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Rivera Restaurant

(Now Closed)

Latin American Restaurant, Lounge, and Art Gallery$$$$

South Park, Los Angeles

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Rivera Restaurant

The experts at Bon Appetit Magazine and Los Angeles Times recommend this place

65 Tips and reviews

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LA WeeklyAugust 4, 2014
They serve two soups in one bowl, layered in a one shotglass; as you drain the glass the hot chile soup turns cold and creamy in your mouth, adding three-dimensionality to the contrast of the flavors. Read more
Doug de WetAugust 17, 2014
Happy Hour M-F from 5 to 7. Selected food, including their fabulous short rib tamalli, and the tortillas pressed with flowers served with avocado butter, are a steal at only $5 - drinks $4-$7.
Los Angeles TimesJune 6, 2013
Chef John Sedlar treats his tortillas, with flowers pressed into them as if into a scrapbook, as seriously as he does his sweetbreads with huacatay or his snails with Jabugo ham. Read more
Los Angeles TimesAugust 3, 2014
John Sedlar's cooking is delicious, and Julian Cox's Mexican-influenced cocktails are mysterious, smoky and deep. Read more
Bon Appetit MagazineMarch 22, 2011
At this downtown elegant hot-spot, chef John Rivera Sedlar curates Latin flavors as much as cooks them. There's an audio tour and dishes like duck confit with rioja sauce and cascabel chiles. Read more
SuperbJuly 19, 2013
The Banana-Wrapped Pork Shoulder is a house favorite that is amazingly moist and great for those who prefer more substantive portions.
Los AngelesOctober 17, 2013
One of the showstoppers is raw hamachi topped with sea urchin that’s kissed by a splash of mezcal—it’s the only time that liquid smoke is ever fashionable.
Los Angeles TimesJuly 14, 2010
You must start with an order of the tortillas florales: four little corn tortillas, handmade and still warm, tucked under a napkin. Each tortilla has a sprig of herb or a flower pressed into it. Read more
Tasting TableAugust 8, 2012
You must order the tortillas florales, which are made daily by a native of Oaxaca and impressed with herbs or edible flowers: Read more
Los AngelesAugust 15, 2013
Don't miss the Barbacoa, made with mezcal, chipotle, jalapeno and ginger syrup with a smoky beef jerky garnish.
DAN COXDecember 1, 2011
John Sedlar is one of LA's most celebrated and acclaimed chefs. Close your eyes and take a bite, and you'll understand why. Perfection.
J.d. MareshAugust 22, 2014
Barbacoa cocktail is exactly the right mix of sweet sour and spicy. Try the carts!
Lauren F Van DartSeptember 1, 2014
Nice restaurant, good food, it's all about the presentation . Very interesting.
LogoTVMarch 15, 2011
“Contemporary eatery downtown. Three dining rooms with three different menus! Amazing, unique drinks and incredible food.” – Korbin, Pretty Hurts
veronica lOctober 6, 2009
the blood sugar sex magic is delicious! if you like a little spicier, go for the barbacoa (bottom of menu) or just make someone else at the table order it. a sip or two was plenty enough for me.
kevin griffithMarch 15, 2010
Been here 10+ times
Best Cocktails in Downtown, hands Down! The staff is very knowlegable of its high end collection of alcohols and prides itself on quality, very unique Drink selection, chill setting Read more
Julien EdwardsMay 14, 2013
The dessert with chocolate, banana and blue cheese is far better than it sounds. Worth trying at least once
Cameron GawleyNovember 4, 2011
Get the head bartender Eric to make you an amazing Old Fashioned followed with a Chet Baker ... #amazing #bestbarLA
Vanessa TilakaJanuary 12, 2011
Barbacoa cocktail. snail app from sangre. mussels app & ribeye from conexiones. Olive oil cake dessert all musts because they're AMAZING!
