‘maria’s’ promises great italian, the kitchen sink
Anchored by the success of Daily Grill and The Standard’s 24/7 Restaurant, new entrants into the Financial District dining scene are clustering together to create a nighttime destination out of city blocks long dominated by ink print shops and nameless cafes.
Centered around Wilshire and Flower in various stages of completion — Provecho, Caffe Primo and Maria’s Italian Kitchen — are taking a chance on an area of Downtown still discovering its potential after 7:00pm. Coupled with Elevate Lounge/Takami Sushi which debuted last summer, the corner is poised to offer dinner patrons a diverse selection of casual offerings by year’s end.
Scheduled to arrive next during the first week of June is Maria’s Italian Kitchen — the authentic, family-run Italian eatery first established in Brentwood in 1975 by Maria Alfano. Thirty-three years and nine locations later, her daughter Madelyn Alfano continues to expand the successful brand throughout Southern California.
Last week, Madelyn Alfano took a few minutes to speak with angelenic about the opening of her company’s first “urban” location.
“I’ve been looking at the Downtown market for about two and half years now,” says the restaurateur who initially considered properties adjacent to the Staples Center.
“My husband and I often spend evenings here going to shows at the theaters, and I want to help contribute to that ‘live, work, and play’ vision in our city’s core,” continues Alfano, a long-time Encino resident.
And she means it.
The new 5,000 square-foot restaurant wrapping up construction at the base of the 811 Wilshire Building will offer something for everyone.
Aside from the main restaurant, the space will include a full bar area, three private rooms with video conferencing capabilities, and a separate Maria’s Express concept — a first for the regional chain aiming to fulfill the unique needs of the local market.
Maria’s will also offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus in addition to catering services, late-night takeout (with online ordering options) and happy hour on weekdays from 4:00pm to 7:00pm daily.
Considering the needs of daytime corporate offices, lingering after-work commuters, and round-the-clock residents, Alfano has covered all the bases for the community, an effort she proudly puts into each of her restaurants.
That market awareness should pay off.
“There are few options in Downtown today for casual, mid-range food… everything is high-end,” she observes. “Our express location will offer dishes in the $5 to $8 to $10 range. And ‘playing’ Downtown doesn’t stop at nine o’clock, we’ll serve dinner until 11:00pm every night.” (The latest offered at any of the nine locations.)
During the phone interview, Alfano pauses to give directions while she oversees all the final preparations on site for the new location. She laughingly shrugs off my reference to Maria’s Italian Kitchen as a large company, countering, “We’re your neighborhood Italian restaurant.”
Seeing her personal involvement first hand, I’m already convinced.
Maria’s Italian Kitchen Downtown
615 S Flower Street
Los Angeles CA 90017
213.623.4777
Mon-Fri: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Sat-Sun: 4:00pm to 11:00pm
mariasdowntownla.com
Maria’s Express
615 S Flower Street
Los Angeles CA 90017
213.623.4777
Mon-Fri: 7:00am to 11:00pm
mariasexpress.com
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8 comments
Nice. I wonder how much pizza by the slice will cost. I’m a cheapskate like that. Their regular website’s menu doesn’t list it.
I love Maria’s… now I won’t have to go all the way to Pasadena to get my Risotto fix.
June 1st?, on a Sunday of all days right on.
And for a “chain”, they have pretty good food, they’ve made me a believer.
- “open, open, open”…lol.
YES!! I have been waiting for this location to open!!! The food is actually very good and pricing is good as well.
I work nights at the One Wilshire building so this will be a treat!
I live up the street from the one in Sherman Oaks and at first I loathed it. Over time I realized it all depends on what you order. Personally I find the baked pasta dishes to be my favorites. Looking forward to this addition to the downtown scene. She’s right about there not being many mid-range choices. They should do well (fingers crossed)
Muhlyssa, is the lasagna any good?
Yeah, is the pizza good?
Any word on when the Mexican Grill under 801 wilshire is supposed to open? it says summer now.
We went to Maria grill for breakfast downtown LA when we were there for my daughters wedding. in Sept …if you want a treat for breakfast, try the warm cinnamon bread pudding french toast served on a bed of warm maple syrup. I believe there was ricotta cheese in the dish as well. It was superb! I would have loved to stay to try lunch or dinner but had to go back east.
My co-workers and I love Maria’s. From their pizza to the pasta’s and don’t forget their wonderful salad’s. If you are looking for a real home cooked Italian meal……try Maria’s they are the best in Downtown LA.