Restaurants near Eco Dive Center

I was a big fan of the DTLA restaurants Broken Spanish and BS Taqueria, and sorry we lost both of them. Now we have Broken Spanish Comedor, which is wonderful. Last night (5/5), they reprised the BS Taqueria menu, including the extraordinary rice & beans (reimagined). The refried lentils (an appetizer) are rich with cheese, and served with freshly made blue corn tortillas of the highest quality. We had the Caesar salad, which is both generous and delicious. I had the enchiladas for the first time, which were filled with chicken and covered in a green sauce and crema. For dessert, the tres leches cake (with a bonus caramel nodule inside) can't be beat. Now, if they can only bring back the churros with chocolate from BS Taqueria . . .

Maple Block smokes some of the best tri tip in SoCal, and portions are fair for the price. Pickled onion, dill pickle slices offer a solid complement. Their burger is fantastic for those who like a patty that has a strong smoked aroma. I like their salad options. Excellent seasoned fries and beers on tap are diverse and refreshing. It would be nice for Maple Block to add a zestier, more robust bbq sauce made inhouse. Good red wines by the glass, particularly from the Central Coast. I'd like to see more options from there as prices tend to be more reasonable than from Napa.

This is an amazing little dark hideaway of a spot that makes you feel like you’re hanging with the rat pack in 1967. The food was incredible. The service was amazing. We loved everything about it. I do have hearing problems and I was sort of amazed that, despite the level of noise, the crowd was making, I was able to hear my dinner partner just fine because we were seated at a small table, facing one another, and it was perfectly fine. I suspect the boots and the carpeting absorb enough of the noise that it worked for me if you’re looking for a super quiet place where you don’t hear anything and you talk and hushed voices to exchange sweet nothings, this ain’t the place. But if you want a rolling good time with fantastic food, you’ve found the spot.

Gjelina is a gem- period. From the wonderful humans that greet you (Philip) at the door, to the lovely humans that curate the dining experience (Barbara, Ektor, Lance, Andrew, Madeline and the list goes on)- there is no other place in Los Angeles (imo) that captures what a perfect restaurant should feel like. The food is always impeccable- honoring the simplicity of locally sourced bounty but always with a twist (snap peas, broccolini and Japanese sweet potatoes- I’m talking to you.) The pizza is comparable to some legends with perfect leoparding and just the right amount of chew to the crust- and the pork belly was to be repeated. Oh, and the black was light, and swimming in a glorious broth. I could go on and on (oops- already have). So… Yes, this is a love song to Gjelina- and all the people that make it so special. Bravi, bravissimi- you make it feel like home.

Fantastic food and amazing service. Sasha and his crew run a very tight ship. They are attentive and the food is consistently great. Breakfast and lunch are terrific but hands down the dinner experience is the absolute best. I’ve been here 100+ times and have never came away disappointed.