If you’re looking for skyline views and a vibe, 71Above certainly delivers. Perched on the 71st floor above downtown Los Angeles, the sprawling restaurant feels almost like a labyrinth as staff guide diners through multiple dining areas to their tables.

Just don’t expect things to move quickly. It took a while to receive water, let alone cocktails and the chance to order. Thankfully, once drinks arrived, the evening started looking up, or perhaps down, given the view. The El Segundo ($20) resembles an innocent green juice, making the smoky mezcal and cigar-like finish feel especially unexpected. Meanwhile, the Downtown ($20), made with toasted hazelnut bourbon and cognac, may look approachable but quickly proves otherwise. Both cocktails are deceptively strong in the best way.

Once the order is finally in, the pacing improves significantly. An amuse bouche of roasted carrot tart arrives first, brightened nicely by a slice of kumquat on top.

To tide us over, we added oysters ($21). In hindsight, I should have asked what variety they were serving. Our server mentioned they were sourced from Mexico, and the results were inconsistent. The smaller oyster was crisp and clean, especially with the chili salt, while the larger one tasted noticeably fishy.

Their prix fixe menu ($107 per person) orders dishes from light to hearty under each category. To start my friend and I shared the yellowfin tuna tartare which arrives hidden under a half of avocado. Normally, I like a taro chip or crostini with my tartare, but the dish hardly needed them. Pine nuts mixed into the tartare added plenty of texture alongside the fresh tuna. Sumac, mint, and a faint jalapeño heat kept everything bright and refreshing.

The short rib triangoli pasta was flavourful overall, though slightly sweeter than expected. I just wished each piece contained more beef filling, even if it meant serving fewer of them. Personally, I feel like the dish may work better in a simpler pasta format altogether.

Suspecting the balsamic jus with the grilled centre-cut ribeye would lean tart, I wisely asked for it on the side. My instincts were correct. It’s ideal for diners who enjoy acidity, but I preferred using it sparingly. The steak itself was nicely seared and properly cooked to medium rare, though surprisingly lean for a ribeye. Oddly enough, the standout component ended up being the braised beef croquette, which was rich, meaty, and echoed the same flavour profile found in the pasta.

At one point, staff dropped off bread we hadn’t ordered and frankly didn’t need. It wasn’t until the bill arrived that we noticed the additional $8 charge. Not a major expense, but something diners should be warned about upfront.

There’s a strong selection of desserts. My first instinct was the strawberries and cream, which takes a fairly classic approach with chiffon cake, mixed berries, and plenty of whipped cream. The sesame crumble adds a subtle graham-like nuttiness and welcome texture.

Surprisingly, the chocolate semifreddo ended up being the better dessert despite me not usually gravitating toward chocolate. The semifreddo itself was airy and lightly sweetened, while the green tea ganache, brownie brittle, and fragrant bergamot cream added depth without making things overly heavy.

Despite positioning itself as fine dining, the service feels stretched thin. Staff were friendly throughout, but it was clear servers were juggling too many tables. Empty cocktail glasses went unnoticed, and we had to flag someone down to order wine for the ribeye moments before the mains arrived. To their credit, the wine appeared quickly afterward, but the pacing felt reactive rather than polished. Perhaps the tucked-away back dining section contributes to the issue, as it simply didn’t feel as staffed as the main room.

Ultimately, the food and service are perfectly fine, but neither is what makes 71Above memorable. You come here for the view, and on that front, it delivers.

In our search for a post-show dinner near Comedy Bar, we stumbled upon La Bella Managua by chance. Thankfully, we thought to make reservations, because it quickly became clear this is a neighbourhood favourite.

The space isn’t fancy, more diner-like, but the aromas coming from the kitchen are incredible. Watching generous plates pass by only made ordering harder. By the time we decided, I was fully hungry and ready to dig in. Luckily, both the drinks and food arrived quickly.

The mixed ceviche ($18.95) combines shrimp and fish tossed with peppers, onion, and cilantro, served alongside avocado and plantain chips. The acidity is well balanced, so it’s not overly citrusy. That said, I would’ve liked more fish, as the shrimp dominates the dish.

If you’re dining with a group, the yucca mixta ($21.50), typically a main, works perfectly as a shared starter. The fried cheese is reminiscent of mozzarella sticks, but better, with a higher cheese-to-batter ratio. The crispy yucca is addictive, especially dipped into the onion sauce, which adds a refreshing tang. Even the avocado salad was a hit and was as a great way to finish off the plantain chips from the ceviche.

