Ray’s and Stark Bar at LACMAOctopus appetizer superb.Octopus appetizer superb. Marrow pizza interesting and tasty but a bit oily.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food at reasonable pricemenu was interesting. even though there are small plates, portion size is good enough to be share amongst 4 people. Amuse bouche was good. Service was spotty - waited for bread refill to the point of again requesting. Will definitely go back.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMOctopus are for hockey games.Ray's and Stark is an "upper end eatery." I knew it when one of the hosts recommended the octopus and I said (being from Detroit) that octopus are only good for throwing on the ice during a hockey game. The host gave me a blank look. My wife quickly reminded me that we are not at a sports bar. The menu is varied and yet not pricey. The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing, just right before viewing a new exhibit at the museum.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful restaurant to haveWonderful restaurant to have a meal before attending the LACMA Turrell show.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGracious and generous serviceOur largely delicious meal had one dull entree, which was removed from our bill without our asking. We were sent away with smiles and extra little cookies! Perfect, and we'll be back...5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMMuseum quality!Great dinner at Ray's and Stark Bar. amazing service. yummy food. though a friend had some over seasoned meat.
favorite thing is the intimacy of the table spacing, did not hear a single person other than my dining companions. that was a treat in and of itself.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMlunch at Ray'sExceptional lunch, unexpected for a museum restaurant. Would go there just for the lunch. Great service.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMIdeal for a nice lunch at LACMAPerfect location for people watching over lunch whilst you're at LACMA. The Pizza was OK, but it was outclassed by the small plates we ordered which were very, very good. Recommended.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was very good andThe food was very good and the server knowledgeable. The service was extremely slow. The restaurant appeared understaffed, a problem we had had on a previous visit when the museum had a special event.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat upstart gemCreative, exquisite combinations, happy and clean setting, cordial, efficient service... What is not to like?5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMlovely cuisinegreat location to listen to the jazz on Fridays at LACMA, lovely cuisine especially the snapper! but the service was rather slow5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent place for lunch.Excellent place for lunch. There no cheese pizza was out of this world. I am on a dairy-free and soy-free diet and it was wonderful to have pizza again, it had been years. Thanks!!!5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMUnpolished Gem.While the food was excellent, the ambiance was not. The restaurant is small, not very comfortable, and the HVAC doesn't provide a comfortable environment on warm days.
Did I mention that the food is great? Come early and have a drink at the outdoor bar (especially nice when there is a nice breeze), and then slip into the ajoining restaurant to finish the night.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMNice lunch while visiting LACMAWe started with the Chile which was excellent followed by a very good paste and finished with Pork Belly which was excellent.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMImaginative, weird, great foodI brought a friend on my second visit to Ray's. She was over the moon. For us, this is an expensive dinner (~$65/person).
But my friend says she's going to quit eating at regular restaurants, put the money she would have spent
in a piggy bank and come to Ray's once a month.
Me, I'm coming back too.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMRay'sRay's is a really good restaurant. The pasta was fantastiic as well as the hen. We dine at Ray's at least once a month and plan on dining there on a Friday night and listening to jazz.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMDecent meal for your LACMA visit.I've been to Ray's (but not Stark Bar) quite a few times for lunch while visiting LACMA. The staff is friendly and attentive, and they don't hover or rush you. Their flatbread pizzas are very good, the bread they serve is delicious, and the pasta I tried on my most recent visit was excellent. Their salads leave something to be desired. My mom tried their chopped salad and it had almost no oil in the dressing, leaving a very vinegary salad experience. She was turned off enough by this that I won't suggest Ray's again the next time I bring her to LACMA, though I will almost certainly be back and warn people away from their salads.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMDependably goodEven when they are busy, you feel as if some one is looking out for you. The food is always good or excellent, and there are always interesting things on the menu. The bread- and the butter, for that matter- are sublime. Ray's has always been a good choice for us.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMPleasant, if a bit pricey...A nice spot for lunch if you're visiting LACMA. We sat outdoors and enjoyed watching the school groups on their museum field trips as they were passing by, delighting in seeing their enthusiasm, energy and obvious joy at not being cooped up in a classroom. At Ray's, food quality and presentation was good. Service was professional and efficient. An overall good experience but not without a cost.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMExtraordinary dining experienceWhat an extraordinary meal we had at Ray's and Stark Bar! First, the decor is so stylish. modern but warm and whimsical, and in the setting of the museum grounds, it's lovely. Our food was astoundingly delicious with unique ingredients like black sesame seeds, favas, faro, truffles. The desserts literally took our breaths away--pistachio and lemon cake with bergamot, date cake with homemade ice cream and caramel etc. And such helpful and knowledgable service! Before we were even finished we were talking about going back again!