We were in downtown LA for our daughter’s performance, so we decided to eat at Sendero at the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles before heading home. Sendero is a collection of Latin-inspired dining lounges on the hotel’s 24th floor. We ate at Corteza, the seafood-focused venue inspired by coastal Latin America.
This is our honest rundown of what we ordered, what it cost, and whether it’s worth it.
Reservations, Timing, and the View
We made a reservation the same day and got a table at 5:00 p.m., right when they opened for dinner. It was semi-busy at that hour, and I can imagine it fills up later in the evening.
The view is probably much nicer at night. During the day you’re just looking out over downtown LA, and it isn’t very pretty. With the city lights after dark, I can imagine it’s lovely, so if the view matters to you, book a later table.
Cocktails at Sendero
I had the Aftershock, which was great and unique. It comes with pineapple-passionfruit sorbet on top, so how bad can it be? My husband had the La Sombra Porteña. It sounded a lot better than it was. Cocktails are $26 each.
What We Ordered at Corteza
The food is good here, and it’s different from what you’ll find most places. Here’s what we ordered:
- Ceviche de Coco ($24): great. Coconut and lime, bright and acidic in the way good ceviche should be.
- Aguacate Relleno ($32): very good.
- Queso Gobernador ($28)
- Anticuchos ($26): the skewers came off the grill well-charred.
- Verduras Empanadas ($19)
Dessert: Dia de los Muertos and Churros
The Dia de los Muertos ($20) is a chocolate mousse dessert. They cover it with a sheet of paper and set the paper on fire. The paper vanishes, and underneath there’s a white chocolate skull. It’s silly but cute. We also ordered the churros off the kids’ menu, and they were great.
Is Sendero Good for Kids?
Yes. They have a kids’ menu and are very kid-friendly. One daughter had a steak, the other a quesadilla, and nobody made us feel like we were disrupting the room.
Service and Parking
Service was perfectly fine, nothing special. Everyone was very nice, friendly, and accommodating. Parking is valet only. And bring a layer: the 24th floor can run cold depending on the AC.
Our Verdict on Sendero
If we were in the area again, I’d go back. I wouldn’t make a special trip to downtown just for this restaurant, but if you’re already nearby for a show or an event, I’d recommend it. The ceviche and the Aftershock are the reasons to go.
Read More from Culinary Passages
More hotel dining and LA restaurant reviews:
- A Luxury Afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey
- Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel Review: Our Annual Kid-Free Trip
- Perch LA Brunch: Great Baked Brie and a Fantastic Burger
- Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay With Kids: The Stay, Beach House, and the July 4th BBQ
- The Retreat on Celebrity Apex With Kids: Was It Worth It?
- Terranea Resort Review: Years of Stays, Honest Quirks, and a $249 Deal
