Best Casual Restaurants in Downey / Norwalk / Santa Fe Springs

I had dinner with two other people and we did the prix-fixe menu, which meant six courses (more?) served family style. Highlights were the scallop hand roll, the green salad, tteok, and of course the chicken wings (totally worth the hype!). We were pretty indifferent about the banchan, though nobody particularly liked the avocado and pear. Sea bream was good, not great. Steak was good but fatty, and not the melt-in-your-mouth kind of fat that you want to eat; this was chew-on-it-and-spit-it-out fatty. Dessert was chef’s choice, and we were brought everything but the sundae (and the sundae was what we all had read about!). All good, but nothing that will stick in my memory. I’d go back for the chicken wings, tteok, and green salad, which would make for a perfectly good dinner for one (or two, if you added another dish or two).

My experience at this place was absolutely incredible! The service was top-notch, and the waitress who took care of us was simply amazing. She was friendly, kind, and incredibly patient. She even checked in with us to make sure everything was going well. Her suggestions and recommendations on the menu were spot-on, especially since she seemed to know everything about their offerings. This isn’t my first time here, and I’m already planning to come back again and again. This place is truly amazing!

It is a wonderful setting for a fancy work, family, anniversary or birthday dinner. We went for a family dinner occasion, my brother is in the military often travels so this was the first time we have been able to spend the holiday as a family in a very long time. We wanted to have a nice dinner, with great food and great atmosphere. Manuela provided that and more. As our first time at Manuela we didn’t know what to expect. Manuela provided a tranquil environment, not loud but not dead silent. The lights are dimmed and tables are provided with small candles, so it gives a warm tone. The food was delicious. We ordered the salmon, roasted oyster mushroom, burrata salad, pitman half chicken, roasted cauliflower, butterball potatoes, and blistered snap peas. All the market vegetables complemented every dish. We are a family of 6, and the market vegetables were enough to side everyone’s dish. The portions were perfect as well. For dessert we had the chocolate pie and cucumber and pear sorbet. They are also delicious. It is safe to say I will be going back. Last thing, if you are worried about parking because Downtown LA is not the best place to park, Manuela also provides valet parking, I paid $22 for 2hours and 4 minutes. Or you might be lucky enough to find street parking on the block.

The food and service were great, HGLY recommend it

Food was great customer service suck need better management his attitude needs to be better will make workers attitude better