Pete’s Cafe & Bar, Downtown Los Angeles
Located near the historic bank district of downtown Los Angeles is Pete’s Cafe & Bar. With pedestrian-like name with Cafe & Bar, Pete’s features good old American classics like Burgers and Mac’n Cheese. While other establishments in the area gussy up their takes, like Nickel Diner, Corkbar, and Mac’n Cheeza – while nothing wrong with that, Pete’s aims for quality experience with quality ingredients.
Los Angeles is a place where outdoor seating can enjoyed almost all year round, and Pete’s embodies this lifestyle. The traditional tile floor found soda fountain shops, bistro’s, and bars fits with the high ceiling interior. Though there’s a nice dining room and a bar with cushy booths, I think almost everyone wants a simple table outside.
With recommendations on the burger (sort of combination of positive and negative) and mac’n cheese, I knew those were two of items we had/must/will-die-if-we-don’t-order. Everything else we ordered didn’t really matter to me. Though the risotto was quite good, perhaps the best thing of the night. The burger was large and tasty. I liked the melted pepperjack cheese. The mac’n cheese was good, as well. The crunchy goodness on the top with the melted cheese was quickly devoured by everyone. And then this risotto, which I am not a fan to begin with, was hit of the night. The green-ness of basil, I think, was, at first, unappealing to me. But after the first bite, I was hooked. The creaminess and savoriness drew me. Yet, I think my friends thought it was too salty. I thought it was perfect as bar food.
Lastly, we shared a bread pudding dessert, which was more than adequate. It was fine ending to one of my last LA meals this year.
What to Order: Risotto, Burger, Mac’N Cheese, & Bread Pudding What not to Order:
