9th and Main Turning into a Food Spot

More info on the food spot here

How can you forget Tiara Cafe, the best lunch spot in all of Downtown?

Abbalootely. This corner is really looking up.. and. like 4th and Main, it's three blocks from my place! I've been going to Angelique for some time now, and Wood Spoon looks great. Going to try the L'Angolo this week, and have yet to enjoy the veggie pleasures of Tiara, but I'm on a food kick these days, so it's on the short list. You'll see my review(s) on Yelp soon enough. BTW - having these concentrations of food places at each end of the Historic Core bodes real well for the long-troubled midsection of Downtown. With Blossom south of Winston and a hopefully new restaurant (and even a market?) at PE Lofts, Main is starting to get up off the floor now.

Yeah, not mentioning Tiarra Cafe was an oversight. I'd also point out there's a great Italian place hidden in the Fashion Building on the southside 9th between Los Angeles and Main. The Starbucks and El Pollo Loco a block down on Santee are also welcome.

The Woodspoon has been open very late in the evenings on weekends. The owner is very friendly. My neighbors have many good things to say about the place.

11th & Flower is now home to two major restaurants which serve the Staples Center crowd. The Palm and the new Liberty Grill. Not really my style, but they are more corporate crowd-pleaser places. The Liberty Grill also faces the street in a very inviting way.

I've had two meals at Wood Spoon and they were both tasty and enjoyable. I am thrilled to hear that they are serving dinner. Does anyone know their exact hours? That section of DT needs more dinner spots.

Support your local eatery!

I miss some good old-fashioned East Coast flair, like White Castle Burgers or a Nathan's Hotdog.

We must have these sooner or later.

Someone needs to tell these companies that the Downtown Renaissance is really happening, a strong movement for quality food and service.

They can build a landmark restaurant in a buzzing West Coast metropolis.

I'm tired of skimpy little Subway sandwiches. Bring in the big boys.

Ya, im SHOCKED that there isnt a In and Out, like the one they have in Glendale, or other local eateries in the core. it would be awesome if there was a street, lets say seventh, that had 1) in & Out 2) Zankou 3) Tommy's, 4) Pinks 5) Jody Maroni;s 6)FatBurger.

Not to be a spoil-sport... and places like the ones D mentioned are great - but to me they represent the bland homogenization of our country into one gigantic coast-to-coast strip mall. I can find most, or all, of those chain places, or variations on them, in any suburban mall or even urban "food court" or "entertainment center" place. Yeah, let's get those places, but in the redone 7+Fig or LA Live. Meanwhile, keep supporting this growing, eclectic, usually delicious and often reasonably priced group of indies down here. That to me is what "neighborhood flavor" is literally all about. Chain based places also can operate often as a loss-leader, at least for a while, and drive the indies out, then we are left with another corporate wasteland that looks like, say, anything from Ontario to Secaucus. Downtown is big enough for everyone, but let's think it over as a community and support the businesses that have really believed in us and truly depend on us.

Good Point Kenarch. I love the mom and pop and the neighborhood joints, because you are right, that is what makes a neighborhood. i just wanted to add a little LA Flair to downtown. all those places i mentioned are LA institutions. maybe 7th street isnt the place for them, in fact the more i think about, it definitley isnt, since thats going to be more of an upscale street, but i would love to see all those sprinkled around DT LA, along with many more local places. by the way, went to J Lounge on Sat. very very cool place.

Well, those Subway Sandwiches are bland and homogenous, but I am glad they're there. They meet a particular demand. In fact, I'd argue they create demand by making Downtown more accessible to the broader population.

I also like the idea of having Tommy's, In-N-Out or FatBurger in Downtown proper. (These may be chains, but they are locally-based and I would say non-bland.) You don't always want to sit down and eat at a restaurant. Sometimes, some people want to bring it with, or even woof it down on the spot.

The other big cities I've lived in or visited had the locals and the big chains, side-by-side. I think the vision is to have a Downtown that has whatever you're looking for. And I think that's what DTLA is moving toward.

You can say the same thing about Downtown attractions, like LA Live. Some say it's too touristy. I say, so what? The existence of LA Live doesn't preclude the existence of a restaurant row or an ethnic food district. The safe, "bland" or "touristy" attractions are designed to increase the volume of visitors. Then, while they're here, those visitors find this huge metropolitan city they didn't even know existed.

Recently, Tiara Cafe has opened its doors on Saturday and Sunday. I thought as a local resident, I'd do my best to reward their efforts. Since they've been open, I've picked up some take-out items. But, I'd never really had the opportunity for a sit-down meal. With their new hours, I figure I'd find out if they deserve my patronage.

As anyone who has walked past the place knows, the restaurant is very thoughtfully designed. All the various elements of putting together the place -- from the colors and fabrics and furniture and the cutlery -- all are completely coordinated. Nothing seems to have been left to chance. Every detail is conceived as part of the whole experience. And, it is a pleasing experience. Certainly plenty for the eye to enjoy.

My only quibble is with the volume of the music. It seemed too loud when I first entered. But, I noticed I quickly got used to it and it didn't interfere with conversation.

The hostess was gracious and welcoming. The waitress was another story. I've always liken going to a restaurant to theater. Everyone has a part to play. The experience is better when everyone knows their lines and enjoys their role. Of course, the circumstances of the moment vary, but only so much. In this case, the waitress knew her lines well, but clearly she was in too much of a hurry to get on with things. So there was no gracious banter. Obviously, she wasn't thinking that I was her potential meal-ticket. Impress me and I'll be back for the next decade with all my friends in town. Alas, she wasn't thinking this far ahead.

Regardless, I placed my order. My strategy with a new place is to gauge, "What should they be really good at?" I figure every place has its strengths, so why not play to them early in the relationship? The menu is filled with standard American fare with a dash of sophistication. Forsaking breakfast, I decide to go with the house lemonade and one of their grilled sandwiches.

As I waited for my order, I perused the sports pages (NHL playoffs are in full swing). I also discussed the waitress' table manners with the busboy. He conceded that my observations were correct. He, too, had noted this about her. Well, I thought, hopefully this young man will be the waiter here soon enough.

Soon enough, lunch is served and the food arrives. Again, the presentation is all part of the restaurant's design. What I was immediately struck by was how reasonably-sized the portions were. Unlike the now routine humoungous servings we've come to expect, everything is as if I had cooked it myself. The sandwich is on the right with a salad on the left. Both perfectly arranged on the plate.

I'm pleased to report, the food is excellent. Good cooking is initially about choices. The chef has chosen well. The greens are fresh. The bread is appropriate. The normal proportions make it clear, this is food which is to be enjoyed with pleasure, not consumed with efficiency. Everything is perfect. The dressing is just right and there is not too much (nor too little). The sandwich is cooked to perfection and none of the ingredients dominates. All is harmony. For a short time, the universe is in balance. My only quibble is with the lemonade. It is a little sophisticated for my palate. I prefer something a little more sweet and light. It is strong and heavy.

Regardless, I'm sold for at least a return visit. I briefly consider how to tip the waitress. In the end, I decide to be generous to see if that will catch her attention. I guess we'll see next time. I try to return the next day, but I'm too late. It turns out their closing at 3 p.m. is really about 2:15 p.m. Frankly, I can't blame them. The place was pretty dead when I was there. Hopefully, some of my neighbors will make this a thriving place like Angeliques but a block away. It is certainly a very worthy alternative. All of us should make a point to get here before the owner does the math and decides weekends are not profitable.

I like the Tiara Cafe myself and think they are helping to change the area. It is a bold move to open on the weekends. Last week I heard they were open on the weekends so I sent them an email to see if it was true. They never responded...that is probably why the place was empty. They need to be responsive and alert the locals about being opened. I will support this restaurant as I believe they are a class act. Now could someone from their marketing department get the word out?

Yes, I'd second that. Tiara Cafe's marketing efforts seem ineffective, to say the least. I can't say non-existent because I did see a banner on the restaurant announcing the change a couple of weeks ago. However, given that I live a block from the place, I've seen nothing reaching out to the local residents who should be their bread-and-butter. That said, getting people to walk their neighborhood is still tough. In that regard, I sympathize with local restaurateurs. The trick for these guys is getting people there. Once you experience the place and enjoy the food, people will return.

very pleased with the weekend hours. 2 weekends in row and so far so good. Quality and taste are great. Looking forward to trying lunch too. New Weekend hours are good for the hood too.

Tiara is fine and all, but I still don't consider it a downtown restaurant as it doesn't serve residents' needs.

They all open with a splash of publicity, but when I check a new spot out and it's not open weekends (Tiara) or they close the kitchen too early (Trifecta), or they give the lame "we'll open on weekends as the audience develops" line I cross them off my list. Then when they do extend their hours and no one shows up after being burnt a couple of times, they feel vindicated with their self-fulfilling prophecy.

