Gulfstream

6/20/2016

• Listed in Yelp 100 Challenge!

This is my new go-to steakhouse when in need. First of all let me speak to one of the best features: corkage-fee waived for the first two bottles ya'll! Their full bar and wine list are pretty spectacular too I must say.
Service was over-the-top on our last visit thanks to Kelly who took amazing care of us. The kitchen constantly delivers; I recommend the Rib-Eye which comes accompanied by a fully-loaded baked potato. I also would advise you try the grilled artichoke as a starter if available - you won't be displeased.
Ultimately what truly adds to the awesomeness here is the incredible value across the menu which places items that easily compete with the likes of Fleming's and Morton's at unbeatable prices. Highly recommend trying Gulfstream to anyone.

6/8/2016 Updated review

• 1 check-in

• Listed in Where I eat in the City...Century City.

Dining at Gulfstream last night helped me take my fitness training to a new level as well as rebalanced my priorities.

[sudden braking noise]

Say whositswhatnow?

Well, let's start at the beginning.

[audio tape rewinding noise]

"Wow," I thought to myself as we walked into the restaurant, "it's been a while since I've graced this Hillstone establishment with my presence." (Yes, I sound like that when I speak to myself, at least that is how I remember sounding when I'm saying things. Quietly, not out loud; I'm not crazy you know. Oh, before I forget, the voice in my head--or at least one of the voices in my head, this one specifically--has a British accent.).

I digress.

APPETIZERS

- Fanny Bay oysters: Reading "freshly shucked," in a moment lapse of common sense I still asked if they were live. Hello? These babies were shipped from British Columbia (where Fanny Bay is) and they were packed on ice near the front. Haha, "hold the mignonette, because I already have a nice side of embarrassment right here". Training myself to be more emotionally resilient, I handily put away more than my share of the dozen we ordered--like 3/4 of them (or 9 for those mathematically challenged).  Welcome to California (and my gullet), bitches!

- Fried oysters: Obviously not getting enough zinc in my diet, we ordered fried oysters too. This time I kept my mouth shut except to add a few of them to round out the ones I already put away to be an even dozen (that's 3 if you want to be technical about it). The crunchy crust was so on point, very much like the kind used for truly gastrosensational* crispy fried chicken. Not panko nor bread crumbs, which most places resort to using like poser chefs falling back on bacon for adding "interest" to a dish, but actual batter. I'm ordering this next time whether it's a cheat day or not.

MAINS

- Crab cakes: The special of the day. At $38, it seemed a little expensive but, boy, the two patties we received were HUGE (think teacup saucer size) and the crab meat chunks used were large-sized chunks. More importantly, the flavor was also very good. My only critique is that the patties as a whole were somewhat soft and didn't have a crunchy exterior.

- Cedar plank roasted salmon: I love fresh salmon, and this was very good. I had them substitute cauliflower for the mashed potatoes, and together with the Swiss chard there was a lot of food on a plate.

- Ahi tuna burger: The burger came with "haystack fries", which I tried (not bad, but I like my fries like I like my womens: not thick-cut, but with more that just a toothpick-like cross section, yallsknowswhatImsayin?). Sadly, having finished most of the dozen oysters and at least two of the fried ones I was in no shape to try the burger.

DESSERT

- Tres Leches Cake: The highlight of the meal was definitely the tres leches cake, which was topped nicely with a dollop of whipped cream and drizzled with caramel, and surrounded by a glorious moat of condensed milk in which sat a healthy serving of berries (both blueberries and strawberries). Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take a picture because it got D-stroyed pretty quickly. Crazy enough, there was still a bite or two of cake left on the plate when we left because we were too full [sad, very sad, face].

Food quality is obviously still good, service remains excellent** and team-oriented, but something was off about the experience.

Although I was okay with the Fanny Bay oysters, which I attributed to my being spoiled now that I've had fresh, LIVE Kumamoto oysters from the Whole Foods Market in Tacoma (where those suckers were literally and figuratively sweet!), it didn't make sense that I wasn't enjoying myself as much as I usually do when I'm eating out (heh heh, "eating out"). And this is seafood we're talking about (heh heh, "eating out seafood"--ALRIGHT, we GET it)!

Finally, it hit me: I've been overtraining.

Taking boxing and CrossFit classes on almost consecutive days when I just started back up after being sidelined with an ankle sprain, I undoubtedly pushed myself too hard (at least in the sense of hitting the gym). For me, the result of overtraining is suffering one of the typical symptoms, ironically that of having a lack of enthusiasm for things/and activities I normally enjoy (i.e., depression).  Coupled with the light insomnia I've been suffering (another common symptom), my progress had seemingly hit a plateau.

It took a seemingly unrelated benchmarkable  meal at Gulfstream to get me to recognize something was off kilter. Maybe Hillstone Restaurant Group should start a medical division.

