Fantastic Food 24/7: The Standard, Downtown LA's Restaurant Serves Up The Best
There are certain destinations in Los Angeles that we just have to hit again and again. One of our favorite “musts” is The Standard, Downtown LA. With their panoramic rooftop view of the city (which plays host to some of the best pool parties in town) and its uber-chic decor, the hotel is a favorite place to stay for both artists and tourists when they come to the City of Angels. What a lot of people don’t know, however, is that the hotel also boasts one of the best kept secrets in the city - their restaurant. They wanted to let us in on it and invited us down to sample some special selections from their Valentine’s Day menu and discover for ourselves just what their restaurant is truly all about.
Much like the environment of The Standard, we found the food to be equally playful and the menu adopted a sinfully sensual vibe. Couples were invited to experience three specially prepared courses from the hotel’s renowned Chef, Yuji Iwasa, who worked closely with Amy Layman, the Director of Food and Beverages to come up with a complete romantic experience that was designed to be shared and savored.
The first course, or “foreplay” as they dubbed it, featured a sumptuous aphrodisiac of seafood cocktails. Kumamoto Oysters and Santa Barbara Uni Shooters were the perfect way to start such an evening and certainly got our senses heightened.
The lights were suitably dimmed for the evening, which gave the normally bright yellow decor a warm and inviting atmosphere. Some excellent musical selections soundtracked the night and we were treated to a nice blend of both downtempo (think Nightmares On Wax) and retro selections (hello there, Duran Duran).
The main course for the evening, or as it was dubbed “Shag,” was a heaping helping of Lobster Thermidor, which was served “not-so-missionary style” with Wild Mushrooms, Yuzu Citrus and a Foie Gras Hollandaise sauce which allowed the lobster bites to literally melt in your mouth. Or for those that craved a little more meat, they could select the Snake River Farms Tomahawk Rib Chop, which came with potatoes, truffles which were drizzled in a fifteen year old balsamic sauce.
The meal came with a couple of glasses of champagne which only added to the “foodgasm” we were experiencing. This was chalked-up tremendously by the “climax” portion of our meal when the Multi-Choc O’s came out. A true chocolate lover’s feast, this beautiful and intoxicating creation featured multiple layers of rich chocolate, mousse and cream with chocolate ice cream, shaved dark chocolate strips and a drizzle of chocolate sauce topping things off.
While the dessert was certainly a sin all unto itself, after dinner we closed the night with lust on our minds while swaying by the pool to some sultry selections by the resident DJ. With crazy decor in a class by itself and a city-scape view that’s unparalleled, it’s easy to see why so many people continue to come back to The Standard, Downtown LA.
Being bold is a running theme here, but we love that they aren’t afraid to take chances with their food creations either. They constantly give the guest the unexpected, from the seemingly traditional dishes found on their menu. Everything is always seasonally relevant and, when possible, sustainable too.
While Valentine’s Day is a special occasion, when you dine at The Standard, Downtown LA, any day can feel just as magical. It’s a fun culinary experience that’s accessible to everyone while always maintaining a strong level of playful sophistication. The fact that you can get great eats 24/7 just means the secret is officially out.
Surf: The Standard, Downtown LA
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