Water Grill

DineLA menu at Water Grill was a great bargain, especially since they still have their "no corkage fee" policy. But be aware that they now only offer a shuttle to Disney Hall and the Music Center on Saturday night. REPLY (62 Replies) (by smgradman, created January 24, 2011)

»Badly cooked fish at Water Grill!

Having not eaten here for a number of years, I was looking forward to a special evening. Most of the food was fine, if not exciting or cutting edge in any way. However, I got unevenly cooked salmon. Three quarters of the fish was perfect, with crispy skin and a moist interior and the rest was raw. RAW. (Not seared and rare, raw.) I pointed this out to the waitress, and told her that I was mostly...+READ Having not eaten here for a number of years, I was looking forward to a special evening. Most of the food was fine, if not exciting or cutting edge in any way. However, I got unevenly cooked salmon. Three quarters of the fish was perfect, with crispy skin and a moist interior and the rest was raw. RAW. (Not seared and rare, raw.) I pointed this out to the waitress, and told her that I was mostly finished before I got to the raw portion. I did not expect a replacement, as I had eaten the properly cooked portion, but there was no acknowledgement at all of this huge misstep. Most restaurants should be able to cook fish properly, but an expensive fish-centric restaurant must cook it perfectly! I would think someone in the kitchen would have been bothered by the knowledge that so poorly executed a plate went out to a customer.


This disappointment with the food only magnified our smaller complaints about service. We were seated at a dark table near the entrance. I believe this was actually intended to be a special table as they knew it was our anniversary. The table is the only one in the restaurant without any direct lighting. We both downloaded flashlight apps in order to read the menu. We weren't given the option of tap water; though we saw later that other tables had it. After being told we don't eat shellfish our waitress told us the lobster special. She offered to refill my husband's wine glass when he taken only a couple of sips. She tried to bus his dessert wine ($28) with 1/3 of the serving left. (Perhaps because the table was in the dark, she could not see the level of the glass?)

We did get a candle on our desserts. (The choices were not hugely interesting, but the maple pudding was quite good.)

I sent an email to the general manager outlining our disappointment about the poorly cooked fish. I was quite specific that I was NOT looking for a comp, only that he should know the quality being sent out from his kitchen. Again, I did not expect a comp...especially for the $38 entree, but a comp is a very good way for a restaurant to say, we made an error and we are sorry. Another way to say that is to actually say "sorry". We'll see if he writes back.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (14 Replies) (by lrhr, created December 20, 2010)

Since you will be staying right upstairs, I must add the Water Grill to my list of recommendations. The 2008 Michelin Star establishment, under Executive Chef David LeFevre, is arguably LA’s finest seafood restaurant. David is at the top of his game and consistently seeks to wow his guests and tantalize their taste buds with his innovative, yet very fundamental approach to food preparation and...+READ Since you will be staying right upstairs, I must add the Water Grill to my list of recommendations. The 2008 Michelin Star establishment, under Executive Chef David LeFevre, is arguably LA’s finest seafood restaurant. David is at the top of his game and consistently seeks to wow his guests and tantalize their taste buds with his innovative, yet very fundamental approach to food preparation and presentation. Food and service are exceptional, as would be expected.

The Chef’s Tasting Menu, in as many courses as you can accommodate, is the way to go here. I truly enjoy the art deco ambience and suggest that you seek to reserve Booth #1 to maximize your dining experience. It affords seclusion yet affords a great view of the expansive kitchen and its impressive dynamics.

The Water Grill
544 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 891-0900-COLLAPSE / REPLY (34 Replies) (by degustateur, created March 29, 2010)

I am late adding this to the list, but my final meal was at Water Grill. I was very excited as I am a big fan of seafood. But, I have to say this was my least favorite meal of the two weeks.

They offered as an amuse bouche spicy tuna wrapped in cucumber with a dollop of fish eggs on the side. It was tasty, a little spicy and a nice start.

For an appetizer, I got the Big Eye Tuna Sashimi -...+READ I am late adding this to the list, but my final meal was at Water Grill. I was very excited as I am a big fan of seafood. But, I have to say this was my least favorite meal of the two weeks.

They offered as an amuse bouche spicy tuna wrapped in cucumber with a dollop of fish eggs on the side. It was tasty, a little spicy and a nice start.

For an appetizer, I got the Big Eye Tuna Sashimi - Yuzu, Red Radish, Asian Pear and Shiso. It was okay. . .nothing special and nothing I would ever order again. My dining companions got the White Chowder with Manila Clams - Weiser Farm Potatoes, Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Bacon, which they seemed to enjoy. But, they did mention that the serving seemed a little small.

For my entree, I got the South Pacific Ridgeback Swordfish - Grilled, with Heirloom Squash and Brown Butter Balsamic Vinaigrette. I thought this was just okay. The fish was bland and I got no additional flavor from the butter or balsamic. This was one time where I wanted there to be salt on the table. One of my dining companions got the same dish, the other got the Alaskan Halibut - Sautéed and Basted, with Lavender, Meyer lemon, and Madagascar Vanilla Bean Oil. She said it was just okay too. I had to chuckle, because when we asked the waiter for his recoomendation on the entree, he said "well, we are the best seafood restaurant in the city. . so they are all excellent". Different palates for different folks, I guess.

The best part of my meal was the dessert (which is not a good thing because that is never my favorite part of the meal), which was the Fromage Blanc Cheesecake - Ginger Poached Pears, Raspberries, Guava and Graham Cracker Streusel. The cheesecake was not overly sweet and was complimented well by the graham cracker crust.

So, 3 out of 4 ain't bad. Maybe my expectations were too high for Water Grill. I don't think I will be rushing back anytime soon.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (80 Replies) (by SouthernFoodie08, created October 20, 2009)

(by Ernie, created October 8, 2010)