There’s something undeniably thrilling about tableside service. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of old-school hospitality or the simple joy of watching your dish come to life right in front of you. Either way, LA’s restaurants are embracing the roving cart renaissance, adding a fresh, interactive twist to dining out.
At the forefront of this movement are two standout restaurants: Encanto, which has redefined brunch with its Baja Bloody Cart, and Michael Mina’s Orla, where dessert and cocktails are transformed into performance art. These mobile masterpieces are more than just a gimmick—they’re a return to hospitality with a showstopping edge.
Encanto: The Brunch Cart That Brings the Heat
Nestled in the heart of LA, Encanto has reinvented weekend brunch with its Baja Bloody Cart—a roving tableside experience that makes Bloody Marys (or Marias) an event in themselves. General Manager Zach Moore explains:
“Tableside service is fun, and it brings a little bit of yesteryear to your table. The holidays are the perfect time to delight the senses and immerse yourself in a new experience.”
The magic is in the details. Encanto’s house-made Bloody Mary mix—crafted by Chef Christopher Lin—features fire-roasted chilis, aromatics, and vegetables, elevating the classic brunch cocktail. Guests can tailor their drink on the spot—cranking up the spice, adding extra horseradish, or going all in with candied bacon. Fresh-squeezed citrus, homemade chili lime salt, and escabeche pickled veggie skewers turn this into more than just a cocktail—it’s a spectacle.
Moore adds:
“Each of the ingredients are on display atop our cart, and you get to see the server prepare your Bloody Mary (or Maria) right there for you tableside. They will walk you through it and make life easy, so there is nothing to stress about.”
And let’s not forget the vibes. ’90s R&B plays over the speakers, setting the tone for a brunch that’s as fun as it is delicious. For $45 per person, you get a prix fixe menu alongside your custom cocktail, making it a must-try for weekend warriors in search of a little flair.
Orla: Michael Mina’s Theatrical Dining Experience
At Orla, located inside The Regent Santa Monica, Michael Mina is taking roving carts to the next level. The restaurant’s Baklava Sundae Cart and Gintonico Cart add a touch of Mediterranean indulgence with a side of showmanship.
A Michael Mina rep explains:
“Hospitality has always been a cornerstone of every Michael Mina restaurant. The roving carts provide an immersive, interactive, and memorable dining experience, especially during the holidays.”
The Baklava Sundae Cart is as decadent as it sounds—black walnut pinwheel baklava, Greek frozen yogurt, candied citrus, Turkish pistachios, and a drizzle of 24K gold honey. Meanwhile, the Gintonico Cart features gin flash-infused with Santa Monica farmers’ market herbs and spices, served tableside for an elevated cocktail experience that’s equal parts refined and playful. The Baklava Sundae Cart is as decadent as it sounds—black walnut pinwheel baklava, Greek frozen yogurt, candied citrus, Turkish pistachios, and a drizzle of 24K gold honey.
Also Mina adds that each cart’s unique design means something:
“At Orla, we designed custom carts to deliver a truly unique dining experience. These carts not only allow us to showcase the finest ingredients but also highlight the craftsmanship of the culinary team as dishes are plated tableside. This intimate presentation is both nostalgic—evoking the elegance of traditional tableside service—and novel, offering a fresh and engaging way for guests to experience our dedication to quality and innovation.”
More Must-Try Roving Carts in LA
The resurgence of tableside carts isn’t just limited to Encanto and Orla. LA has a long history of mobile dining theatrics, and here are some other standout experiences:
Clifton’s: The newly reopened downtown institution is bringing back a vintage Stained Glass Jello Cart, a nod to its legacy as one of America’s biggest sellers of jello in its heyday.
Casablanca (Venice): The Margarita Cart here is legendary—a fixture of LA’s dining scene for decades, blending strong, refreshing margaritas tableside with a bit of showmanship.
With Encanto, Orla, and a growing list of LA hotspots embracing this trend, there’s never been a better time to eat, drink, and experience your meal in motion.
For more information about the restaurants, visit:
