Now that downtown LA is in the throes of reinvention, check out Le Grand on Grand. Brothers Alex & Chris Manos, Executive Chef & Chef de Cuisine respectively are serving up the very best ingredients in a perfectly Mediterranean inspired menu.
There are certainly moments when working your way through this menu, you’ll see a nod to their childhood, growing up in Greece. The rest is a mixture of curated ingredients, thoughtful use of proteins and inspired flavors that stem from deeply rooted family cooking.
Do yourself a favor and kick off with the Black Garlic Tzatziki, it’s the flavor you’ll recognize with a kick you’re not expecting. Same goes for the Smoked Ricotta, familiar, but elevated. It goes great with the Greek Oregano Pita.
The Branzino Ceviche is incredibly fresh and clearly leaning towards something out of the ordinary, it’s not the gastropub ceviche you’re used to. Trust me. Don’t even think about skipping the Burrata served completely enveloped in thin slices of peaches. It’s mere appearance at the table will have your eyes lit up.
If you’re interested in something you’ve never had before, try the Feta with Orange Blossom Honey ice cream. No, that was not a spelling error. Ice Cream for Appetizers? Bring it! The feta is rolled in black sesame seeds and comes served warm, it is truly an experience to taste these flavors together.
There’s also a beautiful Hamachi dish as well as an Octopus but bursting with unctuous delightfulness with notes of ras el hanout and capers. But save some room for the pasta. Though sounding simple, the Spaghetti is served “cacio e pepe” style and is delectable. Same goes for the saffron bisque flavored Lobster Bucatini. It’s a treat, yes, but honestly worth it.
For sharing, both the steak & fish options are offered. The steak is the best you can get, a 40-day dry-aged Strauss Farms cut of meat served sliced and ready to be devoured. Both the accompanying sauces are delicious, but not necessary with ever bite. If it’s something authentic, herbaceous and unctuous you’re looking for – go for the Sea Bream Plaki. Authentic in every way, the fish is served smoked and covered in herbs and lemon. It’s just what you’d envision eating while sailing through the Greek Islands.
If you have any room left, the Passion Fruit Pavlova is something special, it’s subtle and luscious at the same time. For the chocolate lover in you, the Chocolate Torte is also incredible and satisfies without being overly dense or sweet, which is indeed a hard thing to achieve.
707 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA
