I must that say not only this lovely downtown Los Angeles Latin restaurant is very warm and comfortable, but the ambiance and service makes you feel like you are at your own home, and is equally well known for the excellence of its food. Because, let me tell you, Ciudad delivers quality and innovation on many levels.

 
Agua Luca Martini & Long Island                     Chef Raimond Alvarez        

The drinks I must say the best drinks of town, we started with a Pomegranate Margarita, very good and the best Mojito in town, which I asked their secret; the rum is called Zaya and is freshly prepared with their own sweet and sour mix, as well the Long Island Ice Tea.

 
      Pomegranate Margarita                                        Mojito                 

The fertile minds of Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger has concocted such fare as the astounding appetizers such as Spinach Empanadas, Peruvian Ceviche, the Seared Calamari served with with white beans, peppers, and Bilbao chorizo, the best.

  
Peruvian Ceviche                                       Seared Calamari  


Romaine Hearts Salad with Plantains

Also we tasted the Sausage with figs, it was also delicious and unique. I was shocked at how much we enjoyed the Romaine Hearts, the Tortilla Soup and the soup of the day;  Cream of Mushroom, absolutely do die for!

 
             Spinach Empanadas                  Tortilla Soup,  Cream of Mushroom

Sausage with Figs

And how about the Boneless Baby Back Ribs; slow roasted in chile, spices, and glazed with mistela, a homemade honey liqueur served with Mexican dipped corn cob and mashed yams. You may never go back to a conventional Mexican restaurant after trying this dish.


Boneless Baby Back Ribs    I also get a serious kick out of the Brazilian Moqueca made with fish, shrimp, mussels, and cockles in lime scented coconut broth with coconut rice. This is good stuff, I would say that the Brazilians would appreciate this one, it makes you feel you are in Bahia, where this dish originally comes from. I would recommend that you try it. 


Brazilian Moqueca made with fish, shrimp, mussels, and cockles.   No, we are not done, we also tasted the Poached Halibut in Spanish Albarino Wine with fresh peppers, asparagus, and cuzcuz corn on a bed of bacon mashed potatoes, ah… what a fish, delicious, tender and moist. I must say that I truly enjoyed the Mexican dishes entrees at Ciudad. Without question, all the entrée we had were a masterpiece of taste and presentation. 
  Poached Halibut in Spanish Albarino Wine with fresh peppers and asparagus.
Below the Argentine Gaucho Steak, begins with an exceptionally caramelized Jalapeño and roasted garlic stuffed beef rib eye served with an herb and garlic chimichurri sauce, bacon mashed potatoes, and a warm black bean, corn, and spinach salad, it was perfecto! An absolute must try!

Argentine Gaucho Steak

For dessert we had the super chef Raimond Alvarez bring us a fenomenal Ange Cake with Mango mousse that was very good as well. Ciudad is, very simply put, an excellent family restaurant. There is much care given to the, preparation and presentation of every dish.

Ange Cake with Mango Mousse
Oh and did I forget to mention… Tapas Sundays at Ciudad, featuring an all Tapas Menu and Spanish Wines by the Glass - Every Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Clearly, you can't eat all of this on one visit. So you must go back. We certainly will.
If you have not visited Ciudad, do yourself a huge favor and head out there real soon. Just don't stumble into the ditch after your third margherita…

For map and location click Here!

For more information please visit their website at www.ciudad-la.com