Blue Dahlia Café

Oh no! the Blue Dahlia closed for good???
So disappointed because it was one of my favorite places to go in LA.

Veryyyy Juicyyyy
I can’t believe you’re closed! Best Burgers I’ve ever had with the caramelized onions. Setting was cute and romantic. Best place to take a First Date Ever!!! Hope you are opening somewhere else.

The short rib burger w/​arugula, carmelized onions, smoked gouda, and chipotle mayo was good. The garlic fries great. Sweet potato fries awesome. Outdoor patio area cute. Wine flights fun.
The burger patty texture, however, was a bit mushy for my taste, perhaps because of the braised short rib stuffed in the middle of the patty. The ground meat around the short rib was dry and made the overall patty seem disjointed as it kept falling apart. Overall the food was good and the atmosphere was fun, but keep looking if you’re searching for the best burger in LA.

A restaurant known for hamburgers. but I am not a fan of meat! haha but went anyway because my carnivorous friends ARE!
Went with a group of 6 on a thursday night. everybody ordered the short rib hamburger except me. If you have a small appetite you may be able to share it with someone else, but most people can finish thier own. The hamburger comes with 3 choice of toppings. the most popular being the 1^st choice. with arugula, caramelized onion, and smoked gouda. Hamburger comes with french fries, garlic friends, or sweet potato fries. I had a taste and loved the sweet potato fries.
I got the ahi tuna salad. The tuna was really dry and brittle… like beef jerky. not the moist tuna you find at a japanese restaurant. Was a little disappointed and honestly a bit scared that i might get sick. But no, I felt totally fine and the rest of the salad was delicious! The dressing was a raspberry vinegrette. nothing special though.
ORDER THE BURGER! everybody that did made lots of «MMMM» noises :)

I made reservations for a party of eight on a Saturday evening. When we showed up, we still had to wait about 15 minutes before we got seated. It was a little annoying because the place wasn’t busy at all! What’s the point of making reservations if the table isn’t ready by the time we get there?!?
After we get seated the waiter brings out glasses of water for everyone then takes our drink orders. We didn’t have to wait that long to order our food. All of us ordered the stuffed barolo braised short rib burger, I ordered mine with the arugula, carmelized onions, gouda cheese, and chipotle mayo. sta​tic​.px​.yelp​.com/​b​p​h​o​t​o​/​n​U​f​l​U​eI3f5 – MF0hogHlFQ/​l I was pretty disappointed when I first bit into my burger. It was soooo overcooked and dry! How could they do this to a burger?! Granted the flavors from the short ribs was still pretty tasty but I had to add more chipotle mayo and ketchup on the burger so that it was easier for me to take down. It would have been nice of the waiter asked us how we wanted the burger cooked.
Also I wanted to order wine but they ran out of the two that I picked. The waiter then suggested something kind of similar that they don’t usually order by the glass but he made an exception this time. I thought that was a nice gesture. Too bad the wine he picked was just ok.
Overall the place was ok, the patio outside was nice with all the lights. The service was ok too, at least they gave us pitchers of water or we’d probably wait awhile for our glasses to be refilled. If I come back I wouldn’t mind just chilling with a glass of wine.

After having this burger a few times now, it’s just not as good or as special as the first time.
3.5 stars rounded up.

I came here with some friends and some from out of town for dinner last night. I frequent the area and pass by Blue Dahlia all the time but it seems like it’s always empty. The seating area is in rear patio area, a nice little spot with trees to cover the tables with good lighting at night.
I’ve always been curious about the short rib burger since there have been some rave reviews. So, we all ordered the short rib burger. I had mine with the the carmamelized onions, gouda cheese, and arugala. Pretty good, juicy, not overdone but obviously a different consistency. I would rate the burger as good but not great and would try it again but with some dijon mustard. The garlic fries were good but wished they were sliced in bigger pieces.
Overall, nice place, good service, friendly waiter, and good food.

I tried the Steak Panini this time around (since I already knew what the burger was like), and I thought it was just as bland as the burger. The texture was fine and the ingredients seemed they would work well together (steak, caramelized onions and fontina), but it was tasteless! You know it’s bad when you have to ask for Tabasco sauce to have some fun w/​your food. Is it that hard to just add a little bit of flavor?
Just for kicks, I had a bite of my friend’s burger to see if it could redeem itself from my first visit… and it was just as uninteresting as it was the first time.

Tried various panini sw and all were ok.
Wheatberry in pasadena had the best Panini sw’s until they closed down. (The secret is in the bread –fresh baked daily)
Didn’t try the burger, so maybe next time.
So anyways, wine list is like all other places that serve wine.
It’s a cute place though that serves up decent panini’s.
Really cute patio.
Location is odd.

My 3^rd time here was not a charm.
Sweet potato fries needed to be fried for longer– not crispy enough.
And why would anyone change the brioche bun? Ridiculous. Why fix something that’s not broke? I flirted with giving this update 2 stars, and now I’m not even sure if I will have the motivation to come back for the burger in my last 2 weeks in LA. I’m almost thinking of revising my blog entry also. Very disappointed.

3 ¾ stars
Instructions: As soon as you walk in greet the gracious host and proceed towards the patio.
The patio is cozy, refreshing, romatic-​esque, modern lush feel to it. It was completely unexpected.
Next: Skip the Antipasti and inform the waiter that you’d like to start with their Burger and wine pairing.
Vegeterians: No need to stop reading… they also served burger/​wine pairing with portobello mushrooms and tofu.
$ 19 good size burger choice of fries with 3 (2.5 oz = 75mL) wine (SCORE!)
toppings I chose:
1. Arugula, Carmelized Onion, Smoked Gouda, House Chipotle Mayo
~ could’ve done it without the House Chipotle Mayo…(I suggest changing this dressing to something a bit more flavorful)
I would’ve given this place an extra star… but I was waiting for the burger to explode in my mouth with intense orgasmic flavors but this burger was a tease.
I’ve been completely spoiled by Umami.
Wine:
La playa, Estate, Cab Sauv 2007 Chile — okay.
Don Rodolfo, Malbec 2006 Argentina — more than average (2006 was a great year for Argentina ~ I wouldn’t spend money on Argentinian wine unless its from 2006)
Sangiovese, Farnese 2005 Italy (mm Yumm… I had to order another glass)
Do not order the Garlic Fries! unless you like grounded garlic /​paste on your fries. It’s probably not the same garlic fries you’re thinking of.
Price Range: $ — $$$$ (completely depending on you appetite and how broke you say you are)

So I checked this place out on Unilocal ahead of time and i really wanted to check out the décor and the backyard because the pictures looked so nice. Got there around 7−8pm and the place was packed… the waiter told me the backyard was reserved and offered a small dinky bar table on the side to a wall… I was about to leave but i was starving so stayed.
then after waiting about 20 – 30 mins for food, the waiter literally accidentally tosses some ranch sauce and it hit the wall right next to me, luckily only a lil got on me.
if your coming here, everyone seems to be drinking so it’s better if you order some drinks with your meal. the food finally came and the sweet potato fries were bomb like another Unilocal recommended. steak panini was pretty awesome too. my friends pasta wasn’t so good… really dry and i would definitely not even try finishing it.
I would like to give this place another try in the future but i would try to make a reservation or something. and this time I’d try a wine or something. the décor is very awesome though and the outside looks like a random hole in the wall place.

This place was delicious. I tried that famous burger and it was good but I don’t understand what is so life changing about it.
It definitely stands out in the downtown LA scene. The back patio is so relaxing and cute too! Only complaint: when we were there, there was some really terrible smell, and I’m hoping it wasn’t because of the restaurant and that it was just some kind of sewage leak? yikes.

What a cute little romantic date place!
You have to get a table outside in the patio area to truly enjoy this place.
The tables are nicely spaced out so you get a little intimacy and the décor is not overwhelmingly L.A. ish, just some simple paper lanterns and some plants.
The BEST part!, they have heat lamps and blankets for you. Okay, not the BEST part, but I’m a pansy when it comes to chilly weather.
The BEST part was the sweet potato fries. I would go there just for that.
Everyone orders the burger here, I wanted to be different and opted for the portobello and tofu burger.
I loved it! I love a good meaty burger every now and then, but the portobello tofu burger was very filling and not coma-​inducing.
We also had the Ahi tuna appetizer.. . avoid. Texture was like damp jerky.
The Olives were delish
Good wines, poor hard liquor selection.
They only carry Han Vodka, bleh.
Desserts!!!
A little disappointing.
The Nutella panini was just toasted bread with a light smear of nutella.
The bread pudding was pretty good in my opinion. It was nice and warm, but the best part was the hazelnut ice cream that it came with. MMmMm
Excellent service and great company. I heart Sarah L. and Matt K. because they have good taste and are wonderful dinner companions. Austin, you’re okay too.

Nice space.
Chairs a bit uncomfortable. I don’t have abnormally short legs and neither does my friend, but we had some problems getting comfy on the very nice looking sofa.
I read somewhere that the burger was overcooked, even though the server recommended a medium burger. So, I went with medium rare short rib burger. This is the girl who has no problem devouring a rare steak.
It was good! tender. moist. enough to want to bring people to.
Decently priced at around, if memory serves, $ 11 bucks, $ 19 for the three wine sample. Nice fruity wines.
If you like your meat a bit rare, get it medium rare and you will enjoy the burger, i almost guarantee it.
yum!
Ah, yes! I peeked at the outdoor space, which looks really nice!

This is one of my favorite lunch spots downtown. It’s super cute and laid-​back. The patio area is especially nice when it’s warm and green out.
The service is very friendly, though it can be mildly slow (they’re a little understaffed), and the food is great. My standard order is the ahi tuna salad. The ahi is perfect, beautifully red, seared just so with smooth not-​even-​remotely-​stringy texture, and they give you plenty of it. I love it so much that I have sort of failed to branch out and order other things. At some point, I’d like to try the short rib burger and some of those delicious topped bruschettas I see other people eating. I also love the cucumber lemon water. So cool and refreshing.

This is such a cute place! The decoration, the cute back patio, the ambience – I love it all! The owner was kind enough to let us hold a private event on a Sunday (when the restaurant is closed) and she cooked for all of us! She is such a sweetie~
The food was absolutely delicious! I was lucky enough to try several different items from the menus – the paninis, sandwiches, the famous burger – and everything was really good. Ergo, five stars! Go Soo Young! :D

i am not easily swayed by the popular vote and must stick with my A-​OK rating.
Service was very slow, perhaps since i was in a party of 8. i think they were short-​staffed the night I was there. we sat in the patio and looked longingly at the door, hoping that a waiter would appear to take our order or fill our water glasses or another beer or something. Dinner took about 3 hours.
Food was okay. I didn’t think the Quattro Panini (sampler) was worth it.
The 4 were: #1. Prosciutto, Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil & Balsamic,
#3 Assorted Mushrooms, Sun-​dried Tomato Pesto, fontina & truffle oil
#4 Mozzarella, Basil Pesto & Peperonata
#6 Three Cheese
Next time I’ll try a full panini for the same price.
The burger was tasty but I wish it was bigger. It’s the stuffed barolo braised short rib burger with arugula, carmelized onion and smoked gouda.
i have some pics uploaded
Overall, a shrug and a «it’s okay» from me.

The Blue Dahlia is a wonderful place. I’ve organized parties and shows here and been here for late night meals. The paninis are great, although the shortrib burger is what earns the most superlatives from customers. The owner, Soo Young, is a total sweetheart and completely hands-​on in her care of the place. She recently told me how she had climbed the trees herself to put the lights and decorations up in the patio area (the beautiful patio is rightfully beginning to garner a good share of acclaim).
I chose to have my birthday party there over having it at some lounge or something because I already knew it’d be the perfect place for it. I have even more stories that could better illustrate what a great place this is and how good Soo Young is at taking care of her customers, but instead I think I’ll just encourage everyone to go and enjoy it for themselves.
There’s valet parking in front, but I usually just try to find a spot alongside one of the nearby apartment buildings.

Step into the cement walled and cube chaired, padded tabled store-​front room. The tables are low due to the cubey chairs and not all that comfortable me thinks, but we ate on the patio, the chairs being of more standard shape and size were more comfortable and the trees overhead made for a comfortable green spot.
The menu for lunch is salads and sandwiches, and some tasty bruschetti.
The asparagus type was good.
The burger which people rave about is good, small, tall and definitely meaty. Though frankly the bun was lack-​luster and the cheese was not melty.
I will say this, I’ve had burgers as meaty elsewhere that did not involve barolo roasted short rib meat.
Anyway, it was good, the Arnold Palmer was freshly made and of real tea and real lemons, which was delicious.
The cucumber water was refreshing.
The 2006 Montepulciano was fruity, and acidic and delish.
I will return.