After hearing about executive chef Michael Hung’s superb duck confit tacos, I gathered two friends for lunch at Faith & Flower, located in the WaterMarke Tower, near L.A. Live and the Staples Center.

Professional service with a smile is the norm at Faith and Flower. Be sure to try the duck confit tacos - worth every bite! (photo by Jill Weinlein)

Tacos aren’t his only specialty, Hung makes a terrific arugula and chicory salad and oxtail agnolotti pasta, a signature dish. Professionals often pop in after work for cocktails and burgers. Later in the evening, diners enjoy a selection of oysters with champagne, and micro beers with pizza, among many other items.

Faith & Flower offers multiple dining areas, an outdoor patio, an elegant indoor bar and two dining rooms with crystal chandeliers, slate gray wainscoting and sheer curtains with gold drawback ties around windows looking out to Flower Street. The décor features a beautiful art piece made from hand mirrors that resemble a tree.

The table was set with emerald-green water goblets and elegant plates. In the center of the room is a large, antique mirrored armoire that holds plates, silverware and napkins, while also dividing the dining room into a more intimate dining area for private parties.

The restaurant offers a cocktail menu with classic Pimm’s cup, daiquiris and pisco punch dinks. Beers include imports and micro brews, and the wine list offers Spanish cava and California white, rosé and red wines.

Hung is known for his savory deviled jidori eggs with Korean chili and yolk mixed with fiery kimchi. His seafood terrine is flash fried like tempura and served with a pleasing saffron cream and topped with a raw kohlrabi, also known as a German turnip, which is crisp and slightly sweet.

I was impressed with the shaved fennel and citrus salad with sections of grapefruit and orange. It was topped with toasted pistachios and shredded Spanish sheep manchego cheese. The cheese has a slightly buttery flavor, and together, all of the ingredients create a delicious salad. Hung also shreds manchego cheese on his arugula and chicory salad with crunchy croutons.

The Valrhona chocolate pudding is served in a darling green glass chicken, adding a touch of whimsy to the dining experience at Faith and Flower. (photo by Jill Weinlein)

Our server, Augustine, said the two most popular pasta dishes are the oxtail agnolotti and the handmade cavatelli with roasted mushrooms, baby kale and parmigiano broth. Guests seeking heartier fare may enjoy the grilled jidori hen breast or grilled eight-ounce skirt steak.

I ordered the duck confit tacos with succulent duck marinated in escabeche with butternut squash and pepitas. The spiciness of the escabeche was mellowed by the squash, and the duck was divine.

My friends ordered the steelhead trout, slightly seared and topped with roasted beets, olives, cipollini onions and a subtle citrus butter sauce. The fish was tender and excellently cooked.

Next to our table, a gentleman was enjoying a slightly charred, bubbly crusted burrata pizza with tomatoes, kale and sage. It looked appealing, as did the roasted mushroom pizza.

Pastry chefs Ben Spungin and Indelisa Zarate make a tapioca pudding flan that lacked pizzazz, however, we inhaled the vanilla bean sugar doughnuts with burnt cinnamon cream dipping sauce. The light and airy doughnuts are made from slightly sugary dough.

We also enjoyed the Valrhona chocolate pudding with whipped cream and chocolate crunchy streusel. It was served in an adorable chicken-shaped green glass terrine. The little touches amuse guests and invite them to dine again.

Faith & Flower is offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner for $85 per person. Guests receive an amuse bouche before choosing an appetizer. Entrées include four dishes from the menu, such as butter poached lobster and mesquite grilled beef tenderloin. Diners can finish with a choice of dessert that includes red velvet vanilla bean cheesecake. Each course may be paired with wine for an additional $40 per person.

Lunch is served weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and brunch is served on weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30p.m. The bar has a social hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and dinner is served nightly starting at 5:30p.m. $$ 705 W. 9th St., (213)239-0642.