Lilly’s French Cafe and Bar

A true gem of Downtown LA, The Gorbals is hidden in the back of the Alexandria Hotel at 5th and Spring Street. An easily overlooked flag bearing the restaurant’s name hangs over the Down and Out bar. Hard to find, but worth the search.

At first glance, the menu may scare you. With regular items such as Pig Head and Octopus & Gizzard, one might be tempted to run for something more familiar like a chicken mcnugget. But be a little bold and you’ll be rewarded with great atmosphere and dazzled tastebuds.

The restaurant is intimately lit with tea candles scattered around. Chalkboards on the walls highlight cocktail specials. The space has small tables, a large table and benches for bigger parties, and stools for seating at the bar and also kitchen bar. If you’re the gregarious type, take a seat at one of the bars. The bartenders are some of the nicest I’ve ever met. And they take care of you. The kitchen bar lets you converse with the chef who are more than willing to tell you what they’re cooking. You may even get a free sample or two. It’s a really great setup; unique and fun.

The food has a sense of humor to it. I mean, bacon wrapped matzoh balls? Insane! The menu changes nightly. There are staples like crispy broccoli, potato latkes, and cucumber salad, but the chefs are continually adding new flavors for patrons to try. The pig head is delicious! I had a white wine poached octopus linguini the other day that was so good. Their rib eye is on the rare side (which is how it should be IMO) and is among the best cuts of meat I’ve ever eaten. Most flavors are definitely acquired tastes, such as the chicken liver mousse, crispy chicken feet, and Welsh rarebit. But come in, be brave, and try new flavors. You’re likely to find something you will love that you never thought you could love.

Each Tuesday (open ended for now) features a 4 course tasting menu for $30. A lot of flavor options for a good price. You can pair it with wine for $10 more.

Speaking of the bar, the drink selection is a bit limited. They’ve got a few red wines and white wines. And only four beer choices, all local. But they’re good! Happy hour is Monday – Friday 5pm – 7pm. Half price beer and wine.

I have to mention how great the sticky toffee pudding is for dessert. Simply delicious. Like a soft, creamy Almond Roca.

The Gorbals is a very unique offering in Los Angeles’s diverse culinary landscape. It’s hard to find since it doesn’t sit curbside, but more people are discovering it everyday as word spreads. Enjoy without a line while you still can.

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