Water Grill

213-891-0900

544 S Grand Los Angeles, CA 90071

www.watergrill.com

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Come visit the Water Grill in Los Angeles today!

Categories:

Restaurants, New American Restaurants, Seafood Restaurants

Details:

$$$$, Bar Scene, Business Dining, Date Spot, Dine At The Bar, Fine Dining, Group Dining, Local Favorite, Notable Chef, Notable Wine List, Online Reservations, Prix Fixe Menu, Quiet, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Theater District Dining, Open 7 Days

Insiders:

Annelise C. Joy H. Bill R. LaVeta R. Michael L.
102871p1
V-losca-55042056_id47673_guide_inclusion
5870145
Kid Friendly: yes 0 no 0
Bookmark and Share See hours

Mon-Tue 11:30am-8:30pm Wed-Fri 11:30am-9:30pm Sat 5pm-9:30pm Sun 4:30pm-8:30pm

Message from Water Grill

Merchant_icon

At the Water Grill in Los Angeles offers delicious seafood perfect for lunch or dinner. This LA seafood restaurant is the ultimate example of fine dining in Los Angeles. Hailed as 'the best seafood in Southern California' by Zagat, Water Grill has consistently offered dazzling fish preparations of superior quality and freshness. Executive Chef David LeFevre changes the menu daily, and starters may include Organic Soy and Wasabi Marinated Big Eye Tuna with Yuzu, Hijiki and Ton Buri; Striped Bass Ceviche with Mint, Pineapple, Candied Black Beans, Butternut Squash and Achiote Oil. Water Grill's entrees may include a Slow Poached Columbia River Sturgeon with Roasted and Pureed Red Beets, Warmed Spinach and Horseradish-Celery Sauce; and a Sumac-Coated Australian Barramundi with Lingguica and Grilled Monterey Calamari. Please call the Water Grill today for reservations.

Editorial by

The Scene
Warm deco stylings inspire the gleaming luxe raw bar, with intimate booths tucked on one side and a lively, airy dining room on the other accented with auburn wood, marble columns, white tablecloths, cushioned chairs and booths. Theatergoers, investment bankers and downtown-based tourists comprise the lively crowd.

The Food
Top quality seafood is presented masterfully with subtle French, Asian and Californian touches. Shellfish purists revel in a variety of nightly oyster specials, ranging from Kumamotos to Chedabuctos, and the classic "fruits of the sea" platter, which boasts superb array of chilled and cracked delights. Silky rich clam chowder is punctuated with tiny rounds of new potatoes and applewood-smoked bacon. Wild Columbia River sturgeon is slow poached, its tender flesh and flavor offset perfectly by earthy beets, fresh horseradish and celery. Queen Charlotte king salmon evokes meadows and forests of the great northwest nestled into lush sun choke puree with fresh peas, edamame and lobster mushrooms.

Key Points

  • Extensive wine list
  • Fresh raw bar
  • Menu changes daily

The Inside Scoop

  1. The Extras - When making reservations let them know if it's a birthday or anniversary, and they will print a personalized commemorative evening's menu to take home.
  2. Look Good - The maitre d' can hook up diners with a free shuttle to the Music Center and Disney Hall--and the kitchen will time your dinner accordingly.
  3. Where to Sit - The bar is an ideal place to sample regional oysters, share appetizers, or order off the dinner menu. It's also good for walk-ins.

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Latest reviews from Citysearch.

Ratings_icons "Good Food, Bad Service"

Kristi789

At Water Grill, the food was excellent. The salmon is to die for and so is the restaurant atmosphere. However, our waiter was extremely rude and gave us the worst service that I have ever experienced. In conclusion, I would highly recommend this restaurant for its delectible cuisine, but I would be cautious as to who would be your waiter.

Posted 04/08/03

Ratings_icons One of America's Best

coferblack

I have dined at the Water Grill five times. The restaurant demonstrates it's greatness through it's consistency. The staff is professional and well informed on food and wine issues. The kitchen is outstanding. We've learned that the Chef's tasting menu is the best way to go. This is the restaurant you take friends or business associates when you really want to look good. My hat is off!

