db963's Profile
LA'S OWN KITCHEN NIGHTMARE
Full disclosure: I TIVO Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. I am a true Gordon Ramsay fan and not just because he is handsome, but because I admire the passion for service he demonstrates on these shows. Sadly, it appears it is truly just for show. As a GR devotee, my husband thought it would be fun to take me here last night for our 23rd anniversary dinner. The night began in the bar. The bar with only 4 barstools, which is an oddity, but we eventually managed to get 2. We were ignored by the 2 female bartenders who were entangled in an ongoing and obvious argument. Neither wanted to be there and neither smiled the entire hour we were sitting 2 feet in front of them. We were forced to almost plead for drinks and appetizers. Once we got to our table, I did mention our sad and frustrating experience at the bar to the restaurant manager who seemed to speak very little English and really offered nothing more than a meek "so sorry." The dinner was fair but forgettable, nothing special in taste but beautifully presented, and extremely overpriced. The distracted staff felt like actors (which they all most likely were) pretending to understand fine dining and food, but no one managed to pull it off. We left completely disappointed, feeling robbed and still hungry due to the teeny tiny portions. I went to GR's website, but interestingly enough, there is no where to contact him or his staff re complaints but plenty of ways to contact him regarding press events, private dining and speaking engagements. Apparently, he is more interested in good TV than good doses of customer feedback.
Eva Restaurant on Beverly Blvd
This establishment will not be in business long enough for me to write my review. Sadly, another LA minimalist style restaurant posing as a NYC want to be. You know the type: white walls, white table clothes, wood chairs and a candle followed by 8 bites of unimpressive food served by inexperienced and uninterested waiters for $100.
With a reservation, it took 25 minutes to flag down a waiter (not ours) to beg for a drink order to be taken. The service stayed true to this form all night long. The starter salad was 5 pieces of very tough romaine leaves with a lackluster green goddess dressing. My swordfish was completely raw in the middle. I sent it back and it came back 1/2 the size it was before, so I told them to keep it. No apologies given by the waitress who seemed to have no interest in selling us food or wine the entire night. Yes, the tables are crammed together, but the most annoying part is that the galley-like hallway that we were seated in has a floor that seemed to be made of ply wood-- every time a waiter walked across it, it felt like our table might fall through it! Unnerving and annoying, to say the least. Especially without cocktails.
Dinosaur, Hill Country or Daisy May's
We went to Daisy May's Saturday night. 3 of the 4 of us are from Tennessee, but live here now. In summation: totally and completely underwhelmed by the entire experience. Not even CLOSE to Southern BBQ! We ordered the "Tasting Menu" for all of us so that we could try a little of everything and were assured a reserved table/ service. (You must pay up front on the phone when making a reservation and you must order from the catering menu which basically gives you the chicken, ribs, pulled pork, several kinds of ribs, corn bread and 3 side items.) Service was great, atmosphere is bland and boring as was the food. The BBQ sauce tasted like it could have been bottled from the grocery, although the cole slaw had a nice taste. Mac and Cheese was bland and soupy. We had to ask for the corn bread that was supposed to come with the meal because they gave everyone "Grecian Bread" (as we call it in the South, although it is also referred to as "Texas Toast.") You can only order wine BY THE WHOLE BOTTLE, not the glass! Since no one was drinking wine but me, I had no choice but to go without. There were only 2 selections anyway- Pinot Grigio and Malbec. $15 charge for bringing in your own wine. I really have nothing positive to say about this except that those who do not know better, might like it?
Great Cake Designers/Bakeries in Manhattan?
Thanks so much! Would love more suggestions from any and all!
your unsung heros?
Went to 24 Prince yesterday and I have never had worse service in all of Manhattan! The food was ok, not great. I really do not understand the extreme attitude from the servers there. Too bad, because it is a cute place, but not worth it.
Great Cake Designers/Bakeries in Manhattan?
I need a great birthday cake for 10 (by Saturday) with an Elvis themed design. It needs to be delicious as well as nicely designed and not extremely expensive. We are new to Manhattan and would really appreciate all suggestions. Ideally, it would be a Midtown location rather than the upper west or upper east sides or Brooklyn.
Many, many thanks!
RH at the Andaz Hotel?
My husband took me to RH for Valentine's Dinner. I was skeptical as I am not typically impressed with the West Hollywood scene or the restaurants in general in LA. All I can say is LOVELY-- from the interior, to the service, to the wine list and of course, the food. It does take a minute to understand the various menus (pick from your proteins, veggies, etc or look on the chef menus...) but once I made the tough decisions, it was fine. I had the double pork chop, the cauliflower gratin (AMAZING!) and my husband had the beef cheeks and a caesar. We also ordered the apple tartin. Everything was excellently prepared and the portions were perfect- not too small and not overwhelming. The service was on par with the better NYC establishments and absolutely no attitude. My only complaint was that the banquets (against the back wall) were poorly designed and seemed to be an afterthought. They were not integrated into the design at all-- a real shame. A few rugs are needed in here as well. We also toured the rooms and the pool area after dinner. Very interesting designs-- not sure I would pay the $300-500 rates, but the rooms facing Sunset all had glass sitting rooms overlooking the views. Great concept.
Best Places to Eat in Sausalito, CA?
Thanks!! Lots of great info here! Much appreciated! db
Best Places to Eat in Sausalito, CA?
