Wood Spoon - Los Angeles

As I stepped inside Wood Spoon, I was immediately taken by the ambiance. The minimalist decor featured simple walls adorned with two vibrant paintings. With its yellow seats, cheerful flowers on the tables, and sunflowers in the windows, the space felt bright and inviting. Now, let’s talk about the food. I started my meal with a fresh lemonade, which was indeed refreshing. They had just made it before we ordered, and although I prefer my lemonade a bit sweeter, it was still very enjoyable. For appetizers, I chose the Pastel Portuguese and the Coxhina. The Pastel Portuguese is essentially a deep-fried pastry filled with shrimp cooked in coconut sauce and cilantro, served with an incredibly addictive mayonnaise. I loved how surprisingly light and tender the Pastel was, despite being deep-fried. The breading was well-done, not overwhelming the delicious filling. The shrimp had a wonderful texture, and the sweetness from the shrimp and coconut paired beautifully with the fresh cilantro. The drop-shaped Coxhina appeared to use similar dough as the Pastel, and the chicken filling was excellent. It was moist, tender, and flavorful, whether eaten alone or with mayonnaise. I even added a bit of Brazilian chili pepper sauce to the chicken, which gave it a delightful kick. For my main course, I opted for the Brazilian Chicken Pot Pie, which turned out to be the best chicken pie I’ve ever had. When it arrived, I was blown away by the generous portion size—I ended up taking half of it home! Beyond its impressive size, it was beautifully presented, with a golden-brown crust and a large wooden spoon accent on top. The crust was wonderfully flaky, and the filling, made with chicken, hearts of palm, potatoes, olives, and roasted corn, was simply delicious. The olives added just the right amount of saltiness without overpowering the dish, while the corn provided a delightful juicy pop with each bite. Overall, this pie was outstanding and a must-try. I was also curious about the Pork Burger and the Yam Fritters, so I shared an order with a friend to compare sizes. The Pork Burger was substantial too—even just half of it was quite filling. I took a few bites and could see why it’s such a popular item at Wood Spoon. It was moist and packed with flavor. Even after cutting it in half, you could see the variety of spices used in the meat. I loved the roasted cabbage and onions that accompanied the burger; the caramelized onions added a lovely sweetness. By the end of the meal, I was quite full, but I couldn’t resist trying a Brigadeiro, which the waiter described as Brazilian chocolate truffles. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to my taste; I found the chewy, fudgy texture unappealing. As we finished up, the owner, Nathalia, came over to greet our group and inquire about our experience, which I thought was a lovely touch. She seemed genuinely interested in our feedback, and I’m sure she left a positive impression on many of us. Overall, Wood Spoon is a fantastic addition to the local dining scene. With great service, friendly staff, and delicious food, I thoroughly enjoyed my culinary experience and encourage everyone to give it a try. You won't regret it!

We absolutely adored this place. The space is cozy, and instead of feeling crowded, it exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere. I really appreciated the restaurant's design, particularly the artwork on the walls...

4+ stars for full disclosure: I visited this restaurant a few years back, and I'm sharing this review for future reference. They have been temporarily closed for some time now, and I'm not certain if...

I drove around once and fortunately found metered parking just a block away, which was easy to find on a Wednesday night. I discovered this restaurant through recommendations on Infatuation, TimeOut, and Eater, and...

In a cozy spot in downtown LA, Wood Spoon is a solid choice for lunch or dinner. After visiting a few times, I've sampled various dishes. The sandwiches are excellent and really flavorful. While the grilled specials might not be enough for bigger appetites, the meats I tried were juicy and delicious, and the generous sides complemented them well. The appetizers are nice, though they seem a bit pricey for the portion sizes; my favorite is the shrimp dumplings. Overall, the prices are very reasonable, with most items under $15. Plus, finding parking in the evening is fairly easy.