Pa'La Wood Fired Cooking

Featured reviews

• K

  Karissa Allen

  ·1 month ago

  “We had been here once before and I remember it was very delicious but I have to say there was something incredibly special about the new menu we tried. The sweet potato’s seem to be a staple and a complete must. They are sweet, salty, crunchy, soft, spicy and a beautiful reminder how simplicity done well brings so much depth. The steak and salmon we ate were seasoned incredibly well and cooked to perfection. We shared the mother's day special and it did not disappoint. The Jazz band playing behind us was not over powering and brought a wonderful ambiance. I would recommend this place to anyone and sitting upstairs was a treat. Thank you for a wonderful experience.”

• F

  Fritz Post

  ·1 month ago

  “Arrived around 7pm. Crowded. Harsh acoustics. Loud. Quieted down by 8:30. Drinks,gem salad, pork belly, octopus, and for dessert, flan. Wonderful dessert. Not listed was fennel in the salad👎. Octopus was tasty but slightly over cooked. Pork …”

• M

  Marie Roviello

  ·3 months ago

  “Pa’La Wood Fired Cooking feels lively yet intimate at the same time — the kind of place where conversation, music, and the energy of the room naturally come together. On certain nights there’s live music 🎶 , adding to the warm, convivial …”

• S

  Sein G

  ·5 months ago

  “I visited Pa’La Downtown on a Friday night for my friend’s birthday dinner. Overall, my experience was underwhelming, and I’m not sure if I’ll return to this specific location, though I might try their 24th Street location in the future. For tapas, we tried the Kurobuta Pork Belly ($18). The dish came with four pieces of sliced pork belly (two per skewer) and root vegetables. Unfortunately, the saltiness was way too strong. The seasoning was only on the surface, and it overwhelmed the bite. By the second and last piece, there was nothing left on the plate to balance the extreme saltiness. Perhaps a slightly larger portion of root vegetables or a side to complement it would have helped, but as served, it was difficult to enjoy. Next, I tried the Bucatini Carbonara pasta ($28). I have to be honest. It was extremely disappointing. Before visiting, I had seen photos and reviews online and was excited when I saw it was on the daily menu board, but the pasta was BLAND. Even after mixing in the Parmesan cheese and taking a bite with the guanciale, the dish tasted bland. We had to chase down someone for salt to finish the dish. The guanciale pieces were very small and didn’t add enough flavor, and overall, the dish felt underwhelming. On the special menu that night, the Wood-Fired Branzino ($48) with shiso chimichurri, Romano beans, and einkorn was sold out by the time we tried to order. Instead, we went with the Miso Black Cod ($42), recommended by our waiter. This dish was exceptional. The cod was cooked perfectly, the miso flavor was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the ancient grains it was served on. The portion was on the smaller side, about 5 ounces, but it was excellent. The service was amazing. I cannot remember the server's name, but he was tall, dark-haired, very knowledgeable about the wines, and incredibly friendly. The wine list and drink menu were decent. The ambience is nice, but the inside was extremely loud, so if you’re looking for a quiet dinner, I’d recommend visiting during a less busy time. Parking was convenient, with two garages nearby, and Pa’La validates for two hours, though you’ll want to be mindful of charges beyond that. Overall, while the Miso Black Cod was a highlight, the pork belly and carbonara were disappointing, leaving me unsure if I’d return to this location. I may give the other location a try in the future.”

• A

  Anis Sarrage

  ·5 months ago

  “Made a reservation for dinner upstairs in the jazz lounge. While our table wasn’t ready for a few minutes, we waited at the bar and ordered cocktails. The staff were all friendly, the ambience was nice and romantic, the wine list extensive …”

• K

  Khary

  ·5 months ago

  “The bone marrow was incredibly rich and buttery, perfectly roasted with deep flavor that melted on the tongue. Paired with the truffle infused bread, it was pure indulgence. The bread was warm, aromatic, and had just the right amount of …”

• M

  Marc W

  ·6 months ago

  “The food was exquisite and the wine was top notch. What was unexpected was the ambience with the live jazz, which was very relaxing. The selection from the menu was very surprising and the prices very reasonable for the quality. We would recommend and come back again!”

• B

  Bit Class

  ·6 months ago

  “Fantastic experience. Had a little issue with the reservation as we came in for the Tuesday 8 course special. They said they would do it so very happy to experience that. All the dishes were well prepared, delicious, cooked to perfection. …”

• J

  Jennie Ifanis

  ·7 months ago

  “I can't stop thinking about this place! In early October, I reserved a spot at Pa'la Downtown for my partner's birthday. …”

• S

  Steve Ermish

  ·7 months ago

  “A great experience! The upper room is much more quiet and you can see live jazz on the weekends. The plateware is hand made and the food is chef prepared. The staff was very friendly, and our server was knowledgeable in the entire menu. I …”