Redbird Reviews

4.5

47 of 9,994 Restaurants in Los Angeles


Reviews

Tasty!

By hwyllie2016 |

I was fortunate enough to be a guest at a dinner party here, it was very good and the service was impeccable.

Total Perfection

By Herdlinger |

This was my first visit and it won’t be my last. The interior is amazing. The service was wonderful. And every bite was delicious! The portion sizes are very large. The menu suggests sharing but we ignored that suggestion. The result was my guests having a lot of food to take home with them. They were both local And I was staying at the Bonaventure. My pictures really do not do Redbird justice.

Swank and congenial

By UnrepentantFoodie |

Had an excellent dinner here last week. Our first time. Three of us ordered six plates to share with a great bottle of Italian white wine and luxuriated in the comfortable ambience of a truly great room. Which makes you realize how few truly great rooms you're in. The kind that, the minute you walk in you're in the only place in the world you can imagine being. The pictures others have already posted tell the story well. And it just gets better when you're visiting in November from a place two states north of California and you look up and realize: damn, the roof is open! And finally, there's the food. This is American food, but not just American food--Californicated American food. It's clever and hip without celebrity attitude. The menu's a mix of classics like chicken pot pie and chicken-fried sweetbreads (our favorite dish) liberally dosed with a little ethnic influences like the jerk seasoned lamb belly with sweet potatoes. So grateful to my L.A. friends for recommending Redbird!

Good food, very good service, disproportionate cost for both.

By Luke A |

Saturday night catch up dinner with an old friend. After having made reservations weeks prior, the hostess attempted to seat us in the "lobby" area. A simple polite request moved us to the main room. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu options, gave a few guiding suggestions, and was cheerfully professional without ever being annoyingly cheerful. What we ordered... Starters: Hamachi $18 - perfect, highly recommend Burrata with Asian pear $18 - SUPER salty, big miss Avocado salad $18 - pleasant, not life changing Not really sure how the salads could possibly be the same price as the hamachi. Main courses: (these are not huge plates) Scallops $35 - 4 small well cooked. Texture was right, otherwise bland. Cost to value MASSIVE miss. Gnocchi with rabbit $32 - very good. Duck $38 - cooked perfectly. Recommend. One round of specialty cocktails for 3 One round of dirty vodka martinis for 2. HARD PASS on the dirty martinis. After initially believing they mistakenly made them with gin, there was some discussion about the reason for the non standard taste. Swearing there was no gin or even dry vermouth in them, we were sold a line about the olives they use. We weren't really on board, but drank and paid for them regardless. After everything was said and done we ended up dropping $100 each, which would be fine if everything was perfect, but it wasn't.

Food was superb

By alicemurphy123 |

The food was fantastic, had brunch here, I ordered Avacado toast with french coffee ,both were excellent. Sitting arrangement was good.

Wonderful meal!

By Jane G |

Our family of six adults dined here and had a great experience. The restaurant is beautiful, and the food and service superb. Our entrees of salmon and halibut were perfectly cooked. Highly recommend this place!

Redbird Rocks!

By DepatruresFriend |

Redbird has OUTSTANDING service. I love any place with complementary bread - Redbird is no exception. They aren't the type to swindle you. They are really there to make sure you get a full and satisfying meal with endless bread.The main course was excellent. I got the Grilled pork belly and I was blown away by the rich flavor and delightful texture. It left a pleasant aftertaste and service along with it was once again, outstanding. You can tell when a chef knows what he's doing, loves what he's doing, and the chefs behind RedBird have proven to me they know how to cook a grilled pork belly. I've had plenty in my lifetime and few have left me so satisfied. I will be back. I would recommend RedBird to anyone looking for a place to get food in the LA area!

One of the Best Restaurants in LA

By Samantha C |

Came here for DineLA last year. The menu had a wide range of different selections. I had the ribeye tip which tasted amazing.

Food fit for the Gods

By The Global Explorer |

Redbird is superb. It grabs your attention from the second your arrive. Being located in a converted church, it provides a beautiful and unique dining experience. The service is friendly and attentive. The quality of the food is standout. It is so unusual to find a restaurant that hits the spot on providing both an interesting venue, great service and superb food. Redbird is that place. It is seriously good. We will be back!

This is for the Mother’s Day pre-fixe menu (2023)

By Shanelle |

Came here for Mother’s Day dinner and they had a pre-fixe menu. Made the reservation ahead online and only the courtyard (an indoor space with open air roofing) or the main room (indoor space). The Vibiana outdoor is not available for general reservations. Valet parking or you can try your luck with metered street parking. It is good for big groups. For the appetizer portion, the tuna tataki was fresh and was bigger than I was expecting. The lobster chawanmushi was a bit too salty, but the pork belly was good. For the entrees, the diver scallops were also on the saltier side; I liked the ribeye cap better. The bacon wrapped saddle of rabbit was tender and had good flavor. For our dessert, the chocolate tres leches was my preferred choice, as it came with a pretzel ice cream and had a moist, chocolate center. The yuzu custard looked interesting and is a lighter option. Service was friendly and the som was very knowledgeable. Overall, it’s a good spot to bring the parents or have a business meal.

Excellent Atmosphere and Well Made Drinks!

By NeoNorth |

We go here often. The food is excellent and drinks are even better. If in the LA area and looking for a place with natural lighting, a lively crowd, and well made drinks then I would say stop by. The bar is stocked with a nice variety to choose from and bartenders are properly trained. Cheers!

TA rating doesn’t stand up

By Bellauno |

The building atrium that Redbird nests in is beautiful. We arrived on one of the coldest nights LA has experienced - it snowed on the beaches and valleys earlier in the day- and even so the room with it’s canvass roof, was comfortable temperature wise. However, the center tables are large and not intimate and the acoustics were unbearable. Our two top table was large and the restaurant was so loud that we could not hear each other speaking at normal sound levels. Thankfully, the restaurant does not play loud pounding music like so many of the current “in” eateries do nowadays. We LOVED the surprise “Amuse booze” which was delicious, refreshing and definitely got our tastebuds humming. The service is a bit obtrusive, but if you like “personal servant service” it was spot on. We are wine buffs and enthusiastic eaters and the menus were interesting. However, on the wines by the glass list, the reasonably priced wines were avant-garde and obscure. Sadly, the three wines we sampled were just average. As for the wine producers we recognized, they were $40 or higher for a glass. The food is very adventurous and we throughly enjoyed the Hamachi Crudo and Avocado Salad. I tried the Goat Gemelli which I thought was VERY SPICY (although my husband didn’t). My husband ordered the Liberty Farms Duck which we both agreed was spectacular. We enjoyed our evening but are perplexed at its high ratings.

Best date night

By Shaila A |

We walked over from Omni where we had booked a room for the night. We were going to LA Phil after dinner. All walking distance. I ordered the duck and was so happy with the food. My husband had a fish entree. We also had the burrata and pear and shallots salad. The drinks were the highlight. They were doing a Silk Road themed month. My husband had the Great Gama which came in an appropriate steel tumbler with a marigold tucked on the side. We talked to the mixologist after and he had seen the documentary on Gama Pehelvan. Now where do you find that in LA! I had the most beautiful cocktail in an etched glass. The presentation was amazing and must say, the staff very attentive and accommodating. Our dessert was a custard of yuzo and cucumber. It was ethereal. Perfection!

Extremely Disappointing & Left Hungry

By DHHMD |

I'd been to Redbird several times before, and the previous experiences were mostly positive, but last night's dinner was extremely disappointing. To start, I should say that the decor and service are excellent. But it is very loud, so if you come here, be prepared to shout to be heard by the person across the table from you. This is an expensive restaurant, so I expect the cuisine to be very high caliber if I'm going to pay that much $ and drive all the way to Downton LA through terrible traffic. The food last night was barely what I'd even consider mediocre. I started with the hamachi crudo. When it arrived, I was first startled by the extremely stingy amount of actual food/fish that was on the tiny plate. It was much more of an extremely sour and spicy ceviche than a crudo. The incongruous combination of sourness, spiciness, and fruitiness was way too much, and I couldn't even tell what kind of fish I was eating, as the inherent flavor of the fish was totally obscured. I am not a fan of this "kitchen sink" style of cuisine, in which the chef combines multiple, unusual, and disparate flavors and ingredients to be different. My second dish was the duck, which also was shockingly miniscule, esp for the high price. There were about 5 or 6 very tiny cubes of duck, which were very thickly coated with a grainy and slightly mushy layer of multiple spices, which made for an unpleasant combination of textures. There were some fresh, crisp, and tasty vegetables on the side which were good and well prepared. But again, as with the first dish, the chef unsuccessfully threw together multiple ingredients/textures/flavors which just didn't mesh well together. And I have to say again that it was a very, very stingy portion of seemingly good quality duck breast, that could barely be considered an appetizer, let alone an entree sized dish. Also, if you are lactose intolerant, you may want to skip going to Redbird, as dairy ingredients are present in most of the dishes, so you'll have very few options without asking for significant omissions or modifications. If you happen to be in DTLA to see a show, the philharmonic, or a museum, and you're a big risk taker and really like to gamble, then "roll the dice" and make a reservation at Redbird, but be prepared to have to go for ramen or pho afterwards.

Really a nice place!!

By Tiffany Yang |

Come here for dinner alone, the wine before meal is really nice, especially for those who cannot drink much :)

Great Food, Slightly Slow Service

By jehenson81 |

My coworker and I went to Redbird after a successfully multi-day work event. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation, but were immediately taken to our table, right in the middle of the dining room. We were given water and then waited what seemed like ages for our server. Considering the restaurant wasn’t very busy at this point, we were both surprised. When the server came to our table, she took our drink order and explained a few things about the menu. We were actually all ready to order and got an appetizer to share and two very different entrees. We were given an order of complimentary cheese bread, which was a nice surprise, then it took ages for our appetizer, the Parker House rolls, to arrive. When they did finally come, the server apologized and we were given an additional dish, the snap peas, as a mea culpa (they did also take the rolls off our ticket). The rolls were delish as was the date butter, but we only ate half of them to save room four our entrees. The peas were not really to our taste, but it was a bonus item and we enjoyed tasting another dish. For our meal, my coworker got the tofu with fried wild rice. She really liked the marinaded and sauced tofu, but she found the rice a bit too crispy for her taste. I had the garganelli with wild boar sugo and it was superb. It was rich and creamy with a bit of heat. While the food was very good, the service needed a little work, especially as they did get busier, our server almost seemed more attentive and present. Also, they were unable to do two separate checks, so instead, we had to calculate it and tell her how much to charge to each card. I’m not sure why their system is unable to ring up two separate checks. All the same, even with the service snags, highly recommend the food and the setting was beautiful.

Excellent restaurant

By Burgerbunz |

We went there for a business dinner and everything was just excellent. I had the gemelli as an appetizer and it was delicious. I then had the scallops which were also great and cooked to perfection but they had cinnamon in them (i dont like it in dishes) and this is why i'm giving a 4/5 grade. Otherwise it would have been a 5/5. I would not hesitate to go back again.

Great food - terrible service

By TravelGalBT |

As always the food was wonderful at Redbird - it was so good that our notoriously pick friend ordered seconds of some of the pastries. The pastries are excellent as are the pancakes and waffles, served with delicious jams and creams. The burger was cooked just as ordered and the bun was warm and flavorful. The fried chicken sandwich (with pimento cheese) was delicious as were the Spanish scramble and the Fried Egg Sandwich (egg cooked properly). The best items outside of the pastries were the PeeWee potatoes, savory and salty. DELICIOUS. The only fly in the ointment was service. They were apparently training a new server assistant (filled water glasses and took plates) and he filled up our water every single time someone took a drink. That was super irritating and finally we just pushed our waters aside. Nice kid but whoever was monitoring him should have made it clear that he shouldn't keep interrupting us. Server was the opposite end of the spectrum. Her visits were few and far between - - I had to keep lifting out of my seat and trying to catch her eye. It took forever to get anything from her. The people sitting beside us lapped us (seated before us, ate their meal, paid and left) while we were eating. I'm not sure if she had too many tables or if she just wasn't a very good server. Disappointing because the food and atmosphere were so good. We will definitely be back but will definitely make sure we have a different server.

Exceptional in every way!

By 323PAULH |

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been back to Redbird and this place has managed to retain its exceptional service, ambiance and food. Unlike so many restaurants where the food and service are excellent but I’ll forget the environment soon after, the space at Redbird is very unique, inviting and memorable.

Downtown Find

By Chetzi |

Food and service were exceptional. The menu ranges from bites to monstrous meat plates for from two to four people. We had only bites and small plates. We had sweetbreads, lamb bellies, burrata, and foie gras. Each was unique and better than the last. For dessert we had Mexican Chocolate, a perfect ending for a fabulous meal.

Excellent Meal

By jam397 |

Amazing birthday dinner at Redbird. Excellent food was supported by superb and friendly service. Sommelier was particularly knowledgeable and helpful. Try the Chicken Pot Pie.

Unique wine list

By scolona |

The food was exceptional and our sommelier Josh recommended the best flight of wines I have ever had. I would highly recommend, the service was quick and attentive and the restaurant itself is beautiful.

A bird in the hand

By Scott B |

This was a wonderful discovery for my wife and me. We were in L. A. to see the a cappella group Chanticleer at the Disney Auditorium and had a wonderful pre-concert dinner at Redbird. We pulled them out of the Los Angeles Times' 2016 "Best 100 Restaurants" guide. Since we were staying the night at the Hilton Checkers Hotel (separate review), we were looking for a good downtown restaurant that was convenient to both the hotel and the concert venue. We enjoy walking as much as we can, but I underestimated the walking time by about 5 minutes, but we still made our 6:15 reservation. The façade of the restaurant is not imposing, since it is inside the former rectory of the deconsecrated St. Vibiana's Cathedral, so don't be surprised if you are going there and miss it on your first approach. We almost did and we were on foot. The space inside is a marvelous melange of old and new. The decorative beams in the ceiling of the bar area are very similar to the work you will see in the ceilings of the main branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, a few blocks away on Grand. Since we don't drink, I can't give you a qualitative review of the bar, but it looked like a friendly space and appeared to have every possible libation you could desire. The interior courtyard space is a wonderful adaption of the rectory's former patio area, directly adjacent to the cathedral. A greenhouse glass canopy crowns the space. Fans and opening windows afford passive cooling when it's warm and catalytic heaters above provide heat as needed. During our visit the heaters were on, so our window seat was a nice relief from being roasted while we were dining. The table service is semi-formal without being overly starched. I'm frequently a judge of a restaurant's "personality" by its staff, before I even open a menu. Redbird's many staffers are among the best. The hostess was very welcoming, knew we were pre-show diners, and reminded us of their complimentary shuttle to take us to the Disney hall in time for our concert. Our waitress also knew we were on a time line and kept her attentions focused on getting us served efficiently, without making us feel rushed. Since we don't drink, can't comment about the wine list, which looked extensive, or the sommelier, whom we never saw. (Flipping your wine glasses over is a pretty clear signal that he/she should extend their efforts to other patrons.) The food was great! No qualifiers. My persimmon and duck prosciutto salad was a tasty discovery and my gnocchi with braised rabbit was just right and not over-sauced. My wife's squash salad with goat cheese was an excellent seasonal choice and her duck with wild rice was served perfectly plated; the duck not dried out and nearly fork-tender. We had to skip dessert: out of time and no room for it anyway. Our waitress was timely with the check and wished us a good time at the concert. If you are going to the Disney, the Music Center, the Mark Taper Forum or other downtown entertainment locales definitely put Redbird on your radar. We plan on going back next time we are in town for another self-indulgent overnight treat.

Beautiful interior & meal

By CarrieOregon |

Needed to be in DTLA & found this place. Beautiful ambience & rooftop opens, gorgeous interior, quick service. We will go back. Had the salmon tartine, wine & French press coffee. They pay attention to details & the salmon/avocado toast (tartine) was excellent. Side note, they add a 5% fee to the bill for an inflation/service fee

Great food and atmos… but…

By Randall |

We were greeted with a smile and truly pleasant people. We were seated quickly and the server gave us some great reccomdations on our meal choices. Then… we were kinda forgot about. The server never came back to check until we were basically done with the meal. Add to this that an iced tea was $6.00 and had -leterally six swallows of tea AND was not refillable. Really? Then I go the bill and 5% was added for their employee health and welfare. What? So the food was excellent and the service was ok. But $84 for two small meals and tea was simply not worth it. Hard to imagine we will be going back.

Interesting decor, very good food!

By Schmooglet |

Earlier this month we went to dinner at the Redbird with 2 other couples. We found the atmosphere very nice and the service was excellent. Much of the year they say the roof is open but in March it was closed but we still enjoyed the decor. The wine list was good and had some good selections. We had a variety of items, the Thai crab soup, the sweet breads, squid ink pasta, the burrata and the foie gras. The preparation of the foie was the least favorite -- all the others were delicious. For our mains we had scallops, hare and the Wattle pork. We loved them all. Overall a very nice evening at a great place.

Fantastic first meal in Los Angeles

By Ross G |

Restaurant is in downtown close to the Hilton. Ideal first night meal for us as stayed at this hotel and had just arrived after a major flight. Booked in advance. Place was pretty busy so I think this was fortunate. Lots of different areas in this former rectory buildings. Bar, restaurant and private event spaces. Valet parking. Very warm welcome. Shown to table quickly and menu explained by attentive staff. Great choice of dishes. We went for a variety just to share. Clean plates all round. All looked and tasted amazing. Washed down this time with beer. Next time I will try some of their cocktails.

Best experience in a long time

By JES94960 |

Visited Redbird with an old friend, first time. We are both good cooks. For us,eating out must be extraordinary. What an amazingly delicious experience this was. From the cocktails to the warm inviting atmosphere it was immediately obvious that the evening would be appetizing. Service impeccable, delicious menu; truffle agnolotti, persimmon burrata and fois gras set the stage for delicious pig roast paired with amazing wines ... Such a great evening. If you are downtown or are visiting "The Broad", Check out Redbird for a very well crafted menu.

Redbird--Cardinal Service

By Carmelites |

This was a perfect pre-theater dinner for our group of four. We arrived late due to a delayed flight and still had a wonderful dinner and didn't feel rushed, even though we had less than an hour to order and eat before seeing our play. We had four appetizers and each had an entree. All the dishes were delicious: soft shell crab, hamachi, lamb belly, and the sea bass, scallops, and swordfish. Only the swordfish was a bit on the dry side and for our taste, needed more spice--the sauce was red but rather bland so we asked for sriracha. The waitress brought Tabasco which really helped although the sweet/spicy sriracha would have upped the flavor scale. I know it is difficult to gauge different patrons' tastes so I would recommend a small dish with a spicier sauce for adding to what is already there, for patrons to decide for themselves. The sea bass was better. Definitely would recommend Redbird and plan to go again!

Great setting and lovely brunch food.

By Julie F |

Had brunch here. Loved the setting. The food was fantastic! I had the blueberry ricotta pancakes and my friend had the salmon toast. Both were excellent! This place does get crowded and bit noisy when full.

Delicious

By Peter S |

In a mid of little Tokyo in downtown LA, I found a delicious American style restaurant with gourmet level of quality and taste. The staff is perfectly knowledgable and friendly. Wine selection - comfortable. Meat "lovers" - it is place to visit.

Beautiful venue and excellent food and drink

By isla18 |

Octopus, steak, gnocchi with rabbit - amazing food. Hard to believe, but the bartenders here are as good as I've ever seen anywhere. They are knowledgeable and so nice (and generous.)

Great Restaurant Addition to LA

By Worldfoodie |

Kudos to Chef Neal Fraser for locating Redbird in the historic St. Vibiana Catholic Church building. The two main dining rooms are the Bar/Lounge and the beautiful interior courtyard dining room with open roof. The atmosphere is relax and sophisticated and the service was attentive and friendly. The cuisine is labeled as “Modern American”. The neighborhood is a bit dicey so be sure to Valet Park. You’ll be asked for you cell phone number so you can text the valet 10 minutes before you’re ready to leave. You can pay directly through the text: $10.00 + $1.00 service fee which was automatically added. There was a complimentary drink (rose, vermouth and brandy), a nice touch, which the server oddly called an “amuse bouche”. I’ve never had a complimentary drink in France called an “amuse bouche”. We went during DineLA and ordered the prix fixed menu + one pasta dish. Our main dishes were Dayboat Scallops and a pork dish. The gemelli pasta looked like worms. Everything was nicely cooked and presented but, for me, something was missing. The food wasn’t particularly complex with a variety of textures and layering of flavors . The restaurant is expensive so I think the dishes could be tastier. I will definitely try it again with a different selection of dishes. Try it and see what you think.

Always a solid

By E.A.K. Ramen |

Been here numerous times. Can't think of a single item to complain about. The service is always friendly, especially the bartenders. The food is always new and imaginative. Would highly recommend even just for drinks.

Unique historical setting in downtown LA!

By Diane D |

I just can't say enough about this wonderful restaurant. The food is amazing (duck!), and the environment is one in a million! Once the LA Catholic Diocese Rectory for Bishops and Cardinals (Redbird), it is a gem of Spanish architecture from maybe 100 years ago, replete with homey details, at once cozy and majestic .I had no idea such a fantastic place existed! But go! You won't be disappointed. Service extraordinaire, fantastic food, attention to detail in preserving the history, and a very comfortable welcoming vibe. Downtown LA is now a THING!!!!

A good meal all around

By Michael H |

My wife and I and young son (15 months) had an all around good meal. The service was excellent and friendly, the setting spectacular. We started with the Shishito Peppers, the Chicken Pot Pie and the Crudo. The Peppers were lightly salted and topped with crunchy quinoa. Really simple, really good. The pot pie was fantastic. Brown gravy with bits of chicken, carrots, herbs and wild mushrooms topped with a light philo dough crust. Don't skip this. The crudo was decent. It was fresh and well seasoned. But the portions were small as usual. I also have to mention that they brought us a bag of bread and butter. Inside the bag we found crusty bread, but also Brazilian cheese bread which is made from tapioca flour. It was absolutely delicious. My wife and I split the avocado salad which was plenty for both of us. Bacon, avocado and buttermilk dressing. I finished with the Goat Gremilia and my wife had the halibut. Both were good. The goat pasta dish was very good, with a generous amount of goat meat. The sauce was tangy and a bit spicy, but the dish needed a bit more of it. My wife's halibut was good if a bit overcooked. Overall a good meal.

Beautiful restaurant, great food

By OC Foodie & Travel |

Great good in an incredible setting. Tasty cocktails. Expensive wine list. Service is crisp and attentive service. A great go to in DTLA.

Outstanding Service and Food

By Linda W |

My husband and I joined our two sons and their girlfriends for a Sunday evening dinner and found this restaurant to be outstanding. My husband and I arrived a bit earlier than the others and we were served wine at the bar while we waited for the rest of the party to arrive and were promptly seated at our table when everyone was there. We had complimentary rose and a couple bread types before our appetizers were served. Appetizers and main course were spaced out in time just about right giving us time to visit. I had a roasted beet salad which was delicious and the rack of lamb entrée which was not only delicious but quite a large portion. The salmon entrée was popular at the table and everyone seemed to enjoy that as well. We shared a Mexican Chocolate desert which was also excellent. The waiter was very attentive and took note of food allergies.

Absolutely Outstanding Food and Experience!

By AiredaleTraveler |

This restaurant exceeded all of our very high expectations! The service was absolutely perfect - from the timing to the professionalism and appearance of all staff members. The main dining area is spectacular - from the atmosphere to the very comfortable booths/chairs. And the food - some of the best options that we have ever eaten in LA (the avocado salad is spectacular; and the BBQ tofu over lentils is perfect). We only wish that we had discovered this gem sooner!

Not a perfect visit

By Milliemarie46 |

Heard many good things about this downtown restaurant. Decided to try it for a birthday celebration dinner. We got there around 6 pm, early for dinner. Friendly staff, willing to offer move us to another table when we commented on the chill by window. Waitress be brought us an Amuse mini cocktail. Nice start. Wine by the glass started at $14. We chose pricey speciality cocktails to start, with wine to be chosen later for the meal. Interesting menu, many small plates to share. Our choices were all good. Then came other diners and service slipped! Plates delivered by different wait staff . Water glasses stood empty, hard to find the water person. Our wine order was never taken. Hard to get our check. valet service included 4 people standing outside ...cost $12...handed one of the valets $15. No thank you. 10 minutes to receive car, with not a word spoken. Not the excellent experience it could have been in total.

Baby shower event

By 385eileenz |

Found in an commercial area with construction around these downtown streets. Valet $12.00 but the hostess took care of that along with giving each person a small envelope with the tip to be given to the person bringing your car. Our hostess thought of everything. I was led to the small elevator which was 8 steps up to the small elevator that had the old iron grill gate closing along with the solid door. Out on the 4th floor and entered a small room filled to the brim with people,tables and waiters. On the side of the entry door, a small bar was set up with a young man serving mimosas or plain Orange juice. There were 36 people sitting chair to chair at two long tables with 9 on each side. There was no spare room to do much other than get out to the bathroom. I would say the room would be comfortable for 24. Now the food aspect. There were many servers that were bringing out various dishes. Like a buffet coming to the tables. Beautiful platters of sliced fruit with sweet pineapple, various berries and melons were on the tables already and then platters with food for four started coming out. First were delicious waffles (syrup on the tables) with a bit of fresh raspberry sauce and creme fraise followed by small slices of dark bread with lox on top of some sort of cheese and individual plates with a soft cheese with some small tomatoes and a bit of lettuce. As I didn't taste either dish I cannot state my opinion. Platters of large slices of well cooked bacon came out and small egg frittatas along with another course of bowls of tofu scramble for those who preferred vegan. Then bread baskets with warm toasted thick sliced wheat bread and English muffins with little pots of butter. Coffee brought per request and dessert was small plates holding four tiny bites of maybe a three tiered mousse and little plates holding four different cookies placed by every four people. Service was exceptional, good food nicely presented and polite servers at every turn. Walking out to exit around the main restaurant downstairs I could see large, bright open spaces with tables set up spaced apart from those nearby. Have no idea what a regular meal here would be but pretty sure the food and service would not disappoint.

Super Attentive and Friendly Staff!

By Dan H |

This place was very busy and is recommended to call ahead to reserve a table. First they start you off with a complimentary aperitif. The staff, as mentioned in the title, is attentive and helpful. based on the menu choices we had a challenging time picking what to eat, all the choices sounded good. There a number of items that are smaller portions that can be shared among the table and the main courses are filling but not too big. They take an interesting approach to combining ingredients that gives a different taste and texture to the final dish.

Beautiful Setting Beautiful Food

By Annie H |

I have been to Redbird for brunch and dinner. First of all, the food is excellent. Chef Neal and his staff provided food with great flavor and presentation. Some favorites are Hamachi Crudo, Avocado Salad to the Porterhouse. All are well prepared and delicious. The staff is well trained and professional. The setting and interior ambiance are beautiful. We are planning to attend a private dining event at the Redbird at the end of the year at the Cardinal's Quarter. Can't wait!

Not Much for the Money

By Diane G |

When it comes to Redbird's beautiful ambience, creative menu, and attentive service, I give them high marks. My only complaint is the actual food. I ordered the trout for Sunday brunch, and it sounded terrific in the menu description. It looked pretty on the plate. But, honestly, it should have been billed as "essence of trout." Atop the bed of quinoa (which was tasty) were two of the thinnest slices imaginable of very crispy trout meat. Not at all what I was expecting. Total rip-off for $25. The only reason I would return to Red Bird (or recommend it for that matter) is for cocktails. Food is over-priced and servings are beyond skimpy.

Amazing Meal

By Tom N |

If you like your food, and a fan of food shows, this Top Chef Masters Restaurant will not disappoint Chef Neal Frasers RedBird is outstanding. Handcrafted Cocktails to some of the best Octopus I have ever had, Thai Crab soup was so full of flavor. The Duck was tender and tasteful and the Smoked BBQ Tofu a recommendation from LA Times Jonathan Gold was spot on.

highly recommend

By Kevin B |

Have been multiple times and every time have left with anticipation of returning...excellent menu and the great service. The food is really the star here, but the room and service are equally as great.

Menu Changes Every Day

By Jeremy |

Menu is divided into 4 categories based on the size of the portions: tapas, shareable appetizers/ salads, individual entrees, family size entrees. The menu of the evening featured a lot of seafood, but it changes every day. I'm always conscious about staying hydrated throughout an evening out so I was impressed that my glass of water was never left empty. The only complaint I have is that the sommelier selected a wine that everyone at the table disliked then did not come back to suggest a different wine for our second bottle.

Gluttony is NOT a sin anymore!

By IvyDad |

Even if it is, sinners have a Gr8 place to gorge in DTLA. Celebrating a birthday on a recent weekend in Los Angeles we dined at Redbird for the first (but certainly not the last) time. Our “1st column” starters of sardines and chicken pot pie did not disappoint. The gemelli pasta dish featuring braised goat, rapini and Fresno chilies was our choice from the “2nd column” and is hearty, unique and very shareable. Thankfully our additionally shared main, the rack of pork, wasn’t fired by our cheerfully attentive waiter until the previous course was consumed and cleared...we needed time to rest! The rest is pretty much history because we failed to rise to the occasion by finishing our terrific meal. After nibbling around the edges of a perfectly presented and tasty entree with creamy, cheesy polenta, arugula, toasted hazelnuts and figs, they packed it up and we stumbled back home. Our wine choice was a stunning Mourvèdre from the Central Coast from a list professionally compiled by their knowledgeable sommelier. The staff was eager to please us responding to our every need and want. The atmosphere in completely revamped church is not only beautiful but very special indeed.

Superb Dinning Experience

By LnS2004 |

We had dinner here on Monday and absolutely love this restaurant. The ambience was wonderful: airy, bright, cozy, welcoming, and elegant. Everything about this space was exquisite. The service was attentive as expected. The food was just superb. As soon as we sat down we were offered a complimentary drink (rose & vermouth) and delicious warm bread was served in a cloth bag. Every dish we ordered (Kapocha Pumpkin Soup, Delicata Squash Salad, Avocado Salad, Burrata Salad, Day Boat Scallops, Rack of Red Wattle Pork, Bone-in Ribeye and Broccolini) was excellently crafted, beautifully presented, and tasted absolutely wonderful. The pork and the burrata stood out as especially delcious. We chose 2 bottles of wine from Spain (they have a very comprehensive wine list): 2011 Aalto, Ribera Del Duero and 2011 San Roman, Toro that truly enhanced our dining pleasure. We had a great experience and are already planning to come here again soon.

Beautiful building, amazing food and wine, attentive staff

By Stephen P |

Fantastic LA Downtown restaurant located in a beautiful former Spanish style church (take a look at the dark wood paneled ceiling). Food is fine dining without needing a second mortgage accompanied by an interesting selection of wines ranging from the affordable to a real treat. We tried the Chablis and the Argentinian Malbec rose. Porterhouse for two was amazing. Staff were friendly, wine sommelier informative and the ambience buzzy without being too frenetic. Great value for a special dinner for two or with friends. Dreaming of my next visit and the porterhouse.

Beautiful setting, amazing foot

By Susanlynn53 |

Party of four for dinner and we all really enjoyed this restaurant. We had drinks in the bar in very comfortable chairs and it was a very cozy setting. Service by all staff was perfect. Our food was superb. My friend and I shared the ribeye for two and it was perfection. My husband had the lamb and raved about it and our other friend had scallops. We loved every dish and were amazed at the different flavors and textures of the food. If you can make it to Redbird, visit it is well worth your time.

very comfortable and creative menu

By Flyway2much |

We were there for a business dinner where there was a private kitchen. The little curried meatballs were great. Downstairs seating area by the bar was very comfortable. Pleasant décor without being pretentious.

Beautiful setting

By Eleanor R |

Had drinks and dinner with girlfriends and we shared appetizers and our entree. The presentation was great and the food -- It was more than enough food. I thought the dining area was interesting and i saw that there were several rooms, but it wasn't till after we went, that i found out it was the original Vibiana Church. How lovely

Wonderful food in special location

By rick19348 |

Located in an old church courtyard with a retractable ceiling, we ate "outdoors" within this relaxing and peaceful restaurant. The food was delicious and fresh. My colleague ordered 2 appetizers which were large enough to serve as his dinner. I had the scallops which were large and prepared just right. They had a full bar with a variety of special drinks and a interesting dessert menu. Service was excellent. Definitely worth a visit when in downtown LA.

A Special Evening

By Oceanside-Cynthia |

Dining in a Rectory (circa 1930) inside the impressive Vibiana Cathedral makes you wonder - am I really in downtown L.A.? Tucked off the street, past aged iron railings leading to a few tiled steps, you're greeted as if you really matter and escorted through the handsome bar area into a sheltered but outdoor atrium. Look overhead. If you are a fan of architecture, you'll love these large-scaled trusses. The food is worth the price (a shared 36 oz. porterhouse for 4 at $110 and other entrees starting at $26.) Don't bring the kids - this is YOUR evening to languish over a cocktail and thoughtfully prepared food. A bonus is ambience where shouting isn't necessary for dinner conversation.

WOW!!!

By magfamily2016 |

This restaurant is perfect! The ambiance and decor is beautiful, the service is fantastic, and the food is amazing! It was definitely one of the best restaurant experiences we have ever had. If you are in the downtown Los Angeles area and looking for a great dinner, this is definitely the place!

Dine in one of the city's oldest buildings!

By Bunnie T |

Facts 👍🏻Redbird is located in Viviana, the old Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The 👍🏻 The restaurant is actually situated In the exact location of the old rectory. 👍🏻The room is divided in half with the front housing the first bar with additional couch seating. The back room, which is visible through the bar, has dining and a second bar. Looking through looks like an illusion of the same room. 👎🏻Bring lots of money. Redbird is pricey. 👍🏻Super crowded in the bar with a funky fun atmosphere. 👍🏻Valet parking available - street parking tough. Now to the food. I'm not going into the complete menu. Famous chefs, small plates, heavy meat dishes. Read the entire menu and order something you wouldn't ordinarily order. Relax, have fun, people watch and just enjoy one of best restaurants in LA.

upscale eats

By raquemontoyaguzman |

Out of this world cocktails each with their own particular ice formation and service glass. The appetizers and bar scene are where its at with this modern american eatery. It can seem a bit stuffy at first but a superb experience overall.

exceptional dinner

By Elizabeth H |

My friend had suggested Redbird saying it would give me an idea of the LA Night Scene, and that it did. Located in an old church, the locale is amazing and tasteful. Crowd super attractive and on the young side. Food and drink and service all outstanding.

Great Patio - soothing

By iCritic |

Fresh menu. Excellent food and good service. The patio makes you feel like you’re in another world. It is very relaxing.

Sophisticated, excellent restaurant

By yael l |

I had dinner twie at Redbird, both times the food was amazing! We shared the Black whole fish which was more than perfect. The desert was out of this world. All appetizers were excellent!

An unforgettable experience

By Shlomit N |

Eating at Redbird helps one understand what it means to eat food on a whole different level. This is not just a good restaurant, this restaurant is Incredible! My husband and I were thrilled with the experience, it was most definitely worth the price. The service was a bit impersonal, though. The space is gorgeous, the atmosphere very relaxing.