Build it (and keep night and weekend hours) and downtown will come.

The reason Angelique and now Wood Spoon deserve residents' patronage is because they took the chance to open as a full-service, full-time restaurant keyed to residents as well as the daily influx of office workers and fashion district dolls.

Of course the service at Angelique has been HORRIBLE since Bruno sold...so it's off my list for the time being as well.

The best breakfast downtown right now is Banquette, while the spot that deservers locals attention for being open all the time is Redwood, the pirate bar. Great burgers! And Blossom is my idea of a great neighborhood spot: always open, great food and hospitable, friendly service.

As for Tiara, Fred Eric can go back to Silverlake. Nice food, but the unreasonable hours and irritatingly obtuse attitude about what downtown is all about means he won't get my business.

Tiara is now open on weekends.

While I support and appreciate WoodSpoon staying open for dinner, it seems pretty unreasonable to hold a grudge against restaurants in DT for not staying open late.

I'd rather have a restaurant stay in business than stay open late and fold after a few months because the market isn't there. The margins are so tight in the no-booze restaurant biz that I don't blame these places for taking it slow.

For example, look at a place like Colori Kitchen. Originally, they were open for dinner every night. Nobody showed up so they scaled back. Otherwise, they might have gone under. Now, they are open for dinner only on weekends.

Anyone who opens a restaurant in DTLA is taking a big risk, that risk is triple if they are opening a restaurant that doesn't contain bar. As long as the food is good, the service friendly, I support them, regardless of their hours.

Sure, Tiara is open on weekends. From 12-2, right? Sorry, but that doesn't count for me, but then again I've lived here for 10 years now, so I've earned my curmudgeonliness.

I went in to Tiara once at 11:40AM soon after I heard they were open on Saturday. They sat me down. I sat for a while. Finally, a waiter came over and said they didn't open till noon (or whatever it was). So why did they seat me, i asked? And why did I sit for ten minutes before anyone told me?

So OK, how about some coffee while I wait? No can do, he said. So I walked. I must admit, though, that the pizzetta thing with the egg cooked in the center is delicous.

And now that apparently they open at 9AM on Saturday, I will give Tiara another tr, though I still strongly contend they'd be in a better position had they opened weekends from day one when they got all the positive PR.

The fact is there are enough places in downtown that "get it" and are open regular hours and weekends that one can patronize them exclusively. And guess what? They're packed pretty much all day long.

Why Calori didn't take off right away is a mystery, though, I agree. For those who don't know it's at 8th and Olive-ish, the chef/owner is formerly of Ca'Brea. Prices are WAY under what this quality of cooking would pull elsewhere in L.A. or O.C.

No wine as of yet, but no corkage, either.

So go...and they're open on weekends. Which I think was my original point.

I also blame the media (hey, I'm a member, so I'm entitled) particularly the Downtown News, which is always behind on, well, downtown news! Oh sure, they do fine on development projects and many other stories, and I do read it regularly. But as far as new restaurants and under-the-radar bars, they're always way behind.

Unless the restaurant is on Bunker Hill and/or an advertiser, of course...

i've been burned by tiara a few times as well. i received their press release about their opening several months back. so i went to check it out - too bad they still weren't open. then once they actually opened, i went back. although it was 30 minutes to closing time, they said the kitchen was closed, so sorry, don't let the door hit you on your way out. so what's the probability i'll give them another shot when there are other downtown establishments that'll feed me on my schedule and not theirs?

KFRANC.... Tiarra just aanounced NEW weekend hours something like 8 to 3pm. it's been pretty darn good too and by the way it is a DT place.... the folks at the eastern have a new place to eat on the weekends. I agree they been spotty in the past but for now, it's working out well. LOVE COLORI

Wood Spoon, Colori and Tiarra are all in my neighborhood and I will support each of them. We are very fortunate to have three quality restaurants so close. I also like the new signage at Colori. That block on 8th between Hill and Olive is ripe for development. Does anyone know what that sign is on the side of 8th that says "Italian Kitchen"? BTW, Colori is open on Friday and Saturday nights only. Also, the Golden Gopher is open on Sunday nights as well. They really are not very busy on Sundays (8PM till 2AM) but I commend them for staying open for the locals. It is a great place to have a pint (Stella) on tap for $4.00. Happy hour is all night on Sundays.