
Kendall's Brasserie
Quick info
About Kendall's Brasserie
Set on the street level of the Music Center at 135 N Grand Ave, Kendall's Brasserie is a French restaurant a few steps from the Ahmanson, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the Mark Taper Forum, and the kitchen seats diners in time for their curtain. The menu runs about 32 dishes across French brasserie ground, with steak and fries, duck, chicken, and a mussel pasta among the plates, plus a cheese and charcuterie board. Shared starters carry much of the table, including brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, and loaded fries. An extensive champagne, wine, and cocktail list runs alongside, with bartenders mixing drinks at the bar. Reservations can be made online, and the room is often busy. Parking is paid, with the underground Music Center garage entered from Grand. Brunch is also served.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Plenty of parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs available · Family friendly
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
32 dishes · mains $2–46- French Onion Soup$15.00
- Creamy Vegetable Soup$14.00
- Pei Mussels$26.00
- Smoked Salmon Dip$26.00
- Loaded Fries$20.00
- Tomato & Basil Clams$26.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention walk to music center, brussels sprouts appetizer, mac and cheese side and undisclosed automatic gratuity.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention walk to music center, brussels sprouts appetizer, mac and cheese side and undisclosed automatic gratuity.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers overwhelmingly frame this as a pre-show stop steps from the Music Center, and the shared appetizers are what they name most: brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, roasted mushrooms in herb butter sauce called meaty, and a cheese and charcuterie board one diner found smaller in portion than expected though varied. Close behind are the mains, flatiron steak and fries with a larger than expected portion, duck, a buttery mussel pasta, and the rich loaded fries that left leftovers. Cocktails also draw praise, including an Oaxacan Old Fashioned and a Maestro Palmer, while one diner rates the Bloody Mary below average and overpriced. Cost is the recurring complaint, described as spendy, with one bar guest detailing an undisclosed automatic gratuity that appeared only as a line item, followed by a further tip prompt. Another was surprised gift card balances could not go toward a tip, and a brunch guest found a crusty bread sandwich bland and underseasoned. Several note it runs busy, and one advises making reservations.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers overwhelmingly frame this as a pre-show stop steps from the Music Center, and the shared appetizers are what they name most: brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, roasted mushrooms in herb butter sauce called meaty, and a cheese and charcuterie board one diner found smaller in portion than expected though varied. Close behind are the mains, flatiron steak and fries with a larger than expected portion, duck, a buttery mussel pasta, and the rich loaded fries that left leftovers. Cocktails also draw praise, including an Oaxacan Old Fashioned and a Maestro Palmer, while one diner rates the Bloody Mary below average and overpriced. Cost is the recurring complaint, described as spendy, with one bar guest detailing an undisclosed automatic gratuity that appeared only as a line item, followed by a further tip prompt. Another was surprised gift card balances could not go toward a tip, and a brunch guest found a crusty bread sandwich bland and underseasoned. Several note it runs busy, and one advises making reservations.
Featured reviews
- Russ T
“Delicious! Had the duck and a side of Mac and cheese and a cocktail. Although they do change way too much for a lemonade or soda. Great place to stop before an opera. Friendly staff and cool bartenders”
- Filoms gegs
“Had the pleasure of dining at Kendall's Brasserie recently, and the entire experience felt polished and memorable from the start. The moment I walked in, the atmosphere immediately stood out with its elegant décor, warm lighting, and …”
- Bouqua
“I wanted to be mad because they did not have the brunch shown on their website, but the food was so good I can’t be mad. We shared appetizers: brussels sprouts, ahi, and mac & cheese. Everything was excellent, and the service was good! The only thing I can’t recommend is their Bloody Mary, which was less than average and overpriced for what it was.”
- Paul Carlin
“The bartender (Vlad) was excellent. The food was good. The Oaxacan Old Fashioneds were well-made. Prices are very high but expected given the location and the captive audience. Here's the problem: a 22% automatic gratuity was added to our check for two people at the bar. It wasn't on the menu. Nobody mentioned it. It simply appeared as a $34.98 line item after tax. Both copies of the receipt then suggested we add an additional 20–30% tip — on a bill that already included a mandatory gratuity. No disclosure. No asterisk. Just a quiet hope, apparently, that you wouldn't notice. I didn't notice until after I'd written in an extra $30. So I paid roughly $65 in gratuity on a $159 tab. Great service deserves a great tip. It doesn't deserve to be collected twice through misdirection. Disclose your automatic gratuity or drop it. This is a bad practice and it leaves guests feeling taken advantage of — which is exactly how I feel. The menu mentions the risks of eating shellfish, but no mention of the added gratuity. Don't get hoodwinked, or better yet... skip this place that feels like an upscale French IHOP.”
- Khadija Iguda
“Kendall's Brasserie is located on the street level of the Music Center on Grand Ave. We had about an hour before we needed to find out seats at the Ahmason. This restaurant was very conveniently located. We had drinks and appetizers. My …”
Highlights
“The theater crowd comes for upscale takes on classic French dishes, plus cocktails & outdoor patio.”
- Has fast service
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Has outdoor seating
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family friendly
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Serves comfort food
- Offerings· 8
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves happy-hour drinks
- Serves happy-hour food
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Crowd· 3
- Good for groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Popular with tourists
- Parking· 1
- Plenty of parking
- Dining options· 7
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has catering
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Popular for· 3
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Highlights· 5
- Has fast service
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Atmosphere· 4
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Accessibility· 3
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs available
Location
Restaurants near Kendall's Brasserie
- San Laurel4.43170.1 mi$80–90Reservations
gambas with fresh prawns, walt disney concert hall views, 10th floor of conrad hotel
- Eggslut4.44,6900.4 mi$10–20Good for kids
fairfax sandwich, the slut coddled egg, truffle hash browns
- 0.4 mi
bandeja paisa, colombian pastries, fritters
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kendall's BrasserieReservations | 4.1539 | — | $50–100 | walk to music center, brussels sprouts appetizer, mac and cheese side |
| San LaurelReservations | 4.4317 | 0.1 mi | $80–90 | gambas with fresh prawns, walt disney concert hall views, 10th floor of conrad hotel |
| EggslutGood for kids | 4.44,690 | 0.4 mi | $10–20 | fairfax sandwich, the slut coddled egg, truffle hash browns |
| La Tricolor Food Truck 🇨🇴 | 5.07 | 0.4 mi | — | bandeja paisa, colombian pastries, fritters |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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