Pa'La Wood Fired Cooking
4.6 ★ average from 5 reviews
Informal destination offering an international menu of meals & small plates, plus cocktails.
Location
Hours
- fri
- 5:00 – 10:00 PM
- sat
- 5:00 – 10:00 PM
- sun
- 5:00 – 9:00 PM
- thu
- 5:00 – 10:00 PM
- tue
- 5:00 – 10:00 PM
- wed
- 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Photos
Recent reviews
- ★★★★★Braden L Cope
Pa’La has been on my foodie wishlist for years! Finally made it happen over Mother’s Day weekend and it did not disappoint. You could tase the quality with every bite. We left feeling comfortably full and fully satisfied. I’m not sure how often they run specials, but we ordered the mother’s day special — they brought out six total dishes all designed to share. AMAZING. I’m excited to try their new location being opened up in Goodyear under a new name.
- ★★★★★Karissa Allen
We had been here once before and I remember it was very delicious but I have to say there was something incredibly special about the new menu we tried. The sweet potato’s seem to be a staple and a complete must. They are sweet, salty, crunchy, soft, spicy and a beautiful reminder how simplicity done well brings so much depth. The steak and salmon we ate were seasoned incredibly well and cooked to perfection. We shared the mother's day special and it did not disappoint. The Jazz band playing behind us was not over powering and brought a wonderful ambiance. I would recommend this place to anyone and sitting upstairs was a treat. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
- ★★★★★Anis Sarrage
Made a reservation for dinner upstairs in the jazz lounge. While our table wasn’t ready for a few minutes, we waited at the bar and ordered cocktails. The staff were all friendly, the ambience was nice and romantic, the wine list extensive and impressive, the food was delicious and flavorful. And our server Amal was fantastic! Highly recommend for smaller groups, especially for date night. Would absolutely dine here again when I’m in town next.
- ★★★★★Khary
The bone marrow was incredibly rich and buttery, perfectly roasted with deep flavor that melted on the tongue. Paired with the truffle infused bread, it was pure indulgence. The bread was warm, aromatic, and had just the right amount of truffle to elevate every bite without overpowering the dish. This appetizer alone set the tone for an exceptional dining experience. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates bold, elevated flavors. The atmosphere here is amazing, warm, inviting, and full of character. The jazz music sets the perfect mood, smooth, soulful, and never too loud, making the whole experience feel elevated and relaxing. It is the kind of place where you want to sit back, enjoy the moment, and stay a little longer. A perfect spot for great vibes and great music.
- ★★★☆☆Sein G
I visited Pa’La Downtown on a Friday night for my friend’s birthday dinner. Overall, my experience was underwhelming, and I’m not sure if I’ll return to this specific location, though I might try their 24th Street location in the future. For tapas, we tried the Kurobuta Pork Belly ($18). The dish came with four pieces of sliced pork belly (two per skewer) and root vegetables. Unfortunately, the saltiness was way too strong. The seasoning was only on the surface, and it overwhelmed the bite. By the second and last piece, there was nothing left on the plate to balance the extreme saltiness. Perhaps a slightly larger portion of root vegetables or a side to complement it would have helped, but as served, it was difficult to enjoy. Next, I tried the Bucatini Carbonara pasta ($28). I have to be honest. It was extremely disappointing. Before visiting, I had seen photos and reviews online and was excited when I saw it was on the daily menu board, but the pasta was BLAND. Even after mixing in the Parmesan cheese and taking a bite with the guanciale, the dish tasted bland. We had to chase down someone for salt to finish the dish. The guanciale pieces were very small and didn’t add enough flavor, and overall, the dish felt underwhelming. On the special menu that night, the Wood-Fired Branzino ($48) with shiso chimichurri, Romano beans, and einkorn was sold out by the time we tried to order. Instead, we went with the Miso Black Cod ($42), recommended by our waiter. This dish was exceptional. The cod was cooked perfectly, the miso flavor was fantastic, and I really enjoyed the ancient grains it was served on. The portion was on the smaller side, about 5 ounces, but it was excellent. The service was amazing. I cannot remember the server's name, but he was tall, dark-haired, very knowledgeable about the wines, and incredibly friendly. The wine list and drink menu were decent. The ambience is nice, but the inside was extremely loud, so if you’re looking for a quiet dinner, I’d recommend visiting during a less busy time. Parking was convenient, with two garages nearby, and Pa’La validates for two hours, though you’ll want to be mindful of charges beyond that. Overall, while the Miso Black Cod was a highlight, the pork belly and carbonara were disappointing, leaving me unsure if I’d return to this location. I may give the other location a try in the future.