No service, OK food, not worth the cost (more worthwhile Michelin restaurants elsewhere)

By AMS_NL |

Went here alone for 3-course dinner with wine pairing on Christmas Eve. The experience was terrible because I had no service, food was ok (main dish (beef) got cold by the time wine arrived for the pairing), and I got no feedback when I left them a negative comment on the back of my receipt. For whopping ~$250 that I had to prepay (incld taxes + reservation fees) for 3 glasses of wine with 3 OK-ish tasting dishes on Christmas eve (and for a place on Michelin guide (albeit without a star)), I expect better. Usually, if I have a negative experience at a restaurant, I just don't review them on TripAdvisor. My experience at RedBird was so bad in every respect. That coupled with the general, unwarranted arrogance of the place, I decided to break my rule here. I was looking forward to a nice dinner experience during my visit to LA. First, the good part: the food was alright. It's not remarkable but it's not terrible either. in the end, the food is not creative nor beautifully presented. You choose one dish for starter, one for main, and one desert. The starter had 4 options. I chose the Hamachi Tartare. Accompanying this was Champagne Geoffroy, Expression premier cru. The champagne was poured not in a flute but in a glass that was too wide (inappropriate for the champagne). For main dish, I chose Prime rib of beef. This was tasty but nothing that i can't get from a local diner (not worth the price). The presentation was also not no different from a dish at a local diner. The wine paired with it arrived ~5 mins later and thus food got colder. It was a Californian cab. I don't know what it was because it was never explained. Desert had two choices. I chose a creme puff, which was alright. A Portuguese desert wine (Madeira) was paired with it. This pairing worked well. Service: Basically I got no service. No explanation given for the wine. No explanation given for food. I waited for wines to arrive after which food got cold. No apologies given for getting no service. First, when I arrived, one of the staff members asked me if I wanted to sit at a dimly lit bar next to the front door instead of a table. This was weird given that I prepaid $250 for a nice meal with a wine pairing. I understand that I'm alone. I wouldn't write about this if this was the only thing that I found out of place. But I write this here because of all the negative experience that follows below. There wasn't a dedicated somelier who explained or poured the wine. The restaurant was packed. So I understand that there can't be one for every table. But I've been to one and two Michelin starred restaurants where you paid a comparable price or more (but also worth more) that were equally busy and yet had someliers still tendering to each table. Dishes or glasses weren't taken away on time. At one point, I put my empty wine glass upside down on the table. Finally, the waiter noticed and took it away. My main dish (Prime rib of beef) arrived but not my wine that pairs with it. I waited. I timed. Almost 5 minutes. The beef was still not frigid but it did get noticeably colder. Hurriedly, the waiter came, poured the cabernet, told me the name of the wine but without an explanation, and walked away without taking away my empty champagne glass. When I was nearly done with the beef, I flipped the champagne glass upside down and left it on the table. The waiter eventually noticed and took it away. She did apologize to her credit. But I must admit that I was not in a good mood, nearly 2/3 done with my dinner. I ordered a bottle of sparkling water. I poured all of it, everytime, by myself. I have arms and I do this at home and at restaurants. But not if you are going to a place on a Michelin guide that is this expensive for a nice experinece on a Christmas eve. Only once, I was asked how the food was. That was when the desert was almost finished. I was given the bill. I wrote a negative comment on the back. As I walked out, I wanted to give it to the front door staff. I saw no one there to say "good bye". I walked out and put the bill with my tip at the font desk. The general atmosphere was also one of arrogance, not elegance or friendliness. I don't understand why. Given the service and food, arrogance and appearance of fanciness are undeserved. I've been to many restaurants in and out of the US, several of which have one or two Michelin stars. Some of them were even cheaper (when you convert Euros to USD). Most of them, if not all, had tastier food that were more creative. All of them had better service. This place isn't worth the money. I won't be returning.

A Grand Dinner for the Price of A Car Payment

By jittery_eric |

To dine at Redbird is a tale of two cities. It is the worst of times. It is the best of times. Out on the streetscape, a mentally ill homeless man from nearby Skid Row screams at an imaginary incubus tormenting him from atop a lamppost. Inside is a world of delighted laughter and clinking crystal... a lively, stylish backdrop against which all the world's gustatory and bibulous delights can be enjoyed... for a price. This is a serious restaurant, the kind where the Chicken Pot Pie comes with chicken hearts and Grifola frondosa, the goat with requisite broccoli rabe. The menu available online, however, omits one critical piece (at least for me) of information: the one, two or three dots that indicate the portion size. For example, the "Hamachi Crudo" ($20) is a "one dot"-sized item = two bites. I never made it out of the one dot category (e.g., "Carrots ($15)") for fear a blown credit card limit would result in a swift trip to the Men's Central Jail a mile away. A full-sized "three dot" item like the steak (listed as enough for two) runs $155. Doing a bit of back-of-the-envelope math: $155 + 20% tip + 10% sales tax = $206.50. Adding a $74 glass of wine (yes, not a typo, wine at $74/glass) is a cool $96.20 with tax and tip bringing the tally up to $302.70 -- before cocktails, salad, appetizers, desserts, coffee. For this price, one might hop a Norwegian Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Barcelona for $219.90 and still have $82.80 (EUR 72.50) to spend on dinner at the 9 Nine Steakhouse! Lawyers billing $1,550.00 an hour before descending from Bunker Hill need not think twice about $155 "three dot" entrees. The packed restaurant with not a chair to spare shows that neo-plutocrats are in abundant supply, at least in the near term. Is this is a new era of unprecedented prosperity or a harbinger of the end of the world? Hard to tell. But if it's the latter, diners can do far worse than Redbird for the last night on earth. And even the coffee is terrific.

Savor the Flavor & Ambiance

By Yawa Oye |

The hostess were somewhat snobby but once you got past them the wait staff was delightful. The building is a old Catholic Church an the dining area is airy with a retractable roof filled with light. I sat at the bar which was perfect for people watching with the low seating and angle. The bartender gave me a sample of the cocktail before ordering since I was trying something new. The food was EVERYTHING.....Let me just say FLAVOR...in every bite. The sauce and tomatoes were perfectly seasoned with fresh herbs and the bass was cooked to perfection with a crispy skin. I complemented the meal with the broccoli rabe which was seasoned with garlic, chili peppers and bread crumbs. The warm petite biscuits rounded out a perfect meal. I can't wait to go back for brunch.

Our $132 Porterhouse was inferior.........

By differentname |

Everything else was fabulous. You'd think that a 32 ounce (2 pounds at $61 per pound of porterhouse steak) hunk of Colorado beef, for $132 would be an aged steak, a nice and thick hunk of perfectly marbled protein.....but my guess this may have been less than grass fed prime beef, 1 inch thick and less than 24 ounces, and it had no marbling. Marbling is the white flecks of fat within the meat muscle, that when cooked, softens and moisturizes the beef during cooking and makes it supple and delicious like butter cream frosting. The greater amount of marbling in beef, the higher the grade because marbling makes beef more tender, flavorful, and juicy. The marbling quality grade of our $132 Porterhouse steak was probably Grade 2, max 3 (on a 12 point scale), but we paid as if it was Grade 6.. Not only was this beef devoid of fat marbling, but it was not properly aged. Dry-aged beef is beef that has been hung or placed on a rack to dry for several weeks which removes moisture and intensifies the flavor. Our steak looked and tasted like supermarket steak for less than $7 a pound on sale, that shrunk down, losing its moisture during cooking but had no fat marbling to keep it juicy. We were served an inferior piece of meat, cooked improperly and charged an outrageous price. The other mistake we made was to have our waiter suggest signature dishes in an amount that would satisfy us all without being overstuffed. Everything he brought was fabulous, especially the Seared Foie Gras and the Chicken Fried Sweetbreads and sides of Broccolini and Cauliflower and Pommes Aligot (mashed potatoes with tons of cheese and cream) and something that could have been Alain Ducasse's gougeres (a baked savory choux pastry made of choux dough mixed with cheese – easy to make but always wow’s)..... but it was too much, including the superfluous fish dish we split of New Zealand John Dory which was grossly over-cooked. .....but it was a damn good meal made special by the loquacious group of us that gathered to enjoy each other’s company and revel in the joy of the individual spirituality and successes in our lives. Our host was very generous. The restaurant space was fantastic. Five stars for the ambience and class of service.

Your flight to delight! The Red Bird has landed.

By EdgarCosset |

In the flattering light of its open-air conservatory/atrium on a warm summer’s night Redbird is my idea of the perfect LA restaurant. Ensconced in the continually renewing downtown, we actually had to pass a movie set to get to it walking by two parking lots staged with a parade of 1950 vintage cars, trucks and buses lining up for their close-up. Our greeting was warm, the seating quick, and it became immediately apparent that every table is the best table for people and service watching. A flexible $49 three-course menu was available with supplements offered for several dishes. And the sommelier who developed the refreshingly intelligent wine list was at our side to guide us with genuine enthusiasm and concern for our tastes. Meal courses were generous and to our delight, we were given coat check tags for our doggie bags to be retrieved on departure. The clientele that night were not so much trendy beautiful people as they were California casual and really attractive people completely enjoying themselves. Go there and you can be one—or at least treated that way. Put Redbird at the top of your list. It’s the complete dining experience.

Nice atmosphere, great food, great service

By GL726 |

Was here for a private business dinner function. The food was excellent. Fresh, well prepared and good quality. Atmosphere is good as is the service. The location is downtown, which comes with usual pros of location but also cons of well, downtown LA (homeless, panhandlers, etc.).

Fancy place, good food

By Acidov |

Fancy place with nice interior design, ambiance and professional service. Food plating and presentation were exceptional. I didn't quite understand combination of flavors, though. The food was very good, freshly and carefully prepared with high quality ingredients (scallops were cooked to perfection!). However, something was missing. Maybe I would be more tolerant if prices were lower. This is very expensive place. That's why my expectations were set high. I am a bit disappointed, but I would give this place another chance.

Fabulous Sunday Family Brunch

By 20Twenty |

The building where this restaurant is full of history. How they transformed it to a very upscale dining experience is very creative. The food was good, the service was attentive and best of all we were happy family enjoying our Sunday together! We tried the blueberry pancake, Congee, Chilaquiles, Short rIb hash, fried egg sandwich and had cappucino (it was a cold morning). Overall, a very nice expereince.

special from the moment you arrive

By Seabird21 |

The restaurant is located in an old church/cathedral but from inside you wouldn't know it. We were seated 'outdoors' with the retractable roof/shade which was really pleasant. The rain bucketed down heavily for a short while though and a few guests got dripped on, presumably as the retractable roof had sprung a leak. On arrival you are served an 'amuse glass' which was a lovely cocktail to stimulate the taste buds and then the bread arrived. The cheesy rolls are worth fighting for - they explode in your mouth! We shared a heap of dishes for both starters and mains and everyone was delighted with their options. The scallop serve was reasonably petite but the pork rack was huge and in fact fed me completely and supplemented the meals of two colleagues. The puffed spaetzle was an interesting phenomenon. The burrata starter was delicious as well. For dessert we shared 3 amongst the table and all were great. Would not hesitate to return .. just need the opportunity.

Chic, pleasant, great food and service!

By _leland_ |

We shared the evening with friends at Redbird for an early dinner to celebrate my wife's birthday. The restaurant was open but intimate. The service was great. Wonderful and tasty choices for a vegetarian in our group. We tried about 60% of the starters: all were tasty especially the pork belly, Shishito peppers, and Hamachi Crudo. Oddly, most of the table ordered the seabass as their main: it was terrific.

Beautiful wedding venue

By USCKaboom |

Our friend had her wedding at Redbird’s event venue, Vibiana. The old church space is quite lovely. The food was solid, especially the passed appetizers.

