You are probably wondering, is it worth the hype? Absolutely—without hesitation. 71 Above provides an unforgettable dining experience with breathtaking views and unexpectedly delicious dishes. As is expected, the views are incredible. Service was attentive and quick throughout the entire dinner, and they even surprised us as this was a graduation/birthday dinner.
What really made this place stand out, however, was the actual food. I came in with a party of 10 and we all expected astonishing views but mediocre food (as is usually common with LA restaurants that boast incredible ambiances). However, every single course (with a few dessert exceptions) was phenomenal. All of us got different items, but I will take you through my course.
I started with the Godfather cocktail—which I enjoyed thoroughly. If you like smoky and bitter drinks, this is one for you. Also got some bread service which was a nice start.
For my first, I got the Grilled Octopus. The octopus itself was tender and cooked great. It was slightly overcooked toward the center, but nonetheless, still tender and delicious. The smoked chimichurri adds incredible notes of flavor to the dish. What really elevated the dish was the sweet peppers. Never have I had octopus with sweet peppers, and though initially thrown off, I found it to be delicious after my first bite. The squashini and seed dukkah also balanced out the dish with some crunch to complement the softness of the octopus and sweet peppers. My friend got the Handkerchief Pasta, which was also incredible, while a few others got the Shiso Chiltarra which was also super flavorful.
For my second, I got the Grilled Ribeye. This is 100% a contender for one of the best ribeyes I have had in a restaurant (emphasis on ribeye). Normally, ribeyes at restaurants like Steak 48, Mastros, etc. tend to be quite chewy even if cooked at rare temperatures. However, this ribeye was exceptionally soft and had the texture of butter. It was lean and sliced thin, complemented incredibly with a few different sauces. One would expect the different flavors to clash, but it actually came together quite well. Most importantly, the ribeye itself could stand alone without any reliance on sauces. The sweet potatoes were soft on the inside with a sweet, crispy crust. Overall a 10/10 dish that everyone on our table wiped CLEAN. All 10 of us got it and cleaned our plates.
For Dessert, we got one of each across the table. While tasty, savory, and delicious, they fell short when compared to the first and second courses. Presentation was minimalist, which is not at all an issue, but felt like a big drop in tone compared to the other dishes. The Mango Rice Pudding was okay. The Blueberry Pavlova is citrusy and sweet, not my ideal choice after a hearty dinner. Chocolate Semifreddo—the best of the three—was great but relied on lots of cream. Did not get much of the brownie brittle taste or green tea flavor from the ganache. However, still the most flavorful of the three, and I would go with that one. The little crunch on the base is also a nice touch.
Overall, the menu is an incredibly great price for an experience like 71 above. Also worth noting, these three meals were more than enough food to get you full (something I was initially concerned about).
Afterward, we spent some time talking with the Executive Chef, Javier Lopez, who clearly ensures customers are met with the highest quality meals. We also had an opportunity to look around, sit by window tables, and take pictures. Moreover, given we were celebrating both a graduation and birthday party, they brought out complimentary sparkling wine with little goodies and desserts for the table. This was a nice sweet touch that left us with a smile...
Read more🩸1.FAQ; Parking? 👉"Self parking is available in the US Bank Tower’s parking structure located at 633 Hope Place. Validated self parking is $15 for the first two hours, with prevailing rates thereafter. 👉Valet Service is available daily beginning at 5pm and is located directly in front of the US Bank Tower at 633 West 5th Street. The cost of valet parking is a flat rate of $15. Cash and Credit Card accepted"
🩸2.FAQ; Reservation : 👉Yes, for the time being a reservation with a credit card on file is required to dine in the dining room. Walk-ins are welcome to join them at their bar, capacity permitted. They Cannot guarantee walk-in access. 👉"Window tables cannot be reserved and are not guaranteed, but if preferred, please make a note when reserving and we will do our best to accommodate. Please note that window tables are in very high demand and we will not be able to accommodate every request."
🩸3) FAQ: Dress code : 👉"Proper attire is required to enter the restaurant, bar, and Sky Lounge. Their smart casual dress code does not require jackets, although they are suggested. Hats, baseball hats, shorts, sweatpants, excessively ripped jeans, flip-flops, beach attire, and athletic wear are not permitted. All large bags, duffle bags, or backpacks must be left at coat check and are not permitted in the dining room or bar. A coat check is available at the host stand on the 71st floor."
🩸4.FAQ: Outside dessert available? 👉Yes service for all outside dessert is subject to a $5 per person fee. They cannot guarantee any outside dessert that’s brought can be stored in our cooler. All desserts brought in must be dropped off the day of. Please plan accordingly
🩸FAQ: "How does the menu work? 👉They feature a three-course dinner menu. There are several items available to choose from within each course. The items within each course are sorted from lightest and most delicate at the top, to the most substantial dishes at the bottom. Guests in the dining rooms are required to order from the coursed menus.
$95 a person for a three-course meal. Window seating is walk-in only. Some people waited at the bar for an hour for a spot to open up.The experience was amazing from the beginning with the cocktails at the lounge
The bar has wonderful service and serves the same menu as the dining area with a beautiful view. the stunning LA views.
Honestly, the food was well presented and tasted just okay. The fantastic vibes, high rise view, and night view are worth the money. The most important of all is the extraordinary...
Read moreIf you've ever wondered what it's like to pay premium prices to be treated like an inconvenience, this is the place for you. From the lobby to the host, to the waiter, all the way up to the manager – the attitude was consistent: rude, entitled, and completely uninterested in basic hospitality.
This was supposed to be a special anniversary dinner, booked well in advance with a simple note asking for a window seat. You'd think we asked them to move a mountain. The response to our polite request was hostile, both over email and the phone. Other restaurants say "Sorry, we'll try our best." This one basically said, "Too bad, deal with it." Lovely.
When we arrived, we asked again - kindly – if we could wait a little extra for a window table. You know, like normal guests who want to enjoy the one thing this place is actually known for: the view. The host shut us down with the warmth of a DMV clerk having a bad day.
When our table was finally ready - late, despite our reservation - we asked this different person who was going to sit us and she immediately shut us down, walking off mid-conversation to grab the manager. Great start.
The manager made a vague promise to "try his best," told us to wait, and reassured us we'd be moved when a table opened up. Two window tables opened within a few minutes. Nothing happened.
Our waiter deserves a special mention: he told us he couldn't do anything and would get the manager, but actually went to talk to the host before vanishing. For 15 minutes. We even watched another waiter try to flag him down on our behalf, and he flat-out ignored him too. Bold move.
The vibe throughout the entire night was less "romantic anniversary dinner" and more "unwanted guests at a staff meeting." It was tense, cold, and honestly embarrassing. We couldn't even enjoy the food - which, by the way, was completely average, probably even below average but priced like it was prepared by Michelin-star chefs on a yacht. Spoiler: it wasn't.
When I finally spoke to the manager afterward, he gave me the usual greatest hits of excuses: "It's Saturday," "I tried," "I can't control my staff." Ah yes, nothing says leadership like admitting you have no control over your team.
Bottom line: If you enjoy being ignored, talked down to, and served mid-tier food at luxury prices - all while staring at a nice window you won't be sitting next to - this is your spot. Otherwise, do yourself a favor: pick literally any other restaurant. The view can't save them from their...
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