March is the perfect time for DineLA Restaurant Week, especially this year when we all need something positive to look forward to right now. While dining is still restricted to outdoors only, there are hundreds of restaurants across the greater Los Angeles area offering great prix fixe deals for lunch ($15 to $35 for two- or three-course meals) and dinner ($25 to $65) depending on the restaurant. Plus, most are still offering takeout and delivery.
We encourage supporting all of our local businesses and neighborhood restaurants, especially small independently owned ones, so we still have them when we get off this hamster wheel of pandemic life. It’s a great way to explore the scene both within blocks of 1133 Hope and all the way from Boyle Heights to the South Bay. Use the DineLA website to search by cuisine, price point, and neighborhood — look for Downtown, Arts District, Historic Core or Little Tokyo for DTLA finds. Here are eight spots to get you started. DineLA runs from March 1-14.
Pikuniko
Kuniko Yagi’s fried chicken spot has reopened at Row DTLA, and for DineLA that means fried chicken sandwiches for lunch ($15), and family-style buckets — filled with tenders, slaw, fries and more — for dinner ($35). DineLA is available for dine-in at one of the Row’s public tables, and takeout and delivery; add on anything from the regular menu, like beer, wine, and tea.
Rossoblu
The fabulous and very spread out patio at the Fashion District restaurant has resumed business, just in time for perfect weather and DineLA. The three-course menu ($55) is available for dine-in dinner only, Wednesday through Saturday, with your choice of dishes like spring vegetable salad with egg yolk and shaved parmesan; warm osso buco terrine; and roasted duck with braised red cabbage. Wines, beer, and, of course, fabulous cocktails are available a la carte. Find full menus and table reservations here.
Manuela
The patio at this Arts District spot seems to have gotten more gorgeous after a few months of shutdown. Full of plants, art from the Hauser & Wirth gallery, and lots of fresh air, it’s the perfect spot for lunch or dinner. Choices from the DineLA menu include black bean chilaquiles, wood-grilled Jidori chicken with grits, and grilled salmon with wheat berry salad for lunch ($30); and smoked albacore dip with Carolina Gold rice crackers, blistered snap peas with black quinoa, and Peads & Barnett pork chops with charred spring onions for dinner ($55). All meals come with those housemade biscuits, plus dessert; cocktails and drinks are a la carte. Dine on the patio or order for takeout or delivery here.
Sarita’s Papuseria
One of the best old-school stands at Grand Central Market, Sarita’s has a bangin’ $15 lunch deal that includes house specialties like stuffed papusas and more. Dine-in at one of the open-air tables at the market or order for home.
Cafe Gratitude
Start with something “enchanting” (warm broccolini and edamame), and then get “blessed” (butternut squash Bolognese) or “humble” (Indian curry bowl) at the Arts District vegan spot. Two-course lunch deal is $20; the three-course dinner is $35 and comes with dessert. The menus are available for dine-in, takeout and delivery.
KazuNori
Consider the all-day menu ($20) at the hand-roll spot a jumping off point — because you might want to ordermore. The DineLA menu includes salmon sashimi, and hand rolls with toro, crab, and sea bream. If ordered for delivery or takeout, you’ll get cut rolls instead of the hand-held version. Available for sidewalk dining and delivery. Get more info here.
Rappahannock Oyster Bar
The lunch menu ($35) at the Row DTLA spot means making the hard decision between a burger, fried chicken sandwich, or grilled chicken club, plus crispy Brussels sprouts, chowder, or truffle fries. Things are a bit fancier for dinner, where things like freshly shucked oysters, shrimp cocktail, bay scallops with burnt yuzu, shrimp and grits, and lobster rolls hit the three-course menu ($55). Dessert comes with either menu, and both are available for dining in on the outdoor patio, or takeout and delivery. Get more info here.
Hatch Yakitori
Courses include things like miso corn soup, avocado toast with wild-caught tuna, and skewers with chicken meatballs and pork belly. For dinner, there’s also karaage chicken. Add cocktails like twists on the classic highball, and things like a yuzu sour to your order. The menus are available for lunch and dinner both for dine-in on the open-air patio at The Bloc, and takeout and delivery.