Lovely converted church with a nice courtyard and great food

By Melissa G |

Really nice atmosphere and our service and food were top notch. We liked the pepitos, my husband enjoyed the chicken pot pie and I had the shrimp and grits. Then we shared the tagliatelle with mushrooms. When we couldn't agree on a dessert to share, the sommelier brought us both and only charged us for one!

worst

By rudolf W |

we had several issues. maybe new untrained personnel in these corona times? my kids didnt feel well here. very unfriendly.

Solid As Can Be

By hungrymandinner |

There's really nothing to complain about here. Simple appetizers like Avocado salad are elevated by superior blue cheese crumbles. Scallops were flat-out great, wonderful flavor, carmelized exterior, barely cooked through. We split a pork entree that was very good. Yuzu custard was good, though not particularly exciting (and I love yuzu). Everything was really good, though the wow factor was limited. The setting and wine list are another story. This deconsecrated church and courtyard make for a unique ambiance and really transform the downtown LA setting. The wine list has bargains at every price point. Bordeaux is represented with near steals between $100 and $200, but we opted for a first rate Arneis and a terrific (and rare) German Pinot noir which totaled $100 for the pair. Redbird can be safely recommended to anyone who is comfortable with interesting, high quality ingredients prepared with great skill at this elevated price point. Those seeking fireworks may find it too expensive...unless the mine the wine list for values. Not for everyone, but I'd surely be a regular were it in my 'hood.

Great food and drinks, great space

By Randy B |

This restaurant inhabits the Rectory garden of LA's old Catholic Cathedral (St. Vibiana) just South of City Hall and just East of Skid Row. The food is adventurous cosmopolitan with interesting ingredients. The service is excellent. But perhaps the best is the beautiful outdoor space. (It has an indoor and outdoor bar.). The cocktails are creative and well made. Tell them what you like and they'll make something up for you.

A Nice Evening

By Whataniceday25 |

For a midwesterner, this was a stylish and fun place. The waiter was very knowledgeable trying to provide us the best experience possible. Still trying to get a handle on portion sizes, but the food was very good and the waiter's drink suggestions first rate. Give it a try, think you'll enjoy it.

Redbird, LAX

By Calvin Tay |

Brought my team of 10 for dinner. Excellent service throughout. The menu is a delight with service staff nearby providing guidance and recommendation to each of my guest's individual diet/preference. However, the pricing is a little on the high side but its all well worth it!

BBQ tofu

By MeraKi25 |

... seriously just try it. As a pescatarian, it’s different to find the sort of flavors you’d find if you ate meat, but the bbq tofu at red bird will make up for it. I should also add a side note that I hate tofu... actually abhor is a better word for the feelings I have toward tofu. Go and try it!

A wonderful restaurant!

By FHAM |

What a fabulous restaurant! The food is delicious, the atmosphere is charming, and everyone there went out of their way to make our dinner an especially wonderful experience. Our server, Dane, was exceptional. My husband and I are vegetarians, and he worked closely with us to adjust some of the dishes to meet our dietary needs. He was so warm and gracious. We were a large group, and after dinner, the manager, who was also delightful, gave us a tour of the facility, which is absolutely gorgeous. We highly recommend Redbird!

Good, but something missing...

By RE10TIV |

The place is beautiful; different rooms each with great character. Fun and delicious cocktail options and a good wine list with nice helpful sommelier. The menu is interesting with several things that I had to choose between. I'm a bit over the sharing plate menus, but you can make this work successfully for a traditional starter/entree type meal. Everything was very good, but I felt like there was a burst of flavor missing from my food; maybe it was just my choices. All the ingredients were there, and the food tastes good, but it just wasn't as flavorful as you hope for when you see the beautiful display on the plate. I might give it another try though; it looks to be a nice place to have a meal at the bar.

Great food, drinks, and ambience

By thinktankjp |

Dinner at Redbird was a great decision. We were seated in the open air courtyard (weather cooperated) and were greeted by our very friendly and helpful server, who started us off with an "amuse booze" which was delicious. Sharing small plates is the way to go, and you can always add if you are still hungry after your first round. The cocktails were pricey but well-crafted and nicely presented. All around good experience.

Food 5 stars Service 5 stars Parking logistics 4 stars

By Peggy M |

Service was impeccable - The aperitif starter is such a nice touch.I had the most tender grilled octopus I have ever tasted. I found out it is slow braised overnight first. The mix of greens, blood orange and almonds was delicious and so creative. My Basque cod entree melted like butter as I ate it. My friend enjoyed the burrata salad and the duck entree that also looked delicious.I was treated to a birthday dessert of refreshing sorbet, too. Valet parking at night is recommended as your safest, convenient option, but will run about $15 including a tip. They text a link you use to let them know when you are ready for your car and that staff is very nice and efficient! The area at night can be a bit sketchy, as the young kids say, so walking from a local parking lot is not something I would suggest. Eating in the historic building was wonderful.

We were underwhelmed with the food, but very impressed with the service.

By bstorm |

We had read such great reviews of this restaurant, we were excited to try it. The restaurant called us the day before our reservation to ask if anyone had any allergies, if we were celebrating any special occasion and/or if we were attending any performances following dinner. When we first arrived, we sat at the bar. The happy hour prices were very reasonable and the drinks were excellent. The dining room has a nice ambiance and is open air with a huge fireplace at one end. Our server confirmed that we needed to be at the theatre by 7:30, then reviewed the menu with us. They were very willing to accommodate us with any menu alterations. We were each given an amuse bouche cocktail to start. It was very good and very unusual. The bread was delivered in a sack with crusty rolls and very strange under cooked cheesy bread balls. Our starters of shishito peppers were excellent, the asparagus was wonderful and the radishes tasted like normal radishes. The bone-in ribeye for two was huge, and well cooked, but nothing extraordinary (except for the price). The barbecue smoked tofu was very salty and the beluga lentils were mushy with little flavor. We asked if they could make the Gemeili pasta vegetarian (instead of with goat) and it was one of the best pasta dishes we have ever tasted. Just as we were finished eating, our server politely reminded us that it was almost time for us to get to the theatre. I gave them a very good rating because of the impeccable service throughout, but I had expected the food to be exceptional as well. I would go back for the happy hour.

Fantastic restaurant and bar

By Mike W |

Nestled away in the courtyard of an abandoned church with an entrance you might miss if you weren’t looking for it, this a gem. Great food, including specialty lamb belly (like pork belly), cossa (chick pea pancake with vegetable arrangement), and amazingly spiced and perfectly prepared sea bass. Amazing specially prepared bar drinks (ancient chinese secret is great) that are flavorful and unique. An incredibly stocked bar and knowledgeable and friendly tenders. Great staff. It is a casual to dressy atmosphere. A highlight of any time in downtown LA. Also a well done website and blog that shows it all: redbird.la .

Gorgeous inside and out for a romantic nite out

By drewstaxi |

Very charming both inside and outside this Restaurant. Food was great and atmosphere was more than I expected

Lovely courtyard

By LillepusOslo_Norge |

Make sure you are seated in the courtyard, not in their first room, it was kind og like a cafe. The food was very nice, but could have been hotter. Service was ok.

Incredible Meal in a Stunning Setting (When the food FINALLY arrived...)

By Harandy |

Highly recommended restaurant in Downtown LA. Stunning setting in a retrofitted church. Very creative menu with an assortment of delicious choices. The cocktails and wines were also wonderful. Our meal was a business occasion with a large group (13 people) which may have been the reason why our food was delivered after a prolonged and somewhat irkingly long period of time. However once we started eating, we were all universally dazzled.

Very disappointed

By TouringSM |

Was really looking forward to going to Redbird tonight for the first time. 10 for ambiance. 10 for service (truly amazing) and the bartenders know how to make some really great drinks. However, unless you like a salt lick served with your food, or you are on meds for high blood pressure, I would avoid this place like the plague. Our food was so over salted that you couldn't taste anything but salt. Not a cheap place to dine. Four of us, with drinks, got out for just under $400 with tip. The appetizers: I ordered the avocado salad which was delicious and sizable. My husband ordered the Thai style crab soup and he was also very happy with the dish with subtle hints of curry and spices. Our guests ordered Ankimo (monkfish) that was literally the size of a soup spoon served on a very large plate. It was so over salted that he couldn't even taste the fish. Our other guest ordered Brussels sprouts and that too was so over salted that she could only eat one of two. The meal: My husband ordered the lamb shank and it was the best meal of the night. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. I had the Lobster Risotto. Again, so over salted that you didn't even know you were eating lobster or risotto. Our guests ordered the scallops and the Gemelli (braised goat) which were sizable, but again, so horrifically over salted that you couldn't taste the flavor of the dish. We learned a lot eating here. Mainly, tell the server "no salt" when putting in our order. And, if your food is over salted, send it back. My guess is that the chef smokes and has lost the ability to actually taste what he/she is serving. My face and hands were numb by the end of the meal. That being said, I should have sent the food back, but we were hungry and didn't want to make waves. That was our mistake. We won't be back.

Beautiful Patio - Lovely Brunch

By iCritic |

The patio is an oasis in the middle of downtown. Gorgeous! The hostess was a little snippy, and the parking was pricey, but the great food, excellent service and beautiful relaxing environment made up for those two little hiccups.

Fabulous Food and Excellent Service

By staceylevasseur |

Met up with friends for Sunday Brunch and were very impressed with Redbird. We were there during a special restaurant week and they had a great $25 2 course meal. I had the English Pea Ravioli with Shrimp and the Wild Trout both of them were amazing! The restaurant is very lively and a bit on the louder side which was fine for us, but we did notice a group request to be moved into the other quieter section of the restaurant near the bar. Great place would definitely recommend and return!

Pretty good food amazing service.

By lemountg |

They started out with a a complementary drink and the bread is actually pretty awesome too. I had the Duck & rice with a side of Aligot. The duck tasted great as did the rice. The Aligot was average. The service is fast and frequent as items on your table are removed shortly after you've finished with it. My only complaint is that there were a swarm of flies that kept distracting me from my meal.

A little bit disappointing, but I'm glad that I went.

By Eitleoir |

I had heard and read such wonderful reviews about Redbird that I had long looked forward to dining here. My experience was diminished by a group of noisy and profane young men who were seated in the corner who seemed as if they were celebrating a batchelor's party. I often dine alone and always have a book or something to read with me, so being seated close to them was off-putting. Why don't restaurants recognize that someone carrying a book would prefer not to be within easy earshot of noisy groups? The food was excellent, but for some reason I didn't find it to be as extraordinary as I was expecting. My courses were paired with some superb wines suggested by the sommelier. At first I thought the sommelier was a manager because he wandered around the restaurant and passed my table on a few occasions but he never introduced himself nor did I see him engaged with other diners at first. I found that to be a little bit odd because I would have loved to have gotten engaged with him sooner than I did. The service was very attentive and I enjoyed the setting, but I was expecting an outstanding experience as opposed to a very good one.

Great Food and Service

By David A |

Food was fantastic, both Duck and Bass amazingly cooked. Service was perfect, we were well looked after, given great recommendations and our server had the personal touch. Would highly recommend.

