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Home » Uncategorized » Best Girl DTLA, Bistro Restaurant at The Ace Hotel, Los Angeles – Just Go!

Best Girl DTLA, Bistro Restaurant at The Ace Hotel, Los Angeles – Just Go!

November 6th, 2017 | 19 Comments

 Best Girl DTLA, a great new bistro, isn’t all about looks with its retro, cool style; you need to go to this restaurant for the food. P.S. The main dish I’m recommending is Italian, so you know that’s saying something.

Paccheri with bitter greens, besciamella and fried sage at Best Girl DTLADid you know, former, LA Chapter restaurant is now Best Girl DTLA?

Disclosure: I was hosted for dinner and drinks for two at Best Girl DTLA in exchange for a review. No conditions were made and all opinions are solely my own.

Given that Chef Michael Cimarusti (Providence and Connie and Ted’s) is responsible for the eclectic menu, my love for the food here makes total sense now.  I, however, did not know this when I happened to stumble upon this barely two day old restaurant last week.

Allow me to explain, and forgive me for getting side-tracked for a moment.

I love Christine H. McConnell, and have followed her on Instagram since the day I discovered her there. If you don’t know who she is, you will now. I have no words to describe how incredibly talented this lady is, in so many areas and on so many levels.

ticket for Christine McConnell Orient Express

So, when I noticed an invitation to meet Ms. McConnell, attend a Murder on the Orient Express screening and a murder mystery hosted by her, I immediately clicked on her Instagram account to get tickets! Fortunately, I was one of the first to see the invitation and snagged two of these coveted tickets for the event at the Ace Theatre in downtown LA. I should mention, everyone was invited to dress in formal 1930s attire; it was so much fun!

Murder on the Orient Express with Christine McConnell Ace Theatre

The event also happened to be on my husband’s birthday, so when we planned the evening, we thought we’d have dinner somewhere near the theatre. Ta dah, how about next door? When I learned Best Girl DTLA had just been open for two days, it was quite exciting as I normally don’t venture anywhere within the first few days of its opening.

Best Girl DTLA

I was seated while my husband valeted the car. Our waiter, Adrianno, came to introduce himself with a strong Italian accent, so I asked. “You are Italian?” He confirmed, “Yes!” To which I responded, “Me too.” Then in perfect unison, we inquired, “Parli italiano?” and we laughed. This was the beginning to a lovely evening at Best Girl DTLA.

at Best Girl DTLA for a birthday dinner
Our 1930s attire fit quite well with Best Girl’s decor.

The cocktails weren’t run of the mill, and the same applied to the wine list (and more) and the fantastic menu. At Adrianno’s suggestion, I decided on The Sixth 13, a tequila, lime and Earl Grey vanilla syrup cocktail, and my husband had the Lucky Girl. This aptly named beverage was a combination of Pisco, lemon, grapefruit liqueur, hibiscus vermouth and luck! We both enjoyed our cocktails, although I was a bit more enamored of my husband’s drink, if I had to choose again.

Cocktails at Best Girl DTLA

Onto the food. Unfortunately, due to the fact that it gets dark so early in November, paired with the low lighting (which I loved) in the restaurant, my photos are absolutely not representative of how well presented the dishes were. My husband started with the freshest oysters (I had one to try), while I started with the crab cake.

oysters at Best Girl DTLA
The crab cake was made with jumbo lump crab, served with remoulade and pickles and I told Adrianno, it was so much better than the last crab cake I had on the east coast! (Sorry, east coast, but I cannot tell a lie.) I finished everything on my plate.

Crab Cake at Best Girl DTLA

Antonio’s Amazing Crab Cakes

We ordered wine from the impressive wine list, but fear not, if you are not a wine drinker, as there are craft  beers to choose from, and even a dark cherry cider.

Wine list at Best Girl DTLA

We both chose a French wine: I had the chilled Beaujolais, which was light, yet fruity, while my husband’s Braucol was a stronger red, and more suited to his pasta selection. What did he order? The calamarata with spicy pork ragu. A solid and very enjoyable pasta, but not as spicy as we both had expected.

Calamarata at Best Girl DTLA

My pasta dish, however, was something that made me swoon! Paccheri filled with bitter greens, served with bechamel, Parmesan and topped with fried sage leaves. It was one of those dishes that had me thinking that I had to make it at home after only the first bite. I would tell you to go to Best Girl DTLA just for this dish alone. And see that garlic bread on the side? Deliciousness.

Paccheri with bitter greens, besciamella and fried sage at Best Girl DTLA

The ladies sitting next to me heard me gushing compliments to Adrianno and ordered the same dish. Good choice, ladies, and kudos to Chef Adam Walker in the kitchen!

We didn’t have enough time for dessert, but Adrianno gave us two, perfectly warm and delectable chocolate chip cookies to go! I had spied a Bourbon sticky toffee pudding on the dessert menu, and it killed me not to try it. I’ll just have to go back!

If you’re in LA or plan to visit in the near future, give Best Girl DTLA a spot on your dining list. You won’t regret it.

Best Girl DTLA info
Courtesy of Best Girl’s website.

Christine H. McConnell Presents Murder on the Orient Express

And in case you’re wondering about the event at the Ace Theatre DTLA with Christine McConnell: it was brilliant. I was elated to be able to meet Christine; she is incredibly humble and such a lovely lady!

I’m never star-struck with movie stars, but I was giddy to meet Christine!

I was “murdered” by the killer in the murder mystery game. Luckily, I only had to place a red dot on my forehead, and not pretend to fall over dead! I was simply in awe of the Ace Theatre’s lobby, where the game took place.

This short clip shows a bit of the evening’s events and atmosphere. I’m so happy that I was able to be part of it!

The theatre itself is also an architectural gem; the perfect place to see Murder on the Orient Express. Do go see the film; I thought it was a thoroughly enjoyable (I’m a rather harsh critic when it comes to movies)!

Christine McConnell hosts Murder on the Orient Express at the Ace THeatre DTLA

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*Thank you, Sarah, for letting me borrow your faux fur stole!

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Country, My Rants & Recommendations, Non Sequitur, Uncategorized, USA · Best Girl, Best Girl DTLA, bistro, chef, Christine H. McConnell, Christine McConnell, LA restaurants, Los Angeles, Michael Cimarusti, Murder on the Orient Express, Review, Reviews, Travel

Reader Interactions

19 Responses

  1. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says:
    November 14, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    What a fabulous way for you to spend Bob’s birthday! That pasta dish sounds delicious! You look really lovely and very “period” by the way. What a great night! Can’t wait to see the movie!

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      October 29, 2018 at 11:18 pm

      Thanks, Cynthia!

      Reply
  2. Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate says:
    November 11, 2017 at 7:53 am

    You guys look so glam! I love a restaurant that gives me an excuse to dress up. Bonus when it’s got killer food, too!

    Reply
  3. Andi says:
    November 10, 2017 at 10:34 am

    What a fun evening! From beginning to end! The pasta dish looks decadent and filling, I could handle that!

    Reply
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Meet Christina

A Scottish Italian cook living in Los Angeles, Christina is usually cooking, baking or (cr)eating something scrumptious. When she isn't in the kitchen, she loves to travel, near and far, as long as good food is involved. Christina is on a mission to save authentic Italian dishes from extinction, and is constantly promoting Scottish (and British) food as some of the best cuisine the world has to offer—one steak pie and sticky toffee pudding at a time.



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