Wow wow wow⌠I love to eat, Iâve been to many restaurants in LA, all over the spectrum, and I can confidently say that Hummingbird Ceviche House stands out as a gem truly worth visiting. Not only was the food spectacular, but I had the best service Iâve experienced in LA so far
First Impressions~ Iâve seen the muted green building nearly everyday on my drive home through Glendale Boulevard. Stepping inside, youâre immediately immersed in the cozy dining area with bumpinâ music, lights, and a disco ball. I was honestly a little worried at first but my nerves were quickly washed away when our server, Dayana, came around. As first timers, she guided us through the menu and spoke about the food in a way that showed genuine love for the dishes and ingredients.
Food~ We started off with the salmon hand roll, yellowtail ceviche tostada, and the seabass ceviche. The salmon hand roll came around first. I thought I knew what I expecting, but as soon as I took the first bite and tasted the lemongrass aioli, I knew I was wrong. It was bright, but not overpowering, and I could enjoy the complexities of what I thought was going to be a humble handroll. We went back and ordered another handroll, this time getting the crab. I wish I could talk about the other dishes with flowery language but honestly, I was so overjoyed with each one that I couldnât even think coherent thoughts about what I was tasting. Despite my blackout, there was one more (humble) stand out â the tostadas themselves. The tostadas must have not been fully corn because they were lighter and airy with a satisfying crunch, like if a corn chip and a rice cracker had a baby. Still, they struck the perfect balance since they were hearty enough to withstand the tigers milk the ceviche was served in as I desperately tried to scoop up every last drop.
From the food, to the vibes, to the service, I am in love with Hummingbird. Will definitely be coming back. Thank you for the...
   Read moreThe food was the best part of this restaurant, but I couldn't help but think there are food trucks that serve ceviche of this quality. Plating and presentation are intricate. I absolutely hated that they smeared sauce on the rim of the plate for some dishes. I ended up not seeing it in the dim lighting and enjoyed saucy fingers twice.
Prices are steep. Expect to pay about $20 per dish with 3-4 orders per person. Portions are tiny. It's difficult to leave this restaurant without feeling ripped off.
Parking is easy to find behind the restaurant, if you're willing to walk next to homeless encampments. Try to avoid broken glass.
The size of this restaurant and the way they try to pack people in is problematic. There's a table right next to the door, so when you open the door, it slams into the people sitting at the table. That's the worst table, but the other ones are not much better. You also have the option of sitting at a very cramped bar overlooking the chefs. Either option is claustrophobic.
The best part about the layout is that you can watch the chefs work. One is very detail oriented.
The night we went, there was a live singer and pianist. They were both great, but their performance was diminished by a speaker turned up to 11 blaring in the opposite corner. Why do they even need a speaker in such a small restaurant? Turned what could have been a romantic night into a headache.
The service is either very quick or very slow, depending on what you order. The food doesn't come out in any discernable order - they just run dishes to you one by one. Our hot food came out before our cold. Our rolls came inbetween ceviche orders. Our food came out before our drinks. Water is served in tiny disposable cups and water refills are hard to come by -- charming?
Overall, good food, but also food you can find elsewhere in a setting that...
   Read moreI loooooove this place! From the moment you walk in, you can feel the warmth and care that goes into every part of the experience. Every single dish is crafted with so much loveâit truly feels like a homemade meal, the kind that brings back memories of family gatherings and comfort food from childhood.
What really sets this place apart is the fusion of flavors. Each dish is a thoughtful blend of cultures and ingredients that somehow manages to be both creative and familiar at the same time. Itâs clear that Ricardo and his incredible team have poured their hearts into curating a menu that is not only unique but consistently delicious. Theyâve done an amazing job balancing innovation with authenticity, and the results are outstanding.
The fish is always unbelievably freshâlike it was just caught that morning. And the sauces? Donât even get me started. Every sauce is rich, flavorful, and complements the dish perfectly. You can tell that a lot of thought and testing has gone into every element on the plate.
There hasnât been a single thing Iâve tried that I didnât absolutely love. Whether itâs a main course, a side, or even a dessert, everything leaves me feeling full, happy, and eager to come back. This place is truly a gem, and I honestly cannot recommend it enough. If youâre looking for food thatâs made with passion, creativity, and...
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