5+ Other Than Noise:

By Jimgo |

A quick ride from our downtown hotel took us to this converted monastery. From the door opener to the sommelier who was active around the room, service gets a Jim's Gem.💍. Our waiter and his team (water, bus, wine) were amazing with full explanations and timely moves without being overbearing. In side we sat in the covered courtyard (still cool outside) on comfortable couch chairs made to linger on. Other choices were thick cushioned chairs, bar stools and large tables at the fireplace. The high ceiling with tent cover made for tough listening, but everything else about the modern decor in the old courtyard was great. For the food, after our complimentary mixed fruit apertif, I opted for the avocado salad, a possible meal in itself with a smoky dressing ofsmoked bacon, country little gems, buttermilk blue cheese and vinaigrette. Amazing course one from a menu that is marked so you don't over order. (a 4 column menu each with dots from one to four. Any combo up to 4 is super supper!).For yy next two dot choice, I opted for Lamb Belly (socca, charred eggplant, pickled walnut, mint). I discussed a favorite comfort item vs this more California adventure and at the server's reco and detailed explanation of each, took the plunge and experienced a hailstorm of tastes! A Jim's Gem💍for this succulent dish paired with the sommelier's recommendation of a half bottle of red Cote de Rhone My wife enjoyed her adventure choice too. (Rack of Red Wattle Pork: fruit mostarda, taleggio polenta, arugula, hazelnuts). My shared bites also said "wow". We capped the night going slightly over our 4 pt average wiith a shared "adventure" desert (Yuzu Bavarois: sesame praline, muscat grapes, matcha ice cream) recommended and explained by the server.) Again a happy wow. Other than the noise, -1/4) this was more than a 5 star experience. A great meal to conclude our visit to LA. This gem is easily found

Fab Restaurant

By Travelingbear1000 |

The food here is incredibly good. The ribeye was beyond fabulous. The cocktails are also wonderful. The sides are great and the bread is amazing too.

Pricey But Worth The Experience

By Akshaya S |

The place has a nice good vibe to it. Being setup in a historical building (someone mentioned a church - not sure though), the sitting and the overall atmosphere is relaxing. Food is flavorful, beer was good and the whole experience was worth the pricey nature of the restaurant.

PAIN, SEVERE PAIN and the food wasn't good

By Bernard M |

I have a ranking system of the worst restaurants I have ever been to for noise. Redbird is now second. Rarely do I experience a restaurant noise level that is so high as to be painful to my ears and so loud I can't converse with the person sitting next to me. I had a headache when I left. Our group of six visited on Sunday around 12:30pm. The room was very large, possibly and old cathedral, and had hard surfaces everywhere. Noise bounced off everything. Being of high ceiling, it served as an echo chamber to increase the noise level. Conversation proved too difficult and once I had to leave the room just to get some relief for my ears. As to the food: I ordered the spanish scramble. No where on the list of ingredients did it say anything about onions. I don't like large onions in my food. When the plate arrived, the eggs were consumed by onions. As I separated them out, it became apparent there were more onions than egg in this dish, and little else. I picked out the tiny pieces of egg and that was my meal. Why would you list all the ingredients in a dish and leave out the one item that consumes 50% of it? Another member of our group ordered something with poached eggs; I can't remember the name. Visually, to me, it was a mess. It looked like two lumps of something with a can of chili thrown over it. While I didn't taste it, the person who did thought it was terrible. This person is a very qualified food critic and knows what he is talking about. As a side, we ordered the anson mills white grits. I am a grits fan. These had the texture of cream of wheat, not grits. If I wanted cream of wheat, that's what I would have ordered. Someone in the kitchen simply does not know that grits have a distinct texture, almost grainy, and that cream of wheat is smooth and....creamy. I have had grits that are something like that, but they never lose their texture. A big disappointment. No one at the table seemed happy with their meal. My wife's portion should be called an appetizer. These were not cheap eats. The service wasn't much either. When the waiter sees a plate of food NOT EATEN, he should address it immediately; our server only asked about it as he was clearing the dishes and we were ready to leave. High prices and poor quality. A final note. I visit L.A. a lot and this is the first time I have ever been disappointed in a high priced restaurant. Normally, the food in L.A. is first rate....but definitely NOT HERE.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY~!

By umpfgirl |

I would like to preface this letter by saying we are not complainers or high maintenance people and quite frankly I do not have the time to write this letter. However, after the horrible experience we had at Redbird I felt compelled to reach out and explain. And please know this is heartfelt and not coming from anger although the disappointment is still lingering this morning, it was that bad. As owners of such a high-end restaurant you should know that your standards are absolutely not being met and even worse we were treated so poorly and disrespectfully that driving home we made a vow to never go to a so-called sophisticated restaurant ever again. We have been disappointed way too many times. There are plenty of small “mom and pop” places with more passion, better food and reasonable pricing. And I am a home chef with a passion for cooking myself so amazing food is something we are used to, if I can brag for a moment. I would also like to add before I continue that we had the privilege of going to Grace for a Christmas Eve dinner while your father played the piano. It was sublime. From the food to the atmosphere, phenomenal. Even though it was Christmas Eve, every dish that came out was thoughtful and delicious. Redbird does not even compare. What is coming out of that kitchen is shameful. We came in dressed for an LA restaurant, which is so pathetic that I even have to bring that up. But after reading other reviews addressing that issue, I suppose I needed to add that little tidbit. We didn’t walk in wearing overalls and a hat with the price tag hanging off the side~! From the beginning we were treated as if we didn’t matter. And after I mentioned my husband and I splitting a meal because we didn’t want to get too full before our event, our waitresses demeanor became even more dismissive. And that’s after ordering $200 of just alcohol~! After asking her opinion about the halibut or the porkchop she sarcastically said, “Well you’ll get more food with the pork chop.” Wow… We order the pork chop and it came so overcooked and dry that it was inedible, so we send that back and order the halibut. That came served raw. And that was the final straw. She said absolutely nothing. No apologies, no “Please let us make this right.” Nothing. She actually never came back and that’s when I said, “Let’s go, it’s not going to get any better.” Then I ask to speak to the manager (and no I am not a Karen) and all she could say with vacant eyes and attitude, was “Well, we took it off.” I then looked at her and said, “We didn’t want disgusting food, we are hungry. We wanted an amazing meal and experience.” No one cared Neal. NO ONE. Maybe the private event going on that night got all the attention which as you know is a cardinal sin in the culinary world. Every customer is valuable. Especially when you are paying your exorbitant prices. So that’s how our experience went at your restaurant. Although after reading the one star reviews on Google that are as new as two weeks ago and date back almost ten years, it looks like you don’t care anymore, you have lost your passion and money is the only motivator. It’s really sad and quite frankly appalling that you would take people’s money and never address the ongoing negative issues. Oh and by the way, just like several other “guests” (term loosely used), we also had to go through a FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU at the end of the night. And although we rarely frequent that level of cuisine…IT WAS DELICIOUS. Shame on you and your wife. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32655-d7617914-r1010516039-Redbird-Los_Angeles_California.html#

Cardinals Quarters

By WorldTravla7 |

This is an old church rectory (Vibiana) turned chic LA restaurant so there is a uniqueness about the place that appeals. We came as a corporate group and were seated upstairs in the private Cardinals Quarters room with a private outdoor balcony and views out to the courtyard where you could enjoy pre-dinner drinks. The multi-course meal was excellent (served on sharing plates) and the service was very good. I dare say the prices would be expensive but the quality was impeccable. It’s considered one of the best restaurants in Downtown LA. I enjoyed the intimate, historic feel of the Cardinals Quarters and would definitely recommend booking this room for a function.

Private dining

By ClanClark |

Private dining at the top of the building with a lovely terrace and a very quirky bathroom, bath and all. We were well looked after, food was of a high standard, with a very good porterhouse. Nice selection of wines on offer.

Outstanding Food!

By Wayne M |

Redbird is a beautiful dining experience. Set in a beautiful old building that was the rectory of a church, it makes for a unique dining experience. Food is beautifully presented and very delicious. I has the Socca and the Sea Bass and both were great.

Great ambiance and awesome service!

By Lv2Trav |

Went for brunch and our food was delicious but the wine list is very unapproachable. This is not a French restaurant so why so many random wines from France, Spain, Portugal, etc? Additionally, we don't mind spending $16 for a glass of wine but at least fill the glass with more than 4 ounces. Total absolute rip-off.

Excellent food, great service

By EatTravelJog |

Great service excellent food order the Parker rolls and shishito peppers I got the truffle pasta. The BBQ tofu was so so. My friend got the steak, he said it was good for dessert I had the spiced mousse

Redbird is a "Must Try", Great: Ambiance; Food; & Service

By KVM101 |

We visited Redbrid @ Vibiana for a business dinner. It was wonderful. We sat at a rich,, comfortable, spacious, high-top in the open-air dining room that had a retractable roof. It provided a great view of the sky, and It automatically closed as the evening progressed. They served a complimentary, light, delicious, aperitif to start the meal, along with "delicious" parmesan &/or sourdough rolls that were "tops". My rack of wattle pork w/ faro was ample and delicious, although a bit fatty. I'm told that the short rib was lean & tasty, while the fish too was tasty. All were prepared with unusual flair. we sat opposite an open wood-fired grill that added to the atmosphere. If you're downtown Los Angeles, Redbird is a dining experience not to be missed

Great downtown restaurant

By swinseattle |

This restaurant is near the Doubletree in downtown LA where we stayed. Redbird is trendy and innovative, but not overly so. Crowded, but well managed. Delicious interesting food. We even had the barbecued tofu entrée, which was great, as were the scallops. Would definitely look forward to returning.

good food and nice ambience

By pillowsofwanderlust |

It's always a treat to dine at Redbird (which I've done numerous times), chef Neil Fraser's flagship restaurant close to City Hall. It's a lovely space, the former rectory building of a former cathedral Vibiana, now an event space also run by Fraser. The restaurant's main dining room is semi-outdoors, with a retractable tent-like roof, while the enclosed bar area also has dining tables. There's a pretty garden on the lower level that used to be open for dining, but now is just for private events. This is also the case with the courtyard outside Vibiana; they were setting up here for a wedding the day I visited. This courtyard was the main dining area during the pandemic. I visited most recently for the weekend brunch; dinner is served 6 days/week. I came at the 10 am opening and the place filled up fast. I started with the Dora the Flora mocktail with raspberry, ginger and lemon. Many tables were ordering the buttermilk biscuits, but I got a very tasty fig and raspberry milk bun. I always gravitate towards shrimp and grits if it's on the menu, but Redbird also had a congee dish with shrimp. My server said the dishes were very similar, even served in the same bowl, but I went with the congee because it had more veggies. Both come with a soft egg. Delish. I got a side of Weiser Pee Wee potatoes with crisp chorizo and rosemary, a very generous portion. The Basque baked eggs other tables were ordering looked very tasty. The restrooms are also very pretty. Overall a tasty and pretty quick meal in a beautiful setting. I had brunched at Manuela in the Arts District the day before, another beautiful restaurant, but I enjoyed Redbird's food a bit more,

Quintessential LA

By Victoria |

This is a stunning restaurant with super delicious food. Our brunch was more than we expected. Service was perfect, from the moment we checked in to the server who took our order. We sat in a gorgeous open air space with the LA sun shining down on us. Steak frites, lobster congee and the breakfast egg sandwich were all standouts and our plates were empty. Can’t figure out what was in the butter that came with our biscuits but it was SO good. Can’t wait to come to Redbird again.

Neal Fraser hits all the taste buds!

By MrsB51817 |

I've had lunch and dinner here but recently ate lunch on a Friday. Started out with bubbles, of course, then had the heirloom tomato gazpacho followed up with the Rainbow Trout. The cold soup was exactly as described...every bite had intense yet blended flavors, hit your palate at different times, and they all complimented each other. The serving size was perfect for lunch. I followed with the Rainbow Trout which was so thin and flavorful you really experienced the true essence of the fresh fish. Just enough flavors to enhance it but not overpower it. Brown butter quinoa was perfect in every bite of the Trout. I've never had a bad meal here and the ambiance is so perfect especially if they open the roof on a warm day/evening. The speciality cocktails are delicious as well, just didn't have one this go-round - stayed with the bubbles. Service is always so professional and attentive. Definitely a must when in LA and then again and again!

