Located in the lobby of the Tuck Hotel, Bar Garcia offers a highly original and eclectic menu of globally inspired dishes brilliantly executed with great passion. When meeting Chef Juan Pablo Torre you sense immediately that this is a man who lives to share his love of food, and who works hard to earn the rewards that come from seeing his guests thrill in the joys his dishes deliver. Bar Garcia is named as a loving homage to the owner’s grandfather from Spain. And having learned to cook from his Sicilian grandmother, Chef Torre leans heavily on Italian inspirations, but Spanish, Argentine, French, Middle Eastern, and Asian influences also color the menu. Chef Torre prides himself on using only the best locally sourced organic ingredients.

where I had experienced this incredible dish for the very first time at one of Turin’s finest restaurants. Imagine my surprise when I discovered my Vitello Tonnato at Bar Garcia not only to be authentic, but just as flavorful and unforgettable as the one I enjoyed in Italy. Vitello Tonnato is tender slices of fresh veal served rare atop a creamy tuna sauce with capers. The dish is typically served chilled or at room temperature. Upon presentation, one stirs the ingredients to create a mixture best eaten atop warm buttered crostini. The tuna sauce can best be described as much like a béarnaise with just a hint of tuna flavor; this is the stuff foodies dream of. Bar Garcia’s Vitello Tonnato is amazing, as is their crostini. It was difficult to stop eating these warm slices of light crispy baguette, similar to garlic bread but much more exotic and flavorful.

The results are clearly worth the effort, the flavors being very reminiscent of a perfectly executed and very delicious Beef Wellington. The Brisket Spring Rolls are served with a spicy citrus dip possessing an Asian flair, but I preferred mine without the dip; I wanted no distractions from enjoying the deep rich beef flavor.

and featuring an egg yolk center stage. One is supposed to break the egg yolk and stir its goodness into the potatoes and black truffles whipping up what becomes a marvel of delight. The mouthfeel and multidimensional depth of intense flavors are unforgettable. I’ve never tasted anything quite like it; it’s a must try. Chef Torre shared that the secret to the creaminess of the dish is that he uses two-year old Washington State potatoes. Some things just get better with age; apparently this includes certain types of potatoes. I found the brandada itself also improved with age. As the dish cooled the flavors seemed to become even more pronounced. The Black Truffle Brandada is intended to be spooned upon the aforementioned sublime buttered crostini. I added a bit of my Vitello Tonnato to create a wonderfully unique meat and potatoes canapé. Yum! Yum!

Somehow it escaped us both that each dish was intended for two, and sure enough there were leftovers. Lucky us. Both entrees were as original and as well executed as our three amazing starters. You can’t go wrong with either dish. The problems is there are just so many entrees that sound so wonderful and unique that making a choice is a challenge.

Talent resides not only in the kitchen but also behind the bar of Bar Garcia.

Bar Garcia resides on the first floor of the Tuck Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. What? You never heard of the Tuck Hotel? Me either. The Tuck reminds me of one of those spectacular LA nightclubs that you find hiding in plain sight behind an easily overlooked banal façade. Inside, the Tuck is modern and sophisticated yet warm and friendly; the works of local artist grace the walls. The Tuck staff impressed me as quite genuine in their dedication to properly satisfying the individual needs of each guest. And one can’t help but notice that everything is spotless and evident of meticulous care. With only fourteen rooms, the Tuck Hotel offers guests an intimate and exclusive experience seldom encountered in hyper Los Angeles. Typical LA pretentiousness is nowhere to be found, but charm and a sincere bonhomie are in abundance.

Classyverse highly recommends Bar Garcia. It delivers on its reputation as one of Downtown LA’s highest rated restaurants. Prices are reasonable. The food and drinks are excellent. And the Tuck hotel is the perfect place for a romantic getaway in Downtown LA.

What are you waiting for? Make a reservation.