colori is listening: price bumps, more dinner hours
Success is a double-edged sword — just ask any regular of Downtown’s popular Colori Kitchen.
Most conversations about the classic Italian trattoria since it hit the dining scene running last year, usually mention two things: A) Menu prices are almost sinfully cheap, and B) Planning dinner there can be like trying to get tickets to a Madonna concert in San Francisco — nights are limited and seats go fast.
Of course, word travels fast in Downtown, and owner-chef Luigi Barducci Contessi seems to have a knack for responding to feedback.
Over the last several months, the restaurant has undergone some operational changes, seemingly in response to those two points he must have heard from every person walking through the door.
Around the first of June, Contessi decided to revise Colori’s menu, adjusting some of his recipes and phasing out unpopular plates while bringing in new ones — in the process, bumping prices up to a more moderate range.
Nonetheless, food quality has remained consistent (though service can be hit or miss), and patrons appear to have no qualms paying a couple extra dollars for the fettuccine salmon dish, now made with a tomato-based sauce instead of curry.
In fact, business is doing so well that dinner is now being offered on Wednesday nights, and hours have been extended Thursday through Saturday. Previously, dining groups would be turned away for showing up just before the 9:00pm closing time.
New dinner closing times:
Wednesdays: 9:00pm
Thursday: 9:00pm
Friday – Saturday: 11:00pm
Now if we can just get some good discussion going about having to flag down the waiter every time for a drink refill or check, this place will be in tip-top shape in no time.
Colori Kitchen
429 W 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213-622-5950
13 comments
Great food and great prices, but no more solicitations for Queen tribute concerts from the staff, please.
Although not “sinfully cheap” previously, I noticed Rocket Pizza upped their menu prices by a couple bucks too. Grrrr.
actually i like that the waiters/waitresses don’t bring you the check the minute your last plate is taken off the table. granted their service could use some work in other areas, but in this case — esp since they all seem to be italian — i think it’s because they want to give you time to linger and chat for a little while. in this way colori is quite europea — you’ll never get a check in italy or much of the rest of the continent without asking.
I got worried there for a second and thought the prices have increased recently (just starting going there after the revised menu).
This is one of the few places downtown where you can get a good meal at a price that won’t break the bank … and you don’t have to dress like you are hitting the club afterward.
A real jem and I’m glad it’s in my neighborhood.
Too bad Colori’s exterior (referring to the painted wall) couldn’t be made a bit less funky or makeshift looking (there’s already more than enough of that on streets like Broadway). But the restaurant’s success and the quality of its food ultimately are what count the most.
Grazie Dio per Colori! MOST downtown restaurants could take a lesson from from this delicious, unpretentious, affordable place. It is a true gem and an example of the way forward for downtown dinning.
I must admit it was somewhat amusing a few weeks back to sit in the window seat and watch the ladies arrive for their shift at El Gaucho (sp) a few doors down.
any word on possible sunday hours?
I live within baseball throwing distance to Colori and have been hitting the specials since they first opened. Sadly the new more expensive menu is too pricey for me.
This is how it goes though – i feel like Robert Rodriguez’s pre-McGowan wife…
a slight correction on the hours: open until 9pm on thursdays.
^Hmmm… I’ll confirm that. I was told 10pm.
I’m certain of the hours. I work there. =)
haven’t been there in a while — does the price bump mean it’s still byob with no corkage fee?