Ordering a Cajun shrimp stir fry ($25.95) at a Nicaraguan restaurant felt strange, but it worked. The dish blends a lightly spiced teriyaki sauce with creamy avocado, giving it a unique, almost Nikkei-style twist. The shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked, and the rice soaked up the sauce without becoming too salty. There’s even a surprising hint of wok hay that could rival some Cantonese spots.

The churrasco ($32.95) is ideal for a solo diner. The beef tenderloin tips were grilled to a perfect medium rare. While the meat itself is fairly mild, the thick chimichurri adds plenty of flavour. Paired with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a generous serving of vegetables, it’s a well-balanced plate.

Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert. La Bella’s flan Napolitano ($7.95) is fantastic, with a custard that’s firm enough to hold its shape yet still smooth and creamy. The caramel is light and fluid, adding sweetness without becoming sticky. Flan fans you better fly over to try this.

The three milk cake ($8.50) is equally impressive. It’s fully soaked, rich, and indulgent without crossing into overly sweet territory. I genuinely couldn’t decide which dessert I preferred. Both are worth ordering.

As mentioned, reservations are highly recommended. Despite how busy it gets, the small team runs the dining room with impressive efficiency, making sure guests are well taken care of. With generous portions, affordable pricing, and vibrant flavours, La Bella Managua feels like a rare find. As my first experience with Nicaraguan cuisine, I was struck by the balance of hearty staples like rice, plantain, and yucca with fresh vegetables and proteins, all shaped by Mexican and Spanish influences with its own distinct flair.

La Bella Managua delivers a lively, flavour-packed experience without the frills. Between the generous portions, standout desserts, and efficient service, it’s an easy recommendation, especially if you’re catching a show nearby.

Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse’s new home at CIBC Square is bright and polished compared to its former digs. The gleaming dining room still includes the signature piano bar, complete with live music nightly from 6 to 11 pm, but the larger footprint sacrifices the intimacy the original space had. Fortunately, Chef Danny, who led the kitchen for 16 years at the previous location, remains at the helm.

After hearing about some early growing pains, I purposely waited before visiting. But when Toronto Life hosted a special TL Insider dinner ($225 per person, inclusive of taxes and gratuities), curiosity won out. The prices listed below reflect the regular menu, though portions at the event were likely smaller than standard service.

The evening began with a beef skewer ($31), featuring cubes of barbecued beef glazed in teriyaki and topped with plenty of chives. Unfortunately, consistency was an issue. Other guests raved about how tender theirs were, while mine arrived overcooked. It wasn’t inedible, but it certainly wasn’t tender.

One of the restaurant’s newer additions is its aged fish program, so I was eager to try the dry-aged salmon ($33). Listed as a “crudo,” I expected delicate slices in a citrusy sauce, but it arrived as another skewer. The texture was undeniably smooth, with the dry aging removing any chewiness, but the salmon also developed a gaminess that lingered unpleasantly. A marinade or thinner slicing might help balance things out.

I’m glad their signature Caesar salad ($24) remains excellent. It’s beautifully balanced with acidity, savouriness, and thoughtful touches like buttery breadcrumbs and bacon bits that aren’t rock hard. It’s still one of the better Caesars in the city, though tableside preparation now costs an additional $10.

Fans of tartare will likely appreciate the beef tartare ($41), which is prepared traditionally with minimally dressed hand-cut beef. Personally, I wanted more contrast in texture or flavour, though tartare has never been my go-to dish. I did appreciate the accompaniments of buttery crostini and gem lettuce leaves, which offered a lighter way to enjoy it.

And for fans like me, don't worry their cheese bread puffs still make an appearance (along with their take home chocolate muffins).

What continues to shine at Jacobs is the steak itself. The 40-day dry aged striploin was cooked beautifully, developing a crust that locked in the juices while maintaining tenderness despite being a leaner cut. The seasoning is more restrained, which allowed the volcanic sea salt and chimichurri on the side to actually enhance the beef rather than overwhelm it.

The pecorino broccolini ($22) had me almost finishing off the plate and is such a nice accompaniment with the rich beef. The only disappointment was the duck fat fries ($21), which arrived lukewarm and slightly stale, likely a casualty of serving a packed dining room.

