The Los Angeles Venue Report
Casa
Rivera
Here’s where to go for hearty Latin-inspired cuisine after a long day at the convention center. Chef John Rivera Sedlar opened pan-Latin restaurant Rivera (1050 South Flower St., 213.749.1460) downtown in January 2009. The menu’s inspiration comes from Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, the American Southwest, Spain, and Portugal. The space is visually separated into several areas: The entrance features a glass-enclosed cave with wines on display; the Samba Lounge has a 40-foot-long video art installation. An Iberian-inspired private dining area seats 30, while an adjacent courtyard holds 250. Full buyouts can accommodate 300 for receptions. Open since February 2009, Yxta Cocina Mexicana (601 South Central Ave., 213.596.5579) is decorated in modern Mexican furnishings with artwork from
Mexico City. Fifteen flags crafted by artists from that country decorate a wall, a mosaic wall backs the bar, and handblown chandeliers hang over the bar and dining room. High ceilings, whitewashed walls, and exposed brick round out the look. The space features a full bar with 30 premium tequilas; specialty cocktails are made daily with house-made aguas frescas and sweet-and-sour mix. The venue is available for full and partial buyouts. The dining room holds 150, a patio 50, and the bar area 28. Casa (350 South Grand Ave., 213.621.2249) is an upscale Mexican restaurant that holds 200 and is available for full buyouts. Smaller areas within may also be booked individually. The space is anchored by an indoor-outdoor bar and patio with large rounded booths, known at the venue as “casitas.” The indoor space has dark wood tables with antique Mexican decor and cookware. Outside, there is a “social casita” with highboys and cocktail tables and room for 20. Other areas hold between four and 40 guests.
Yxta Cocina Mexicana
A STYLISH PRIVATE VENUE Open since March 2009, the Mark is a 7,500-square-foot event venue with room for 800, near the borders of Century City and Beverly Hills. Poko Event Productions designed the space with areas that can be subdivided for smaller events. The Wood Room has a wood floor that’s right for dancing, plus a full-length wet bar. The Glass Room is bright and airy with full-length picture windows, but can also be draped for privacy. The Beam Room features a trussand-beam ceiling with mini spotlights throughout. The space also offers a full kitchen for catering. (9320 West Pico Blvd., 310.247.2266)
BANQUET FACILITY
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PHOTOS: EDDIE SOTTO (RIVERA), MICHAEL NGIM PHOTOGRAPHY (CASA), JEN JONES/THRILLIST (YXTA), COURTESY OF THE MARK
Downtown Dining