Redbird

After suffering massive damage in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the Italianate Cathedral of St. Vibiana, once the seat of Los Angeles’s Catholic Archdiocese, is now home to one of the city’s best new restaurants. Redbird, which chef Neal Fraser and his wife, Amy Knoll Fraser, opened in the former rectory, centers around a stunning courtyard dining room dressed in custom-built, elegantly modern furnishings. The decidedly grown-up aesthetic reminds us that a polished atmosphere is every bit as important as the quality of a restaurant’s food: The interior purposely avoids the sort of rugged industrial chic that’s come to define every farm-to-table place not just west of Brooklyn but around the world.

Coming here is an occasion: the restaurant is housed in the rectory of the former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana. Well-dressed locals visit in their droves to sample Neal Fraser’s inventive dishes, like shisito peppers with bottarga and crispy quinoa or lamb belly with charred aubergine, pickled walnut and mint, while sitting under the stars in the retractable-roofed dining room. As well as the warehouse-like space of the main room, the restaurant has a number of smaller private dining spaces, including an olive tree-lined garden complete with a pizza oven, the teal-painted cardinal’s quarters upstairs and the cathedral next door, now LA’s most popular wedding venue.

With its skylights, fiddle-leaf fig trees and luminous marble bar, the Redbird dining room is one of the most-pleasant places to dine in Los Angeles. Brunch highlights include the Basque baked eggs with short rib, morcilla, piquillos, potatoes and Ossau-Iraty cheese, as well as the smoked salmon tartine with avocado, radish and cucumber. Order the confusingly clear Bloody Mary — bar director Tobin Shea uses clarified tomato, clarified lemon, white balsamic, fennel, basil and chile vodka to make this new take on the classic brunch cocktail.

Located inside the rectory building of the former St. Vibiana’s Cathedral, Redbird pays homage to its historical walls by keeping decor simple and minimal. The patio outside was practically built for brunch, which features an impressively deep set of cocktail options alongside frittatas and ricotta-blueberry pancakes. The real draw of the place, though, is its fabulous dinner menu, which offers American-inspired dishes like California sea bass, Day Boat Scallops, and a thyme-heavy chicken potpie.

After a harrowing experience in which we burnt not one, but two separate batches of chocolate chip waffles, we consider any meal eaten outside our apartment a win. Especially when that meal is at Redbird, a decently fancy American restaurant on the outskirts of Downtown that’s housed in an old, abandoned church. Which, now that we’ve written it, kind of sounds like the plot of a B-rated horror film.

DowntownNeal Fraser's Downtown mecca's main room is a gorgeous open-air space, with foliage, comfy seating, and superlative food, including the signature Rabbitchetta.

In the heart of Los Angeles, a city known for its kaleidoscope of diverse culinary experiences, Redbird emerges as a culinary sanctuary, acknowledged as one of The 10 Best Asian Restaurants in Los Angeles, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. This exceptional restaurant, situated in a historic cathedral, transforms the act of dining into a spiritual experience, where every bite is a revelation, and every dish a testament to culinary artistry. The name “Redbird” resonates with imagery of nature and symbolism, reflecting the restaurant’s connection to the historic Vibiana Cathedral, once home to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Carved into one of LA’s most historic cathedrals, Redbird by Michelin-recognized Chef Neal Fraser is one of the city’s most striking dining destinations. Featuring a retractable roof, Redbird offers a predominantly open-air dining experience with views overlooking the Vibiana bell tower. The interior is adorned with ruby-colored booths, overhead hanging plants and communal seating, creating an elegant yet inviting atmosphere perfect for savoring Fraser’s seasonal plates, ranging from snacks to shared entrees.

Those who have dined at chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll Fraser’s Downtown LA restaurant Redbird know its spaces are as special as the food and drinks. It sits inside (and outside) the former historic rectory of Vibiana, the cathedral next door, which makes a spectacular wedding venue as well for 175 or more guests. The dramatic architecture has been modernized, but it retains a sense of uniqueness and special energy that translates beautifully to a ceremony and or reception.

That’s always the question when contemplating Neal Fraser’s brunch menu at Redbird, one of the city’s most beautiful sun-filled restaurants with a glass-ceilinged dining room, part of the complex that was once the Cathedral of St. Vibiana. Each time I go savory, I look longingly at the pumpkin-spiced French toast and airy ricotta blueberry pancakes going by and remember how good they are. But Fraser’s shrimp and grits ringed with a charred tomato sofrito is hard to resist.

