Colori Kitchen Gets Westways Writeup
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —
Colori Kitchen gets a very favorable write-up in the March/April 2008 issue of Westways magazine, the print publication of the Automobile Club of Southern California. The piece looks at "Bargain Bites" -- spots where two can eat for under $25.
Past a fairly grim-looking doorway in this transitional block (over here, rehabbed $750,000 lofts; over there, a shabby residence hotel) is a charming room with old brick walls, wooden tables, and an open kitchen where co-owner/chef Luigi Barducci Contessi (formerly of Ca'Brea) turns out delicious Italian classics at bare-bones prices ... The crowd is a wonderful downtown mix: fire captains and lawyers sitting next to loft-dwelling screenwriters and fashion-district hipsters.
Perhaps publicity like this can eventually push the eatery into some weekday dinner hours. Currently they're open for lunch Monday through Friday, dinner Thursday through Saturday. Colori is located at 429 W. Eighth street.
Urban Bruin on February 25, 2008, at 04:49PM – #1
Love this place!
Luigi and Co., are the best. They're a great example of what a well run family restaurant can achieve in downtown.
Naturallawyer on February 25, 2008, at 09:25PM – #2
I second that UB. Nothing like a hostess that introduces herself by name and says "Let me see your face...You're new here!" and follows it with free dessert.
Rich Alossi on February 26, 2008, at 11:01AM – #3
Everyone loves Colori. That's the problem. They need to either raise prices or expand, because all four times I've gone service has been so rushed as to be considered poor.
But that food is awesome!
Dennis Smith on February 26, 2008, at 11:44AM – #4
This might be unsubstantiated gossip but I heard from a knowledgeable regular on Saturday night that the folks at Colori may have their eyes on the larger restaurant space across 8th Street that still bears the old neon sign, fortuitously entitled as the "Italian Kitchen".
Fred Camino on February 26, 2008, at 06:08PM – #5
"They need to either raise prices"
I don't mean to be rude Rich, but please shut up with that kind of talk!!!! ;)
I love Colori more than anything else in Downtown.
Rich Alossi on February 27, 2008, at 02:21PM – #6
I know it's a hard pill to swallow, Fred. But even the owner lady (I don't remember her name) said that she needs to raise prices because it was so busy.
I'd hate to see the service suffer. Like I said, another alternative is to expand!
Nic Cha Kim on March 03, 2008, at 03:43PM – #7
I checked out Colori last Friday b/c my gf read about it in Westways and wanted to check it out. I was surprised AND a bit upset at myself for not knowing about this place sooner. It was crazy busy and obviously not that big a secret.
Food - excellent!
Service - ehh... but it was real busy, they were really nice, and it was totally forgiveable.
Price - amazes me as much as the food... I thought I was ripping them off, but the bill was right.
I totally recommend this place, except that's me waiting in line behind you, and I resent you for making me wait.
maria on March 10, 2008, at 10:51PM – #8
I and many of my friends were extremely loyal patrons of Colori - and we loved everything about it...until their new "floor manager" arrived. It is now a different restaurant...still great food, still great prices....but not as friendlyand charming at all. In fact - he's quite obnoxious and aggressive...and although we miss Colori very much, it is too uncomfortable with Joe as the "floor manager".
Sean P. on March 11, 2008, at 07:03PM – #9
Maria -
I totally agree...I miss colori too...but i do not like the new staff and manager. also...it is now run like a corporation...not like the charming restaurant i once went to almost everyday. so sad.