Blood orange mojitos arrived with adorable plastic cocktail mermaids and donkey hanging from the rim of the glass. I smiled as I fondly remembered receiving these tiny collectibles as a child from my parents after a night out on the town.

The cocktail menu at Luna Park offers a variety of fun drinks, including the Crimson Cosmo, the “Chappaquiddick” and the Luna Park Mini Bar - a flight of three with a mini Mint Julep, bitty Luna Park margarita and a tiny Ice Breaker. Pictured here is the Mojito with fresh lime and mint. (photo by Jill Weinlein)

While sipping our colorful cocktails, we admired the interior of Luna Park. The brick colored walls and crystal chandeliers with rose and clear colored grapes hanging down, give the place an urban/San Francisco feel. Damon Soule artwork is strategically placed around the dining room to lend a whimsical mood. The large framed mirrors, tilted at 15 degree angles, allow one to see other diners around the room.

There are three intimate booths with curtains that can be drawn for romantic dining, yet the atmosphere is casual chic. Luna Park offers a three-course meal for $30 or you may order à la carte. We started our dining adventure with three appetizers; a crispy pork belly with a slightly sweet quince and Riesling purée that tasted like jam. Pomegranate seeds, arugula and Satsuma orange slices provide a crunchy and sweet accompaniment with the rich meat. My favorite appetizer was the deconstructed bruschetta. The plate arrived with a generous slice of grilled garlic bread resting on top of a mound of flash fried brussels sprouts, capers and grilled onions. Next to the bread is a soft poached egg resting on a pool of celery root purée. We broke open the egg and scooped up the egg yolk with the bread, and topped it with the celery root puree and brussels sprouts. It was heavenly. Then the warm goat cheese fondue arrived with a stack of grilled bread and apple slices on top. Dipping the bread and apple slices into the soft goat cheese with cream was great fun.

The pan seared Mahi Mahi is served with a chilled cous cous with cranberries, spinach and hazelnuts. (photo by Jill Weinlein)

Holly, our waitress, informed us that Luna Park is named after the Luna Park amusement park at Coney Island, New York. There are two Luna Park restaurants; one in Los Angeles and the other in San Francisco. Both have lively bars and moderately priced comfort food. All of the entrées are priced under $20.

To my delight I noticed an Orviento, Ruffino white wine listed on their interesting wine list. Last summer, we drove by Orviento while traveling through Italy. The wine was crisp with a slightly fruity flavor that nicely accompanied my Mahi Mahi in an orange butter sauce. The tender fish rested on top a bed of grilled bok choy and chilled cous cous with cranberries, spinach and hazelnuts. Dare I say this is the best cous cous in Los Angeles?

My husband ordered a Malbec from Argentina to pair with his grilled marinated chicken on a colorful heap of grilled brussels sprouts and butternut squash with a sage and brown butter sauce.

“If they take the brussels sprouts and squash off the menu, there is rioting in the streets,” Holly, our waitress said. I believe it. It’s an exquisite side dish. The chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy in the center. For those who shy away from brussels sprouts, try Luna Park’s – you will devour them.

While finishing our meal, we noticed the place was packed with groups of people. It’s not a quiet and romantic spot; instead it’s a great place to meet another couple or group of friends for tasty cocktails and innovative dishes. If you gather from 4 to 7 p.m. during the weekdays, you may mix and match drinks, appetizers, pizzas and petite salads at the 2 for 1 Happy Hour.

We ordered the same desserts that the couple next to us were enjoying. The first was a nostalgic nighttime campfire treat “S’mores” with molten marshmallows in one fondue pot and bittersweet chocolate in another. It’s served with housemade graham crackers. The second was two deep friend apple pies drizzled with caramel and a bowl of caramel ice-cream – a little too sweet for my taste. Open for brunch on the weekends, Luna Park offers bottomless sangrias and mimosas with fresh squeezed orange juice for $11. Each one goes nicely with bourbon and cinnamon French toast with berries and whipped cream or a fried egg sandwich with bacon, guacamole, tomato, cheddar cheese and arugula on sourdough toast.

Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for lunch, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Mon. – Thurs. and Fri. and Sat until 11:30 p.m. Brunch is available from 10 a.m. to 3 pm.  Price: $$. 672 S. La Brea, at the corner of Wilshire. Valet parking.(323)934-2110.