We invite our community to participate in a time-honored tradition. Experience food as a daily pursuit, a connection to ingredients as they were meant to be. Pa’La is food with a sense of history, cooking in a way that is inherently approachable and human. RESTAURANT CONCEPT We are a Wood-Fire Inspired restaurant, engaged in Local and specialty import ingredients that range from Mediterranean, South American, and Japanese influence. We specialize in Grains, Vegetables, and Seafood from Premium Resources. Our Beverage Menu boasts Specialty Cocktails, Wine, and local Draft Beers that are selected to highlight the Menu, as well as stand alone. Our menu changes often to reciprocate the seasonality of the producers and stewards we support.
Informal destination offering an international menu of meals & small plates, plus cocktails.
Hours
| Friday | 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5–10 PM |
| Sunday | 5–9 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 132 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: (602) 368-3052
Website: http://palakitchen.com/downtown
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
downtown – PA’LA WOOD-FIRED COOKING
PA’LA WOOD-FIRED COOKING
Pa’La Wood-Fired cooking (@palaphx) · Phoenix, AZ – Instagram
Reviews
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.
In early October, I reserved a spot at Pa’la Downtown for my partner’s birthday. Knowing how much he and I both love unique, multicultural food, I knew Pa’la would be a great place to visit.
It serves tapa-style meals, with a blend of Mediterranean and Japanese style dishes, so you can try a variety of cuisine in one sitting. This is a spot for the most adventurous of eaters; I would not recommend coming here if you’re not prepared to expand your palette. I am not a picky eater, yet I was even a little intimidated by some of the items on the menu.
Each dish tasted heavenly. My favorites included the pork lettuce wraps, beef tartare, and branzino filet. My partner was a big fan of the bone marrow, but by the time that arrived, I was so stuffed I could only have a little bite.
The service was incredible, with a kind woman leading us upstairs and not having us wait long to be seated. We had a proper introduction to the menu, along with a special birthday cheesecake. The ambiance was lovely; even with the live jazz band, it didn’t feel as overwhelmingly loud as I expected. There were mostly couples around us, and one huge group taking photos of what seemed to be another birthday celebration.
I highly recommend Pa’la Downtown! The staff gave my partner and I a night we’d never forget, and I’m already thinking of excuses to drive over an hour back to Phoenix so I experience it all over again.