Modern American food in trendy downtown

By Quantumlondon |

This restaurant was buzzing on a Friday night. They were able to accommodate me at the bar. The menu is interesting. My main course of wild boar tenderloin with sweet peas and a delicate mustard sauce had depth of flavour. I had soshito peppers for starters - with bottarga to add umami. Delicious but the bowl was so large that I could finish it. I think this menu may be best suited for two or three friends sharing small plates. The wine list was interesting with uncommon wines. I had a refreshing glass of Californian (port-nat style) sparkling wine. Service at the bar was friendly and attentive. He did not ask the kitchen for the main course until I have finished the starter (rare in US!) Starter, main and one glass of wine came to 100 usd after 20% tip. So not everyday dining but I would return.

Top notch in every way

By Picky Mrs. Pickle |

What a delight to experience Redbird for a late night dinner. Everything we had was excellent: from the amuse bouche cocktail starter, piping hot breads (including Pão de Queijo) with soft butter, burrata salad with charred leeks, humachi crudo with an explosion of flavor, and rich abbit and mushroom pasta, all shared for two. Not a crumb or sauce drop was left. The desserts looked unusual and delicious but we were comfortably full. The service was impeccable and friendly. This was the best meal we've had in LA in a very long time. Can't wait to go again!

Dine in a cathedral!

By iandw |

Any one staying in LA should dine here. The service and food are amazing and it's all served in a historic Catholic cathedral!

Over ambitious!

By Hospitailty101 |

Dinned here for dinner about 10 days ago with 4 other guest, on arrival we were warmly welcomed and taken to our table which was in a bar area, as we wanted to have some quite conversation we asked if there was a table available in the main dinning room which waited a few minute for, so that was great. The venue is a lovely place with a great warm and rich ambience, tables were nicely set and the seating comfortable. Cocktail menu was impressive and the wine list good. Unfortunately I wish I could say the menu and food was impressive, here we have a restaurant that has over ambitious chefs that have over complicated dishes and waiters that dont fully understand the menu. My entree was a salad with shavings of a duck prosciutto which was nice but nothing spectacular and my main was as described by the waiter as "a take on a duck al orange", when I asked him to tell me more about the dish he simply read off the menu the description. The dish was nothing like a Duck al' orange, it seemed to me to be a cured slab of duck which was probably what they used for the salad, it was tough, dry and fatty, the accompaniments on the plate were not in any way complimentary to the dish and confusing, two of my guest who ordered different dishes made the same comment. The dessert were basic and unimpressive, the menu description of the desserts did not represent what we were served. I cant understand why some chefs need to over complicate a dish when all that is needed is good ingredients and and a understanding of flavours that match the main ingredient. A nice place to have a drink and perhaps a snack but I would give the main course a miss.

A Downtown Gem

By GoldnAdvice |

Met some friends at this restaurant and had an amazing time. It has a cool, laidback feel with delicious food. Upon sitting you are offered a complimentary aperitif followed by warm bread. They had special gluten free bread for me. The menu was decent, with several gluten free options. I had the soup followed by the fish. Both were beautifully plated, delicious, and good size. Our waiter was friendly and energetic. The manager was constantly walking around making sure everyone was having a good time. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are in the area. I give it my GoldnAdvice seal of approval.

Awesome American food

By Kevin B |

The avocado salad was the most indulgent salad I have had. Creamy dressing, chunks of blue cheese and pickled onions. They also seemed to salt and pepper the avocado which was a nice touch. Very unhealthy but delicious salad. Huge portion too. I have only ever boar twice and it does not disappoint. Tender and flavorful especially with the mustard jus. For desert I got the POG cream puff. Very fruity but more of a donut like texture would probably skip next time. Service towards the end was lacking as it took a while to get bill. Otherwise great experience.

Second visit

By Steve S |

After years since our last visit, made it a point to make a reservation here on our first Friday night in DTLA in awhile. I couldn’t remember what we got last time that made me want to go back so bad, but it was time to refresh my memory … Starter: Burrata appetizer. Something about this with strawberry and pistachio made this so much better than the usual tomato, balsamic and basil treatment. Main: Seared scallops and a shared order of Brussels sprouts. Both were delicious! Dessert: Milk Chocolate Cremeux. Outstanding! Besides the great food, the atmosphere in the old cathedral is unique. Loved the experience!

Excellent choice for a special occasion

By Susan W |

I always love trying out restaurants owned by top chef celebs and Neal Fraser's restaurants sure didn't disappoint. Portions are generous and the food was amazing. The wait staff were so attentive. I told our server I didnt like spicy and wanted to make sure the octopus appetizer wouldn't be. She decided to taste the sauce, found it a bit spicy so she brought it on the side. I'm so glad she did because it was definitely too spicy for me and the salad was delightful without it.

Possibly the most beautiful restaurant in downtown LA

By Steven C |

The main room is a tall atrium or courtyard (of the former rectory of St Vibiana's Cathedral) which is open air in good weather. Consequently the room is not too loud like so many restaurants and it's an absolutely beautiful space. The food is first rate, as is the service. The cocktails are inventive. It's expensive (you can see the menu on this site), but worth it for the experience.

Expected to be wowed and wasn't

By SeatOfMyPntsTravelr |

It's disappointing when you're really excited to try a chef's food and then are not blown away. The plating was appealing to the eye but I was definitely expecting the sweetbreads to be delicious with maybe some crisp edges. The Caledonian shrimp were good and I liked the use of chicken thighs/hearts in the chicken pot pie but the gravy/sauce had a scorched flavor.

Delightful New American Restaurant

By Shanelle |

Delightful. This was on my list of restaurants to try and it exceeded my expectations. I knew this was a nice restaurant, but every dish hit the mark (which is hard to consistently do!). Make a reservation ahead on Tock, and set it for the Garden area. You’ll get the twinkling string lines and strategically placed greenery that makes it feel like you’re having a backyard meal at your rich friend’s estate. The service was unobtrusive and the food came out faster than expected, but you don’t feel rushed. The food portions are on the smaller side but quality is on-point. Even the free cheese bread (that came in a little cute bag) tasted amazing. Bucatini: Noodles were cooked al dente and when you mix in the uni, you get an interesting mix of Italian and Japanese flavors. Cavatelli: My favorite dish - the pasta was perfectly squishy and the pork sugo was well seasoned with Calabrian chilis. Parker rolls: Yes it’s $6 for bread, but it’s worth it. The rolls are so soft and chewy, and we fought over the last bits of date butter that came with it. Liberty duck: The best way to describe it would be if you combined the crispy skin of Peking duck with the meat of holiday ham, nestled next to wild rice pilaf with a sweet XO sauce. Wild boar: Definitely not a “boar-ing” dish. The meat was tender and the gnocchi mixed with greens dripping in a mustard jus was interesting but comforting. This restaurant is good for special occasions, date night, or whenever you want to enjoy a nice night out. You’ll need to view the menu via a QR code as a heads up. Valet is available or you can find street parking a couple blocks down. Enjoy!

Excellent celebratory dinner

By nycfamily27 |

Came here for a family meal before dropping off our son a5 college the next day. This place is great. Excellent food and drinks. Amazing service. And the place is beautiful. We sat in the main room with the open roof. Just gorgeous. Worth the trip (and the price)!

Beautiful iconic restaurant

By Lizeclairs |

It's the old St. Viviana Cathedral they renovated and turned it into a modern oasis! Great food , cozy great ambiance relax atmosphere , great service nice clientele Centrally located , offers valet service a pay public parking is also available Prices are quite expensive but it's worth it ! Great cocktails and energetic bar !!

Amazing brunch experience, would happily return

By Hazel H |

I was highly recommended to come to Redbird from an LA native and I"m so glad I did! I tried to get Sat dinner reservations but they were booked up until the next month so I went for Sunday brunch instead. Pro: -Great ambiance. The dining area is bright and spacious- I loved the natural sunlight coming in. -Attentive service. The servers were accommodating, checked up on us at appropriate times and I enjoyed getting water refills without needing to ask for it. -Everyone at the table loved their meals. I got the Spanish Scramble (replaced chorizo with avocado) while others in my party ordered the French Toast and Fried Egg Sandwich. Con: they don't have a huge selection for vegetarians and I was a bit disappointed that I was charged $4 extra to replace the chorizo from the Spanish Scramble with avocado instead. There's a growing population of people who are, or becoming, vegetarian/vegan and a really great restaurant experience would be one that would cater to various diets.

Interesting, superbly made meals and drinks

By Tony B |

Recently visited redbird with my wife and uncle. From the valet to the bar, and the Maître D' to the table staff, everyone was perfect. The drinks had each of us smiling and very pleased. The lovely, convivial atmosphere was established well maintained. Each of our meals was something we had not had in prepared in a similar manner, and the surprises were all delicious. This meal and this experience will remain in my memory a very long time. I hope to return some time soon. What a terrific experience.

Great date night spot

By Deanna B |

My husband and i came here for dinner while staying in downtown la. Love the ambiance of this place. It is in part of an old church. The decor is fabulous. The menu is simple but great. My husband and i shared the bone in ribeye for 2. It was delicious.

Take me to church

By Bernie H. |

We have eaten at Redbird several times in the past few months. The setting is unusual to say the least. St Vibiana's Cathedral downtown has been converted to an elegant eatery and event space. The wait staff is well trained and helpful when advice is needed about plate selections. Cocktails are wonderful but our preference is wine and we have not been disappointed. The sommelier has chosen for us on several occasions with fantastic results. The food options are thoughtful and delicious. The menu is not large but gives everyone something to chose. We have had the scallops several times and they are always perfectly prepared. I had hoped that we might be able to try goose liver pate on the latest visit....we had been told that the chef might trade it for the torchon. Maybe next time! Most of the offerings are meant to be small plate and we like to share. This menu is perfect for that option. Prices are commensurate with the fine foods and beverages as well as the setting. Reservations are recommended although we were able to sit at the bar last Tuesday and enjoy the full menu.

Great menu and attentive service in a lovely setting

By Steven K |

The menu is very eclectic -- everything from Porterhouse for 4 to crudo to pasta to a (yummy) BBQ tofu main. Plenty of meat options, but also very veggie friendly. Nice complimentary aperitif, smart service and a beautiful room with open roof. Like sister restaurant Bestia, all wine by the glass poured at the table, which is really nice and allows you to taste before committing.

A Gem in Downtown LA

By OnlyMyThought |

Beautifully prepared and well-presented plates in a relaxed atmosphere with attentive yet unobtrusive service. Cocktails and wine list particularly good. This is not an expensive restaurant. To me expensive is when something costs a great deal of money and isn't worth it. Redbird is a restaurant apart. There is noticeable attention to detail and passion for the culinary art. You will pay a high price but it is worth every penny. A gem in downtown LA.

Superb meal, great service, beautiful room

By carljustus |

Everything about our meal was stellar. First of all, the room is stunning and more important quiet. In fact the first thing I noticed on arrival was that there was no background cacophony that has become all too common in better restaurants. We could actually converse over our meal without raising our voices. Our server Dane, was knowledgeable and attentive yet not overbearing. The avocado salad was superb as was the gazpacho. My entire, the duck was sublime. We also loved the corn pudding, Parmesan rolls and deserts; pain perdu and "Graceland" particularly good. My only complaint, we were in a corner banquet and the table base, while extremely stylish, is incredibly impractical. I literally could not move my feet/legs without shifting my entire body. The base takes up so much space that there is no leg room. Still, I give it a 5 and look forward to my next visit. A small price to pay for such a great meal.

Come for the Happy Hour and Craft Cocktails

By Melissa D |

The decor is very charming with rich walnut wood and a soft California touch. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. For me, this is a bargain happy hour place where a limited selection of great craft cocktails are about $8/each. I recommend the chai milk punch. It's clear, clarified milk with lime, pineapple and some chai tea. The recipe is below: Chai Milk Punch 12 oz of Chai Infused Black Cow Vodka* 8 oz Appleton 12 yr 8 oz Wild Turkey 101 2 oz Pernod Absinthe 2 oz Batavia Arak 1 whole Pineapple 1 lb Sugar The rinds of 3 Lemons 1 liter Pressed Lemon, ¼ set aside 1 liter Chai Tea ½ liter Milk (I am not sure how they clarify the milk.) The hamachi crudo appetizer during happy hour is also really delicious and comes with thin slices of cumquat on top of the yellowtail mixed with what appears to be a yogurt sauce and scallions. (I must admit I came here for brunch one weekend and though my portions were very small for the price, and I am not one to complain about portions or price.) Thus, I recommend the happy hour because it's less crowded and it's a real deal.

top quality

By jamie p |

great decor very elegant setting, welcoming and friendly service and delicious food, fresh ingredients top quality cooking

Redbird - worth it!

