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Second Story Restaurant

3.5 star rating
based on 25 reviews

Category: American (New)  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Manhattan Beach
Belamar Hotel
3501 Sepulveda Blvd

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 750-0312
All Day Happy Hour

Every Sunday - Enjoy 50% off on all appetizers, $4 well…

 
Hours:

Mon-Sun. 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Good for Groups:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Valet
Attire:
Casual
Price Range:
$$
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar
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25 reviews for Second Story Restaurant

Review Highlights   

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"We had the latest Elite event here as you all know." (in 7 reviews)
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"Small, cozy, decor is consistent with hotel's modern-esque style." (in 5 reviews)
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"…main course, I ordered the lobster stuffed filet mignon and that was just…" (in 4 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Annie L.

 

2

18

Annie L.

El Monte, CA

3 star rating
11/1/2009

I was there last night for a Halloween party.  The place is nicely decorated, modern, sleek type of look w/ really nice seating.  This was a private event with a DJ.

The menu is a little pricey, didn't try the food, but the drinks were delicious and they did not skimp on the alcohol.  

Friendly service,  valet was complimentary, professionally dressed men for security was also on site.  

This is right across the street from some pricey (nice)  homes, which I thought was odd for a location.  
This was quite a drive from El Monte, I would not go back unless there was a "must go" private party that I'm obligated to attend.

Photo of Crystal R.

 

68

57

Crystal R.

Los Angeles, CA

2 star rating
2/14/2009

L
A
M
E

Boutique hotels are fine, and this was what I expected.  The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the hotel, altho it is in Manhattan Beach - with the views it could be Van Nuys and you'd never know.  

When you walk in, there is just a crappy sign saying you should seat yourself.  We couldn't sit far enough away from the bar counter, and the lonely men in ties laughing and trying to talk over each other. TVs everywhere blaring sports or news - not relaxing, and the whole atmosphere felt invasive.

The biggest problem for me, was that there was ONLY ONE SERVER. One waitress. That's it.  Sure she was nice, sure she attempted to do an adequate job, but even superwoman couldn't keep all those tables happy.  We ordered a simple dinner (4 adults) with no APPETIZERS, and it took over 2 hours.  I had to walk up to the kitchen multiple times to flag down our waitress and ask for things we needed.... LIKE WATER, or the DESERT MENU.  I found it really irritating, especially for the prices they charge.  Hey, if I am at Denny's - I get it. But, if I am paying $27 bucks (or more) an entree... I expect GOOD service and anything less is insulting.

Now that I am done bitching about the service, or lack thereof, I can positively say that the food was....... OK. Between us we ordered the pork tenderloin, halibut, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, and skillet fried mac and cheese.  Nothing was "send back-able" but nothing was memorable.  The plating was lovely, and that is where lovely ended.  

Since we were there to celebrate a birthday, after I reminded the waitress that I had pre-arranged a desert for the birthday girl... she ran to our table with the shittiest bread pudding I have ever had.  The birthday girl blew out her candle, took two bites - and was ready to go.

The best part of the whole dinner was the weird valet guy that drew happy faces in the dust all over my car, and only spoke in a Donald Duck voice.  I wish I had given him the $150 bucks that I spent on dinner, and just get a pizza or something.

People thought this was:

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Photo of Melanie D.

 

3

11

Melanie D.

Simi Valley, CA

3 star rating
4/1/2009

I have but six words for you: Wednesday Happy Hour, half-priced wines.

I was here on business but am an L.A. local. My experience with this restaurant is limited to this one visit on a Wed evening when I believe a conference was also happening elsewhere in the hotel. That said, here's my take:

AMBIANCE
Small, cozy, decor is consistent with hotel's modern-esque style. If blindfolded on the way here, upon entering I would still think I was in a hotel restaurant.

GOOD TO KNOW
Valet Parking, although "mandatory", is complimentary. Happy Hour is between 4-7, and on Wednesdays wine is half price whether you order by glass, carafe, or bottle.

