Post #441241 by thejab on Thu, Mar 19, 2009 2:57 PM

I went on Saturday night at 6:30.

We were almost the first customers in the place, but it was filled when we finished. I noticed on walking in there is a bar with several stools, but unfortunately there is no bartender there. And there was no bartender there when we left. Why have a bar if you don't want people to drink there? And it's not very classic tiki bar of them to have no bar to sit at.

Decor: Lovely and elegant. I made a point of sitting near the wall of hands so I could see all the suspended puffer fish while I dined. I like many elements of the decor, but I don't get the hands so I didn't want a view of that, haha. But overall I liked it, and felt very comfortable.

Atmosphere: Vintage exotica music playing, if a little bit loud as we were the only people there at first. Lighting was pleasant if too bright (I always think it's too bright in restaurants, except for maybe at the Mai Kai).

Drinks: Sad to say they were not what I expected knowing that The Bum gave them the recipes. I had a Navy Grog (what else in Beverly Hills? TV R.I.P.) and a Jet Pilot. Both were watery and weak and seemed to be made of just Bacardi light instead of different rums. The color of them both was the same - light gold. Neither had a complex flavor but I could taste cinnamon in one of them. The friends I was dining with said the drinks were much better a few weeks ago. I'm afraid they aren't properly training the bartenders.

Food: Good to Very Good. My favorite was the tamarind glazed ribs appetizer. But for the prices, there is better food all over L.A.

Service: Very good.

I probably wouldn't go back soon because it's such a splurge, and the drinks were such a disappointment.

But people seem to like it because it was filled.

Sorry Ben, I am pretty picky (spoiled :wink:).

I'm looking forward to the new LA Trader Vic's!