Customers

Kind Words from Yelpers

Feb 21, 2010 Marcia G. // Laguna Niguel, CA		Jan 15, 2010 Yanira M. // Los Angeles, CA
They start you with a carafe of flavored water. We had the cinnamon water (amazing), then those great little croquet appetizers (wish I could remember what they were called), The 'famous' Pot Pie (OMG, you'll never have another one like this), the Sangria (someone should bottle it) then the best rice pudding I ever had. This quaint little restaurant at 9th & Spring is one you won't want to miss if you like to eat. The service was great...the evening waiter is not hard on the eyes either...the next Brad Pitt? Highly recommended!!!		This spot is super great, cozy and very adorable. And the food made with love, Natalia is great. the atmosphere is excellent!. And the Sangria wow! My fav is the Brazilian grill -beef... love it.. I recommend to everyone that enjoys eating home made food.

Jan 12, 2010 David E. // Walnut, CA		Jan 9, 2010 Douglas S. // North Hollywood, CA
hidden in the heart of downtown los angeles, i came across this awesome restaurant. i walked in having no idea what to get so i got the chicken pot pie since ive always liked the frozen banquet chicken pot pies anyways. sorry banquet but wood spoon destroys your chicken pot pies. the side salad lightly dressed in oil and salt along with the spicy mayo/cilantro? dressing was too good. the buttery crust of the chicken pot pie dipped in the mayo is just ridiculous. i'll be back. i can never go back to banquet. my standards have been set for chicken pot pies.		As a first timer I was please to see an 'A' on the door and Jeffery Saad (from Food Network) eating when I walked in. The cinnamon hued water was really good. Never had that before. I had the chk pot pie and loved it. My gal is veggie and was very please with the portion size and preparation of the Brazilian Grilled Veggies. Service was solid and the atmosphere welcoming. Definitely going back.

Nov 22, 2009 AngelsFan R. // Upland, CA
Wow! Amazing!!! My friend and I were going to a concert at the Orpheum (Ray LaMontagne if anyone is curious). Beforehand we wanted to eat dinner and thanks to YELP we decided to try Wood Spoon. Neither of us had eaten Brazilian food before, and we were looking forward to trying something new. We were not disappointed. In fact, we were hooked from the first sip of water. That's right. Water. Wood Spoon is a humble restaurant, and its only marking is a wooden spoon above the door. My friend and I actually passed it first, then we turned around and spotted the wooden spoon!! We were greeted by a friendly staff and seated immediately (we were lucky because about 15 minutes later, every table was full!). They put a caraf of water on our table. We poured a glass each and found that the water had a hint of cinnamon flavor and it was really delicious. From then on we were hooked. Our waiter came to take our drink order and after he was done describing their Sangria, I could do nothing but obey my sudden thirst for Sangria and I ordered a glass. What the heck, it's Saturday night & we're out on the town! Their Sangria was amazing!! Sweet but not TOO sweet, it was light & fruity and my mouth is watering just thinking about it right now ;-) So... from the first sip to the very last berry, I highly recommend the sangria. (And make sure you eat all your fruit! :))) Time to order! We decided to start with the mix plate for an apetizer, and boy oh boy was it delicious. The waiter was very helpful and explained what everything was before we ate it. We loved all the pieces on the plate & were sad when they were all gone.		For main entree, I had the pork burger with yam fries. It was delicious! Their yam fries are beautiful, nice & thick & you actually taste the YAM in them (as opposed to some places who fry the cr@p out of the yams until there's no potato left). The pork burger was mouthwatering delicious, again I was left with nothing but an empty plate after I was done. My friend had the Brazilian grill with steak. It was on a skewer and accompanied by beans, rice & plantains and was also really good. I'll probably try that one next time we go (they had other meat options too besides steak). I would've asked for dessert but we were really full afterwards, so we'll have to do that next time. It's safe to say my first encounter with Brazilian cuisine was successful & I'm dying to try it again. For anyone venturing downtown LA, I highly recommend stopping by Wood Spoon. Apart from the awesome food, the atmosphere was also very nice. The tables are close together, so you kind of start chatting with people that sit next to you, it creates a friendly, fun & informal atmosphere that completely suits this place. The service was great, everyone there were extremely helpful. So ... go out & conquer Brazilian cuisine, visit Wood Spoon!!

Oct 12, 2009 Guy S. // Woodland Hills, CA		Aug 25, 2009 Michael K. // Seattle, WA
Patrick H. and I were celebrating our 4 year anniversary but we really didn't want to make a big deal out of it especially since we had just gone to Vegas the weekend before. We decided to do dinner and I chose the place. Since he's Brazilian and I know how much he loves home cooked Brazilian food, I thought this would be a really nice treat for him and me as well since I've never really had home cooked Brazilian food. We drove down to the restaurant on a Thursday night. Parking is a little tricky in the downtown area but we were able to find a spot. The place is really small and only marked by a graphic of a wood spoon, since thats the name of the restaurant. We walked in and there were only a couple other tables there. The place is really cute, nothing fancy or modern. Just very simple but elegant. There was one server that night who apparently just got hired earlier that evening. They must have been short on staff or something. Nonetheless, he was actually a fantastic server and I would have never guessed it was his first night. We ordered the Mix Plate to start. It comes with Coxinha, Potato Croquette, Portuguese Croquette, Pastel Portuguese, Kibe. It seems like a lot but it was only two pieces of each. For my entree I had the Chicken with Bacon from the Brazilian Grill. It came with rice, beans, plantains, collard greens, salsa and farofa. Everything was really good and really felt like a home cooked meal. No fancy presentation, just a plate with food on it. Patrick tasted the food and said it was really good. He stamped it with his approval. Patrick ordered the chefs famous Chicken Pot Pie. We both understood why it was so popular immediately after taking the first bite. And all the hype about her crust is real. It's delicious. After our meal we wanted to say thank you to the chef/owner whose name is Natalia. She came out and Patrick thanked her in Portuguese. She wanted to get some fresh air so invited us to talk with her outside. We had a really nice conversation about where she's from in Brazil and about her restaurant. She is such a sweet woman and I really enjoyed her cooking. I will definitely be back.		Apparently, in some regions of the world, a wooden spoon is commonly given to the team or person that comes in last place in a competition. Kind of as a joke, I guess. Wood Spoon is neither a joke nor in last place. It is one of very few places in LA where you can get home-style Brazilian cooking that doesn't involve a huge fire spit and giant knives. To start, I had the Mix Plate, which comes with Coxinhas, Potato Croquettes, Portuguese Croquette, Pastel Portuguese, and Kibe. All the appetizers were perfectly fried and delicious, but my favorites were the Coxinhas and the Portuguese Croquettes. Keep in mind that all of the appetizers are really pretty filling. Instead of water, the restaurant serves a refreshing cinnamon water. Some like it, others hate it. I liked it. For mains, I tried the Brazilian Chicken Pot Pie and the Fish Sandwich. These seemed to be the most popular dishes, but I definitely prefer the chicken pot pie. The sandwich was nearly impossible to eat it without a fork and knife. Eating methodology aside, the grilled fish melted in my mouth, and might have been better as a dish without the bread than as a sandwich. The yam fries were amazing. So hot, so fresh, and so good. When the dishes first came out, I was disappointed with what appeared to be a small portion. The second I broke into the flaky crust (the crust itself is delicious beyond description, by the way), I was backhanded by a plume of sweet-smelling chicken mixed with olives corn, and hearts of palm. Before I knew it, the dish was gone, and I was cradling my stomach from overeating. It all happened so fast. GET: Coxinha, Portuguese Croquette, Yam Fries, Brazilian Chicken Pot Pie

Aug 17, 2009 Wesley P. // Westwood, CA		Jul 20, 2009 Betty B. // Los Angeles, CA
Cheers to Natalya, the bandana'd head chef of Wood Spoon! Natalya, hailing from Brazil runs a supposedly Brazilian restaurant. Honestly, it's less a Brazilian restaurant than it is a restaurant run by a Brazilian. What they're serving up here is soul food, and a nice meal at the Wooden Spoon is sure to be good for your soul. This girl knows how to cook and I think everything that she puts on the table has a little bit of her heart cooked in. With the exception of the yam fries, I have never left anything on my plate! I thoroughly endorse the fish sandwich's candidacy... A hearty filet of lemon-y tillapia dressed with salad, pesto mayo, heirloom tomatoes and thick slivers of avocado. The bread, so perfectly toasted and warm, envelopes the sammy making it one of the healthiest soul foods I've ever eaten. The beet salad and the shrimp salad are both fresh and slightly savory. Coxhinas as apps and rice pudding for dessert, please!		What can be said about Wood Spoon that hasn't been said before? Cute atmosphere. Quality ingredients. Food that is tasty and satisfying, and still feels healthy... awesome! You don't feel like you're in a "restaurant" here; it's more like your coolest friend invited you over to her house for dinner... SCORE! I had the fish sandwich, which was really yummers. The filet came on a long roll with a generous serving of fresh avocado. (God, how I love avocado. Avocado should be everywhere, don't ya agree?) Hubby enjoyed the mondo-sized pork burger! I'll have to come back and try the chicken pot pie next time, maybe when the weather is colder. Oh, and the Brazilian coffee is good too, but I had absolutely no space left in my tummy for dessert... which was probably a good sign... My one suggestion? Since the food does take quite a while to land on your table, maybe they could put out some hummus or something for people to munch on beforehand. Just to quell the stomach pangs while you're smelling all the great stuff being prepared in the happy kitchen...

Apr 28, 2009 Paul D. // Los Angeles, CA		Dec 4, 2008 Jen B. // North Hollywood, CA
On a never-ending quest to find good eats in somewhat close proximity to USC...I asked for a recommendation of a good lunch spot. Here is where that recommendation took me. My bf and I arrived before people started strolling in for lunch..so it was quiet for about 20 minutes and then the room started to come to life with young, starving, hipster-esque people on their lunch breaks. We started off with some limeade, which was nice n' tangy, just a little sweet without being overwhelming. Then we ordered the coxhinas..little chicken dumplings that are, perhaps coincidentally, oddly shaped like chicken drumsticks. They remind me somewhat of arancini..italian rice balls usually filled with some kind of meat or leftover food product. A+ My main course was the pasilla chile..stuffed with cheese and topped with tomato sauce and rice on the side. Muito delicioso! My bf had this sandwich that is more like a burger and is served with yam fries. I didn't try the burger, its sheer size scared the hell out of me...I'm pretty sure it had the meat of an entire herd. Needless to say, it wasn't finished in one sitting, although the accompanying yam fries were with gusto! This place really left me feeling happy. Nice ambience (simple, clean lines, high ceilings), polite service, and excellent homestyle full-of-love Brazilian food. Vamos!		We loved this place! We went to Unique LA at the California Market Center and were starving after finding so much great stuff. We noticed this cute little place on our way in to the show and promised ourselves that we'd stop in on our way out. Each of us tried a different "Brazilian Grill" - I had the tilapia. It was perfectly cooked. The sides were amazing. My friends ordered chicken, chicken wrapped in bacon and sausage. Everyone was very happy! I highly recommend the limeade. It was perfect with all the good food. And the service was prompt and the owner was super friendly. I'll definitely go back - soon and often, I hope!

Sep 11, 2008 Matt P. // Los Angeles, CA		Apr 28, 2008 Stephani C. // Los Angeles, CA
You earn soul points just for walking in the DOOR of Wood Spoon, bra. If you want serious home-cooked Brazilian love on a plate, you have arrived at your destination. I can't stop raving about this place. Little touches like cinnamon in the ice water (because that's how Nat's mom used to get her to drink water when she was young) or the fact that you can order a coconut water which comes in a coconut that Nat has to bash open with a machete. There is no other place like this anywhere in Los Angeles. The chicken pot pie is something you wouldn't expect to sit down and want to order off a menu this diverse -- but it's something everyone should try at least once. I had never even had pot pie before this and now I don't think I'll ever eat it anywhere else. Try it for yourself, you'll see why. ;D If you're gonna order the pork burger, bring a friend or two. Trust me. Best appetizer on the list? Simple and savory -- get some black beans and white rice. Damn, I didn't know beans could taste so good. And don't you DARE miss out on the plantains! And if all that isn't enough to get you in the front door..? Yep, they got Guarana. Color me SOLD.		Clean Intimate Experimental Cinnamon Water I'm telling you it can't be beat,the experience of watching the restaurant owner go back into the kitchen and work on your food. The portions were generous and prices fair. We tried the sausages and the famous chicken pot pie, which was certainly the best pot pie I've ever had. Later he went back and tried the chicken salad and famed pork burger, which was is rumored to be unspeakably good. It's not just good food, it's a great dining experience. The food is simple and speaks for itself. This place is absent of pretension. Just checkout their menu and you'll see for yourself. It's a lazy Saturday lunch kind of place. Also I believe it is Saturday night they create a new menu each week from a different country.

Nov 17, 2007 Natasha S. // Los Angeles, CA		Mar 30, 2007 Cris C. // Manhattan Beach, CA
I'm the kind of person that does read magazine restaurant reviews and then tries a place. Actually, after I read the review, I go to yelp to see what the rest of the world has to say about a place! Well that's what happened with Wooden Spoon. The place was small with simple decor and bright, fresh feel to it. Very cute! The service was great! The lime-aid was yummy, tart and sweet, and just down-right refreshing. The pot pie was amazing!!!!! My suggestion is that the first time you go, try the pot pie. It's definitely not your grandma's pot pie (nor is it mine because she didn't make pot pie's at all). My husband and I both ordered pot pies, which came with salads and found it to be more than enough food. It was filling and delicious...one of my favorite combos. Even had some leftovers for later		I was born and raised in Brazil and I was introduced to Wood Spoon by another friend that was throwing a surprise birthday dinner at this AWESOME restaurant! When it comes to Brazilian restaurants, I always end up having high expectations because the restaurants in Brazil are amazing and a lot of times they are totally over rated here; Brazilian flags, pictures from Brazil, Brazilian music EVERYWHERE. Kind of overwhelming... This little restaurant is casual chic, minimalist (the owners made the furniture and decorated the entire place themselves!) and it feels like you are at home having a great meal with your friends. The restaurant owner is an amazing chef! I've spoke to Natalia and I could see why the whole vibe in the place was so good and positive. She is just one of those people that transmits positive energy in everyway, and her food speaks to itself. DELICIOUS! We had a preset menu, since it was a private party. Rice, beans, sausage, farofa, fried bananas, amazing traditional appetizers: cochinha de galinha, kibe, and the meat was really tender! Caipirinha (traditional Brazilian drink), and dessert! Flan! Check out this place, and have a delicious home style meal with your friends. And don't forget to say "hi" to Natalia, you'll know what I'm talking about! Bom apetite!

Feb 14, 2007 Fred C. // Los Angeles, CA
I checked out Wood Spoon after passing by it the other day on a stroll from Angelique Cafe. I was shocked to see the new restaurants popping up on the corner of 9th and Spring... very nice! And a authentic Brazilian restaurant? Bring it on Downtown LA! Wood Spoon met and exceeded my expectations for a tasty lunch time meal. It was a bit more expensive than what a typically budget for lunch (I ended up spending $16 including drink and tip), but the food and atmosphere were well worth it. This place looks good on the street, the whole atmosphere dare I say is very "Manhattan" thanks to the surroundings. Large windows allow ample light to fill the dining area and create a nice viewing area of the street life here in Downtown Los Angeles. The decor is minimalist but bright, to me it feels more "Brazil" than the popular Bosa Nova restaurant in West Hollywood. Service was prompt and friendly, unfortunately they didn't have the delicious sounding Brazilian Chicken Pot Pie (hearts of palm, potato, olives, roasted corn, $9) that is offered on the menu, so I decided to get the Pork Burger (roasted cabbage, onions on a toasted country roll, $10) and a glass of limeade. The limeade was fresh and refreshing and a glance into the kitchen convinced me that this place was authentic. When my pork burger arrived I was convinced that not only was this place authentic, but also probably really good, just by the looks of the plate. The fries were not your typical french fries, instead they were big fat greasy sweat potato fries (I'm guessing) and they were delicious! The burger itself was a flavor overload, one of the best tasting burgers (or food in general) that I've had in quite a while... and I've had some damn tasty burgers lately. To put it coarsely, this shit was GOOD.		Wood Spoon has pretty decent hours for Downtown as well, staying open until 9pm... so I'll definitely be trying it out for dinner sometime in the near future. In my opinion Wood Spoon is the best thing to happen to Downtown since Famima, it's a true original with atmosphere and authenticity, and extremely tasty to boot. Highly recommended for mid-range dining. And of course, since it's in Downtown, transit access is plentiful. Transit access: Metro Red/Purple and Blue lines, Metro Rapid lines 714, 720, 728, 740 and 745 all local lines with numbers 1-99 and their limited-stop counterparts all express lines numbered 400-499 all LADOT DASH lines downtown and all Commuter Express lines numbered 400-499 and 534 Antelope Valley Transit Authority Line 785 all Foothill Transit 400-series busway express lines, though only 480 runs outside of rush hours Montebello Municipal Bus Lines 40, 50 and 341/342/343 Orange County Transportation Authority lines 701 and 721 Santa Clarita Transit Line 799 Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Line 10 Torrance Transit lines 1 and 2 Note: The transit access listed above may be outdated.