By Karl L |

It might be at the upper end of our typical range, but well worth it. Welcoming bartender drink. Menu is more size if dishes than starters and mains so you can mix and match easily. We started with shrimp and grits with perfectly spiced mole. I had excellent Risotto. Brussels sprouts on dill creme freche were fantastic. Finished with Mexican chocolate mousse. We really enjoyed the interior with open ceiling. Terrific wait staff: Attentive and friendly but not intrusive.

Made for a great evening! Food and service top notch!

By n2r49rs |

Ambiance has a nice vibe. Definitely want to be in the back versus the front section where the bar is located. The Somm was great and enjoyed talking to him even though we brought in our own..$32 corkage by the way. Our server encouraged us to share plates which was a great idea. The foie gras we ordered first which was our least favorite. The fruit component was rhubarb which was much too tart and overpowered the foie. I much prefer a huckleberry or something similar. The second course was the avocado salad with little gem romaine which was super fresh and tasty. Third course was the black ink squid pasta with lobster bits and uni butter....loved it. But the highlight of the night was the Red Wattle double pork chop! I had never heard of this heritage breed but it had much more flavor then a Berkshire and was expertly prepared. We loved it! We shared this and if ordered for one person you don’t need much at all before this, salad or something similar. Great dinner and highly recommend!

Attentive, innovative -- in beautiful indoor/outdoor setting

By Mikelemberg |

Downtown LA. Interesting and creative food. Loved the Uni, lobster pasta, lamb belly jerk spices app and crispy potato side. Some of the best, dialed in service -- from filling water glasses, to accommodating dietary restrictions and being patient with our picky group. The indoor / outdoor room with open roof but closed sides was beautiful and airy. Well worth the price.

Very satisfied

By rdytogo1 |

Random pick for Sunday morning. Excellent Bloody Mary paired with farm fresh eggs used in fried egg sandwich and confit duck chilaquiles. Seasoned properly and just the right amount of heat to bring out the runny goodness of the eggs. Friendly attentive wait staff at the bar. Will return for dinner one day

Excellent excellent excellent

By tellis232 |

Understandably one of the best restaurants in LA. Service exquisite and the food was sensational. Obviously you pay for this quality but it's worth it for a special occasion. A great LA experience!

Amazingly delicious

By Eve H |

Enjoyed the Braised Goat Gemelli last night at the Redbird! It was one of THE MOST AWESOME dinners I have had in my life! And the bread served with all meals is out of this world mouth watering delicious! You get two different types of hot fresh bread. Oh my god! I felt I had gone to heaven.

Cocktails and Courses to Marvel and Melt the Senses

By jess darke |

One of the best dinners I've had in LA. From the mini breads served with savory butter to the "around the world" cocktail list and incredible art-deco/mod interior design. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the veggies too. This dining experience is incredible. My advice: Order as much as you can afford to. It's all good.

good food and pleasant staff

By Peter Gerrit Jo... N |

Visited the restaurant twice an both times good food and pleasant staff and nice atmosphere. Pasta with mushrooms first time and duck second time were both delicious

Trendy in Downtown..

By semihalsaid |

The building and the patio where Redbird sits is very characteristic, and the décor and ambiance is very nice. They have an interesting menu to explore. As per our waiter’s suggestion we ordered to share. We had the shishitos peppers, avocado salad, hamachi crudo, cavatelli and the duck. They tasted all good but not extraordinary. The bread they served was great. Overall it was a good dinner.

Beautiful setting

By sunseeker41 |

Based upon the hype we decided to try this beautiful restaurant during a visit to L.A. Loved the friendly, kind staff. Wine prices are high so be prepared. While the men in my party thought their entree selections were very good, they are small and left them still a bit hungry for the high end price. Wish there was a better balance between quantity and cost.

Perfect Dining Experience

By Anthony C |

Great food with an unusual menu. Perfect cocktails and excellent wine list. Attentive staff but not overbearing. The courtyard dining room was open, and with a perfect evening in Los Angeles, a glorious experience.

Flawless

By ArmondV |

Redbird is a first class restaurant. From the moment you enter you feel the warm and sincere welcome. The food is excellent and service is flawless. It has a beautiful setting and a great ambiance. Definitely returning to this restaurant.

Beautiful space

By sanddab |

Went to redbird with clients last week. The ambulance is great. The food was also great, especially the seafood. Don't go with a big appetite, the portions are very small. Was there on a warm nite the roof was open, the highlight of the meal.

SUCH A PERFECT SPOT FOR BRUNCH ...

By psicokitty |

Met girlfriends for Sunday Bruch at Redbird. What a beautiful venue. We started at the bar until our party was ready to be seated (our reservation time was honored but we loved the bar so much that we lingered a little before moving into brunch). Kyle was a fantastic bartender and I opted for the “Bartender’s Choice”. I was presented with a simply beautiful and delicious cocktail. Our table was on the enclosed patio and it provided a view of the entire patio bar and restaurant. We all chose different entries and shared the cornmeal waffle with buttermilk creme as a desert treat. So delicious. Service was perfect, presentation beautiful, and the afternoon could not have been better!

Our nice night out

By Joan S |

Wonderful ambiance- staff were great- wine list a bit on the high side but such amazing food- I had the pork slices which sounds dull and it was melt in your mouth! Would recommend this as a great night.

A unique setting a unique experience

By christine a |

In a former church in the courtyard, this beautiful restaurant serves a variety of small dishes and main dishes. Everyone is consistently and well prepared. The creativity of the chef unparalleled. The service professional and helpful.

Delicious Meal Bursting with Flavor

By Ana F |

To begin... the restaurant is stunning. The architecture and environment transports you to a different world and it is incredibly elegant. The service I experienced was also exceptional. In terms of the food, it was all excellent. The dishes were quite small for how expensive of a meal, so be prepared to pay quite a bit for your dining experience. I think the pricing is a bit unreasonable, but other than that I had no negative experiences or downsides. All of the food is innovative and fresh, exactly what you would hope for in a restaurant like this.

What a delightful experience!

By Steve R |

I was in LA for one night on business and staying in Little Tokyo. Redbird popped-up during my search of nearby places- so I gave it a try. What a delightful restaurant- the interiors brimming with character, a comfy bar with plenty of lounge seating, the wait staff abundant and attentive, the food artfully prepared and presented, and a distinctive wine list. By mid-dinner the place was hopping with energy in the glass enclosed courtyard dining room. This place is definitely worth a visit- I'll be back next time in-town.

Somewhat disappointing

By GoPlaces451746 |

Then countless Michelin restaurants. This one qualify as only because of the interior decor and architecture. Sitting in the lounge can only be considered to be an economy seat in an airline. And after seated, they dimmed the lights so much I could barely see my food orany other patrons nearby. But they insisted they couldn’t move me, and principally probably because I am solo. The food was very over orchestrated; sort of like they wanted to be cute with the menu items. Overall fairly average food at a high price.

Top 5

By Jordan A |

Easily one of the best meals I have ever eaten in my life. Drinks, food, and service were all excellent!

Post-game Meal

By ddavis130 |

Arrived 1 hour late due to overtime USC game but they held our place. This was my second time here, having had a great dinner a year ago. This time , not so special. Food wasn't as good as I remembered ( am sure Texas losing affected my appetite) but fun place to be at.

Delicious

By Jill S |

On business travel and some friends recommended this restaurant. It was quaint and later in the evening the ceiling opened to enjoy a wonderful California evening. The drinks were unique and delicious. Bartenders were knowledgeable. Menu was unique and did not disappoint from apps to main course. Price point is high, but no would highly recommend.

Great meal!

By itsxjackie |

I took my friend here to celebrate her birthday. Inside the place had a really good lively vibe. The food was fantastic. We had: Foie gras, liberty farm duck, California sea bass, brussel sprouts, Mexican chocolate with canela and passion fruit, and rocky road bar with marshmallow ice cream (some of the best ice cream ever!). The total for two people plus a drink each was about $209z Fantastic meal!!! I would definitely come back here again and try their brunch!

Always fantastic

By robert n |

Redbird is excellent, both in service and food. I've gone about a dozen times and not once was i disappointed. Each item served is made to perfection. There's no laziness in prep or in service. First class all the way!

Great location and setting

By Leone P |

In downtown LA, great location in an old church with an open roof through which you can see the bell tower, very friendly and considerate service, good wine list with interesting Portuguese wines, good food, in particular the starters

Pricey, but really outstanding

By PickyVoyager |

The food is excellent - everything we tried. It is expensive, and the portions are fairly small, but we thought that it was worth it. A very impressive wine+booze list. A very good service, too. A tip: the main dining room is pretty noisy, but you can also have a table in a much quieter lounge right after the entrance.

Foodie Heaven

By KPTravelslots |

A friend and I went here prior to a matinee for LA Opera. It made me nervous ... on a previous visit, the service was attentive, but relaxed, not an option for the day. The service was gracious, speedy, but not rushed. We felt special, yet still made it with time to spare. The food was outstanding as always. My shrimp with grits was uniquely, satisfying without being overwhelming. The mole added appropriate interest. The atmosphere is fresh, simple and yet elegant. The patio is bright and lovely. The interior is dark with a modern feel, in spite of the painted rafters. I highly recommend!

Absolutely Awesome

By G6Ranch |

It's a foodie paradise. There wasn't a bad morsel on the table. The entire experience was outstanding. Hats off to the chefs. Perfection on a plate.

In a former rectory a delicious dinner and lovely service

By zoe646 |

For my son s birthday we went to the Redbird located in a former cathedral We were greeted with a delicious cocktail of the house We loved the daily menu layout with local and fresh products including from their small garden We shared appetizers and I had one of the best steak tartare The desserts were outstanding The sommelier and chef de cuisine are both excellent and friendly One of my best restaurant in Los Angeles

Delicious meal

By nbkob74 |

Great spot, terrific service. Shishito peppers, filet of beef, broccolini and lamb were all top notch. Burrata was spectacular.

Good customer service, missing the "wow" factor with food

By Bob6104 |

The host/hostess was very warm and friendly. I like the outside dining room experience, but the table were extremely close together. Don't expect an intimate dining experience. Very original menu and wine selection. Cocktails were amazing. The food, frankly, was missing something. I tried the duck, grilled tofu, and risotto. All three dishes were missing something that could have pushed this restaurant over the top. I'd probably return, but wouldn't go running back.

Multi flavors of extra ordinary dishes

By Ed J |

We had a small gathering for dinner at this downtown restaurant of Los Angeles. We had several dishes to explore the different flavors and entrees. We had these dishes: Smoked Tofu, Monk Fish, Chicken Pot Pie, Risotto, Sugar Snap Peas, Hamachi Crudo, Thai Style Crab Soup, Cavatelli, Broccolini, Roasted Beets, Burrata Salad, Lamb Belly, Scallops, Rack of Red Wattle :Pork and washed it down with a bottle of US Atlas 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California; Wine was excellent. We shared some ot the dishes so everyone could experience many of the dishes ordered. Many of the flavors were very robust. Valet parking is $12.00 and we had dinner in the patio of this former church.

Staff was wonderful

By Bryan C |

Had a corporate event so the food was served family style. We were served a very large number of the menu items, so I had the opportunity to try a wide variety of their food. The food was very good, but what really stood out was the staff. They worked hard and were incredibly attentive. I can only imagine the service would be better if it were a normal table of 4.