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Categories: Nightlife, Tapas Bars [Edit]
Neighborhood: GaslampFacing Horton Plaza - Great to people watch - Seats…
Announced 10 days agoI'll admit, when it first opened a few years back, I went here to see if Andrew Firestone would be hanging out so that I could see if he looks the way he looks on TV and if he would tell me if he was really going to propose to that Jenn girl. Alas, he is mostly an investor behind the scenes and not on the scene hanging out in the restaurant as I found out on my 10 visits there.
I love the vibe and crowd here. There is no sign on the restaurant so you don't know or see it totally walking on the street. You see a place with windows covered by white curtains and may ponder it, but since no one is outside inviting you in, you really could pass it and wonder about it all night. But once you enter it's a whole other world: a chic, sleek Miamiesque world................downstairs bar and lounge all done in white and some complementing colors, sofas and tables near the window and then higher tables and stools near the bar. Upstairs is a VIP area later in the night, but if you are dining up there there are tables and couches to enjoy your food.
The waitresses are hot, the bartenders are hot and that is all you need to know. After all you come to a place for the vibe and it's only appropriate to me at least that if I'm going to a sleek sexy place that the staff be sexy too. A little eye candy never killed anyone.
The executive chef here is Chris W. I know his last name I think but would rather not butcher the spelling so I'm going to just leave an initial. He used to be the chef at the W Restaurant in Hillcrest before it burned down. (no relation to the Hotel.) I was a fan of his at the W Restaurant (which I'm sad is no longer around.) and continue to be a fan here too............
Everything is served tapa style which means small plates for you to share: ie. you can order everything that catches you eye! My kinda meal!! I loved the deconstructed pizza (kinda make you own, they give you all the parts), the ahi tuna, the foie grois, jumbo shrimp tempura, the coca cola glazed baby back ribs, the chicken skewers, the duck confit-- seriously everything is yummy you will like it. I think I have tried everything on the dessert menu also and loved it all.
Of course dinner is never complete with out DRINKS. And the drinks here are good, they have a small menu of drinks not too long, but every single item will be something you want to try. It was here that I lost my virginity to the mojitto and I will tell you I have never looked back.
The crowd here is chill, everyone knows about this place, yet not everyone is here so that is nice. The people are prettier than the average San Diegan (which already holds a high bar) and I always feel like I'm on a glamorous movie set somewhere or in a fancy music video.
I love this place because it's not nuts to buts, it's super glamorous yet also super chill if that can happen in the same place. Because it's smaller than most downtown spots, it also feels intimate.
I can get dinner and also stay after 10:30pm when it turns into more of a bar/lounge (bottle service also starts then--- hey gotta keep up with the glamorous image, right?).................I could stay here all night and have a blast.
By far, one of my favorite downtown hangouts.
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Sexy space and hot chicks in vintage flight attendant uniforms serving delicious small plates, but the DJ spinning shitty mash-ups left us hollerin' "check please" right after dinner.
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I am old. And I am losing my hearing. And if I am going to destroy my eardrums it better be some indie darling band that is busting them up. Not a place like this. We ended up here and all I could do was chug my whiskey and hope that everyone would follow suit and let me get the hell out of Dodge. The kids dancing up by the DJ spinning were entertaining... If only I could keep my ears from ringing...
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I went to Confidential for the first time last night. The place was a bit smaller than I thought, but camera angles can always make a place look bigger. For a jack & coke, 2 jagerbombs, a sex on the beach, a tequila sunrise and vodka tonic it was about $60... so about $10 a drink on average. I really liked the DJ there because they were playing a lot of 90s music which was really fun. I would like to come back during their restaurant hours to try their tapas style menu.
WHAT??? DID YOU SAY SOMETHING??? I'm sorry I couldn't hear you with the DJ trying to test the limits of the expensive sound system. This place has the potential to be super cool but on the Thursday night a group of us went here it was simply too loud (and I'm really not that old).
It was cool that there was no cover and that the decor was pretty trendy. Our drinks were good and the service was prompt, it was just unfortunate that we couldn't hear eachother at all. The music was more on the rave/techno side so I can imagine it being fun if you wanted to dance but it's definitely not the place to have a conversation.
I'd be opening to giving this place another try but since I don't live in San Diego I'm not sure an opportunity to do so will arise anytime soon.
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Not sure if I was cool enough to be in this place, but I was definitely drunk enough. I went on a wednesday night and it was still packed. We had to squeeze to the bar through the sea of over dressed super cool people. (think lots of hair gel and striped button downs) One of my friends started talking to a girl and she (not at all interested) asked "well are you going to buy me a shot or not?" what? So while I'm sure it will be a while before I ever return to this place, we did have a good time dancing and fighting for the 30 minutes we were there. Although, the dirty looks from everyone for actually having a good time, I could have done without.
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tiny tiny tiny!!! came here last night for a last minute girls night out. it was nice inside with a failry mixed crowd, but a lot smaller than i had imagined. djhere was promoting, and they have some good dj's. mixing in the old school 90's beats along with some hits and underground from today. got me shaking my booty, so that was good. the drinks were downtown priced, 10 buck chucks, not surprising, but could've been stronger.
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ehh ... this is a review that doesn't really count but i'm writing it anyways because i keep track of all places i've ventured and places i'd like to keep a mental note for next time purposes ..
ok, i'll be straight up and be honest with ya from the start ... i initially came in here because i heard that this place was co owned by andrew firestone, and i admit, i was hoping i could squeeze in to get a sneak peek at his face somehow -- *sniffs* he wasn't there, nor does he come out here often, only for social gatherings when he hosts his own private party? *shrugs* oh wells ..... *LE SIGH* andrew firestone is SO cute.. (i wonder if he even READS this) lol
-1 for andrew not serving the drinks . hahha .. jp. but on the real, it wasn't all that great ... there was just TOO much red light that when you walk in, and your eyes are wondering -- "what in the world?? are the aliens coming to attack us?" you can't help but to squint a few times ... the layout is nice though, not exactly swanky ... with white leather couches that kinda clash IMHO
it does boast out to the public though.... inside and outside ... meaning, you look at their website or whichever source it may be ... they seem to win the best cocktails frequently ... hm.. the food? well, it has few hints of Latin American, Pan Asian and Mediterranean cuisine to it, so that's a thought to come back next time ...
iono ... maybe if i'm in the mood to gush gush about andrew firestone i'll come back again ...
NEXT
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Neat atmosphere, fun crowd, great music, yummy tapas.
Definitely try the do-it-yourself pizza.
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I really enjoyed Confidential-- the prices really weren't too ridiculous and it was fun ordering many different tapas dishes and sharing them around the table. My favorite dish for the night was the garlic scallops, but I truly liked everything we had. The deconstructed pizza was pretty memorable too. We only ordered about 1 dish per person, so I definitely didn't leave "stuffed" but filled just enough. Overall the atmosphere was fun and I'd love to go back with my friends and try some more dishes.
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We ate dinner here and did not hang out for whatever club deal they have later in the evening. Cool cozy space with relaxing music played by a dj. This place is running with the small plates theme that seems to be so hot right now. I love the whole tapas thing, because that means I get to experience more flavors. Confidential did not disappoint.
We had the cheese plate...of course...ahi tartare, scallops, beef tenderloin skewers in the Gorgonzola sauce, chicken skewers, and finished off with the sandwich. It was all very tasty and very well done. You don't really need a lot of food at a place like this because the sauces are rich and the plates come out at a nice pace, so you fill up. You do run the risk of getting really small portions when you dine like this, but they were all good sized here.
The manager Merritte came by to see how things went. He's a cool cat and when he found out we were celebrating our anniversary he comped our dessert. Cool because he didn't give a big presentation while he was talking to us. He just had it taken off of the bill. By the way, if you go you have to try the sandwich dessert. I'd go there just for that.
