As the year was winding down, my girlfriend and I realized we both had $150 in Chase Sapphire Reserve dining credits that were about to expire. Rather than let them go to waste, we decided to do what any sensible advisors would do in their spare time during the holidays: book a couple of nice dinners, slow things down, and eat well. Both spots we chose were on OpenTable and partnered with Chase, which made it feel like a small win before year-end chaos really set in.
Majordomo – LA Chinatown
Majordomo felt like the right way to kick things off. The space has dim lighting that gives it an upscale feel without being stuffy, and the layout works well whether you’re there as a couple or with a big group. It’s lively but still comfortable, the kind of place you can settle into for a long meal.
We kept drinks simple and just ordered Mountain Spring still and sparkling water. The food easily did the heavy lifting.
We started with the little gem salad, which was refreshing and light. The smoked trout roe added a salty pop that played well against the greens, and the fried panko breadcrumbs gave it a nice crunch. Simple, but thoughtfully done.
The tuna carpaccio came next. The fish was fresh, lightly dressed with olive oil, and finished with a dusting of sesame. Clean flavors, no distractions.
Then came the bing, the Chinese-style flatbread, made fresh to order. We went with the cultured honey butter and immediately knew we were in trouble. One order turned into three. It was easily the standout of the night and the dish we kept talking about even after everything else hit the table.
For the main, we shared the bone-in pork chop with spring onion, fish sauce, and lime. The sauce instantly reminded me of the Southeast Asian flavors I grew up with. The fish sauce brought depth, the lime added brightness, and the spring onions helped cut through the richness of the pork. It was comforting without being heavy.
All in, the bill came out to $159 after tax and tip. Thanks to the Chase Sapphire Reserve OpenTable credit, we paid nine dollars out of pocket. Hard to argue with that. We’d absolutely go back, especially to try the smoked bo ssam, and next time we’d bring friends. Portions here are no joke.
Super Peach – West LA
Our second stop was Super Peach in West LA, and the vibe couldn’t have been more different while still feeling intentional. The space looks like a diner at first glance, but with light jade-colored walls, warm orange lighting, and a cool split-flap board that flips through messages every few minutes. The green and orange combo somehow works, and the room feels fun without being chaotic.
Again, we stuck with Mountain Spring sparkling water.
We were given a complimentary Korean rice cracker with Tajín and lime. It felt very LA. Not bad, but a bit gimmicky. If I’m craving that, I can just go to a Korean supermarket. We could have skipped it without missing much.
The savory donut with coconut curry filling was more interesting. The curry inside had great Southeast Asian flavor and depth. The outside, though, was a mixed bag. It was flaky and reminded me of taro dumplings you find at dim sum, but it was over-fried and came out a deep brown. We were expecting more of a golden color. The bread itself leaned chewy, which didn’t quite match how good the filling was.
The “Really Spicy” bluefin tuna course wasn’t spicy at all, but the fish was extremely fresh, which saved it.
The SP Chicken Salad ended up being a pleasant surprise. It’s their take on a Chinese chicken salad, with a familiar sesame vinaigrette. The cashews and pickled Fresno chilis added contrast, and the chicken was cooked well and stayed juicy. Comforting, familiar, and well executed.
The star of the night was the slow-roasted baby back ribs. Truly fall-off-the-bone tender. If you ordered this for yourself, you’d probably be full. The coleslaw on the side was fine, nothing memorable, but the ribs didn’t need help.
One small touch that stood out was the postcard we were given at the end of the meal. It was a simple souvenir, but it felt thoughtful and different from what most places do. It’s not something you expect after dinner, and it gave the night a bit of personality. Little details like that go a long way and made Super Peach feel more memorable, even with a few uneven dishes.
The total came out to an even $150 with tax and tip. With my girlfriend’s Chase Sapphire Reserve credit, the meal was effectively free.
Final Thoughts
Neither of these nights was about chasing trends or finding the next hot spot. It was about using what we had, stepping away from work for a bit, and enjoying good food together during a busy season. Majordomo impressed us with execution and standout dishes we’re still thinking about. Super Peach was more hit or miss, but the ribs alone made it worth the visit.
Not a bad way to close out the year. And if you’ve been sitting on dining credits or just need an excuse to step away from work and enjoy the city a bit more, take this as your sign. Try a new spot, revisit an old favorite, or turn a random weeknight into something that feels like a break. If you end up checking out either of these places, I’d love to hear what you think.