Chef Neal Fraser's flagship restaurant, Redbird showcases his modern American cuisine at a historic space in the former rectory building of Vibiana. Whether you're seated in the indoor dining room, open air Courtyard, or surrounded by olive trees in the Garden, a cocktail from Tobin Shea's award-winning seasonal menu is a must. Starters include Shishito Peppers and Chawanmushi (Japanese steamed egg custard) with Maine lobster, enoki and Sichuan chili oil.

For a couple decades, Tobin Shea has been a bar master of balanced, nuanced cocktails that remain deliciously drinkable. His inspired menus at Redbird have been the most complex, interesting and exciting I’ve tasted in all of LA over the years. Under Redbird’s retractable roof and paired with chef/owner Neal Fraser’s globally-inspired dishes, I’ve savored drinks showcasing rare spirits like proper Germanic schnaps or anise-forward arak.

The restaurant’s name, Redbird, is a reference to the cardinal whose offices were once located on this site. Entering from Second Street, guests find the lounge area with a marble bar, vintage furniture, and a few tables at banquettes as described at RunRex.com, guttulus.com, and mtglion.com. The bar continues around to the courtyard garden, which functions as the main dining area and features a retractable roof.

The downtown restaurant, helmed by husband-and-wife duo Neal and Amy Fraser, inhabits the former rectory belonging to Vibiana—a deconsecrated cathedral that now serves as an event venue. Even the name of the elegant restaurant is a nod to the cardinal who once lived in the residence. This new iteration of the space has outdoor dining under a retractable glass ceiling full of magenta and orange couches.

Born in Mexico, Karla Floreslearned to hustle at a young age, first under tutelage in her mother’s kitchen and then doing her own cocktail pop-ups. Obsessed with creating fun environments, she is now the beverage director of Park Hospitality and co-owner of Bar Flores. “There are so many great cocktail bars and restaurants in Los Angeles that it’s hard to choose just one,” she says.

Redbird is a modern American restaurant housed in an old Vibiana rectory. Head chef Neal Fraser and his wife Amy Knoll Fraser took great care to respect the history of this location while also livening up dining ambiance with bright, minimalist furniture. Many of the options on Redbird’s menu are very cosmopolitan and well suited for snacking, tasting, and sharing.

Redbird is one of LA’s most well-respected restaurants, and not only will the food and cocktails blow you away, so will the design, decor, and space itself. It’s one of LA’s most beautiful restaurants without a doubt. The main dining room is under what I believe is a retractable roof, so the space is airy but private.

Downtown’s dining scene shines at Redbird, housed in a deconsecrated cathedral. Its open-air patio in the central courtyard strikes a balance between historic architecture and modern design. Surrounded by the cathedral’s walls and under a canopy of stars, enjoy chef Neal Fraser’s acclaimed New American menu.

Located in a historic cathedral in Downtown LA, Redbird is known for its refined take on farm-to-table dining. Chef Neal Fraser crafts an ever-evolving menu featuring seasonal California ingredients, focusing on bold flavors and artfully plated dishes.

Enjoy one of downtown Los Angeles’ most historic architectural gems, the former rectory building of Vibiana when you dine at Redbird. Inside you can find Redbird’s warm and comfortable patio space and order from their extensive cocktail menu.

Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll Fraser's flagship restaurant Redbird is located inside the former rectory building of Vibiana in DTLA. Pastry chef Kasra Ajdari presents guests a Chocolate Mousse Bar made of praline and passion fruit sorbet.

Redbird, a restaurant I had been eager to try, surpassed my expectations. Known for its upscale dining, every dish I had was excellent, which is no easy feat. To ensure a spot, make a reservation on Tock for the Garden area.

114 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012Phone: 213-788-1191 Visit Website. A post shared by Redbird (@redbirdla). You’ll find Redbird in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of Los Angeles.

See story for more on our other outdoor spaces – the Redbird Garden and the Vibiana Courtyard. Link in profile to reserve on Tock. #redbirdla #dtla #outdoordining

With multiple floors and various private dining spaces, there’s something for every group hang from a dozen guests to as many as 800.

Why You Need To Dine Here: Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll Fraser serve up innovative dishes paired with creative cocktails.