I will gladly run it.

In the meantime, I'll be back regularly.

#OhThatGuy

* Yes I made up this word.

** Between the time the appetizers plates were cleared and the mains hit the table, a person who I believe is the manager stopped by to check up on us and also to let us know the mains were coming out shortly--even though we finished the appetizers a few minutes or so ago. Nice!

• 

  2016-06-07--friggin' rock the fried oysters if you go!

  2016-06-07--friggin' rock the fried oysters if you go!

5/19/2016

Classic Hillstone Restaurant. Great fresh food with great flavor combinations.

I had the Seared Ahi Tuna salad which was delicious ! Great flavor profile and perfect amount of dressing. Great place for a casual to dressy time out.

2/17/2016

• 1 check-in

• Listed in Yelp 100 Challenge

Came here for Valentine's Day and was pleasantly surprised to leave with a full and happy stomach. My friend made the reservation and for good reason- this place is packed. Dimly lit, bougie people- definitely a date night spot. Even with a reservation, we still had to wait a bit since you know- Valentine's Day.

We ordered the Fried Pacific Oysters and half a dozen of the Oysters of the Day (ended up being oysters from British Columbia- the name escapes me). Oysters were shucked well, tasted fresh- big fan. The fried oysters were goodness, even better. I definitely wish we had more of both. Please be advised that the fried oysters come with half a dozen.

Moving onto the main course, I ended up ordering the white fish of the day which was a bluenose. I was really pleased that they don't skimp out on the entree size. The fish, which was chewy like a steak, alongside the shrimp (crunchy and flavorful) with artichokes and potatoes was more than enough for me. Granted, we did order appetizers so that might have helped the cause. The fish was really good, especially with some lemon on top. I was really pleased that Gulfstream had high quality seafood, despite being attached to a mall (always skeptical of restaurants attached to malls).

Our waitress had a great sense of humor and was super accommodating despite the hustle and bustle of Valentine's Day. She was really helpful and food kept coming on time.

I would definitely come back.

• 

  Bluenose

  Bluenose
• 

  Fried oysters: comes in half a dozen

  Fried oysters: comes in half a dozen
• 

  Oysters

  Oysters

4/7/2016

• 5 check-ins

Yet another successful restaurant from the Hillstone Group.

Every time I dine at Gulfstream, I walk away looking forward to my next visit. Customer service is on point. Ambiance is impressive, especially their bar area. And the food? Amazing. I most recently indulged in their veggie burger and wow! One of the best I've ever had. Their wine selections are also impressive and the bartenders are always super generous with their pours. Another favorite of mine is their true dover sole. It's crunchy, flaky, and all around awesome. You can never go wrong with any of their sides either. The coleslaw and haystack fries are the best ones in my opinion. Gulfstream is a must try if you're in the area. Hopefully with the new additions to the mall, it won't be taken out like the other eateries. Stop by while you still can!

10/3/2015

Gulfstream is a great Beverly Hills lunch spot.

Gulfstream does not stray far from the Hillstone special sauce. A masculine and handsome interior, exceptional service and a focused menu. In fact, the only thing that differentiates Gulfstream is that the menu is geared towards fresh Seafood. I may as well mention that any Seafood you order was swimming yesterday.

Every meal here really ought to start with an order of their Oysters from the North Pacific. Shucked to order, served in the shell. These jewels of the ocean are simply marvelous. Trust.

Noteworthy waterborne dishes include the Cedar Plank Salmon featuring creole mustard butter that comes served with mashed potatoes and coleslaw, the pan roasted Salmon finished with white wine, and a mind blowing Red Snapper with rock shrimp zydeco sauce.

Gulfstream also offers a killer Cheeseburger boasting a freshly ground Chuck patty topped with Cheese, Pickles, Tomatoes and Lettuce on a toasted bun. This Burger is so massive that they serve it propped up with little wooden dowels. They are able to sear a picturesque medium rare and although the plate comes with an agreeable Coleslaw and I bet the wait staff with substitute Fries if you ask nicely.

This is a must try for any Seafood (or Burger) fan in Beverly Hills or the surrounding area.

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  Cheeseburger.

  Cheeseburger.

9/2/2015

• 1 check-in

• Listed in Yelp 100 Challenge 2015, Westside Food and Drink

Gulfstream is one of those restaurants that's always a safe choice. The menu is nothing novel, the service is nothing special and the ambiance is nice but not particularly memorable. BUT. The food is tasty in a basic and comforting way that is always satisfying and a good backup choice when your dining partners cannot decide what to eat.

I like that keep they menu short and simple at one page. The menu is varied enough that there is plenty to satisfy any palate: seafood, steak, sandwiches, salads, baked potatoes.  I like to start with the seafood cocktail and fried oysters. I'm not much of a biscuit person, but their heavenly biscuits are definitely worth the wait and are the best value on the menu at $1 each. Drizzle honey and butter over the fluffy morsels and devour.

I admit, I am a seafood FIEND. For a restaurant that is marketed as seafood fare, their selection limited and it wouldn't be my first choice if I was craving seafood. But the fish is well seasoned, cooked well, and portions are ample. They have dover sole occasionally, and though it's one of my favorite types of fish, I am never too excited to order it at Gulfstream because it is breaded and pan fried. Sure, it tastes good, but with all the breading, I wouldn't be able to tell it apart from tilapia...not really worth $40. I prefer great cuts of fish cooked as simply as possible.

I am generally a huge fan of the burgers at the Hillstone's chain of restaurants. Honor Bar and Bandera dish out amazing, juicy, restaurant style burgers that are on my list of top burgers in LA. The burger at Gulfstream is mediocre with lots and lots of bread.

The dining area is much smaller than I would have guessed looking from the outside. I love the warm colors, the sleek dining booths and the open kitchen and grill. Service is generally very attentive, efficient and friendly (much better than Bandera). Overall, the location inside the Century City mall is convenient and it's a great place to grab a meal after shopping or before a movie. Be sure to make a reservation on the weekends or be prepared to wait!

• 

  Sundae with real fudge

  Sundae with real fudge
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  Oysters

  Oysters
• 

  Dover sole

  Dover sole
• See all photos from Lisa W. for Gulfstream

5/22/2016

• 1 check-in

Just like any other Huston establishment, it runs like a clock. The kitchen is pushing out perfect plates one at a time. I'm waiting for a table so that's all I have to say for now...

4/8/2016

If you want to be ignored, pushed to the side, and disrespected then you have come to the right place. My experience at Gulfstream was TERRIBLE. I visited the restaurant as a postmate courier to only be ignored by the staff and pushed aside because no one on duty could take the time to help or in anyway help the customer. Even while knowing I was trying to deliver a customer food I was still forced to wait without service or even an offer of water.

When I tried to order salmon I was swiftly told they do not deliver fish and then left at the bar.

I was in complete disbelief how rudely I was treated. I will report this restaurant to postmates so other courier can avoid being treated this way.

They didn't even offer to validate my parking... Jerks.

2/14/2016

• 1 check-in

Our first time here tonight for Valentine's Day and I was really impressed. Their biscuits are amazing. I love the Rosemary they use, very original. I also had the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer. The shrimp are huge!

The entree was my favorite part of the meal though... Sea bass w/ lemon crusted shrimp and a loaded baked potato. The fish was cooked very well and had the buttery flavor that I love. The potato was also pretty good, I love the small bacon bits for an added touch.

Overall, this was a great experience. I would've given this place a 5 out of 5 but we had a 7:30 PM reservation and didn't get seated until 7:55 PM . However, I would still recommend this restaurant.

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  Today's Whitefish (Sea Bass) w/ lemon crusted shrimp and loaded baked potato.

  Today's Whitefish (Sea Bass) w/ lemon crusted shrimp and loaded baked potato.
• 

1/31/2016

This is a Sunday lunch review. The menu is very limited. The food  is extremely expensive for lunch at a shopping mall.
This venue prices, service and food quality is excellent for dinner. They have a different menu and the same prices for dinner$18-28.

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  Wine and a teenincy water. They forgot the lemon I asked for?

  Wine and a teenincy water. They forgot the lemon I asked for?
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  $22.00 Sunday lunch menu chicken

  $22.00 Sunday lunch menu chicken
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  Spaghetti squash I exchanged for a rice salad with my chicken.

  Spaghetti squash I exchanged for a rice salad with my chicken.

11/21/2015

• 1 check-in

I came here for lunch. Their lunch menu has a lot of variety- from sandwiches to steaks. It all depends how hungry you are. I had a bowl of Clam Chowder Soup and it was creamy and delicious. The other dish was the Salmon with Fries. I thought the Salmon with the sauce was tasty and I liked the thin cut Fries. The only thing disappointing about Gulfstream is that it can get really noisy during lunch. If you are having a business lunch I would not do it here- simply too much chatter from other tables. We did get good service and the food was tasty.

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  Clam Chowder Soup.

  Clam Chowder Soup.
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  Outside.

  Outside.

12/1/2015

Well, the waitress was no help... she said everything was good. But if my Cajun fish special was any indication, she must be right.

The decor was a modern wood surfaced interior--common, these days and contemporary nice restaurants. No allusion to RV trailers, fiberglass boats, fast jets, nor weather patterns (and that's a good thing... no kitsch, only the open kitchen).

It's clear by the list of entrées that this is a seafood restaurant, well, fish-dish restaurant. But there are plenty of accompaniments and flavors that come with the dishes, that there is no relation to sashimi, here.

Still you can get a good burger (so the waitress said), and there is a pre-meal selection that also looked good. We chose the fish-based smoked salmon, however. It wasn't what we expected (not oily, not red glisteny), it was very tender, cooked salmon with thin toasted bread and dill sauce.

My Cajun prepared fish was excellent. It was doused in a generous portion of creamy sauce and came with a cabbage slaw that was also excellent. I couldn't not get a side of Peruvian corn (and it was even better than I expected).

Finally, we got a fat slice of lemon meringue. That, too, was very good (I generally don't like lemon meringues, but we ordered it anyway). It had a distinct tang which gave it a freshness that I liked. The crumbled crust also added to the great mix of textures.

As usual, pictures speak louder than words, so I'll post those.

• 

  I don't like lemon meringue, but I really liked this one. Tangy and a great crumbled crust.

  I don't like lemon meringue, but I really liked this one. Tangy and a great crumbled crust.
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  Special Cajun prepped fish with corn and slaw. Very good, as it is, but I added the Peruvian corn (in the background)

  Special Cajun prepped fish with corn and slaw. Very good, as it is, but I added the Peruvian corn (in the background)
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  Smoked salmon appetizer. Very, very tender and ... moist (not oily, in the slightest)

  Smoked salmon appetizer. Very, very tender and ... moist (not oily, in the slightest)

3/23/2016

I was excited to eat at Gulfstream especially since I am a big fan of Houston's.
I was disapointed that they didn't have spinich/artichoke dip that Houston's is so famous for.
There biscuit are fantastic and worth the price of admission.
I love Houston's ribs and was looking forward to having them at Gulfstream. They were as tender and flavorful as Houston's, but I was disapointed with sauce. It was not a BBQ sauce but it had a honey mustard sauce which was OK, but not as good as the  BBQ sauce that I was so use to having at  Houston's. I'm not sure why they changed it.
Limited menu.
Great service.

3/19/2016

The Hillstone food chain always brings you similar quality but good food.  The artichoke at all restaurants is good.  The biscuit was very good if you like Rosemary.   I had the seabass which was delicious and my wife had the rib eye.  She asked for medium but got it rare so we had to send it back.  We were seated promptly,  food and service were prompt.  I love the decor,  felt I was on a cruise ship with good food.  Good experience.  Would recommend.

4/23/2015 Updated review

After coming back here a few times, I really actually enjoyed gulfstream.  Their oysters are pretty fresh.  On occasions, you will be out of luck and they will have crab claws or another alternative.  I personally am usually disappointed when that happens because the oysters are always great!

I am a big fan of their fish specials.  The last time I was there, we split the dover sole and it was phenomenal.  It was  battered and pan seared with a side of tartar sauce lemon and capers.  Very classic presentation but delicious.  

If you are in century city and looking to grab a bite, I would recommend gulfstream!

6/8/2016

If you're in the century city mall do not miss this place. It's one of my favorite Hillstone affiliated restaurant. Great choices from burgers to ribs...beautiful martinis and amazing service.

9/30/2015

Gulfstream is one of the lone survivors of the Century City apocalypse that is now happening (the redoing) .  It is nice, and the staff is super attentive and friendly.

It is very similar in feel and look to the old Houstons (which should still be there).  The menu is good, not great, and it is not inexpensive.  

I had a ahi tuna burger, and it was well sized and very tasty.  I would recommend it.

If I have some business lunch, its my go to place in Century City.

10/13/2015

• 1 check-in

They have a good variety of grilled fish, the fried oyster appetizer is amazing with the capers nom nom nom.  

The one-tap Chardonnay by Minor vineyard was deliciously crisp and light with beautiful floral notes; I was pleasantly surprise.

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  Oyster's fried hard w/ capers and a chefs relish

  Oyster's fried hard w/ capers and a chefs relish

6/21/2015

• 2 check-ins

People like to rag on the Century City mall restaurants, but I had a pretty great first experience at Gulfstream!

First of all, GET THE BISCUITS. GETTHEBISCUITSGETTHEBISCUITSGETTHEBISCUITS. I can't say it enough - they're buttery, flaky, honey-y (if you so choose), and perfect. Get them.

For my main course I had the seared ahi tuna salad, and was pleasantly surprised. When describing the dish the server told me that the salad has "a ton of different ingredients" in it, and boy, she was not kidding! The salad included grapes, nuts, artichoke, tomatoes, avocado, beets, and a smorgasbord of other things. The tuna was the real star though - it was perfectly cooked, and really lent itself to the light dressing and the other ingredients. It's a really huge salad, too - I definitely left very full, but not sick.

One last thing - our server was SO. NICE. Like, made-me-feel-like-like-I-was-in-a-Southern-home nice.

Bottom line is, I don't know why people hate on Gulfstream so much - I thought it was a solid lunch with friendly staff, and will be back in the future!