Service was also great, as was the support staff being sure to clean up the empty plates (important because our two person table wasn't too big). Cool vibe during our meal, although they might rethink keeping the front door open when it is a little chilly out.
Am I wrong or does Merritte look like Ben Affleck with a shaved head or what?
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I celebrated my bday there 2 yrs ago and it was when it first opened, it was great...but I've been there for a couple of times now and its lots its touch...or maybe the people that go there just got to ghetto...the music was not that great either...
This place is typical gaslamp. Overcrowded, nowhere to sit or stand, cannot get to the bar, and a bunch of dudes that are dressed like loan officers. lame.
Very cool spot if you want to hear good music and lounge a lil. They have dj's come in for dinner sets to closing so the music is always going. They carry Modelo which is pretty rare but all the drinks are kinda pricey.
TIP: Hit up Star Bar across the street for a few cheap shots/beers and maybe even a game of pool before heading in.
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We were promptly greeted by a young lady at the door. Sat down for drinks at our reserved table only to wait between 8-9 minutes for our waitress to attend to us. (The place was half empty) What are all the young A&F type guys in ties doing apart from looking lost? Once the drinks were ordered they didn't show up for another ten minutes. This would set the trend for the rest of the evening. The food started off well with the scallops. The beef sirloin skewers looked good however the inside was beyond rare. The desserts were good, however the warm banana bread sandwich was black from being burnt. What taste I could muster between bites was promising to be good. The decor is very *cool* along with the ambience. The idea is great however the food and service executed was left to be desired.
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The following will sum it up...
"Hi, I am rich, OLD, and here on a convention; which explains why I am overdressed, a nerd, and totally out of place here trying to act like I am having a good time in front of my even dorkier coworkers...Who is the Rocking Republic douche bag next to me...oh he drives a Porsh-uh...you want to meet him?"
For fucks sake, old people, do not do the superman dance!! You are not cool because you know this dance...you are SAD!! WHY? Because you took the time to youtube it, learn it, practice it, then retarded enough to show everyone that you took the time to youtube the superman dance, learn it, practice it, and do it in a public place like two years after the dance was STUPID OLD. Such dances should be restricted to a conference room where you walk in and do it and everyone laughs and goes "that Greg is such a character chuckle chuckle chuckle..."
It was cool only because on Wednesday night Confidential plays dope old school hip hop, word up to the DJ, that shit was banging!
Go to the website and try to get on the guest list, it will save you $20!!!
Decor, bartender attitudes...I don't give a shit about that...I am a guy...all I can tell you is the ladies were pffffffrrrrttttrrrrrrrttttt (fart noise).
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This place was awesome! My boyfriend and I visited San Diego for our first time to celebrate our anniversary and decided to check out this restaurant. The service was excellent, our waitress was absolutely beautiful and the food was delicious -- my favorite was the beef skewers and portobella mushroom salad. My experience was so positive that I even had to pull the manager aside to tell him. They served us a complimentary dessert -- peanut butter and creme brulee banana sandwich with vanilla ice cream - YUM!
I hate this place. It's even more stuck up and pretentious then the other places downtown I have been to, if that's possible. My friends and I walked in and were laughing and dancing, and I guess that's not acceptable...or maybe the women just couldn't make facial expressions due to their Botox. I stayed there for about 15 minutes.I have never eaten there.
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the bacon wrapped dates and the grilled cheese baguettes were great! its a trendy, hip restaurant that gets really crowded especially at the bar and loud by 9pm. good looking and helpful wait staff.
My drunken friend and my drunken self stumbled in one night when we got bored at Belo....
We thought we were cute enough to get in without paying a cover change. We flirted with the bouncers and walked right in...
The music was loud, the place was packed and TINY.
For some reason, I was always wondered if the people on the 2nd floor would spit on the people down below on the dance floor. Maybe they didn't but perhaps it would be something I would do...only if I was drunk...if I was really drunk....if I was REALLY REALLY REALLY drunk.
A few days later, I was informed Confidential doesn't have a cover charge. I'm not gonna lie....it kinda hurt my mojo.
So there you go.
PROS
A bar with no cover charge in the Gaslamp.
Balcony for all you smokers.
CONS
Small venue.
Can't distinguish between the lounge area and dance floor.
Spinning music ranging from house to Tupac's California.
Tupac is dead.
Let's move on, shall we?
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Nevermind....the last 2 times I ate here even the usual non miss dishes sucked. Not sure if they rotated chefs or what. No more confidential for me.
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Ok, I am complete sucker for little portions. If I could convert every meal into tapas style, I would be able to taste everything without feeling like a heifer.
I am not a late night person so the latest I have gotten here is 8pm. I actually enjoy sitting in the bar and trying some of their little dishes. Colin is the nicest bartender.
My faves are their lobster bisque, their Thai mussels and bacon wrapped dates. Other dishes can be very hit or miss.
Definitely not that cheap but if you go earlier if is very enjoyable. Can't speak for what goes down after 10pm, I am not that cool for school.
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I have tried Confidential 2-3 times and it is consistently a great meal. The atmosphere gets a little cluby, especially on a weekend night but they have very cool seating and place settings. They are a big fan of white and leather. Upstairs is nice if you want to get away from the traffic of the main level. You should definitely make a reservation as they fill up, especially on the weekends.
It is a tapas place and some of the dishes are pricey for the size but if you are willing to spend some money it is definitely worth checking out. You will find a lot of unique items include lobster shooters and coca cola marinated ribs. They also have a decent wine list and make a variety of specialty drinks.
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Go on Saturday Nights if your going.
Knew someone working the door so got in fast around 12 am by 1205 i was already drkinking with girls that had bottle service. Smaller place which i like. All in all id say it was a pretty good visit.
I'm probably too young for this place.
Went after 10 (so, not for dinner) on a Wednesday to find it really small and crowded with OLD PEOPLE. Fine, old people to me are 30+ (I know, I'll get there eventually) with music that appealed mostly to them. Yeah, listening to early hip-hop is nice...just not the whole night.
And SERIOUSLY! $14 for a drink???? A $10 shot??? I'm new to the downtown scene so maybe this is average but this wasn't worth it to me. Especially because the "cute bartenders with the striped sweater" weren't there. All I saw was average males in stripes.
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I've only come on Wednesday nights, but from what I hear from my friends that really is the night to be here.
The DJ is awesome, spinning old school hip-hop meshed with contemporary Top 40 hits. I like the blending of the two together, and I love being able to listen to songs that I would not normally hear at other clubs and lounges downtown.
The drinks are of the pricey downtown persuasion. So if you don't feel like handing over a few bills, go to Star Bar across the street before and get your drink on, and then make your way to Confidential is my advice to you.
The crowd...is always interesting. And diverse. Come with a good group of friends, and you'll have a good time.
The bartenders look adorable in their matching stripped green sweaters. And the one that I am normally served by is friendly and attentive, despite the crowd.
However, others can be a bit curt. And can get your drink order wrong, without offering to make it again. And when you ask them to remake the drink, charge you for both. Normally I'm not uptight with my money, but it's just common courtesy.
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This place is established on a nice corner in San Diego's bustling nightlife called Gas Lamp. I would recommend searching myspace or calling the location to get on the guestlist as their cover can sometimes be steep and they tend to be a bit elitist on some nights but once you are in get ready to party. This place is frequented by San Diego's hipsters, the Chargers and other local stars. The music is great if you are not into the top 40 playlist, and they usually have really good DJ's on Thursdays and Saturdays.The only downside about this spot is the bar size and size of the overall venue. If it is packed its really hard to get around the club. The club overall is pretty nice, the drinks are pricey but than again its gas lamp. If you decide to go to Confidential, I would recommend going there on a Thursday night, which is probably one of the best nights to go.
