Patina Restaurant

A little late...not really, more like a year later as my last visit to the Patina restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles was last December (in 2017) for my birthday. Patina is located near or at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and has valet parking where the restaurant can validate for you or you can park at one of the nearby pay parking lots. You can enjoy a show or an orchestra at the Walt Disney Concert Hall after your meal at Patina or enjoy a walk at the Broadway Museum across the street before your meal.

Patina is/was one of those restaurants where you could sign up for their birthday meals (you get a $50 off coupon emailed to you). I came here for my birthday in 2016 and really enjoyed my meal/dining experience. Normally, I am not a "Fine Dining Restaurant" type of a person and I am always afraid to think that "expensive" meals will be disappointing with petite meals, but I returned last year for my birthday and had a much greater time dining there. Diners can choose from the three-course meal, six-course meal, or from the chef's tasting menu. There are other special menus for different occasions such as Christmas, New Year's and Valentine's Day. They also participate in the Winter DineLA (11 to 25 January 2019) and the Summer DineLA (TBD). Sometimes I will make reservations for DineLA and then cancel from getting cold feet. I don't know why I get cold feet for DineLA.

Anyway, I ordered from the three course meal from both visits. I usually like to park at one of the nearby pay lots because I like to wander around for photos before my meal. I purposely (and not on purpose at the same time because I have to fight rush hour traffic) arrive early because I like to wander around for photos before my meal. I was warned from my first visit that each course would be "petite" which was true, however, three courses was plenty for me and the food was delightful and exquisite. The wait staff had been extremely friendly and the manager (named Martin? I think he was at both of my visits?) was so sweet. I did not go to Patina this month (December), however, I made reservations mid-January. I thought about not going this year, but when they made my dining experience spectacular, I found it hard not to return. My birthday coupon expires in February.

 

There was a server with a "bread platter". The brioche was so good that I couldn't stop eating it when he came to my table everytime

 

Please forgive as I don't remember the names to each dish/course because my last visit was one year ago (last December). While I ordered from the three course meal, I received a few more dishes to my meal.

December Birthday Meals 2018

December was my birthday month and I enjoyed many birthday meals and drinks throughout the month. You can google search "Eat Free For Your Birthday" and you will find many options. However, many restaurants have rewards cards, so sometimes you may have to ask them about these rewards cards upon your arrival (some restaurants will have something on their tables to remind guests).

Shrimp Mac 'N Cheese

1/2 lb. All-American BBQ Cheeseburger

Strawberry-something smoothie

This was the first time that I've been to Bubba Gump. I went to the one at the Anaheim Garden Walk near Disneyland. I enjoyed the shrimp Mac 'N Cheese. The burger was okay, nothing spectacular and the smoothie, I don't actually remember the name of it, but know that it had strawberries in it (drinks and smoothies aren't listed on the menu online). It was good except if you didn't drink it fast enough, the "juice" and other ingredients would separate. Bubba Gump is one of the participating restaurants for "Laudry's Select Club". There is a one time $25 fee to be a "member", however, you get a $25 welcome reward for signing up and $25 birthday reward every year for your birthday. I don't know about the expiration date for the welcome reward, but you can use the birthday reward anytime during your birthday month. There is a list of participating restaurants, so you will have to check the Laudry's Select Club website to decide where you want to go.

Oreo Shake and Royal Red Robin Burger

I went to the Red Robin in Brea and I went by bicycle because I wanted to "work" for my food. The commute was 22 miles round trip. The shake was not free, but the burger and fries were. Red Robin also has a rewards card, however, I'm not sure if they are still giving out cards. I think they still do if you ask for one. I do know that you can sign up and register cardless through their website. Let them know upon your arrival that you registered for their rewards, but don't have a card and they can help you redeem any rewards. Free burger during your birthday month and a free tenth burger (pay for nine burgers and get the tenth for free). I have two Red Robin cards - both are "old" as I've had them for awhile now - because a Red Robin restaurant gave me a card, not knowing that I already had one. Of course, I used the second card.

Peppermint Mocha Frappacino and pumpkin bread loaf

The pumpkin bread loaf was not free, but the drink was. Starbucks has a rewards card that looks like gift cards. You can also download their app on your phone to receive free drinks during your birthday month and if you order there often, you get free items throughout the year.

Original pancakes - tall stack - and chocolate milk

Birthday meal at IHOP. The chocolate milk was not free, but the pancakes were. Normally, I'd like to have bacon, eggs, hasbrowns, and sausage with my pancakes, but a tall stack of pancakes was plenty for me. IHOP doesn't have a rewards card, so you will have to google "Eat Free For Your Birthday" and sign up for free pancakes from IHOP.

Peppermint Swirl Shake

Sauteed 'Shroom Burger

I went to Red Robin in Chino by bicycle. The commute was ten miles, but I took a different route going home to make my total commute 22 miles. I enjoyed the burger, however, I didn't really enjoy the shake. They took my go-to shake (brownie mint) off the menu and I wanted to try the peppermint swirl shake which was a new item on their menu. I think this was a holiday/seasonal shake, so it will probably not be on the menu if I decide to go to Red Robin during non-holiday/Christmas season, although I don't think I will try it again for my birthday next year.