Josie, Josie, Josie!!!

Wow! Sounds awful! Thanks for sharing.

I have been to Aunt Kizzy's twice. Both times it was not just bad, but inedible. The first time was about 6 or 7 years ago. My husband wanted to try it last year, so I thought maybe I just had a bad first experience there, or that maybe they had improved since then. We went at dinner time and the place was empty except for a couple at the table next to us (she was wearing dirty pink fuzzy slippers and gobbling down her dinner- her taste level was right in line with Aunt Kizzy's!). Right next to us. I guess the server (who also sat us) didn't want to walk too far! We each had a couple bites of what we ordered, but after dinner we stopped at In-n-Out because we were still starving!

Exactly. Looking for a more "adult" place where we can let our inner child out by playing video games or shooting pool. I was searching mainly for a place with great pizza made with quality ingredients.

For my brothers 24th birthday this weekend, he wants to go to a pizza joint with video games like we always had our birthday parties at when we were kids. Back then it was Shakey's or Round Table- which was great when we were 10, but I was hoping someone knew of a similar place with great pizza and a fun atmosphere. Preferably on the westside or even south bay. Thanks!

I had a really terrible experience at The Lobster. I thought the service was lousy and the food mediocre. My special birthday spot is Josie on Pico but I would also recommend Ocean and Vine at Lowes in Santa Monica. Their lounge has the best ambiance and it's fun to have pre-dinner cocktails around the fire pit.
Happy Birthday!

I just returned from Paulette. I was so excited as I have been wanting to go by for weeks now, but my experience was quite anticlimactic. Parking was a cinch since it is conveniently located near the less busy end of Beverly. I am always able to find a meter quickly down at that end.
I liked the modern high concept build out of the space, but it looks so similar to the other bakeries by that architect, I was a little put off. I was hoping for a fresher feeling when I walked in.
The service was slow but fine. About what I expected considering they have only been open 4 months. It takes at least 6 months to a year to get the flow and speed of service down for food service upstarts. There was a lone girl working the line of about 8 customers, but then a friendly gentleman came in began to help her tend to the customers.
As for the product, so far I am delighted. I got a gift box to take to a party tonight and a chocolate coconut and pistachio to sample now. The texture was perfect and the flavor was light and slightly sweet. I have only tried the two flavors, but I am looking forward to sampling some more tonight!
Overall, I think Paulette is off to a good start. I am sure if they can build either a loyal clientele or a media frenzy (which worked wonders for other Beverly Hills bakeries!) they will be around long enough to work out the kinks.

Well, we just returned home from dinner at Deluca's. My parents had heard it was great, so my husband and I had dinner with them there tonight. I read this page before we went, so I was expecting a bland, less than adequate meal. Our experience was interesting. They brought bread to the table that was dry and ordinary alongside a bowl of cheap olive oil. Ok, I think, maybe the reviews were accurate. The server comes to the table and she was also dry and ordinary. She didn't smile or make any pleasantries for that matter, no 'how are you doing tonight'. She rattled off the specials and couldn't seem less interested in our experience.
I ordered the linguine with clams. A runner with the same sparkling personality of the server brought out our food. I have to say at this point I was really expecting to loathe my meal. In all fairness though, I have to say it was excellent. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the clams and sauce were full of flavor. The touch of fresh parmesan table side blended so deliciously with the dish that I sopped up all the drippings on my empty plate with the cardboard bread. I wanted more, and that never happens to me when I've dined at an Italian restaurant- I usually leave feeling bloated and glutenous, wishing I hadn't had that fifth garlic roll.
Another thing I have to mention is the table of oldtimers playing traditional Italian music on their horns. Although I am certainly glad we weren't at one of the few tables right next to them, they added a nice ambiance as we sat in the front room with a view out the window of the charming neighborhood.
I am generally a stickler for service, if it is not to my standards I will adamantly refuse to return. So while part of me wants to boycott Deluca's in protest of our rude server, the other part of me is still thinking about that unbelievably tasty dish!.