The Gorbals, Downtown Los Angeles

The Gorbals is new restaurant that opened in Downtown LA, late last year, in 2009. They are in an interesting space on the first floor of a converted loft apartment building.

Check out the video from Dine LA

Its a very cool space. The area around is a bit rundown, but I like it.

I was looking for a new place to try in Downtown, but I had certain criteria that I need to follow. I didn't want a uber trendy place. Nor, did I want a super expensive restaurant. I was in the mood for anything non-Asian. And The Gorbals fit the bill after reading newsletters, blogs, and other sites.

The first thing I took note was the Octopus with Gizzards. A bit of a strange combination. I like the Octopus, but the gizzards was not what I was looking forward to. But as it turns out, the gizzard was tastier than the octopus. I don't usually touch the strange parts of an animal, like gizzard, intestine, heart, etc. But in this case, it was pretty good. The gizzard has a unique consistency, a bit grainy. I thought it would be more chewy. I would recommend ordering this.

Another item that I was looking forward to was the Bacon Wrap Matzoh Balls. Yes, I know, Bacon is like my krytonite. Anything with bacon, pork, pig will be my epic downfall. Unfortunately, my hastiness caused me to almost burn my tongue. The matzoh ball is hot! I should have left it to cool down. I understand the combination. But perhaps it could be improved. I would try it again - the combination sounds too good to pass up.

I also ordered the Manischewitz-braised pork belly, clapshot and apples. I have no idea what it said - except for the "PORK BELLY". Hence my weakness. This was actually really good. It is comparable to the pork belly that I had at Animal. Though Animal's was better - with a crispy and melty mouth feel. The mouth feel at The Gorbals was melty all around.