The Exchange, aka the restaurant at the bottom of the very-very-cool Freehand Hotel, could have been a simple lobby restaurant serving club sandwiches all day and club sodas all night. But when the Sino-Mexican chef Alex Chang meets the Israeli owner Elad Zvi, worlds collide and salatims fill the table: the creamiest babaganoush (burnt eggplant with bonito flakes), hummus made with tahini flown in from Tel Aviv, roasted beets with berries and goat cheese, etc. Do not skip the chraime, a Sephardic stew with tomatoes and langoustines. The wooden is catchy, if not kitschy, with bright crochet coasters… for your glass of natural wine (the short wine list is full of it) or a mezcal Old Fashioned. Still thirsty? The Freehand’s rooftop hides a swimming pool and a cocktail bar known from NYC to Miami: Broken Shaker.
Style: Israeli
Address: 416 W. 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 (Downtown)
Hours: Monday-Sunday 7-11AM, 11:30-3PM and 5:30-11PM
Price: Small plates $6-12, Entrees $16-44
Menu and reservations: freehandhotels.com