Pros: Service, Food, Pre Theater Dining

Cons: Getting to Downtown

Posted 03/16/03

Ratings_icons MY MY!!! Aren't we self important

specsafety

If you like overpaying for bland food, snobby atmosphere and poor service----then you have found the right place. I ate here with a friend and found out the hard way what an utter waste of time this place is----ALL HYPE

Posted 12/13/02

Ratings_icons Best seafood

myeung62

If you like to indulge yourself, you've gotta visit this restaurant. Not only do they have the absolute best clam chowder in town. The scallops are to die for. Very courteous staffs. Definitely worth the money.

Posted 11/19/02

Ratings_icons Great Oysters

tphenix

If you want good oysters in LA, you've got to visit this place. Granted - it's not Paris, but it will satisfy you cravings.

Posted 09/20/02

Ratings_icons Nothing's Fishy About This Seafood Haven

jennsara

Candy of the sea is one way to describe the delicacies at this downtown favorite. With impeccable service, fanciful art nouveau decor and the most memorable menu in memory, this delightful haven is consistently one of L.A.'s best. If you have the means, and enjoy aquatic delights, the Water Grill is a must eat.

Pros: amazing

Cons: expensive

Posted 08/25/02

Ratings_icons Wonderful experience!

kp

The Water Grill is absolutely the best seafood restaurant in LA. I was surprised that soup could cost $12/bowl until I tasted the most amazingly creamy and flavorful clam chowder ever (and I have tried versions all over New England). Chilled heirloom tomato soup with Maine lobster is also great. Soft shell crabs are perfectly prepared and beautifully served. Tuna tartare has amazing textural contrasts but the spice was overwhelming. Pan-seared halibut on a bed of mashed Yukon Gold potatoes with chanterelles, fava beans and foie-gras emulsion melted with flavor. Wild salmon prepared medium-rare was opaque but suprisingly flaky and tasted fantastic on a bed of pureed salsify with bacon and fresh sweet peas. The desert menu is unrelenting as well with at least ten incredible options. Chocolate brioche pudding with pistachio crusted vanilla ice cream was heavenly. The servers were friendly, attentive, unobtrusive and highly knowledgeable about each dish.

Pros: Best Clam Chowder, Brilliant Menu, Perfect seafood

Posted 08/14/02

Ratings_icons Cant Go Wrong

guru35

Everything was great. I went with a large group and everyone was amazed by the quality of the food. It is probably my firms favorite restaurant and we make a trip there on a regular basis. The desserts are also a must. But watch out for the price. OUCH

Posted 07/29/02

Ratings_icons Catch this

jessicakitty16

Oh my god! This is the most wonderful meal I have ever eaten. I wish I could afford this every day.

Pros: incredible seafood

Posted 07/29/02

Ratings_icons Truly Exceptional

mws

Pricey but the best bass I've ever had. Service attentive and helpful.

Posted 07/23/02

Ratings_icons best seafood

piyobird

truly an LA fine dining experience! u will have to try the 7 course tasters menu, and they have the best oyster i've ever had :)

Posted 07/02/02

Ratings_icons Treat yourself!

battlecat

I can't stand ritzy places where the service acts like they are a higher life form then their customers!!! Not at the Water Grill. This restaurant is a tight run ship to ensure you have a memorable dining experience. I don't like cooked fish and would never order it...but after having a bite of their Rhode Island Bass. Absolutely amazing! Perfect balance of ambience, service and cuisine. You'll understand why this place excels in everything when you receive the check. It's on the pricey side, but if you want to treat yourself & a loved one...this is the place to go!

Posted 06/26/02

Ratings_icons Discover downtown dining

youngblood58

A lot of people in L.A. think only of West LA, Hollywood or Beverly Hills for fine dining, but downtown LA is a hidden gem. There are a lot of great high-end restaurants in the downtown area, and the Water Grill is one of the best. The "scene" is more subdued than Hollywood -- people who go out are more concerned with a great dining experience than with being seen. I am not a big seafood fan and I found the food amazing (I have Creole shrimp in a hot gumbo sauce). The meals are exquisite and the service is excellent. You must experience this place if you love seafood of the highest order.

Pros: Great Food, Fine Ambience, Excellent Service

Cons: Downtown locale

Posted 05/27/02

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