Charcoal Grill & Bar

Reviews

• Ronnie M.

  star star star star star 30 May 2026

  You have to try this place I was there like 10 times already
  always there is a fresh good tasty food
  There is no way you be disappointed

• Adee D.

  star star star star star 22 May 2026

  This was our first time at Charcoal although many friends have told us about it. Before I get into the food, I want to say that I was so impressed with the level of attentiveness of the entire team working the shift including the owner himself. They took time to know our names and offered us specialty drinks. Plates, flatware and napkins were cleared and changed in a matter of minutes from when something was finished. Immaculate
  
  For the food...I didn't take many photos as we were celebrating our anniversary and I didn't want to take my phone out all the time. We had the Lichee drink over dry ice (amazing) eggplant appetizer, colleflower and Hummus! Everything was wow. We were given an tomato and jalapeño salad on the house which is also on menu. Highly recommended. We shared the Korean beef short ribs. A MUST.  Also try the Malabi for dessert. Fabulous.
  
  I suggest making reservations. Super small place but amazing!

• John A.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 20 May 2026

  If I had the ability to give this place no stars I would.
  This is not about the food but about the service.
  I have never seen a place that will sit you pretty much on the street and will rush you to get up since he has other reservations.
  We we're a group of people who came to celebrate a birthday for a friend when during our visit there, one of the waitresses have dropped a whole salad plate on one of our plates and didn't even bother compensating or paying attention to it.
  Once that was done, the line outside got longer and the owner of the place (at least that is what was told ) approached us and in the most rude way offered us a $200 voucher to get up and leave cause he has a long line. Mind you, we were only there for about an hour. He was yelling and answering back in the most rude way I have ever seen and I visit Michelin restaurants on a regular basis.
  He dared approaching us in a physical threatening way and pretty much pushed us to leave.
  This will be the last time we will ever visit this place and I recommend to stay away.
  They don't deserve people buying from them.
  Shame on you!!!

• Jenn S.

  star star star star star 18 May 2026

  A year old and still going very strong! Chef Lenny  and his sous Chef Aaron seriously have a fantastic synergy and flow with their creative and equally delicious dishes that they are pumping out here at Charcoal Grill & Bar. Beautifully plated, thoughtfully executed and carefully crafted, these dishes really not only are pleasing to the eyes but to the palate of all that come here to dine.
  
  Open kitchen concept is great and the ambiance is young and hip but the space is a bit cramped inside so I was very thankful for the abundant outdoor seating area!  Staff is really friendly and engaging plus not once did I hear from any of them using the excuse of how they don't cover a table, when one was flagged down for something by a diner.
  
  Chef Lenny, a LA native, came out to the east coast to hone his cooking skills under one of the more well known and loved restaurateur/chef's in the kosher scene in NYC. His love of food and the science behind it really shows when he excitedly explains how he developed a dish or flavor profile. What makes him one of the greats is that he's open to constructive feedback from his clientele and continually looking to improve what's already great.
  
  I love the immediate offerings of cured green olive and briney Israeli pickle chops that are bright to the table when you're seated. We continued on to the generous portion of housemade hummus topped with havenly roasted lamb shoulder and picked red onions, a perfect dish that encompassed spice, salt and tart all in one bite. The grilled rib eye special and the meat platter featuring Korean marinaded short ribs (which was exactly the way Koreans like their bbq short ribs) and a generous tender lamb chop that followed soon after were exactly what my eyes and stomach wanted! The lamb bacon was killer, a great balance of sweet & salty with a bit of smoky, it was the perfect bite each time. Wish I had room for their epic burger but the table next to ours seemed to enjoy it.
  
  The apps, sides and entrees are all executed gloriously at Charcoal, however, the pièce de resistance are the phenomenal desserts sous Chef Aaron has developed and created here. Classically trained in French pastry making in France, he brings pareve desserts to the next level and then some. He incorporates French technique with flavors like rose water and the like to bring the most delicious, delightful and unique dessert selections, ever. But don't fret, he also has an offering of the most decadent and properly made chocolate soufflé as well.
  
  When in LA, if you don't have the time to foodie crawl like myself, then I insist that you drop into just Charcoal!  Seriously really looking forward to my next visit very soon!

• Sam B.

  star star star star_border star_border 16 May 2026

  So, this place is really crowded and pretty hip during dinner time. I highly suggest making a reservation in advance to make sure you get a seat. It's a small space but it's a very nice space with a beautiful bar in the center. Great ambiance. Some seating outside. Lunch time is more relaxed and you can definitely walk in.
  
  The location is great. It's walking distance from the Grove and there is a great park across the street. Next door is Sweet Rose creamery which is also kosher and has non-dairy options galore.  Parking is on the street and can be difficult to find.
  
  The crowd in here is mixed but I think this place is best suited to adults. Plus, the food is rather pricey so it's more of a special occasion, date, or splurge type of meal. We inquired if they had a happy hour, they don't, but this place would be a great happy hour spot so I hope they input one soon.
  
  The service here is excellent. They were super friendly and eager to please. The meal went very smoothly. We were happy.
  
  I came here for lunch where they offer a fixed price menu. You get an appetizer, entrée, and dessert and there are different price points depending on what entrée you order. My meal was $24.
  
  I got the eggplant appetizer, the arugula salad with chicken, and the tiramisu dessert. The ingredients in the eggplant appetizer sounded great and the eggplant was cooked perfectly but there was way too much garlic and spice in this appetizer. So, much that my mouth burned a bit. I would not order it again. The salad was also very spicy. It was just okay. I'm glad I added a protein. The star of the arugula salad was the chicken which was cooked perfectly and was 5 stars. One of the best chickens I've had in a long time. The portion size of my salad was huge. I took mine home to finish and made two more meals out of just the salad alone. The tiramisu came in a really cute canister. It had a strong espresso taste which I like.
  
  The take away, this place is for carnivores. They do offer vegan/vegetarian options here but I wouldn't come here and order them. I would stick to what they are known for, their meat dishes. That is where this place really shines. The drinks looked amazing as well.  I definitely  would come back here for the meat. I plan on getting the half chicken with pineapple next time around. It sounds delicious and based on the chicken in my salad, I am expecting a great meal!