FOOD
We ordered and would recommend:
* The shrimp spring rolls - refreshing and healthy; a-la Vietnamese rolls but without the prominent mint flavor
* Baked brie - At $6 when half-price, a total steal since its pasty shell is phyllo dough versus the usual puff pastry and it's served with whole jammy dates and these heavenly toasted slices of bread lightly bathed in olive oil

We're lukewarm on:
* Skirt Steak Dinner - Steak was well-flavored and grilled, but the risotto served with it was lackluster in flavor and texture
* Steak street tacos - Tasteless, not worth the calories or jaw energy

WOULD I COME BACK?
Sure - the bar was buzzing with an after-work crowd that seemed uninterested in watching or being watched

WOULD I GO OUT OF MY WAY TO COME HERE?
No.

WILL I DREAM ABOUT ALL THE FOOD ITEMS I DIDN'T GET TO ORDER?
No.

Photo of Lisa I.

 

45

74

Lisa I.

Gardena, CA

4 star rating
9/9/2008

I was pleasantly surprised on the decor and the food of Second Story.

The decor is very chic and modern.

The food is actually good. Usually hotel food taste nasty.  You know the usual bland, over priced crappy food. The food at Second Story however is flavorful and quite tasty. You know the food is good when people go for the food and not the drinks.

I'm a big fan of the skirt steak salad. Mixed greens, flank steak, beans, corns, and champagne dressing. MMMm.. I think I'm addicted to the salad.  

Personally I'm not  fan of sweets but my friends are in love with the cupcakes that they serve here. If you're a cupcake lover, I suggest that you try it out. They serve 4 mini cup cakes. The flavors are lemon, chocolate, banana, and red velvet.

People thought this was:

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Photo of Joan S.

Elite '09

1750

1364

Joan S.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
4/27/2008

The hot hors d'oeuvres were so good at our recent private event that I plan to return & give this place a try for dinner.
The service we had was exceptional, really perfect, from floating servers to bartenders to managers.
I found easy street parking, across the street from the hotel, saw no need to valet.
The restaurant decor is pleasing, seating is comfortable.
Even the bathroom was nice, with privacy doors all the way down to the floor.  Oddly, I like that no one looks at my feet while I am in the potty!  Am I crazy?  
It's those considerate little touches that win me over every time.....

Anyways, no complaints.

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Photo of Lori K.

Elite '09

231

726

Lori K.

Hermosa Beach, CA

5 star rating
4/21/2008

A friend and I visited this restaurant located inside the Belamar hotel a few weeks ago to see about booking a baby shower here. The minute I walked into the dinning room I didn't want to ever have to leave! It's bright, airy, spacious, comfortable, classy, chic, modern yet classic.

We met with the restaurant manager and discussed reserving the lounge area near the bar and a few food and dessert options and he was beyond accommodating and willing to work with us to make this event a memorable one. The bartender was also very friendly. The place just gave off good vibes!

I love that our guests will be able to valet and enter through the ultra cute hotel lobby area.

**Although the baby shower isn't for another 2 weeks and the Elite Yelp event isn't until next week. I'm going out on a limb here and guessing that I won't find a need to come back and edit this review or dock any stars**

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Photo of stephy s.

 

3386

2462

stephy s.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
4/3/2008

Hotel bar/restaurants usually fall into two categories. The first is often a weak attempt at trying to seem cool and the other is to totally rock the space and deliver an element of cool that needs no explanation, because it just is that cool. Second Story is that bar/restaurant.

I came here last week with LA CM rock star, Aunny D to check out the space for an event and I was instantly impressed. I loved the warm lighting and the light woods and the vibey, cool, make me a cocktail and let's talk about it atmosphere. We decided to grab a drink at the bar and that's when we met one of the funniest characters in Manhattan Beach (please note, I have only really been to two places ever in MB, so I am only going by a limited window of examples, hehe) Justin was just joke central and poured a nice strong cocktail and well, that always scores points with me. Also as Aunny noted, they serve Effin Cherry here and that stuff is so yummy.

We then sauntered on over to the dining room to try their edible offerings and there were definitely some standouts. We started with the boneless buffalo wings and they definitely got an A for presentation, but I guess I am a BW purist, because I like my little guys with the bones still in.

For my main course, I ordered the lobster stuffed filet mignon and that was just all kinds of ridiculous. Seriously worth ordering. We also tried the mac n cheese (cuz, I have to order that where ever I go) and it was okay, but not mind-blowing (yes, I am a mac n cheese snobette) Finally there was the chocolate fondue for dessert and it was also quite ridiculous. Definitely dip the fudge they give you in the chocolate and prepare to be whimpering like a pampered puppy, because my, oh my, that is one tasty combo.

All in all, this is a great lil spot to grab a drink and a meal whether or not you are staying at the Belamar, so definitely give it a go and say hi to Justin for me :)

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Photo of Shauna D.

Elite '09

421

1717

Shauna D.

Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
4/28/2008

A very lovely space!  I love the mod yellow and gray carpet. And all the light fixtures, candles and a pretty decent selection of booze.

I only tried the appetizers that were being passed around the event and they were fairly well done for such a large party.  Huge events walk a fine line between somewhat crappy apps to even crappier.  It's rare to have absolutely amazing apps so I never really expect that.  Second Story achieved what I call party perfection.  Lots of food that was decent, good variety (granted, it was all fried except for the grilled chicken skewers) and really nice servers.

There were two bartenders really hauling ass making drinks for everyone.  I tended to favor the one closer to the DJ as he made drinks in doubles glasses.  Eventually, they ran out of the Charbay green tea vodka so he made me one with vanilla vodka instead.  It was still a great drink but I liked the lighter one which I swear was like a lychee martini.  

Later in the evening, we came back to the bar when it was pretty empty except for some guys that looked like they were out here on a business trip.  We hung out in the courtyard until it got a bit chilly and attempted the bar again.  It was now empty except for Gabriel the bartender.  We had a bit of a tiff but hugged it out and we decided our drink was the Moscow Mule.  Excellent.  He's leaving Second Story for Hennessy's in Hermosa so go see him there!  He makes a fantastic Mahanttan Beach drink (but not so much a French Martini or a Madras).

See, Gabriel, I can be fair.

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Photo of Cheri. A G.

Elite '09

532

1196

Cheri. A G.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
4/27/2008 6 photos

I came here for a Yelp elite event but I have been here before.  The scene is cool the appetizers were good and the service as great...especially from the guy that wasn't bartending...maybe he is a manager.

I will have to come back and have some dinner here soon.

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Photo of Chantalle v.

 

12

30

Chantalle v.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
10/24/2008

Went here for lunch for a co-worker's farewell party, and I was quite impressed. Yes, the hotel looks like any other boutique hotel, but I didn't go there for the hotel, I went there for the food!

When I looked up the menu online it seemed like they had a limited selection. However, everything we ordered was extremely tasty, so that made up for that! We started off with crabcakes, the filet street tacos and some Asian shrimp wrappers (I didn't try those). The crab cakes and tacos were so good!

As my main course I had the fiesta steak salad. The presentation was really nice, and it tasted yummy. I looked around the table to see how everybody else's dish looked, and everything was just so presented nicely and looked so good.

For dessert we ordered the mini cupcakes (and were disappointed that they couldn't substitute the banana cupcake for another chocolate or red velvet). The cupcakes weren't moist and neither was the chocolate cake we ordered. I suggest you stick to the apple pie with vanilla...it was scrumptious!

I would go back here again for lunch. The prices are good and the food is yummy. Plus it was very quiet, which is a plus!

Photo of Joe J.

 

5

51

Joe J.

Pomona, CA

4 star rating
3/23/2009

What a great place for happy hour! Recommendations: Baked Brie ($6); Crab Cakes ($6.50); Marinated Skirt Steak Wrap ($12); Caprese Salad ($9). Draft beer/well drinks and appetizers are half off during happy hour, between 4-7pm.

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Photo of CJ J.

Elite '09

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CJ J.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
5/7/2008

We had the latest Elite event here as you all know. I thought the restaurant itself was cute, well lit, and would be a nice place for lunch or brunch. Maybe go chill in Redondo for the day afterward. I will definitely keep it in mind for next time, especially since they had that tea liquor! Pretty good dude!

:D

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Photo of Sarah G.

Elite '09

460

692

Sarah G.

Boston, MA

3 star rating
5/1/2008

The vintage looking lights in this venue that represent a slightly abstract version of a collection of upside-down wine glasses or really large bubbles hanging from the ceilings. I would definitely want some of these lights in my house one day!

Other than those lights I think the decor was a little plain and the color choices with everything in muted, dull color tones which didn't make me feel like partying or socializing as much as brighter, more inviting colors would but the seating is nice and there is plenty of it which is great for a restaurant bar in a hotel.

The appetizers we had were pretty good but could have had a little more flavor in my opinion. The spinach pastries were a little mushy though...the best were the empanadas and the spring rolls, but the additional dipping sauces were good with almost every dish. But then again we didn't try anything but finger foods so I bet something else is better there, right?

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Photo of Tracy T.

Elite '09

77

301

Tracy T.

Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
5/1/2008

I don't think I'd ever come here if it weren't for the Yelp Elite event. They have happy hour during the week from 4-7, $4 draft beers and other specials that I didn't catch. The place has a hipster feel to it, like a dinner party evite come to life. The appetizers served tasted like Costco appetizers. I mean they were great at first, but I think it's because I was so hungry. Then they got kind of gross. But then I started drinking so it didn't matter what it tasted like!

One of the specialty drinks was a St. Germain cocktail and somehow it tasted exactly like lychee, only without the cloying sweetness like lychee martinis that are usually made with the high fructose syrup that lychee's stored in. So the cocktail was prosecco, St. Germain, club soda, and some lemon. So... nothing lychee-like, but together it was SO. GOOD. Order it next time you're there, if they still have it.

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Photo of Kate C.

 

11

70

Kate C.

Newport Beach, CA

2 star rating
6/22/2008

The first thing to note is that there were only four other tables seated when we walked in to meet our friends. Four tables? They even took a few seconds to look up our reservation. Why even bother when there are plenty of tables available?

There are reasons to be hopeful but over all it did not come together. It is a hotel restaurant, plain and simple. The Hotel Belamar may have been renovated but it is not somewhere I would likely suggest someone book. It is hard to get amped about a hotel on the corner or Rosecrans and Sepulveda.

Our waiter was very eager, but only because he was probably bored to tears. We could have been his only table all night. To add to the absurdity there was various dishes unavailable. Skirt steak, tamales, and gelato were all listed but unavailable.

We started out with the lobster spring rolls (soggy) and mini steak tacos (little flavor according to hubby). Our dinner entrees were filet (good), turkey wrap (bland - they should add bacon), pasta with braised short ribs (only the ribs were worth eating), and the pork tenderloin. We rounded out the dinner with the fondue (delicious dark chocolate with various sweets).

The most annoying part is that we have not seen our friends in a year and the waiter kept circling our table to get the signed bill (seriously - just take it). We felt rushed to get of there and it was only 10:30. Isn't this supposed to be a swanky new restaurant?

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Photo of Annie P.

 

1

111

Annie P.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
Updated - 6/1/2009

Update:  Returned and things were much, much quicker.  We got their delicious bread and the server did a great job.  Will definitely return soon!

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 2 star rating
    3/21/2009

    Such a hard rating to make.  The food here is really good... like really really good.  But, it is… Read more »

Photo of yoli p.

 

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8

yoli p.

Los Angeles, CA

4 star rating
5/3/2008

My brother and I brought my wonderful grandmother here for an early Mother's Day Dinner; an attempt to beat the rush. After reading another review, I felt that I should make reservations, so I did. When we arrived, the place was totally empty!! I thought that this might be a bad sign, because the only people in the restaurant were those that were PAID to be there! Anyhow, we ordered two appetizers, which were great; fondue and calamari. We then ordered a Salmon Cobb Salad, Lobster stuffed steak and a New York Steak; all were given rave reviews!! My grandmother loved everything and so did my brother.  The salad I had was the best!! The salmon was the best prepared I had ever had, although next time I would opt to get the dressing on the side, I found it to be a bit salty on the fish.

The music was really cool; a nice mix. The servers were very attentive and courteous. Good place for anything.

Photo of Tim C.

Elite '09

335

461

Tim C.

Temple City, CA

4 star rating
7/5/2008

I would never have thought to have stopped here if it wasn't an Elite event happening. Even though it was complimentary valet service, we found a spot on the street. As we walked in, the lobby was small but really nice. The place is upstairs, hence the second story in the name. This is a big space where it seems to hold many tables and nice comfortable booths. A big bar with great TVs showing Charlie's Angels and the Brady Bunch. With all the Yelpers at this place, it almost reminded me of a club or bar fighting for drinks. Though I don't mind yielding to the next Yelper at the bar since we are all Yelpers. The staff here are very courteous as they bring around appetizers for everyone to try. The experience is really nice here and we even received a 20% off to return for the next visit. How cool is that? The benefits of being Elite.

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Photo of Janell D.

 

10

212

Janell D.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/15/2008

We walked in to a very busy dinner hour and were happily greeted by the hostess who immediately sat us. Although the table was not ready they took care and set it for us promptly.
While browsing the menu we got our drink order and some Lobster Spring Rolls-- Yum, but they were fried and somewhat tasted like "fried" food-- more sauce please!
I ordered the Honey Chicken- which was actually excellent! My friend had the steak pasta (?) and said that it was good, a bit bland.
Overall our experience was good, the food was good, and unfortunately we were on business so we couldn't try out the drink menu, but I"m sure those are good too!
The one thing they did do that caught my attention was give us our bill in a book- a regular book was the bill cover- interesting... It made me wonder if the name of the restaurant, Second Story, was from the floor it was on- the 2nd floor- or from perhaps a prior owner and now the new owner has made a "second" story out of the place. You could just go on and on wondering about that...

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Photo of Jenn T.

Elite '09

194

421

Jenn T.

Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
5/15/2008

Had fun here for the Yelp Elite event. The appetizers were yummy - the drinks phenomenal (I'm obsessed with the edible flower tea drink). However, I was not vibing on the look and feel (very 1970s Summer of Love) of the restaurant itself and am not a fan of hotel lounges to begin with. It does seem like a cool place to go grab a drink or check out their happy hour if you live in the area - I will most likely not be going back.

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Photo of Julia K.

 

4

45

Julia K.

Redondo Beach, CA

1 star rating
5/4/2008

Review based on a "date night" for dessert and wine.

Arrived after dinner, but early, around 8ish.  I had been looking forward to trying this place based on the great words from other Yelp-ers and also the location is near my boss's house - and I am there ALOT.  Cool building (hotel) that sets a quirky designer tone to go up to the space (on the Second Story of the hotel!!).  

In a word: massive disappointment.

It's hard to dislike a place that's this innately likable but:
+ 1 star - lots of flat screens and the Lakers game was on
+1 star - sexy lighting, attractive color scheme in the paint and fabric choices for booths.  However, bar feels somehow sterile and the cneter high tables cold and unappealing.  Oh, maybe they were cold and unappealing because at 9pm on a date night there was a grand total of 1 table having dinner and 3 people in the bar.
+1 star - good muzak - more music than zak
- 1 star - The fondue.  A few Yelp reviews mentioned it.  Yes, it is tasty chocolate, but it had been over heated and had separated.  Oh, and the amount of "accessories" for the fondue was just too few.  Three measly slices of banana? Come on!! And the chocolate brownie chunks to dip? If those weren't store bought I'll be a monkey's aunt.  And who the hey gives you BLUEBERRIES to dip? Retarded.
+ 1 star - Not a bad choice of wines on the list.  We got champagne.
- 1 star - Really, this was a crime.  The glasses are so crappy.  Chunky, clunky, graceless, heavy, unattractive.  Horrible.  There's nothing that spoils a pricey bottle of bubble faster than catering style glasses.  Except....
- 1 star - The server brought the sparkling nectar of the gods and, not only was the bottle not icy cold (please people, see The Palms for how this stuff should be served) but then she attempted to pawn off a wine chiller (one of those *cheezy* plastic containers that looks like an acrylic bathroom trashcan meets bathroom water glass) to us rather than a bucket.  You could almost hear the begrudging ice shoveling over the background noise prior to her return.
+1 star - The bill is brought in a book - very cute and funny idea.  We had a humorous time reading quotes out of the book, of which we would have read more if the server hadn't....
- 1 star - .... rushed us totally and completely in every possible way.  Now, mind you, we came for dessert and drinks.  We ordered a pretty nice bottle o booze.  We would have ordered more.  But the rather unpleasant server not only brought the bill without asking us if we were ready (she did make some vague noises about closing out and we asked if the bar was closing as it was only getting to be 10pm and were told that no, it wasn't closing, but that she would bring us the bill - um, isn't your job to not just bring us stuff but to try to sell us more stuff so the facility makes more money??), but came back TWICE (in a space of about 15 minutes) to see if we had paid.  Mind you, there was only 2 other people in the bar at this time.  And we asked if they were closing.  And the answer was no.

I don't give this place a chance of doing very well if they are going to have this kind of service.  Furthermore, though a sexy space, noone is going to come unless they are staying at the hotel if there are not other people with whom to mingle.

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Photo of SAM Y.

 

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933

SAM Y.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
4/26/2008

i came here for a yelp event. and i can't think of one reason why i wouldn't give this place 5 stars.

great ambiance, i like bars that feel like you can walk in, in shorts. good service, good drinks, good people. thats five stars to me. on top of that its in a hotel so no drunk driving.

as i mentioned i was at a yelp event and whenever you first discover a place because of an event, half your review is on the place, and the other half is on the event itself.

people love yelp events. why? i finally understood today. maybe the trip allowed me to see now with eyes unclouded... but the thing that makes yelp so addicting is, it makes people feel young again. almost like a kid again. i mean playing on the computer, elite clubs, yelp events themselves are like those dances where you see and meet those old friends or people you know but hung around in different circles and now your chance to talk to them.

i think its another reason why maybe its so loved by people in their late 20s, early 30s and beyond. to be a kid again. when you haven't been to an event in a long time, its like a pseudo high school reunion of sorts. you got the picture takers, they are the yearbook committee, the homecoming queen (aunny), the foodies, the goth, the gays, the straights, the funny ones, the creepy ones, the gossipers, the girl every guy wants, the guy every girl dreams about, all that's missing are the jocks giving wedgies (haha yelp is out of balance!).  who am i???

the bad thing about yelp is, though it makes you feel like a kid. sometimes it makes you act like a kid as well as we have all seen. but kids forget about things fast. adults hold grudges for life. thats why i think kids truly are human beings and adults are all together something different.

i guess because its summer, though there was no pool, this reminded me of pool parties i went to when i was young. girls in sun/flower dresses, guys in t shirts, fresh tans, smiles, drinks, fun, flirting, dancing, etc. i guess thats what made me have this epiphany. i think part of the reason i was wearing shades was cuz i wanted to look around and observe without making eye contact. i dunno, i just like watching people have fun lately, without being a part of that fun. if that makes sense. haha i guess its too much work to be involved, rather just enjoy.

i got to talk to a casual yelper i see on rare occasions. to her yelp is just a resource which i gave her props for, for her maturity.

this is probably the only convo i remember.
casual yelper: why aren't you out there, like those guys, talking to the girls and drinking.
me: no. i don't think so. i wouldn't feel comfortable.
casual yelper: come on, aren't you mr yelp. infamous sam y and all that. all about making "friends."
me: haha i've come to terms with something about myself during my trip.
casual yelper: what?
me: i would make a terrible boyfriend. for a lot of reasons.
casual yelper: wow... at least you are honest about it.
me: yeah i can accept it. so i don't see any point in, even casually or playfully pursuing something that i know, no good can come out of right now.
casual yelper: so what you gonna do?
me: try to improve myself. make myself a great catch haha.
casual yelper: wow you got all deep on me. i liked you better when all you did was flirt.
me: i'm sorry haha.
casual yelper: i'm kidding. so now what? how long will it take?
me: as long as it has to.
casual yelper: so how do you know a girl will just come along when you are ready?
me: in martial arts, there is a saying. when the student is ready, his master will appear. so i guess its something like that.
casual yelper: so what you gonna do now?
me: go visit my nephew and niece. haven't seen them in months.
casual yelper: no i don't mean today. i mean now that you are back
me: i really don't know... and i can live with that.

now let me ask you this. which yelper are you at the reunion?

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Photo of Aunny D.

 

1259

400

Aunny D.

Los Angeles, CA

5 star rating
4/2/2008 1 photo

As a fan of design, especially design that makes the most of a relatively small space, I have major respect for the new Second Story Restaurant at the Belamar Hotel. Not that this space is tiny, between the bar and the dining room area it is actually a relatively large space, but in terms of layout, this place was well thought out. The bar and the dining room area are split into two sections but are directly connected, the space is dimly lit with really cool looking dangling lights that remind me of an art installation, this effect creates a very moody vibe that I loved. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Belamar, a small boutique hotel in Manhattan Beach. Having lived in the South Bay for several years I have seen this particular location go through some major transformations over the years. Thankfully the developers of the Belamar Hotel got their hands on it, because this is the best it has looked in years. I was recently treated to a lovely dinner at the brand spankin' new, Second Story restaurant by its Publicist and fellow yelper, Ms. Jenny W. I arrived a bit early and enjoyed my drink of choice, an Effen black cherry vodka and soda. Not many bars stock this brand, so any bar that does, I consider a bar with extremely good taste. The bartender, Justin was a riot, was very attentive and quite entertaining. We ordered the boneless buffalo wings to start before we segued into the dining room. Now anyone who knows me, knows that I have MAJOR love for anything buffalo wing related, and these boneless wings were good. I also liked the restaurants attention to detail, because the food presentation was on point. For our main entrees we split the parpadelle pasta, lobster stuffed filet mignon, and mac-n-cheese as a side. The meat and pasta were really well cooked and delicious, but the mac was lacking a lil' somethin' somthin' if ya know what I mean. Oh well, we can't all be perfect. For dessert we ordered the chocolate fondue, bananas foster, and 5-layer cake. The bananas foster came with a scoop of ice cream and what seemed to be homemade whipped cream, this dish was a definite stand out. The prices are totally reasonable and this is a great destination for locals and travelers alike. Definitely a bar/restaurant that I would frequent if I lived in the area.

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Photo of Devon B.

Elite '09

67

189

Devon B.

Aliso Viejo, CA

5 star rating
4/28/2008

I loved the modern/retro feel of this restaurant.  Any place that shows Brady Bunch and Charlie's Angels while you sip cocktails is pretty cool.  The space was so open and light, with really hip lighting fixtures and classy furniture.  As for the food, the appetizers came out hot, which is great for fried food.  I lost count of how many I had - egg rolls, pot-stickers, chicken skewers with a curry cream sauce, spanikopita, etc.  Each one had a tasty sauce too, and the servers didn't mind stopping by to let us sample it all.  I was also there for the Elite event, and the alcohol was provided by St. Germain.  Yum!  I had to look up what it was when I got home.  It is actually made out of elderflowers that are picked in the alps!  The elderberry tea combined St. Germain with green tea vodka, club soda and edible flowers.  We took our drinks downstairs to  check out the lovely courtyard as well.  The bathrooms were beautiful and I enjoyed moisturizing my hands with bamboo and orange-water scented lotion.  It's too bad that this place is so far from the O.C., well, probably not so bad for my pocketbook...

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Photo of Christina o.

Elite '09

162

1204

Christina o.

Los Angeles, CA

2 star rating
4/28/2008 1 photo

i don't know about $12 for a short shot of patron and/or a $4.33 can of pineapple juice. i wasn't real please about that. other than that, however, the restaurant is a real cute spot. it's well decorated and takes everything back to the brady bunch days as it is always being repeated on the TV's above the bar. the tables are long and large while others are the perfect round ones. their drinks are strong and mean. the bartender is a real nice guy. he has a lot of help from the other employees as well. over all, this place is real cute. prices are high but goodness, it's the area.

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