When you combine two outstanding chefs from three diverse backgrounds and a trendy DTLA boutique hotel, you get The Marlou and the Burrow Bar & Kitchen. The two new restaurants from the same group that bought you Caffé Concerto, Concerto Bakery, and Seoul Salon Restaurant, welcome you to dine on brunch, dinner, tapas, and libations.
Celebrity Chef Marcos Spaziani, who Bravo fans will recognize from the current season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, gets his cooking influence from his Venezuelan and Italian heritage. L.A.- born and raised Chef Louis Huh attributes his cooking roots to his Korean background. Together, the two powerhouse chefs have curated enticing menus inspired by their cultures and infused with fresh ingredients and mouthwatering food.
The Marlou
With its sophisticated, rustic ambiance, and heavenly menu, The Marlou is the best kept hidden gem in DTLA. The dining area includes a combination of high-top and low tables, comfy chairs, a fireplace wall, and a piano for playing, which The Marlou highly encourages!
Diners can choose from a delightful brunch or an elevated dinner. For all you brunchers, The Marlou may become your new favorite spot, with favorites like French Toast, Fried Chicken & Waffles, and the ML Smash Burger to name a few. And you mustn’t forget the ice-cold Bottomless Mimosas! For those seeking a later meal, the elevated dinner is the perfect intimate setting for dining and conversation. Guest favorites include the Kimchi Seafood Paella, Gnocchi Bone Marrow, Tuna Tartare, Rib Eye Steak, and my personal favorites the Octopus and Ceviche Tostada. Dessert is a must, and The Marlou’s Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding is the stuff that dreams are made of.
The Marlou is a culinary success, and although open for only a few short months, the owners are preparing to open new locations, in Koreatown, and Las Vegas. My stomach and I can’t wait to check them out! $25+; Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 10:00 pm (Closed 2 – 4:00 pm), Friday – Saturday, 9:00 am – 12:00 am (Closed 2 – 4:00 pm), and Sunday, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm (Closed 3 – 4:00 pm); O Hotel – 819 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90017; 213.784.3048
The Burrow Bar & Kitchen
Nestled beneath the O Hotel, you’ll find The Burrow Bar & Kitchen, a cozy, laid-back bar offering craft cocktails, a curated selection of beer and wine, and delicious fusion tapas. Decorated in dark wooden furniture, brick walls, a vintage chandelier, and sexy hanging light fixtures, The Burrow Bar & Kitchen is a whole vibe.
But how is the food? Menu highlights include several of the same dishes from The Marlou, like the Octopus and Ceviche Tostada, in addition to the Cheese & Charcuterie, K-Pop Chicken, Mini Arepas, Kobe Beef Slider, and the delicious Tacos a la Borracha. The friendly bartenders and craft cocktails are the other stars of the Burrow Bar & Kitchen. Relax with cocktails like the Gold Rush (Lemon, Honey Syrup, and Bourbon), or the First Kiss (Lemon-lime, St Germaine, Aperol, and Vodka).
With its tasty food, “Craftmanship in every cocktail, and laid-back ‘hole in the wall’ vibe,” The Burrow Bar & Kitchen is the perfect spot for a date, girls’ night, or letting off steam after work. $16+; Tuesday – Thursday, 5:00 pm – 12:00 am and Friday – Saturday, 5:00 pm – 2:00 am; O Hotel (underground) – 821 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90017; 213.598.6206