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Confidential's venue is nice - I'll give you that.
But I hate the Gaslamp, and I hate the bouncers that work here even MORE! Do you think that you're doing security for Bungalow 8? Because you're not!
Also, I would greatly appreciate it if Confidential's "regulars" would switch it up a bit and try sporting anything other than acid-wash True Religion jeans, Von Dutch hats, and Ed Hardy tee's. It's embarassing. Obviously, money can't buy class - or style.
Their tapas are whatever. Their drinks are mildly strong. Their DJ is decent once you're drunk enough. Ehh..don't come here. It sucks.
Am I the only one who thought this place was over-rated?
The night I was there the music was by far the worst thing I have ever heard. It was a DJ and some guy accompaning the dj on guitar and then every once and a while singing over the lyrics. It was pitiful! And nearly impossible to dance to besides the fact that the place is tiny!
I was there with a bachelorette party of about 20 ladies so you would think they would want to keep us around. I understand that it turns into a club at 1, but they kicked us out of our table at 10:15. And they took most of our drinks in the process.
Will not go back.
This is a very neat place.
The atmosphere inside the establishment was great. Lots of interesting lighting, seating and ambiance. The DJ was excellent, and the crowd was friendly.
The food here is extremely good. Everything is served tapas style on small plates, which were good to share with friends.
Drinks were pricey, but this is downtown so get used to it.
My only complaint was our party was charged $2 for ice when drinks were ordered "on the rocks".
What the f--- is that s--- ?
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It's okay.
I went on a Thursday night with some friends and found that it was a bit over hyped. Sure they had elegant light fixtures that rather impressed me. But the music wasn't up to par, mainly a lot of trance & towards the end of the night they kept repeating songs... Give me a break, if there is a DJ (which there was) there should be no need what so ever for there to be song repeats!!!
As for the crowd. Mid to late 20's & 30's. And some very random 40's & up.... not to mention the two sixty year olds, what on earth where they doing there? probably lookin for some drunk college girl to light up their night, ewww gross.
Overall it was alright. The best part of this place had to be the bartenders, they were on top of it all night long.
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This place was all the rage when it opened especially since Andrew Firestone is part owner, but it's really not that different from any of the other lounges in the Gaslamp. Except that maybe it's smaller. And the staff is snobbier. I've had some fun nights here, but it's definitely not somewhere I go out of my way for. Wednesdays are the best night.
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View from your local asian dude
Look I'm writting my review from.. i guess you would say... the asian mans perspective. I went here and for all intents and purposes thought it would be fun. I went here strictly for the nightlife so i cant say much about the food.
As for the nightlife here... well lets just say it's for a young to middle aged WHITE crowd. I would say late 20's to early 30's. It was small and cramped. The upstairs wasnt open when i went so it was packed downstairs. Ontop of that we had to pay a 10 buck cover which i dont mind.. but for the experience we got it was horrible.
The Music. Maybe it was that night. But the Dj was playing a random mix of old school hip hop with some country mixed in and some as i like to call it "white people" muxic. Hardly a place to dance. More a place to mingle and meet for the most part goodlooking people.
Decor. It had a nice subdued feel to it. Although i cant say i liked it. The high sealings try to make it look bigger than it is.. but the place is pretty tiny.
Drinks: if you like martinis well this is probably the place for you. Those were the highlight of my night.
Overall: there's nothing wrong with being an asian man in this place if your comfortbale being probably the only one there. If you want to meet some professinal business people this is probably the place for you. If you're looking to dance. I would go elsewhere. If you want a more diverse crowd again i would go elsewhere. Pretty average place if you ask my that seems to be way over hyped.
Loft seating for a birthday was good. Very Loungy. Nice decor.
But, nothing special from other lounges.
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My trip to Confidential last night was a trip through the five stages of grief. Here's how it went:
Denial (at my house for pre-cocktails):
You guys! We totally aren't going THERE!
