Ciudad, Downtown

By the time we made it from Malibu down to Venice for a walkabout through the canals and along the boardwalk and then all the way back to my house, it was already getting late. The original plan was to head to MOCA for a late-night viewing of the Rauschenburg exhibit but eating dinner was agreed to be the first order of business. Ciudad seemed a good choice as I hadn't eaten there in a few years but figured it would be a hopping spot what with all the people downtown for the MOCA and Kinky/Sidestepper show. It was indeed hopping and we were lucky enough to snag a seat on the outdoor patio with a view of the lights of the neighboring skyscrapers all around. We started with the "Chicarones" Nachos which were a special. We had a hard time getting out of our drink-server whether or not the nachos were actually chicharones (fried pig intestines) but then learned that they were in fact a facsimile made of flour so we ordered them. They were definitely interesting and a pretty amazing technical feat--a hollow puffy chip with the same heft and crunch of traditional fried pig guts--but we would have settled for some corn chips. Not only would corn tortilla chips have been easier to eat, but they would have been more flavorful than the flour "chicarones" too. Pomegranate margaritas were a hit as were our entrees. I had a special of Copper River Salmon served on a bed of minty barley and topped with a tomato jam. Copper River salmon is my favorite and I look forward to eating it whenever possible this time every year. This preparation was delicious though perhaps a bit salty. I'd love to figure out how they made that barley though. Greg and Sara both ordered the Stuffed Tomato and Chile Relleno which they managed to polish off with no trouble. For dessert we shared a piece of chocolate cake. We lingered over coffee till we were the last ones in the restaurant and never did make it to MOCA.

Ciudad
445 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles
(213) 486-5171