THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Ciudad

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Ciudad Restaurant Review:

Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken originally created City on La Brea to introduce some of the foods they discovered during their Third World ramblings, only citified and Americanized without being denatured of its ethnic roots. This led to their Border Grill restaurants with their primarily Mexican recipes. Ciudad is where the citification of their Latin flavors comes full circle in downtown L.A. Lunchtime sees Cuban pressed sandwiches and Dungeness crab tamales. Ciudad is the place for an authentic Latin cocktail---perhaps a Cuban mojito or Brazilian caipirinha---although you can find a very nice Rioja from Spain or Argentinean Malbec on the wine list. The best meals we've had at Ciudad are those in which we've concentrated on appetizers, such as Peruvian ceviche (mahi mahi marinated in lime juice with fresh ginger and yellow chile pepper) and Argentine empanadas filled with wild mushrooms. The wide array of desserts---tres leches cake, flan, pastelitos with coffee ice cream and chocolate sauce---is worth exploring. Culinary themes from Spain are included at Ciudad, reflected by a Sunday evening tapas menu and paella offerings on the patio every Tuesday night. Beyond a bustling lounge, the sunny-colored restaurant transitions into a quieter dining room marked by contemporary lighting and bold abstract images painted on walls and ceilings.