Dessert ended the evening on a high note. The crème brulee ($21) was fantastic with visible vanilla bean specks throughout the silky custard. The sugar topping was thin and delicate, avoiding that overly sweet crunch some versions suffer from. Served alongside a sizeable chocolate biscotti and a fragrant orange shortbread cookie, it’s easily large enough to share.

With the expanded dining room, the front-of-house team has clearly grown as well. The staff is younger and fresher-faced, so any old-school steakhouse stuffiness has largely disappeared. More importantly, the service remains polished and attentive, and we were well taken care of throughout the evening.

Jacobs & Co.’s new location may have lost some of the cozy charm of the original, but it still nails the things that matter most: great steak and attentive service. Not every dish is a hit just yet, but the restaurant still feels every bit like the Toronto steakhouse people know and love.

Want to become a Toronto Life Member? If this event sounded great, don't miss out on the fun. Toronto Life is providing Gastro World readers a $25 off discount code to become a member!

Just use discount code GASTROWORLD at the Toronto Life Member checkout and the discount will be automatically applied.

• Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
• 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
• 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
• 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
• 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
• 10 - absolute perfection!

• Jacobs & Co. 2023 visit
• Black + Blue

While The Queen Seafood Cuisine’s website highlights lavish set menus featuring jumbo lobster and king crab, they also offer less extravagant options. As a guest at a family celebration, I didn’t catch the exact price of our menu, but judging from similar ones online, I’d estimate it around $798. Before committing to a $1,000+ spread, it’s worth visiting to explore the more accessible offerings.

The roasted suckling pig with jellyfish is a dish of contrasts: warm, rich pork paired with cool, crunchy jellyfish. It may have been my portion, but the pork leaned slightly fatty. Still, it was moist with a delicate, crispy skin.

Instead of the usual deep-fried crab claw, Queen’s serves a scallop with shrimp paste. It’s easier to eat with a knife and fork, and while the sauce softens the crisp exterior, it adds a savoury depth without overwhelming the seafood.

The crispy salted egg yolk prawns were impressively large and well cooked. I don’t usually gravitate towards salted egg yolk, finding it heavy, but here it added a pleasant richness. Since the coating sits on the shell, it’s easy to control how much you get. I also appreciated the inclusion of vegetables throughout the meal. The scallops came with gai lan, while the prawns were paired with broccoli, helping balance out the richness.

Swapping out the usual shark fin soup, the bird’s nest soup with minced chicken and egg white was a welcomed change. The broth was thick and silky, but the minced chicken added some much-needed texture.

The braised abalone with mushroom and snow pea tips was well executed. The abalone was properly rehydrated, tender, and infused with the braising liquid, while the snow pea tips were kept simple to provide a fresh contrast.

Amid the celebration, I forgot to take a photo of the crispy roasted pigeon, which comes three to an order. There was plenty to go around. The skin was glossy and crisp, but the meat had a noticeably gamier flavour than expected, making it more of an acquired taste.

The double stir-fried lobster with Maggi sauce was handled with restraint. The seasoning added flavour without becoming sticky or overpowering. Unfortunately, the lobster itself was slightly overcooked, with the meat beginning to pull away from the shell rather than staying plump.

The steamed twin fish was perfectly cooked, so it was flaky but breaks apart. It’s just a shame that the scales weren’t cleaned properly so you had to remove the skin to make it edible.

Being a sister restaurant to Congee Queen, the portions here are generous. Even after most of us had large servings, there were still plenty of leftovers. The pork and seafood fried rice wrapped in lotus leaf was the stronger of the two carb dishes, packed with ingredients, well seasoned, and lightly fragrant from the leaf.

The braised e-fu noodles, however, were underwhelming. They lacked both flavour and substance. Typically, you’d expect mushrooms and chives, but here there were only a few scattered scallions and minimal mushroom. The result was dry, slightly sticky, and bland.

Dessert helped recover the meal. The hot red bean soup was consistently sweet, perhaps a touch too sugary for some, but it held its own after the heavier dishes. The almond cookies were a highlight - flaky, delicate, and fragrant. If you enjoy shortbread, these will be a hit, but even I appreciated them. The mango pudding was pleasant and sweet, though standard.

They’re known for their private dining rooms, which come with an additional $180 fee, but also a higher level of service. We had a dedicated staff member who regularly checked on tea and water, plated dishes for us, and handled leftovers without prompting. For a celebration, the pacing felt relaxed rather than rushed, though the meal stretched to about three and a half hours, so plan accordingly if dining with children or anyone short on patience.