First Cup Cafe" is excellent. Their food is great - they make all of their pastries fresh daily on-site, and they have great egg dishes for what has to be some of the best prices anywhere - ham and egg crepes, and eggs benedict for only $5.50! All of their dishes are less than $6.00, and they always have fresh flowers. I hope more people discover this place. Downtown so needs good breakfast places, and this place is excellent.
Kenarch on March 09, 2007, at 02:36PM – #8
Yes - First Cup Cafe is very good. I also like Angelique Cafe if at the soth end of the Main Street strip. I go to Blossom (Vietnamese) a couple times a week, for lunch or dinner. Pete's is fine - their salads are better than average, but it really is a glorified, gussied up Hamburger Hamlet sort of place... cool for a really late bite anda drink tho. Koraku on 2nd in LT is great for a late night inexpensive and light eat. Warung was very nice when I had lunch there a few weeks ago, but for some reason it seems very "hidden away". Rocket Pizza left me underwhelmed - perhaps because I didn't order the Meltdown. I'll try that one of these days.
Julie on March 11, 2007, at 02:02PM – #9
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the recommendation, Steve and I ate there last night and the food was great, and the service very, very good. I was always sort of hesitant because it always looked empty, but I have to say, I'm a fan now and will go back often.
MANIA! on October 01, 2007, at 05:21AM – #10
Regarding the question of new owners at Warung - Yes, it is new owners and they put all of the effort into the renovation, the complete revamping of the menu, the eclectic bar list, the attentive wait staff and it is quite a great departure from the original Warung, which was not that good. If you haven't been there lately, you should go - excellent small plates, great prices, cool vibe.