Anger (trying to corral the group to get out the door):
We wouldn't have to go there if you hadn't hooked up with that one guy who's going to be at the other place! It's your fault!
Bargaining (on the walk over):
I'll buy the first round if we can go to the Whistle Stop!
Depression (waiting in line):
I'm at Confidential. Everyone here is.... probably a fine person. I guess.
Acceptance (once inside):
Screw it! I'm getting a drink. I love my friends. We'll make our own good time!!
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The Gaslamp can be tough on the weekends.... a lot of tourists and inlanders, but when I do go out I am all about Confidential...They seem to attract the best looking crowd. Maybe it is because of their hot staff. The atmosphere is chill, you have a view no matter where you sit in the restaurant. You have, have, HAVE to order the beef tenderloin skewers...I get them every time I go!
And of course, Landen, the hot bartender that is always ready to go with a smile ;)
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I originally read about Confidential in the paper or SD Magazine (somewhere like that) and wanted to scout it out. I read that Andrew Firestone was a co-owner, and at the time thought he was hotsky patrotsky. It was right after the Bachelor aired. I guess he went to USD and aside from being in the Bay Area, spent a lot of time in SD. Tried to go a few times to catch a glimpse, but he always came during the week and I can't do downtown when I have to work the next day!
When I finally figured out where it was across from Horton, I thought it looked intriguing. Purple lights behind the white sheer curtains, on the corner next to Red Circle and Belo. I think before 10 there is no cover, but after that, there is a minimal one. No qualms with the bouncer, ease of entry. Went once with a bunch of my girl friends and had a great time - nice bar on the bottom floor and a small upstairs with seating as well. Music was good and there is an outdoor spot so you can stand outside and see if anyone good is coming in or if you're missing out and they're going somewhere else. They have a great martini menu, and we tried almost every flavor. Bartenders were friendly and mixed good drinks. One time I went they were having a "white party" - uh oh. Seems it can be super trendy, but whatever. Nice little place definitely worth checking out.
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I really enjoy Confidential because they have great food and good music. Most nights there is a DJ spinning. The food is tapas style and I have been on certain nights (like New Year's) where they will have a set menu. Every time I am surprised at how good the food is.
Confidential is the kind of place you come to for dinner, but then stay to dance the night away. If you don't like music and the lounge vibe, then this place is not for you. Confidential is not very big, so it feels very cozy and intimate, very different from some of the Gaslamp's other bigger bars/clubs.
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Took my bf here for a date night. I liked the food and the atmosphere (during dinner). However, the wait staff was WAY WAY too hasty to take our plates away. Times they tried to take our plates away when there were still 1-2 bites left to be devoured = 5. I know they were probably told to clear the tables by some manager but I just felt rushed. After the meal, we got our hands stamped to get free re-entry to the danceclub it would turn into at 10:15. We returned at about 11 and it was too crowded for comfort and they had replaced the good DJ (who was spinning during our meal) with a apathetic DJ who was undanceable.
Dinner/drinks=4 stars
Dancing/DJ=2 stars
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This is a great date place and fun bar/club.
There is a large selection of tapas which tastes fantastic, and the presentation is creative. You can't go wrong with the drinks either.
In the past the music has been ify, but it has been improving. The crowd is usually appealing to the eye too.
I was visiting from San Francisco and was told this was the hip place to go to dinner. Took some clients out and was not too impressed. The place was a little too wanna-be Miami/LA but I have to give them props for hiring rude hot hostesses/waitresses with low-cut blouses.
I give3.5 stars for the food, 2 stars for the food/service. The deconstructed pizza was really good as were the fried almonds. The specialty drinks are pretty good, but after 7 of them you still don't get that tipsy.
The waitress asked if we wanted to sniff the cork which I consider tacky and it was tackier that she asked to see my ID when I paid the bill. Never in my life have I been asked for my ID when paying a restaurant bill, Bleah!
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