Bush AklehOctober 3, 2011
A great fine dining restaurant, focus on Spanish cuisine, not just Mexico and not burritos and tacos but simply amazing food.
BravoJanuary 27, 2010
Chef Sedlar returns with a vengeance after a fifteen year hiatus. The Latin Fusion screams out sexy! Make sure to request the tequila made on-premises. -Alex Eusebio, Top Chef
Robert RoweSeptember 7, 2010
...taste the corn tortillas, which have real edible flowers pressed into them - amazing - served with Indian Butter (creamy avocado butter).
LA WeeklyNovember 5, 2014
Named Best Tequila Program in our 2014 Best of LA issue! Read more
Karl HobartFebruary 28, 2011
Their desserts are exceptional, especially the chocolate ancho chile cake and the bread pudding in prickly pear sauce!
Hillary FlorstedtSeptember 2, 2012
Xochimiloco... Unusually delicious dessert.. Just do it.. You'll thank me later
LA Home & StyleMarch 9, 2013
Liana loves the modern latin cuisine here, especially the desserts.
Peter FSeptember 2, 2012
Amazing! Mofongo, tortillas, wine list, mescal. A must visit in LA!!
Ian BlackburnSeptember 21, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Start with tortillas and Indian butter and then some jambon ... The rest takes care of itself
KristinaNovember 22, 2013
Nice surprise near the Convention Center. Vegetarian options available.
Robert VallejosJanuary 1, 2010
Standout dishes: handmade tortilla's with pressed flowers, 'two soups' shots, ceviche, short rib tamales, Tasmanian trout, and the banana leaf pork shoulder.
Rachel RobinsonApril 25, 2011
Cocktails are outstanding. Food is incredible. Sometimes they "write" on your plate with spices.
DRAZDecember 11, 2014
The cocktails are mediocre at best but the food is incredible especially the tamales dish!
Jean MarieSeptember 3, 2014
Great for sophisticated Latin food from all parts of Latin America.
Bryan AckermannAugust 17, 2014
The sea bass and ANY of the drinks!
KatrinaJanuary 27, 2015
Decent food but amazing cocktails!!
The FeastJune 6, 2011
The blood-red Sangre room with a wall of tequila bottles that literally allows customers to drink the architecture.
Todd SeligmanOctober 4, 2011
The Barbacoa cocktail is absolutely amazing! Get it with Mescal for the smokey flavor. Read more
Ted LinNovember 13, 2011
Barbacoa.. The only thing to order... Actually.. The mojito with jalapeño is a distinct touch.
Stephane BombetJanuary 12, 2011
Try the "Barbacoa" cocktail by mixologist Julian Cox...made with beef jerky...really special
Jeff SJanuary 30, 2012
There are 3 distinct rooms and menus, ask them before being seated.
Mucho Comida™October 1, 2012
You're in one of the best DTLA restaurants. Enjoy.
Mulholland BooksMarch 25, 2013
"A Nueva Mexicana restaurant downtown that was supposed to be the bomb" —from Guilt by Degrees by Marcia Clark
Jake SimmsJuly 17, 2011
Go bespoke when you order a drink. Always fun to see what they can cone up with on the fly.
Amanda NatividadOctober 8, 2010
If you're going here on a weekend, you should make your reservation two weeks in advance.
Carolina MirandaMay 12, 2011
Get the tortillas with edible flowers and guacamole. Best thing on the menu.
Adam MasonMay 11, 2014
Great mixologists working the bar.
Chris HSeptember 4, 2014
Mediocre food, better cocktail program, bizarre practice of up selling / getting really pushy w appetizers.
Pamela SaundersNovember 13, 2009
$5 parking downtown - awesome! And the pork in the banana leaves was to die for :) Read more
MADWINOJuly 9, 2012
Check out some of their Portuguese wines
LA WeeklyMarch 23, 2011
Featured in LA Weekly's "L.A.'s Best Cocktails: Our 55 favorites and where to find them." (Click 'More Info') Read more

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