Donna's is the red sauce room Echo Park waits in line for

There is a specific fantasy of an Italian-American restaurant: red sauce, low light, a martini that arrives cold enough to fog the glass, a room that looks like it has hosted the same anniversary dinner since 1962. Donna's, on Sunset in Echo Park, built that room, and LA responded by making it one of the hardest reservations in the city.

The internet found it fast, and for once the internet is right, but the mechanics matter more than the hype. Reservations open 28 days ahead at 10am and evaporate. The counter-move is that Donna's holds a real portion of the dining room for walk-ins starting at 5:30pm, which means showing up early on a weeknight works better than refreshing an app for a month.

Go on a Tuesday at 5:15, put your name down, and have a drink while you wait. The fantasy holds up.

Keep exploring Echo Park: Best Restaurants in Echo Park · Best Bars in Echo Park · A perfect night out in Echo Park