My husband and I will be in Sausalito next week. What are the not-to-be-missed places for dinner? All suggestions are very much appreciated. Many thanks! db
New Italian in Pasadena
We ate there last night. Yes, it is where the old Greco's and many other failed establishments have been... The food was excellent as was the wine, but there are a few, apparently reoccurring, issues with this place.
1. The service, while polite, was inexcusably slow. There were only 3 other tables all night long and it took about 20 minutes to take the order, another 20 to bring the wine and on and on...
2. The tables/chairs are very uncomfortable and really belong in a "Soup Plantation" environment, not a cozy Italian bistro. The floor is slick, so the chairs and table are continually sliding around. Rugs would be a huge help...
They really need more marketing as no one seems to know anything about them. I did walk in one afternoon a few weeks ago to check it out for a potential lunch with a client, but at 1:30, there were 3-4 dirty tables, only one table still seated, and about 3 waiters clumped at the hostess stand (far from the front door, another issue) that never bothered to invite us in or acknowledge us.
Hope the owner reads this and addresses the issues as we really need this place to make it in Pasadena!
Osteria Mozza / Not-so-Nice-a
I could not agree with you more. I was taken for my birthday by friends and my husband (all of us foodies, of course, but not snobs) and we were greeted with indifference, almost intolerance, the entire night. This is not NYC. The food better spectacular if it is served with an attitude and a wait list (which is certainly a marketing ploy!) like this. The food is incredibly average. We found the wine to be extremely limited and unexciting. And, even though I am usually the first to comment on the enormous food portions in American restaurants, the food portions excessively small. The interior is its only redeeming feature, in my opinion, but I would not go back nor would I ever suggest it to others.
Brunch near St Patricks Cathedral on Sunday. Help! Here from LA and do not know the area...
Thank you so much, everyone! We went to Compass last night for dinner before the ballet-- perfection! Amazing food, the most excellent service we have ever had and lovely wine...
Brunch near St Patricks Cathedral on Sunday. Help! Here from LA and do not know the area...
Many, many thanks. I think it would be great to hear about some insider, smaller places if there are any other ideas out there? Maybe we would be better off cabbing it over to the village for a more homey brunch? Again, thanks for everyone's time and input.
Brunch near St Patricks Cathedral on Sunday. Help! Here from LA and do not know the area...
I am here with my husband, sister and brother in law and could really use some help on where to go for brunch this Sunday after St Patrick's mass. We wanted to try Blue Ribbon Bakery, but it seems too far. Also we heard that Norma's in Parker Meridien was great, but it is fully booked. Any ideas are so appreciated! Happy Holidays, New York!
Brunch near St Patricks Cathedral on Sunday. Help! Here from LA and do not know the area...
I am here with my husband, sister and brother in law and could really use some help on where to go for brunch this Sunday after St Patrick's mass. We wanted to try Blue Ribbon Bakery, but it seems too far. Also we heard that Norma's in Parker Meridien was great, but it is fully booked. Any ideas are so appreciated! Happy Holidays, New York!
Need a Lovely Place with an Ocean View in Malibu Area
Is the food good? I have always thought this was more of a bar?
Need a Lovely Place with an Ocean View in Malibu Area
Thank you for that suggestion. I called to make a reservation and they will not promise a table with a view. So I am still looking. It looks wonderful, though!
Need a Lovely Place with an Ocean View in Malibu Area
I have been to Sunset and Geoffrey's. What is Beau Rivage like? Thanks!
Need a Lovely Place with an Ocean View in Malibu Area
I would like to take a few people to a special dinner in a small, uncrowded place with an ocean view. Preferably as close to the beach as possible. I have been to Sunset and Geoffrey's, neither of which has remarkable food, but the view was nice. I am open to Santa Monica as well, but thought it might be much more crowded. In any event, I appreciate any feedback!
Mike and Anne's, South Pas- review w/ photos
I really do not understand why people keep giving this place fourth and fifth chances. The service is always, always horrific! In fact, I think it could be great material for a script. There can be 3 tables in the whole place and it can take 15 minutes to get a waiter to notice that you have no water, no eating utensils, etc. The bill is dropped during your entree and each time I ordered wine, the staff seemed totally uninformed about the wine list. The food is forgettable. I agree that the ambience is nice, and it may be its saving grace.
First date in Pasadena
I say pass on Mike and Anne's. The service is horrific. Has been the 3 times I was there and friends say it has not improved. Firefly has very average food. Vertical wins hands down as the best food, wine and ambience in Pasadena! You cannot miss!
Smitty's Grill (Pasadena) - review -- great burger!
We have lived in Pasadena for almost a decade and after about 15 trips to Smitty's, I have to say we avoid it at all cost. Average food, waaaaay too much attitude from the hostess and the servers, and the prices are not in line with the quality of food. You cannot get a better burger in Pasadena than Houston's. I hate to say it, but it is true....
Tall Order for Italian Suggestions... Beware.
I have a tall order to ask. I am from Pasadena, CA and I am meeting my mother, 2 aunts, sister and cousin (all women) into the city for dinner in late April. The food choice is mine to make as I am the family foodie. My aunts and mother are not fans of "trendy, chic" restaurants but by no means are they fans of The Cheesecake Factory either. They want to go to a great Italian place, but someplace like Babbo would be over the top for them. I have been to Becco, which was ok, but not worth a repeat trip in my opinion. Personally, I would love to take them to Il Buco, but again, they would most likely find it over the top. My hope is that it is a semi entertaining place-- not too quiet but too loud as this would drive my mom crazy. Thankfully, they are all drinkers, so a wine/drink list is important.
Your help is most appreciated. Thank you.