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMNice for Jazz EveningIt was great fun to people watch and listen to the jazz a LACMA's Friday night event...It does get a bit noisy but that is part of the evening. We were looking for something a bit different and this was great. There is a minimum $ on the food for the jazz evening...but that was fine for us. The food was very good. I had the Turbot and thought it was excellent.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOut-of-town guests were delightedOut-of-town guests were delighted with the food, service and ambiance - praised everything, even the chairs! Lovely experience.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThe pig ears were interestingThe pig ears were interesting and the hamachi was delicious. The mixology bar was amazing. I recommend the G Funk Era and the Risky Sour.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe waiter recommended theThe waiter recommended the almonds as a starter. The small dish arrived with what appeared to be olives but were very young almonds still in their light green fuzzy skins steamed with a delightful lemon and spice sauce. I applaud the chef for serving these as I have never seen them and his pairing with lemon and spices was perfect. We then shared the asparagus and greens salad both of which were just plain tasty. I loved his/her dressing with the sunflower seeds and pickled red onions. Our main was the hamachi which the chef lightly poured soy sauce and thinly sliced kumquats. I only wish I was more hungry....I forgot the amuse bouche of a tempura battered broccoli was delicious and the home made oreo cookies the perfect size.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFresh and tasty. TerrificFresh and tasty. Terrific location at LACMA. Just pop in after viewing the exhibits. It is expensive. The Stark's Bar attached is a huge success, very busy and noisy. Daily changing dishes use only the freshest ingredients, some from the herb garden.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWent there during Friday JazzWent there during Friday Jazz Night at LACMA. Food was good, as was service. A bit pricy but the food was (mostly) good enough to justify it. Pizzas are especially good. Enjoyed the experience.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAfter years of having onlyAfter years of having only an indifferent cafeteria and a so-so Wolfgang Puck outlet as the dining options at LACMA, at last there is a really good restaurant and bar, which is outdoors, as a choice.
The staff are hip, knowledgable and courteous - attentive but not intrusive.
The menus for both food and drink are adventurous, though a bit pricey ($14 for a beer, though artisan, seems a bit steep).
Still, it is a terrific addition to the total Museum experience.
My 2nd visit was as good as the first, a few months earlier.
Had no trouble with the reservation at a busy lunch time.
Definitely recommended.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMA Magical Dining ExperienceSimply, the food was outstanding, the service impeccable. Our waiter's description of an entree was given in such detail and endearing tone you'd have thought he was the chef. Lovely experience!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMI love the contemporary feelI love the contemporary feel of the restaurant and although it was Easter Sunday and there were quite a few small kids the noise level was amazingly low! The staff was attentive yet didn't intrude on our conversation---we had an out of town guest with us who just loved it ! The food was attractively served---two of us had the quiche which was delicious.
I have eaten at this restaurant a number of times and always find the bread especially delicious.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMVery pleasant and relaxedVery pleasant and relaxed restaurant at LACMA, food was very good, smaller plates so you can easily have a couple of courses. The service was excellent and the bar quite good and barmen friendly and interesting. The bar not a scene but a cool open air place.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMReally enjoyed the outstandingReally enjoyed the outstanding look and feel of this place. Really special to go from looking at the art at LACMA right inyo this restaurant. The food was uneven though. Some of us in our party of 5 loved our meals and others found their dishes totally inadequate. I would sefinitely go back though. It is a great scene and i thought my entree was terrific.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat dinning experienceHad a great time at dinner. All the food was delicious and the drinks tasty. The service was amazing!! Would definitely go back again!3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat professional service,Great professional service, feels relaxed, and friendly. The museum right there which has really come up in all ways. Would go there without museum as well!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu was interesting,The menu was interesting, the decor modern and fun. My teenage daughter loved it!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMIt is always great. BeingIt is always great. Being open on Monday is a real plus!3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMNot Touristy- unconventionalYou can make this place what you want it-- Romantic or family-friendly, snazzy for groups or just for 2. Innovative menu including exceptional cocktail creations. Lots of locals and not touristy.3/1/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond time dining here andSecond time dining here and both times were outstanding. The presentation, the taste, totally excellent. Thanks for participating in Dine LA1/26/2013 12:00:00 AMNever a bad meal at Ray's.Never a bad meal at Ray's. The chef is the most original in Los Angeles and the ingredients are always fabulous. The waiters have actually tasted the food and can describe it properly. A winner!1/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat place for an excellent lunchRay's is in the Los Angeles County Msuem of Art and is somewhat informal while having excellent service. The menu is somewhat limited at lunch, but each item is unique. My ""hamburger," a gigantic, delicious mound of beef served pen face and topped with a sunny-side up fried egg, was scrumptious.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM