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- Hours:
Mon 5:30 pm - 11 pm
Tue-Wed 12 pm - 11 pm
Thu-Fri 12 pm - 12 am
Sat 11 am - 12 am
Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Wed, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
593 reviews for The Hungry Cat
Review Highlights
"pug burger, lobster roll and bread pudding."
(in 110 reviews)
"I'm thinking about those huge peel and eat shrimp."
(in 33 reviews)
"The chocolate bread and butter pudding was heavenly."
(in 10 reviews)
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593 reviews in English
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Review from Emi O.
Long Beach, CA
1/31/2012
Seat: outside, hidden by trees; slight privacy, perfect temperature, great lighting, great atmosphere, very kind staff.
Cocktail. Yes, freshly squeezed lemonade with blue ice and mint. Refreshing after a long day.
Appetizer. Raw swordfish, garnished with red onions, some date, celery, mint leaves, all on a lovely yogurt, touch of vinager and tandoori spice. Fish had a great orange red color from the blood orange. Absolutely wonderful.
Dinner plate. Australian barramundhi with dungeness crab perogies, wonderful pea puree sauce, which was to die for, super green. And my favorite chantrelle mushrooms, possibly grilled then sauteed in butter. Lovely dish. Fish has a very unique scent, cooked perfectly, great texture, similar to a bass. So much going on, everything having its own distict flavor but strangely everything in harmony, like music in my mouth. Green sauce was the best part, a great compliment to the fish.
Dessert? Of course. First bite almost brought me to tears. Lemon mousse with fresh whip, decorated with a hard sugar cookie. Absolutely wonderful. I don't even know how to explain! Almost like a merenge, but texture wise, soft silky and smooth. Just the right amount of sugar. Oh my goodness, I am writing this as I eat. This may be one of the best desserts I've ever had. Fantabulous.
Feeling. At peace. Satisfaction. No one but myself. Lonely? Slightly, but accompanied by great food. Nothing to complain. I often caught myself grinning to myself, enjoying what was going on inside my mouth, a little on the creepy side but what the hell, I was enjoying the moment. Feeling like Anthony Bourdaine, just eating great food and writing about it, just haven't travelled to anywhere. Complimented at the end by the waiter that I order very well. Felt great, I should do this more often. Time for a smoke. Thank you for a great meal. -
Review from Kwiri Y.
2/7/2012 22 photos
My cat knows how to catch fish.
He hates water, so he negotiates with the Raccoon next door and splits 60:40.
Obviously... the Cat that goes to catch fish at this Hungry Cat is not hungry enough or smart enough.
1. Even if you have many customers... you should never overlook those who are waiting.
2. Dude... your food is expensive... consider purchasing an outdoor headlamps + lights. It's freezing outside!
3. Fine dining? This is a sad catastrophic setting. Invest in your waiter training... Terrible service here... I mean seriously? how long did I have to wait for an extra set of napkins?
4. Oysters - Never tasted so fishy and warm...
I may need to come back for a second chance... but please... IMPROVE! -
Review from Tammy L.
Monterey Park, CA
1/30/2012
SEAFOOD LOVER!
Really enjoyed the food. Portions were not too generous, but enough. Pug Burger was worth the visit. Same with the Lobster Roll
I had a reservation that I was running late for so I called in early and pushed it to an extra 15 minutes. It was very nice of them to do so. When I got there 15 minutes before my reservation time, I was relieved as most places have a 15 minute hold so I figured there would be no problem. But the problem is that there was Ms. Oh Im So Cool (flips hair) was a total BLEEP. She was totally too busy to even address me directly, literally shooed me to the side and left me standing there for 20 minutes without even a sideways glance. Rude much? Right before I was going to leave and have boba food for dinner, I asked another hostess if it was going to be possible for me to get a seat anytime soon. When she checked that I had a reservation, she very politely and quickly sat me in one of the previous mentioned opened tables. Thank you!!!
From here on was fine. My server was great, the food was good. Soft shell crab was in season and recommended by the server. It was served with black rice and nuts and it's a small portion so I do not recommend if you are very hungry. -
Review from Mara B.
South Pasadena, CA
1/28/2012
We ordered the marinated mussels. These were the freshest mussels I've ever had in my life.
Also ordered the Pug Burger. Wow. Seriously. Holy crap, was it good. Filled with blue cheese, but not overwhelmingly so. The beef quality was also amazing. It came with slab bacon (best bacon I've ever had) and avocado. I know it seems crazy to pay $17 for a burger, but it was absolutely worth every cent. -
Review from Amanda G.
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
My friends took me out for my birthday dinner at The Hungry Cat and let's be honest - I couldn't think of a more fitting place for me to celebrating aging gracefully! We had a party of about 9 and were seated outside with some very accommodating space heaters.
The waiters were quick to take our food and drink menus, especially for such a large group - for starters, I sipped on a glass of the Sierra du Sud Côtes du Rhône; a wonderfully woodsy Syrah from France. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not big on seafood (which is exactly what one should be expecting at a place called The Hungry Cat), and conveniently - neither was one of my friends. So, we split the roasted persimmons, apples and walnut salad, which came with an aged sherry vinaigrette, and a pug burger complete with avocado and bacon.
Their brunch, lunch and drink menu's all looked great - and I'm stoked because I now have three more reasons to come back. -
Review from Ari K.
1/4/2012 1 photo
I want to Love this place, but for some odd reason its not easy. A seafood platter with salty clams, garlicy shrimp, and buttery lobster, whats not to love? It was all delicious but for some reason It just did not make the leap from four to five stars. I think next time I would skip the platter and go more ala cart, picking and choosing as the mussels and oysters were just decent.
Expect to spend about $50 per person on the low end to be full. Good beer and wine selections available. I might be back if there wasn't somewhere better to try -
Review from Cindy L.
Washington, DC
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I want to like it...but...I felt like the whole experience was just ODD. My brother and I wanted to try something new and this place was highly recommended. He got the special lobster roll and I ordered the mussels.
The lobster roll was fine, nothing particularly spectacular - just chew and swallow.
The mussels were good but why are they an entree? They don't even come with bread for the broth (it's an additional $2.00). It's kind of weird to offer and entree without a starch or veggie in my opinion. The pricing seem high for what the food is and mixed drink prices are astronomical.
The atmosphere would be nice if it weren't so industrial around it; they really should've gone for a location that could provide a front entry versus side. -
Review from Kymberly M.
Burbank, CA
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love love love this place!! The best oysters I have had in the Los Angles area yet. Everything I had was fantastic from the drink specials to the delicious steamed mussels. Not only was the seafood great the atmosphere is causal and easy going. I would suggest making a reservation. I did not, but my boyfriend and I were able to find a place at the bar (which I prefer anyway). The service was attentive without being overbearing and although the food is a bit on the pricier side you definitely get your moneys worth. They also have brunch on Sunday, which I will be trying in the very near future.
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Review from Sid P.
Los Angeles, CA
12/8/2011
Wow.
Is Mercury in retrograde or am I having a tough run with mediocrity?
This was my second visit to this local establishment of "fine dining"...
Ok - let's skip commenting on the whole Sunset & Vine catastrophe of mini-mall development and tragic settings (it's enough to make any city boy or girl puke all over someone else's pastel pant-suit while the next table raves about how they just saw one of the Kardashians - BARF...).
It's restaurants like this surrounded by numerous questionable favorable reviews that calls into question the very foundation of the source of such reviews and fellow reviewers (ummm... maybe get out of town a bit more and up your standards - just a thought...).
First the food. Puke - puke and more puke. Oh I'm sorry were you eating and sincerely enjoying that mundanely average but well overpriced mediocre piece of shit they just served to you - like right next to my elbow..?
That's a raw bar?? Really?? My refrigerator looks better after a trip to the downtown fish market.
Overall the decor is a cross between a very confused decorator meets mini mall suburban fab. Wow - if I close my eyes I'm back on that business trip I once took to Minnesota...
First time there I had oysters to start followed by the grilled salmon. Meh - meh and more meh - the only thing that excited me was the bill - really???!!!
The second Most recent trip was a drag me to - I'm so bummed but it's your birthday -- so here we go - kind of a thing. I ordered the burger. It was fine. I still hated my experience.
I'll save moments like this for a Caribbean cruise which I will never take. -
Review from Gigi k.
Los Angeles, CA
12/30/2011
Although the location is hidden behind the old Borders bookstore, Hungry Cat is definitely well worth the visit. I love burgers and for a restaurant specializing in seafood, they do a pretty good job with the Pug Burger. I love the bread they use for the burger and the juiciness of the meat.
We also tried the sea urchin, shrimp, and the arugula salad with pistachios. Yum to everything. The sea urchin was fresh and tasted like the ocean. The shrimp nicely seasoned various herbs. The arugula salad had fresh vegetables and just enough cumin vinaigrette.
Drinks....okay. Luke's lemonade did not have any vodka in it. Very weak. PBR in a brown bag over ice...classic and quite hilarious.
Service...not the best but not the worst. -
Review from Lindsey B.
Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2012
I lived upstairs from this place for approximately a year and went here a few times. Really great atmosphere and good service. The oysters are great and the cocktails are fabulous. I forget what the cocktail is but its something with peppers and its spicy! Get some!
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Review from Y H.
Los Angeles, CA
1/3/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Hungry Cat is definitely worth visiting and trying. My friends and I came in 15 minutes late for our reservations and we didn't have to wait for our table at all. We saw quite a few celebrities eating at the restaurant too if that does entice you.
Their food was pretty good...their Cheese Platter, burgers, tilapia entree dish and their crab cake entree dish were good! -
Review from Roberto B.
New York, NY
Updated - 12/13/2011
Spoke to the manager and to the hostess. Both were denying that there was a ventilation problem, saying that they work there "every day" and that they have never had this problem.
I offered to bring my clothes in so they could smell 'em.
They told me that wouldn't be necessary.
I was on the verge of asking them to pay for my dry cleaning. But I have too much dignity.
Truth is, they should have apologized instead of denying everything.
Ridiculous.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/12/2011
So here I am at 2:06 am on a Monday night, held captive by an unhealthy mix of disappointment, anger… Read more »
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Review from lisa u.
Los Angeles, CA
1/22/2012
I went here with a friend for brunch and I'm looking forward to coming back to try the burger. Although this place isn't ascetically appealing to the eye the food speaks for itself. My friend and I shared the albacore tuna with ponzu sauce and tempura broccoli. I don't particularly like tempura but the batter was light and fluffy. The albacore was fresh and tender, it was the perfect amount for two people. I ordered the tweedy scrabble which comes with two generous portions of grilled bread. The eggs were light and fluffy, the potatoes were more of a hash which I liked. My friend ordered the fish tacos. This was my favorite dish. 4 small tacos with white fish, avocado and slaw. The flavors paired well together.
Although this place is more expensive then say a diner, it's worth it for the quality of fish...and anyone who has ever had a bad piece of fish knows that's not something you want to risk eating again! -
Review from Bryan C.
Bellevue, WA
12/11/2011
freshness - 5 stars
The scallop and sea urchin ceviche is CRAZY GOOD
drinks - 5 stars
The Greyhound Proper is "proper" to..the..MAX!!! I love gin and I love grapefruit though with my alcoholic drinks and they make it PERFECT. Best greyhound i've had.
-1 star for drink prices though... =p -
Review from Sandra V.
Los Angeles, CA
10/24/2011
Okay, it's probably not the best idea for someone who can't eat shellfish or dairy to go to The Hungry Cat and expect to find something they can eat.
That being said, it can be done, so if that sounds like you, rejoice! You can enjoy the Hungry Cat, I promise.
I will say upfront that I've always found the outdoor ambiance here to be a bit lacking. It's a nondescript patio in a nondescript outdoor corridor made even more barren by the fact that Borders is now closed. I don't know what the solution is, but give that it was bright and sunny outside on Saturday, sitting outside felt a bit more depressing than it should have.
No real matter -- onto the food.
I ordered the fish tacos, hold the guacamole. For my beverage, a michelada, which is fast becoming my favorite beer-based adult drink. I don't know what it is -- it's light, it's spicy, it's salty. It's just all around tasty and it doesn't come with the attendant headache that a lot of other daytime drinking will get you.
Anyway, the fish tacos. They were solid. Not as solid as say, Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada, or Ricky's or even a fair number of the hole in the wall Mexican joints that litter the L.A. landscape, but they were as solid a fish taco as you can get at a gourmet, overpriced Hollywood eating establishment. The corn tortillas were house made and much sturdier than most tortillas I've come across. The pickled red onions and whatever sauce was on there were a nice compliment to the mildness of the fish. Overall, three nice tacos that made the perfect sized lunch. Oh, and it comes with grilled corn slathered in butter (oops, sorry digestive system!) that is tasty, tasty, tasty.
So, I like the Hungry Cat. I wish they were not so stuck in that dark little corner of Sunset and Vine, but alas, what are you going to do. If you're pinched on cash, I'd recommend coming here for brunch or happy hour. Dinner seems, well, expensive.Listed in: Tacos, por favor
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Review from Yunie C.
Los Angeles, CA
11/27/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
3.5 Star
I came here for my husband's birthday and it had great ambiance for a romantic dinner. Love the raw seafood bar (especially the giant cherrystone clams!). I'm a huge raw seafood person so the quality of the seafood was very important and they indeed have fresh clams. Not sure about raw oyster since we love clams so much and forgot to try the oyster.
Drinks were pretty creative but tasted ok. My husband got the pug burger which he liked. Very unique but you have to like blue cheese. It was humongous!
would come back for the raw clams :) -
Review from DAWN R.
San Leandro, CA
10/29/2011
We went here for a late night dinner. The location can be elusive, but don't let that deter you!
It is mostly a seafood place, so enjoy if that's your thing. Make sure that you ask about the specials---the time we went there were great food & drink specials.
I went there thinking I would have the Pug Burger (the pug burger with blue cheese, bacon, avocado 17 with a fried egg 19) which our family raved about. 3 out of 4 of us got that and it was DELISH! I was swayed by the "special" Lobster Roll.... also DELISH!
Seriously, if you are not a seafood lover.... go there for the Pug Burger... so good! Sit on the outside patio if weather permits!Listed in: Food, Glorious Food- LA…
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Review from deane m.
11/10/2011
In the running for best burger in LA. Which is weird, considering it's a seafood place.
Not being a complete lover of seafood, it took me a while to get around to coming here - but my boss insisted that their Pug Burger was worth the visit, and she was right!
So I ignored the rows of fresh oysters, crabs, and lobsters on ice, and dove right into a Pug. At around $18, this burger has one of the heftier price-tags around - but I'd say it was worth it. The meat was thick, juicy, peppery, and delicious, with avocado, and a generous helping of thick-cut bacon on top - not those flimsy, undercooked excuses you might find at Wendy's, but some real, thick, decadent bacon.
Oh, and my folks enjoyed their seafood dishes, too. -
Review from Jr L.
Los Angeles, CA
12/21/2011
Love this place. I was never a seafood fan, with the exception of sushi, but this place changed my mind. The dishes are creative and the menu changes all the time. Fresh ingredients and well prepared. I also highly respect the cocktails. They make excellent Manhattans here using Carpano Antica (a rarity). Bad thing is the place is kind of small and parking is $$$. Traffic around here, being Hollywood, isn't so great either.
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Review from Dru C.
I had this place bookmarked specifically to try the lobster roll. Since we were in the Hollywood area, what the heck. Whipped out the iPhone and booked a reservation via the OpenTable app at the last minute, although I knew it wasn't necessary on a Sunday night.
Parking was a pain to find, however, but we managed to snag some nearby street parking with the fancy credit-card taking meters. Once I found the Borders sign, there it was, tucked in the corner. Minimalistic decor, stainless steel, white, kinda cold and chilly -- not temp wise, but looks wise.
We tried the following:
Mussels
Grilled octopus salad
Raw hamachi with stone fruit
Lobster roll (only offered during dinner as a special, the waiter claimed I got the last one of the night)
The mussels were a nice starter, arrived on atop an ice platter, so it was chilled. I thought the mussels were on the small side, and didn't quite have that fresh ocean flavor and natural juices bursting out. Plus I prefer steamed mussels over chilled.
My wife's grilled octopus salad was refreshing, and had tender chunks of octopus. The slices of stone fruit (fancy word for peach or nectarine) was a nice, sweet contrast to the acidity of the light dressing. The flavor profile of the salad was somewhat similar to the raw hamachi dish, which were wrapped around more stone fruit.
So, on to the lobster roll. I thought it was a good portion with a nice amount of lobster meat. The bun was buttered and toasted. The finely diced celery provided a contrasting but subtle crunch to the smoothness of the light mayo-based lobster mixture, which consisted of small pieces of lobster meat.
Just a personal preference, but I like lobster rolls where I can see huge chunks of the tail and claw meat. Hungry Cat's refined version, complete with a variety of green garnishes on top was satisfying (although I wasn't a fan of their toothy fries). Overall, I thought this was a solid rendition of the Maine lobster roll. But, would I be craving for it all day, and go out of way for it in the future? Probably not. -
Review from Damion S.
West Hollywood, CA
12/28/2011
I'm not impressed. The atmosphere is similar to eating at a mall. Our entrees were tasty but portioned as appetizers. Service was slow and inattentive. I left feeling like a hungry alley cat...
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Review from jay k.
Los Angeles, CA
11/13/2011
i came here a while back for dinner with friends. We all ordered sea food, which was so so.
But I just want to add that the drink I ordered was one of the best concoctions I have ever tasted!
The kumquat cocktail is an absolute MUST! so delicious! -
Review from Anna N.
Glendale, CA
10/26/2011
Really cozy & quaint restaurant hidden in a small alley and easy to miss!
I had an assortment of things:
1) Pug (pub?) burger: very tasty, but the patty is way too thick for a small burger.
2) Crab legs, clams, oysters: they were fresh!
3) The cheese plate: 5 different cheeses on one plate w/ honey & almonds. Great plate if you like lots of cheese :)
4) Beet salad was yummy!
5) Chocolate pudding cake w/ caramelized top (like a creme brulee); tasty but way too sweet so you can share with at least 3 people.
Overall, I enjoyed the food & the ambiance. -
Review from Amy N.
Los Angeles, CA
10/14/2011
There's not a really a sign that says you're at The Hungry Cat until... you're at The Hungry Cat. Just the way I like it.
Started out with oysters on the half shell and the marinated mussels (so good) then moved on to the ceviche. The best things to eat after a hot LA day!
We had a few Racer 5 IPA's (mmm) and the moved on to the harder stuff - i had a few Luke's Lemonades which were delicious but STRONG and my man-friend had himself a few of what is appropriately called a "4 on the Floor."
The waiter knew his shit and was super flexible, he seemed a little overly intense but maybe he was just nervous. The ambiance and decor is minimal and relaxing, and the patio is so nice on a warm evening.
Wonderful dining experience. I would definitely return. -
Review from Jennifer J.
Los Angeles, CA
9/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have a new favorite oyster that I discovered at the Hungry Cat last night~ They are from Paradise Cove, and the taste is DIVINE! I tried all 3 featured oysters. The Paradise Cove oysters were medium sized, creamy, sweet (orgasmic) goodness. The Malpeque was the smallest of the bunch, which I found odd since they're fairly common and normally a good size. They tasted mildly of the ocean, which proved to be a good transition. The Kusshi shells were smallish but deceptively deep and were the briniest by far. Kusshi oysters are supposed to be similar to Kumamotos but I found them much bolder than my former fave. In any case, I could slurp a dozen of almost any kind of oyster myself (except for the dinosaur ones at Redondo), but the Paradise Cove really left me wanting more!
The draw for me to dine at the Hungry Cat however was for a different kind of shellfish, a crustacean rather than a mollusk. Yes, my close friends heard me mention lobster rolls all summer long and were confused because they thought I meant roll as in sushi (Niet!) I was searching for the OTHER lobster roll, basically consisting of lobster and mayo on a bun. Finally I settled on The Hungry Cat and although it was my first, I am probably ruined since I can't fathom a more delicious version of lobster over bread. I won't go into detail because words cannot describe perfection, but let me answer the pivotal question: Was it worth $25? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!
I tried a couple cocktails offered on the Thirsty Cat menu (cute) and I liked the refreshing Blueberry Hill (gin).
Parking inside the Sunset + Vine building came out to $6 with validation. The restaurant is in the building alley, right next to the Lion Salon. They are totally ninja status; there is no freaking sign. -
Review from maggie e.
Los Angeles, CA
10/11/2011 Seated via OpenTable
We had reservations at 8pm, got there on time and they did not have my name down...because someone stole my reservation. They still managed to accommodate us. I ordered the wild striped bass entrée with pierogi, it was absolutely divine. 5 stars for that dish.
We also ordered 1/2 a dozen oysters for $15, 3 different kinds, and I only like one kind. That was not worth it.
Their cocktails are also good! I'll probably come back again. -
Review from Rapha F.
7/22/2011
Perfect Sunday food-- Kumamoto Oysters, Prawns, King crab legs. Peel 'n eat shrimp, Santa Barbara Sea Urchin, and Racer IPA beer.
Their branch in Santa Monica is even cooler as far as atmosphere goes. -
Review from London T.
West Hollywood, CA
12/3/2011
Had the Lobster Roll and the Mussels. The lobster roll was good and the mussels weren't bad either, but this place is wildly overpriced and the portions are small. The lobster roll was like $25 and it's tiny. I asked about the crab cake, which I thought were crab cakes (with an S), but it turns out it's only one cake, and it's $17 ($17??). Idk, I don't mind paying well for good food, I just didn't think the food here, or the portions for that matter constituted the price. I also ordered an Old Fashioned and it was pretty lame.
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Review from Matt H.
Loma Linda, CA
9/27/2011
I wanted to give The Hungry Cat 3 stars but because of the delicious sea bass I gave them 4.
The service was mediocre at best. There wasn't one thing that stood out, but there was an overall air of laziness and inattentiveness. I also didn't like how plates were slammed on the table when the food arrived knocking over much of the presentation.
The cocktails were superb. Since it was a larger party, I got to try a few of them and they were all good. My favorite was the black and white: Muddled black fig with white whiskey.
I had the trout and it was not good. Not only were the flavors strange, the fish, even though it was wrapped in bacon, was dry (heresy). There was also so much oil on the plate when I was done eating there was a deep layer of oil that covered the entire plate.
The Striped sea bass saved it all. It was served on top of a sunchoke pierogi with an uni puree, young broccoli, topped with a hazelnut relish. It was divine. The sweetness of the uni puree was what tied the whole dish together. I couldn't get enough. I wanted to steal every forkful off of my gf's fork. I wanted to order another.
I would come back just for the Sea bass. -
Review from InSil T.
Hancock Park, CA
8/19/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
I've been to Bed Bath and Beyond so many times and never noticed this cute restaurant tucked in the corner!
We ordered the fresh oysters, which were amazing... the sauces were good too, but pretty standard compared to other oyster places I've been to. We also ordered the mussels -- very tasty. The fresh blueberry rum cocktail I had was incredible. It was so refreshing.
The fish was not that good. Overall, the place is a bit pricey for what you get. Bottom line: I don't think I'll come back, but maybe if I'm craving oysters.
They validate for parking. -
Review from S M.
Box Canyon, CA
12/11/2011
FORGET burgers at Father's Office and Umami. I LOVE burgers, and this was one of the best I have tried. Funny, how this place is good for seafood, which I'll have to try another visit.
I went early evening, right after work (during happy hour) and it was EMPTY (I suppose it was Friday.) I made my RSVP via Open Table and I even received a phone call with any updates regarding my arrival (there was a shooting, so I was informed that I can park nearby, but that street closures had been placed).
HC is tucked in the corner of an alley. I generally don't like being in a seafood place, but they are upscale, so the scent was crisp and clean, not overbearing.
They have a great happy hour special, and I enjoyed the light beer on their menu (I'm not much of a beer fan) and you'll have to eat thepug burger with utensils since it is so THICK. The fries were piled high, and I couldn't even finish it! -
Review from M C.
La Mirada, CA
10/2/2011
$90 and not worth it at all.
After reading the reviews and looking at pictures we thought we would have an enjoyable meal....we were wrong.
We ordered oysters, crab cakes, shrimp and crab claws.
Oysters were ok....we've had better and more for less money.
Crab cakes....weren't dry like some places but nothing outstanding.
Shrimp...was ok but the parsley and sea salt seasoning didn't make it extraordinary.
Crab claws....good but again nothing extraordinary.
Overall...the service was good. (Although the server asked us if we had plans for the night which we did and needed to be there by a certain time. I thought since she asked she was going to make sure we were in and out but no she still took her time bringing the food that I could see sitting on the counter and bringing the bill.)
The food is not worth a return. -
Review from Wayne T.
Los Angeles, CA
12/10/2011
At first I thought the lunch prices were a little high.
But once I got my burger- It was worth every penny.
The staff was awesome too! -
Review from Chase E.
North Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pretty much the best fish tacos I have ever eaten! Great Hollywood lunch place.
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Review from Genevieve P.
San Mateo, CA
9/15/2011
Fish tacos. For brunch. So_very_tasty. The grilled corn that accompanied them was perfect, with a drizzle of a beurre blanc of sorts. Yum.
My dining companions had lobster rolls, which were of course wonderful.
Even the iced tea was tastier than I was expecting.
Good times! -
Review from Alex W.
7/11/2011
Hungry Cat is now my favorite seafood in Los Angeles. My first experience was at their Santa Barbara location about 10 months ago. We were all under the impression that their LA location had closed. After the fantastic experience we had in SB my boyfriend and I were thrilled to discover we were wrong.
The space itself is clean, modern and minimal. About half of the seating is outside on the patio which is in the back of the courtyard and with Border's closed (*tear*) it's very intimate, a great place to bring a date.
We started with the ceviche and the mediterranean char. Think of both dishes as sushi's exciting and glamorous cousin. The soft, clean, 'ocean-y' flavor of the fresh fish comes to life in their preparation with fresh vegetables and exciting sauces.
I ordered the salmon and was surprised to find it seared. I admit I don't typically love it that way but something in the way it was prepared, the freshness of the fish and all the accompanying flavors made me love it. My boyfriend got the halibut, a fish that is very easy to over cook to dryness, and it was perfect, probably the best I've ever had.
The cocktail menu is excellent, some standouts include a special red currant infused vodka that reminded me of a more flavorful cosmo served on the rocks. Also ordered the Luke's lemonade and the Pimco(?)
It's easy to miss, towards the back of the courtyard that houses the patio of Cafe Was. Definitely make a reservation. Also, if you live near the red line, the Hollywood/Vine Station is a quick walk and the Arclight is on the next block. A great date night combination! -
Review from pauline c.
Los Angeles, CA
5/31/2011
The drinks alone are worthy of a 4 star rating.
The best deal would probably be to come during happy hour.
The seafood towers are pretty good and substantial for what you are paying. The seafood is fairly fresh. I don't think the uni was freshly killed since the ones at redondo wriggle around. It also had a mildly funny taste.
The crab quality was quite fresh as were the clams and mussel. Would definitely come back for happy hour. -
Review from David a.
Los Angeles, CA
6/13/2011
At the outset, I would like to suggest to whoever would listen that they should just have the chef at the raw bar handing the seafood platters to the customers who are sitting directly in front of them. Leaving a perishable seafood item on the counter for five minutes or so until the runner gets around to it is a cardinal sin in the restaurant business. The service could change for the better at this place. The waiter we had needs vocational training for another vocation.
The Cherrystones are a bargain at 2.00 each. They are fat, fresh, briny clams opened by a guy who has done this before. Served perfectly cold with some lemon wedges and tabasco along with one of the beers that they have on tap, you could keep it simple and eat these alone with a salad for a perfect meal. The last salad that I ordered here was butter lettuce with avocado, egg, pecorino, and a light citrus dressing with a very nice extra virgin olive oil and some freshly ground black pepper. It was tasty, and simple but the ingredients were prime overall a great sald. Again, why didn't the guy at the raw bar hand it to me?
The marinated mussels have a nice citrus flavor, but the portion that we ordered is a bit miniscule. Again, this food screams for another cold beer. I really enjoyed the oysters on the half shell that I have ordered here each time I have gone. I have never ordered the seafood platter, but I am sure that you cant go wrong. You are in good hands at this place as far as the raw bar is concerned. I have sampled the peeled shrimp on a previous visit, and they were flavorful and not the slightest bit overcooked or rubbery. My wife got the fluke ceviche with blood oranges and some other stuff which I can't recall. It was nice, but I wanted tostadas with a bit of hot sauce.
The pug burger with the egg is interesting for a few bites, but for sure the bun falls apart right away. By the time you are a few bites into it, it is a soggy mess. It was good and went well with the spicy bloody mary with clam juice that I kept ordering. The fish and chips are only available at lunch. Why are these fish and chips only available for lunch? Is you all crazy or something? This is a very high end version of fish and chips like the kind that you never want to stop eating because they are so ridiculously good but you have to because they cost a ton of money and the beer is expensive here too.
Since they did not have the goddamn fish and chips at night, I ordered the halibut and split it with my wife. Nice fresh fish with a good combination of vegetables. It would be nice to see another fish or two on the menu. How nice that there is a place like this on Sunset and Vine. Hollywood has really come up in recent years. -
Review from Eunice K.
Updated - 10/1/2011
BOO HUNGRY CAT! Your Pug Burger gave my bf food poisoning on his birthday dinner :( FEVER, BED RIDDEN, THROWING UP. SHAME ON U!
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11/3/2010
Had my birthday dinner here with 3 of my closest :) Got to sit in the outside patio which was dark… Read more »
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