Origami Happy Hour Is a Home Run!
Origami, the new Sushi/Fusion place on the ground floor of the Douglas Lofts (NW corner of 3rd ans Spring) has been a long time in build-out phase; I’ve been walking by construction there for over a year on my way to the gym, wondering how the place was going to be. I must say, it was worth the wait. The Douglas building is a very nice loft conversion- with a airy and bright inner courtyard on the ground floor that sets a nice mellow tone for the building. Origami has a large corner portion of the ground floor, with a rather large, open bar, then a sushi bar, and then finally dining seating- a grand scale for this neighborhood. Recently they set up tables outside, with a low fence, but I have yet to see anyone sit outside yet (it is kind of a noisy corner, but there is always a nice breeze there, and you can choose whether to sit on the sunny side or the shady side of the building).
The dining menu is pretty upscale, with some pricey Kobe steaks that I am dying to try. But for now, I am very happy feasting on the great Happy Hour offerings. The $1 Kobe beef tacos are amazing- I almost feel guilty eating them 4 at a time… and then I get some Chicken Skewers, followed by a Spicy Albacore over-stuffed handroll (I get the soy paper version). The beers and drinks are not on special, which is fine, as I get all the above with 2 Sapporo drafts for substantially under $20- it simply cannot be beat.
The bartenders, Chrissy and Jeff, are very pleasant and knowledgable, and ladies, if you want service by a “real” actor/bartender (not just one who’s trying to make it), Jeff is the real deal. I guess he’s been in some movies in his 20s, and while I was there, he told 2 cute Asian girls about his big role, and they knew the movie and were about to jump over the bar to talk to him more about his starring role (I don’t know the movie, but they sure did…).
I can’t wait to have an excuse to go there for the full-on dinner, but I will have to make do with weeknight between 4pm and 7:30pm for now; Check out the Happy Hour menu here:
hmm, I’ll have to try them out again. I was SO disappointed my first time there. Like you, I had been walking past all the construction for such a long time anticipating this opening, but when I went with a group, we were seated ad waited 20 minutes…..no one served or even acknowledged is, we had to walk out because our lunch hour was half over.
Hopefully they’ve gotten their act together, because that happy hour menu looks awesome! I’ll try them again soon…
August 30th, 2008 at 12:02 amHi LA Lola-
All I can vouch for at Oragami is the service in the bar- it was fast and friendly. I remember seeing your post (Angelenic?) and thinking “oh no…” as I really hope Oragami works out as it’s so close by. Definitely try the happy hour, as I think you’ll enjoy it.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:14 amThey seem to be pretty popular at their other location, so hopefully the management has sorted out the service issues. As it was our lunch hour, I really couldn’t sample the bar service(with witnesses) but I will most definitely give them another visit & start out at the bar this time
Baby steps…
August 31st, 2008 at 12:31 amNow I’m getting hungry with all this Oragami talk, but I’ll have to wait until Monday for that. It’s 2:30am and I can’t wait to go to The Nickle Plate Sunday a.m. for brunch- your review LA Lola makes me want that burger… only 5 hours until they open
August 31st, 2008 at 2:35 amSo funny…the manager from Origami just sent me a message (I gave the place a one star on Yelp) to apologize and explain what went wrong that day. Aww, shucks, I’ll give the place another go.
BTW, how did you like Nickel? I’ve been there twice now, and loved it both times. Haven’t gone for breakfast items, yet, that’s next on the list.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:12 amLA Lola- it’s good to hear that SOMEONE does a little on-line customer service. It seems like so many of the new downtown restaurants are so “challenged” by e-mail and web sites that are updated.
I’m bummed as I didn’t get to try Nickel yet- I actually went at about 11am Sunday after the gym, and I got stuffed in the last available 2-top table that was so crowded next to others I felt uncomfortable and left before ordering. Out of all the tables there, it was the worst, and I could have “hung” at most any table but I felt like I was sitting too close to someone next to me; banging elbows while eating is not good.
I will definitely return and try to get a better table…
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm