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West Restaurant & Lounge
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Arts & Entertainment Jazz & Blues Nightlife Jazz & Blues Restaurants American (Traditional) Lounges, Jazz & Blues, American (Traditional)
Angeleno Hotel170 N Church Ln
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 481-7878
Announcement
Spend Valentine's Day at the most romantic venue in LA! Celebrate with 200 degree city views and a $62 5-course dinner by Chef Woolf.
Announced 3 days ago- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 7 am - 1 am
Sun 7 am - 11 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
123 reviews for West Restaurant & Lounge
Review Highlights
"Braised Lamb Osso Buco."
(in 2 reviews)
"Small but decent wine list and good assortment of cockails."
(in 5 reviews)
"...views of the west side from the top floor of Hotel Angeleno."
(in 9 reviews)
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123 reviews in English
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Review from Kwiri Y.
Updated - 2/8/2012 35 photos
I guess I was pretty generous last time for my review...
Let me tell you... The current yelp review does NOT reflect the current food and services!
New Chef Mathew Woolf, Amazing former model + Hollywood Celeb Restaurant manager and the whole new staff of servers completely revamped this restaurant.
I am definitely coming back disguised in wigs and mustache to see if they are going to serve me the same superior food and services as I received this week.
Incredible dining experience period.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/12/2010
Pre-Valentine's Special Review
How to find a hot date for your next Yelp Review 101
http://Match.com… Read more »
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Review from Brian B.
Los Angeles, CA
2/8/2012
A wise old friend of mine always quipped that a restaurant's quality of food is always inversely proportional to it's view. Being a sucker for a table with a view, I've come to see the truth of his statement more than a few times.
And so it was with trepidation that I stepped out of the stainless steel elevator and onto the 17th floor of the Angeleno Hotel, ready to sample a tasting menu of the chef's favorite new dishes. The darkened tree-lined streets of Brentwood and distant skyscrapers of Century City are all on display here through the restaurant's plate-glass windows, with every view in the place punctuated by the meandering trail of duo-chromatic lights nudging its way down the 405. The restaurant's buzzing overmind is thinking a singular thought: sure is nice to be up here with one of these cocktails in hand and not in that mess. And the cocktails are, in fact, excellent. I sampled the blackberry and ginger cocktails and both had punch and complexity without being too sweet. On to the tables.
There probably isn't a bad seat in this place, with the tables arrayed at an arc around the windows while the inner row of tables is placed on a raised tier for a better view. Our group was seated and immediately the courses began to arrive. I will spare detailed reviews as there are already plenty of those here, but what you need to know here is that the cuisine is ambitious and unabashedly decadent. Lobster macaroni stands out as a dish you've had many times before but maybe not quite as good as this. The stuffed quail was expertly prepared and mated very well with the accompanying brussels sprouts. Chef even provided a palate cleanser of a sorbet and pop rocks and, somehow, it wasn't even gimmicky - it was great. In short, I would feel very comfortable sending my snobbiest foodie friends here. The menu changes regularly based on the availability of key ingredients (lots of places say that but don't seem to stand behind it - charmingly, the menu lists key ingredients that feature heavily as 'just picked' and beside it some upcoming ingredients that are 'still growing.' So, if you like what you're reading you should probably get in there now.
Still, I keep wondering what a restaurant this good is doing up here, perched at the top of what was once a tired Holiday Inn. Is it a date spot? I suppose. Is it a local's spot? Perhaps. Is it a place that will pop into my head for a nice meal on a Tuesday? Not so sure. I give the staff tremendous credit, as they are completely aware of my petty complaints and have some good answers - a great cocktail hour, a wine list of excellent selections (all of which are below $100), an oft-changing menu, and a loyalty club that gives you, amongst other things, discounts and free valet. They succeeded in creating an overarching vibe of "we want you to make this your place," which is exactly the right approach, given their location. If they can make fans out of their local community, they'll be minted - after all, Brentwood supported a Hamburger Hamlet for about 30 years!
I hope they are successful so I can prove my old friend wrong and get a shot at next season's menu. -
Review from Justine F.
Los Angeles, CA
2/8/2012
Last night I was invited to a Tasting Dinner at the Hotel Angeleno in Bel Air. A Joie de Vivre restaurant, 'West' has been revamped and the new digs is bursting at the seams with dinner-and-drinks-panache. I started with a Bacardi cocktail with almond syrup and then switched to one with muddled blackberry and mint that I loved. It was sweet without being too sugary and had just the right amount of sour tang.
We sat down at our table with a view overlooking Santa Monica and were served rose champagne and warm and crispy bites of baguette with butter. The top floor views were sparkling and so were the blown glass chandeliers. A sleek and shiny bar and big leather booths made this space even more inviting.
The 9 course tasting menu began with an amuse bouche of sunchoke soup with brown butter powder and shaved truffle. It was a great way to kick up our appetites and get the excitement bubbling up in the room. The soup was warm and the gentle truffle aroma was like a soft kiss on the mouth, building up our anticipation for the rest of the meal.
The first course was a roasted baby beet salad with triple creme goat cheese and a beet caramel. The goat cheese was made by the executive chef himself and was a heavenly mix of cream and warmth. The beet caramel added a divine dimension and depth to the dish that was sublime. The classic pairing was exceptionally good, and I found myself impressed, even by this dish which I have enjoyed many, many versions of in my lifetime.
The second was a seared foie gras with quince jam and ginger bread. The foie gras was beautifully seared, melting on the tongue and very rich. I was surprised by how large the portion was, and with 7 courses to go I wasn't sure if I should finish it all. Ahh, as if I could stop myself.
The third was a braised pork cheek with crispy potato and apple mustarda. The meat was soft and tender, and the potato crisp had a nice crunch. And the small bites of apple were a refreshing touch.
The fourth was a crispy egg with bacon jam and aragula. Here, the moment of truth lay in what would happen after I split the egg in half.
Success! The yolk was runny and the bacon jam and spicy aragula brought out a peppery flavor. I thought the bacon jam would bring an element of salt to the dish, but it was more on the sweet side. In fact, I expected the dish to be saltier and would have appreciated a few grains of sea salt to satiate the craving. It's not often that a fried food is lacking in that department, but I'm sure everyone agrees that it's preferable to be under salted than over salted.
Now that we were almost half way through the menu, it was time for a palette cleanser. The chef brought out an orange sorbet with lemon cream and topped with pop rocks. The small sugar crystals exploded on my tongue like fireworks and made us all laugh as we reminisced on our playground days. A fun pause in the meal.
The rest of the courses were shared plates. We greatly enjoyed the stuffed quail with brussel sprouts, chanterelles and pancetta.
The quail was stuffed with a creamy corn and herb mixture on the inside and had a golden brown crispy skin on the outside. The quail was succulent and juicy and full of flavor. The chanterelles and pancetta on the side smoothed down the bitterness of the brussel sprouts and made for a nice medley of smoky, earthy flavors.
The lobster macaroni with sun dried tomato and lobster foam was unbelievable. The macaroni was thick and the sauce was excellent, with the sun dried tomato adding a punch of flavor and hints of herbs and sweetness to the lobster. A favorite and a total crowd pleaser, I dare anyone to try this and not like it.
The seared scallops with raisin puree and rainbow cauliflower were seared with lots of butter and had a slightly crispy layer. They were thin for sea scallops, but perhaps they were flattened in the sautee pan. They were too rich for me by this time of the meal. The raisin puree was very sweet, and I liked the concept of the sauce and the cauliflower pairing. The rainbow selection of vegetables was beautiful and the meal certainly needed some fresh garden elements.
Dessert was a dulce de leche and chocolate aero with caramel ice cream and popcorn. The caramel sauce was blissful and milky and soothed me into a nice calm state. The ice cream could have been creamier, but the popcorn was light, airy and crunchy and brought a playfulness to the plate. I thought I might skip the dessert, but it wasn't overwhelmingly rich and I enjoyed every last bite.
The tasting menu at West exceeded my expectations. The ingredients were spectacular and each dish had a wine pairing to accompany it. Chef Mathew Woolf created simple and refined food that was flavorful and consistent. With exceptional food and drinks, I will make note of this place the next time I'm looking for fine dining and some joie de vivre. -
Review from Charles D.
Santa Monica, CA
2/7/2012
I can't think of a better way to enjoy the weekly 405 traffic jam than from the 17th floor lounge at West. I had the pleasure of dining here with some friends here last night and was blown away.
The hosts (Jeff, Jessica) really went out of their way to make the whole experience feel personal and special. Huge props for chef Matt for taking this place BEYOND dineLA level (seriously 11 course tasting menu?!).
Get the pork cheek and the crispy egg. Both are bomb dot com. -
Review from Sidonie F.
West Hollywood, CA
2/7/2012
This meal was by far the best i've had in a long time! i was so impressed with every dish and I had many! The seared foie gras was wonderfully smooth and decadent. I also loved the beet and warm goat cheese salad, pure perfection! The stuffed quail with brussel sprouts is also a must-have as well as the crispy egg and the pork cheek! Trust! Oh, and the cocktails are divine. I loved the berry-tini with mint, so refreshing and tangy with fresh mint and fresh muddled berries! Be sure to order the chocolate dessert with caramel ice cream if you are a choco-holic like me!
I never imagined that this restaurant would be so exceptional and it is def worth the drive from Weho! -
Review from Taylor R.
Los Angeles, CA
2/7/2012
Went here for dinner with my boyfriend and we really enjoyed ourselves!
The food and service were both fabulous. We shared the quail, short rib, foi gras, crispy egg, and lobster mac and cheese. The servers were very attentive and the restaurant manager was extremely friendly.
I definitely look forward to going back! -
Review from Mary S.
Los Angeles, CA
2/6/2012
The food was FABULOUS (but more on this later...).
The restaurant is on the 17th floor and has great views of Los Angeles, Santa Monica -- on a great clear night -- the sunset must be amazing. The atmosphere is somewhere between business casual and fine dining (but not stuffy fine dining). We had a drink at the bar and was greeted by the bartender, who was incredibly kind and welcoming. Our cocktails were tasty and reasonably priced!
We sat down about 20 minutes later for dinner. Our waiter was alright - we felt like his descriptions of some of the menu items were a bit scripted, but we took his advice regardless. The other members of the wait staff appeared to be very busy - they got confused with a couple dishes and once nearly bumped into each other.
We shared and tasted the following:
The Crispy Egg was amazing - I have never had anything like it.
The Beet Salad was refreshing and the plate itself was beautiful
The Quail was delicious, the brussel sprouts were the best I have ever tasted.
The Short Rib was so tender. It come with a parsnip puree which was amazing.
For desert we shared the carmel tart and two lattes which was a perfect way to end the evening.
All the dishes were beautiful and filled with wonderful flavors. We also had kale and carrots as sides, which were cooked perfectly.
As we were finishing up our meal, we saw the chef talking to the table next to us, he seems very passionate and dedicated to building up the local clientele - especially the way he was speaking about the menu. My husband and I both agree we want to come back with some of our friends and try other options on the menu. The restaurant is becoming quite a gem in the neighborhood. -
Review from Justin F.
Los Angeles, CA
2/7/2012
Amazing food, drinks, and view. Would never think this place on the roof of the Angeleno hotel would be so good, but it is. I'd recommend this to anyone in the area.. hidden gem
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Review from daniel b.
Cheviot Hills, CA
2/4/2012
Went for a dinner meeting. Great view. Tasty cocktails and must try the crispy egg with bacon jam app.
New York steak was really good.
Waiter was very attentive. -
Review from Lisa P.
Los Angeles, CA
2/9/2012
I can't believe I live 2 miles away and had no idea this restaurant existed! Stunning views of the city, amazing cocktails, and delicious food. The service was great with even the manager introducing himself and the chef coming out to serve one of our courses! The lobster mac and cheese was very unique and one of my favorite things I tried. I can't wait to go back to try all the things I couldn't fit in my stomach last time!
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Review from Andrew A.
San Diego, CA
1/26/2012
I wish 0 stars was an option, or even negative stars. This place has a fantastic view, and the food is not too bad (even if overpriced). But that is the end of anything good I can say about this place.
We went there with our office for the Xmas party/lunch. 6 people, 4 from the office, and 2 that we never interact with beyond the phone or email. The meal was OK, and everyone went home.
But 24 hours later, all 6 of us had terrible food poisoning. The worst I've ever had (I'll spare you the details), but suffice to say I didn't sleep that night, and was knocked out for the next day, unable to digest even water.
When I called the manager, a week later, he offered to pay for our bill and possibly give us a gift certificate. I told him that I was not particularly interested in taking everyone back to a place that poisoned us, and that he had cost our office a day of productivity (never mind Xmas Eve). With that, they referred us to their insurance, who rejected any claim and blah, blah, blah.
Anyways, long story short, they make you sick, then offer you more of what made you sick to supposedly make up for it. Never go here, never, never, never. If only you could eat the view, then maybe this craphole might be worth a damn. But unless you are impervious to food poisoning, or enjoy a restaurant duck responsibility for illness they caused, I'd avoid it. -
Review from Christian A.
Westwood, Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2012
Didn't try the food but the Drinks are very taesty. I tryed the manhattan martini and
a special blend of whiskey and absenthe (not in the menu). You basically have a view
of the 405 which is nothing to brag about but it's different so it's interestingly good.
Parking is valet only ($7) -
Review from Jenna H.
Los Angeles, CA
12/29/2011
I'll make this an easy read:
Food: Worth every penny for the taste, the portions are a little bit too small. But hey, most high-end restaurants are known for that, so whatevs.
Service: We went on a Monday night, the place was empty. Our server was kind of around, but it took us 2 hours to get through dinner so you do the math.
Atmosphere: FREEZING! I was wearing pants and a sweater and I was SO COLD the whole time. My husband even said it was cold, and he never says that. We also overheard some ladies a few tables over asking the manager about the oddly low temperature, and he said ,"Feels fine to me!" and laughed it off in a kind of douche-y way.
** Snarky Observation: How is this a jazz/blues lounge? The music was this new-agey lounge music (to the tune of the XX) Are the kids calling this jazz now-a-days? Just wondering.
Anyway, nice place for a nice date. Food is REALLY good. Just don't have any plans after dinner because you're gonna be there for awhile, and bring a jacket. -
Review from Steve D.
Manhattan Beach, CA
1/18/2012
I was on the fence about giving this 2 or 3 stars but I went with 3. I went on a Tuesday night with a lady friend and knowing that it was Tuesday I wasn't expecting a very busy atmosphere. I could see if it being a weekend night, it would be busier and more fun.
We pull up into the driveway and there's one valet juggling about 5 cars and he doesn't seem to know what he is doing. It's finally our turn and and doesn't even have the courtesy to open my lady's door first. We are given our ticket and told its $7 on the way out.
We go inside and the lobby is practically empty, no one behind the desks, seemed eerie. We took the elevator up to the 17th floor to West. We walk in and are greeted by another clueless employee, didn't even say hello or welcome us. We just walked by her into the lounge. Right away I noticed we were over dressed. There was a guy sitting at the bar with a dirty t-shirt and a baseball cap on. The under dressed patrons kind of ruined the whole trendy/classy atmosphere that has been advertised for this spot. We walked around the half circle room to check out the views/ seating areas. The right side of the bar has tables and booths and the left side (where we eventually settled) has more of a lounge setting with couches/chairs and small tables.
We were greeted by our server fairly quickly and handed the drinks/food menu. My friend ordered a white chocolate martini and was told that they only had dark chocolate available, she then ordered another drink and they said they don't have that one either. So she settled for a lemon drop martini which ended up being quite good. I stuck with the plain ole jack and coke and immediately regretted it after taking my first sip. Very watered down.
Looking around at the other patrons, most seemed like they were guests of the hotel or came straight from a business meeting. Not a very appealing crowd to look at. Good thing the view was pretty.
We ordered the sliders and the shrimp cocktail. The pork sliders were definitely delicious but we weren't crazy about the jumbo shrimp with avocado puree and cocktail sauce.
It was a bit chilly. not sure if it was the a/c or the draft from all the wrap around windows but definitely bring a sweater or something in the winter months.
The views make this place feel special but the casual vibe was a little TOO casual to make this place somewhere I'll be coming back to. If you haven't been, I'd say it would be worth checking out on a busier night, Thurs-Sat. Otherwise, skip it. -
Review from Tammy P.
Santa Monica, CA
12/26/2011
17 floors above the chaos of the 405 construction and Sunset Blvd is a culinary gem waiting to be experienced and savored. The room has sweeping views of the City of Angels, and a very cool loungey vibe. Chef Mathew Woolf (Formerly at FIG in Santa Monica.) has brought his vision and culinary skills from the likes of The Ritz in London and Trump in Chicago. (Plus he had that cool British accent to boot.)
The dishes are artfully created from the freshest local produce and finest cuts from land and sea. The menu changes based on what is seasonal and available. Here are the things NOT to be missed:
Chef's Creek Oysters: The explosion of brine marries well with the spice from the chorizo and garlic
Charcuterie and Domestic Cheese: Okay, what is not be loved about bread, meat and cheese. Creamy, sharp, and savory meats.
Pumpkin Soup: Elegantly served in a demitasse cup. The nutty creaminess meets the earthiness of the sage and toasted hazel nuts and creates a lovely sensation of comfort and leaves you wanting more.
Heirloom Tomato Salad: Tomato that still feel warm from the sun, burrata rich and creamy finished with the hint of pepper from the arugula and radish.
Halibut: I have never tasted better preparation and this is saying a lot for a girl who hails from San Francisco and visits Seattle one a month. The carrot puree has a touch of vanilla making it sweet like velvet candy. Clams served with dish are delicate and balance the dish.
NOT TO BE MISSED!!!
Lobster Mac and Cheese....I am not even going to saying anything...Just picture a serious foodgasim!
Crispy Egg: OMG Think the best of breakfast...Panko crust meets a lovely sensual melting yoke atop a bed of wilted arugula crowned with a BACON JAM! Yes, I siad BACON JAM. I love anything with bacon...
I hope you enjoy the creativity and fruits of the Chef Mathew Wolf has to offer.
I took one star away due to the fact the service still need to catch up with the quality and standard of the food. -
Review from Alex H.
Los Angeles, CA
11/21/2011
The view and lounge are nice. They carry a decent wine list and more importantly, a decent charcuterie and cheese platter, which is very hard to find on the westside.
I didn't try anything else but I will definitely be back. -
Review from Joey S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/13/2012
Finally made it up to West Lounge!! I invited a few friends along who happen to live in Bel Air and were thrilled to learn of a new neighborhood hang out. We were greeted by the GM Jeff West....who was not only accommodating but so gracious and personable......we sat in the lounge with an amazing view...ordered a slew of tastey cocktails and half the bar menu!! It was just right and alot of fun......Oh yeah!! We'll be back!!
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Review from m s.
Westwood, CA
12/26/2011
AWFUL dining experience. We live 3 minutes away from this restaurant, but we've already vowed to never go back again.
The service was laughably bad. The host was young and unprofessional, and seemed overwhelmed by the fact that three people entered the restaurant at the same time. There was no silverware at my place setting. We had to ask for a drink menu. We were not offered water until 15 minutes after we sat down. Two different people took parts of our order, then got annoyed with each other because they got their wires crossed.
A passing waiter dropped a napkin, and another waiter picked it up off the floor and set it on our table...I guess he assumed it was ours. Even if it was ours, why would you pick a DIRTY napkin off the FLOOR and set it in front of a diner? WTF?
The head waiter (she might be the manager) is a tall, sturdily-built woman who darted around the restaurant all night. She kept stomping up and down the aisle, past our table, and I swear it felt like an elephant was walking past. It was loud and annoying.
The ambiance was absolutely awful. The table across from us was a dad with three kids, and they made such a ruckus until I got a headache. They were literally shouting at each other all night. There was a screaming baby behind us, and many of the adult diners did not know how to use their indoor voices. By the time we left, my head was throbbing, and I was so annoyed I wanted to strangle someone. Romantic dinner with my husband--ruined!!
I wish I could say the food made up for it. My baby beet salad was yummy, and my husband's oysters were passable. But the lamb entree was fatty, and the sauce didn't complement the meat. My sea bass was not cooked well enough for my liking, and neither of us enjoyed the dried-out cauliflower side dish. The frosting on my carrot cake was a gross, watery affair that was overly flavored with orange juice, and the salted caramel tart was downright weird: just a huge slab of overly-salted caramel with a chocolatey crust. I wouldn't say the food was horrible, but it was pretty bad -- not delicious or noteworthy in any way, and DEFINITELY not worth the $150 bill.
Stay away from West restaurant. This is not what you want. -
Review from Sydney H.
Riverside, CA
10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well after a long night some friends and I decided to have a night cap. I tell you the place was packed but that is no reason for the service staff. I had 1 drink and had to beg the waitress to come to me. After a friend and I finished our drinks we were waiting for the waitress to return to bring or ask if we wanted another one (she never did) After sitting for almost 30 min without a drink we decided to call it a night and hoped she would return to give us our check she never did. So we went to the bar to close the tab and this was another 15 min wait, after finally getting the attention of the bartender we were able to close our tab for $15.00 for two beers (domestic I add), so overall it was a 1 hour wait without a drink and to close the tab.
But I will mention that we had a great suprise in the elevator.. Our Waitress! her shift ended about 30 min ago..Our tip for her was just as suprising..Never leave your customer out to dry if you plan on getting some cash..Follow up is the key to success!!!!
I will stay at the hotel again, my review on the hotel is better than this but I have no plans of visiting the lounge again. -
Review from Heather C.
Los Angeles, CA
12/27/2011
This place is absolutely fabulous. The service is wonderful and the food was perfect. The views are gorgeous - even the 405 looks pretty when it's evening and the lights are streaming by silently.
We arrived on a relaxed post-Christmas Monday night (btw, to the reviewer complaining about kids being at the restaurant on Christmas - are you serious? Grinch). We were greeted by Michael, who I believe was a manager, and brought to our table by a very sweet hostess. A waiter appeared immediately and took our drink orders and asked us what kind of water we preferred (Bottled, Sparkling, or Brentwood, which we thought was hilarious). Again - totally confused about the bad reviews for service because they wait staff was attentive and friendly, but not overpowering. They were there when we needed them and gone when we didn't, and appeared any time a glass neared empty. We started off with champagne for two of us and a glass of wine for the third - all wonderful.
And the food! Wow. Every dish was spot on. We started with a luscious cheese plate that had 4 (or 5) generous servings of cheeses of different flavor and texture as well as some crunchy toasts and quince to accentuate the flavors of the cheese. We were given a little amuse bouche of a grilled lettuce with duck cracklins. Then I had a persimmon salad (omg divine, I love persimmons) and my friend had the beet salad, also perfect, yummy little bite-sized beets and some greens. For the main course I had the Loup de Mer, a sea bass dish, which came with some delicate little perfectly cooked new potatoes. The sea bass was cooked perfectly also, thank goodness they did not overcook it (again - another reviewer said it was undercooked - if you like your fish well done it's important to specify because most chefs don't like to cook the flavor out of their food), and the skin was light and the fish was flaky and flavorful. The cornish game hen was yummy (according to my boyfriend), cooked well, and the brussels sprouts and mushrooms that came with it were delicious. The butternut squash tortellini was larger than most tortellini because the pasta is - wait for it - HAND MADE in the restaurant. The pasta is more filling than the stuff you get at the store, as it should be. The butternut squash is roasted for hours on site and the flavor that comes out of it is absolutely heavenly.
Finally, we ended with the chocolate tatin and some chocolate truffles with slices of the salted caramel tart accompanied by a fab glass of port, recommended by Michael. The chocolate tatin was accompanied by some sort of insanely delicious ice cream - maple maybe, or walnut - either way, the tatin was rich without being cloying. The slices of the caramel tart were so good that it made me want to order the whole dessert next time. Another review says it's weird - well, some palates aren't accustomed to sweet and salt in the same dessert, but I think it's a really sophisticated way to do sweets. Espresso was a perfect complement to the dessert.
This is probably the longest review I've written, but I had such a fabulous experience I had to share it. I recommend this place to anyone who wants a nice meal and a great drink - be it wine, cocktails, or port! -
Review from Diane G.
Redondo Beach, CA
11/10/2011
I am only giving it 1 star because the valet guys were friendly, even though I had to pay $7 even with validation!!
I normally do not post anything this long, but this experience was crazy bad. OMG where do I start... I came here with a group of girlfriends for my friend's birthday on a Sunday night at around 6pm. I got there early and went up to the top floor bar to wait for them. The place was not very crowded, and the restaurant was just about to open. It took 15 minutes before someone noticed me and offered me a wine menu. Yikes, the chardonnay I wanted was $17 dollars! Sorry, but this place is not worth paying that. If I were at Casa Del Mar maybe because it is a gorgeous place.
My friends finally came and we set about celebrating my friend's birthday. We asked for a mixed drink menu as well, and when perusing it I spotted a nice chardonnay at a reasonable price! I ordered it and was told by the server "oh, that is an old list, we don't serve those anymore". Why the h&^% did you hand me the menu. We all got our drink orders in, and after about 20 minutes no drinks in sight. Remember the place was not that crowded. We flagged our server and told her we were moving to another spot in the bar and to please bring the drinks there.
One of the gals secretly ordered a cheese and charcuterie platter which was brought to the table. As all 5 of us stared at the plates, we started laughing. Let me say first, that each platter was around $20 each and consisted of 3 little pieces of cheese and ONE piece of bread!! We had 5 people sharing this platter, so survival of the quickest set in - those who were fast got a taste! The meat platter was pretty similar. we asked for some more bread, and were brought TWO more pieces! We thought Candid Camera was going to pop out and say surprise, we got you!! But this was real! order a few. Plus they only offered 4 different kind of appetizers in the bar - gues they want to tease you and then because you are so hungry you wander over to the restaurant to eat.
Lety me just say our server was very sweet and nice, but appeared to be very green with not the proper training.
After this subpar service, my birthday friend asked to speak to the manager. He never came. She asked again, and he never showed up. We happened to spot a man in a side area who appeared to be the manager, so my friend went over to him to discuss the situation. We knew it would not do any good, but wanted to at least vent to the manager. He was very defensive, never offered an apology, and offered my friend a glass of wine. No thanks we are leaving now!!!
I would recommend not even trying this place because there are many many other places in this town who have great service and want you patronage. -
Review from Daniella P.
Los Angeles, CA
11/7/2011
I came here for my birthday celebration and I was SO disappointed and upset. We were 5 people seated in the lounge area and we ordered our drinks. We waited what seemed like 20 min and when I went up to the bartender to find out where our drinks were, she said, "I just got the order, I will make them now". ! What?
Then, the appetizers. We ordered a charcuterie plate and a cheese plate. We got 3 pieces of sliced toasted French bread- for 5 people! OMG. We then asked if we could get more bread and they did- another 2 pieces!! And, at the same time, they brought out the dessert with a candle for my birthday, with the ice cream melting, so I had to eat my dessert before my appetizer!
The list goes on with the waitress switching the parking valet tickets, etc., etc. It was almost laughable. Yes, they did comp us burger and fries dinner, but that's not the point. Service all around was terrible, and I was so bummed to have spent my birthday with such awful service...
Never coming back here... -
Review from Belinda S.
Irvine, CA
11/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great views of the city and great service. The food was decent. I had steak and finished it all (always a good sign).
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Review from Christopher i.
Arcadia, CA
6/21/2011
This place was cool, the food was good. However, for a Father's Day brunch, I expected excellent service. The restaurant was not even half full and they took forever to even take our order. They also messed up on my mom's omelet.
Upon payment, we decided to pay $50 cash and split the rest of the bill on two credit cards. When the waiter returned the two cards with the checks, he had charged the complete amount of the bill between the two cards and the $50 was missing.
When we asked him what happened to the $50 cash and why it wasn't deducted from the charge on the cards, he said he would bring a full receipt to show the total costs. He then went to the back area for around 5 mintues and returned with the original check holder and conveniently enough the $50 remained in the pocket "unnoticed". He apologized and assured us he wasn't trying to steal from us.
I felt very uneasy since we had specifically explained & pointed to the cash & cards while explaining "please charge $50 in cash, and the rest of the balance split on these two cards". -
Review from Brian B.
Cincinnati, OH
6/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I stayed at the Hotel Angeleno for a week in early May and had drinks and a few meals at West while there. The food was average and the drink prices were reasonable, but the main thing I enjoyed was the view and the convenience of being able to go up a few floors for a quick night cap or an early breakfast.
All things considered, there are probably better options in the area but for a traveler who doesn't want to deal with LA traffic it's perfectly acceptable for food and libations. -
Review from Jeff G.
Los Angeles, CA
4/28/2011
So I did the math and at $20 for my ravioli dish I was paying $4 for each over-salted "handmade" ravioli. I guess you're paying a premium for the atmosphere and view of the 405 under construction....
At least the drinks were strong. -
Review from Kim K.
Los Angeles, CA
1/24/2011
Dined here for the first time Friday night with my boyfriend and really enjoyed it. It's a very romantic spot and the view of the parking lot (405 fwy) is fun to watch especially when you don't have to be in it.
For starters we had the Calamari which was seasoned perfectly with a yummy sauce to go with it. He also got a soup which he enjoyed as well.
For the entrees we both had Rib Eyes which were perfectly cooked and tasty. For our sides we had the potatoes and butternut squash which was oh so good.
For dessert he had the cheesecake and I had the Chocolate Molten Lava cake. YUM!!
Our waiter (wish I could remember his name) was awesome! -
Review from Jackie B.
12/28/2010
This place is so conveniently located if you are meeting someone and want somewhere between the valley and the city. It's right off the 405 (it's the round hotel that used to be the Holiday Inn).
The pizzettas may be the best pizza I have ever had! Try them out. Good happy hour specials. Yummy apple creme brulee also. The staff is cool and the drinks are good. Mojito on special was yummy with lots of mulled mint (strong drink). I didn't go on a jazz night but I guess the place gets pretty busy. Nice view being on the top floor of the Angelino Hotel, good for a romantic date, whether to just grab a drink before going elsewhere, or dining for dinner or for dessert. It's a very nice atmosphere, modern and kind of swanky. The only downside is the $7 parking. My friends that met me there did manage to find parking close by on the street though.
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Review from Liz K.
Los Angeles, CA
7/24/2011
Underwhelming would be the word I would use to describe my experience here. My boyfriend decided he wanted to dine here for his 33rd birthday dinner and I made a reservation through OpenTable.
Here's the lowdown -
The restaurant was DEAD on a Sunday night. It was apparent that most of the diners were hotel guests rather than people who came here as a dining destination. The view is beautiful, but only visible from a few tables, and we weren't seated at one of them (bummer). The menu is relatively small and focused (definitely going for an American steak house vibe) and in the higher price range. Service is generic, nothing too special or notable about our experience. The flatbread we ordered as an appetizer was pretty bad. It had chicken, shaved fennel and a marinara type sauce on it and it was just plain BAD. I'd rather have cheesy bread from Domino's. Waste of $12. The steaks were good and served with a vegetable of your choice. I chose asparagus and the BF chose potatoes and somehow we both ended up with asparagus. We opted out of dessert because I made a homemade cake for his birthday. The bill was over $100 (including wine) and I have to say, I'd have preferred to spend the money somewhere else. This place has huge potential as a destination restaurant, they need to work on a better concept and menu. -
Review from Derek R.
Lompoc, CA
8/5/2011
My wife and I have spent over a month in the Angeleno hotel below this restaurant due to lengthy hospital stays for my son at UCLA, and have ordered room service and gone to the restaurant quite a few times now. I have always been underwhelmed with the food, especially for the price they charge.
The atmosphere and view from the hotel is great, but the food has just never impressed me and it's so fantastically expensive for most items.
Not to mention if you aren't already staying in the hotel then you have to pay to valet park (no self-park option) plus tip, etc. -
Review from Sean S.
5/11/2010
Scale of 1-10 (single visit):
n/a Food
6 *Drinks*
7 Service
8 Atmosphere
6 Value
Drinks are pricey and not as flavorful as you'd expect for those prices or this ambiance. The service was better than what I was used to in LA this weekend, which isn't saying much considering my weekend. For instance it took them three trips to, well, let me explain it like this:
~marinated olives are delivered to our table of 7~
~we all look at them wondering if we should use our fingers - we have no utensils or napkins~
~server returns a few seconds later to hit waters~
"Um, can we have some utensils for the olives?"
~server returns with a single spoon and a stack of napkins~
"Um, do you have toothpicks or anything?"
~server returns with little plastic spear things~
for the love of god. 3 trips to complete our order of marinated olives?
The downtown views from the 17th floor can be nice, but at night the window tint really ruins it. And out of limoncello?! come on. This is a generous, but in the end accurate, 3-stars. -
Review from JayChan H.
Beverly Hills, CA
SOOOOOO LA tee doe!
Yes, the interior design is superb.
Yes, the drinks and dinner menu are very creative.
Yes, there are disproportionately more plastic boobs than real ones.
Yes, the view is amazing.
No, the prices are NOT reasonable.
No, it's not just you. The staff is truly not interested in the clientele.
No, the $$$$ valet parking is not your only option. Check the street.
No, you will not want to make eye contact with the cougar at the bar.
Maybe next time they'll have the kinks worked out.
Maybe next time I'll come back with a "date".
Maybe next time the bartender will stop texting on her phone long enough to get me another drink.
Does that answer your questions?
***Update*** 1/20/07
Sunday brunch is OK the view is better. Service has gone up a few notches and I still love the view. Oh I said that about the view already didn't I ?
NONONO No that View.....Rosie, ewwwwwww -
Review from ruth l.
Los Angeles, CA
9/17/2007
Update 5/1/08:
Unfortunately, I'm no longer interested in visiting West again, after having a ridiculous dispute with our waitress. Happy-houred there one day from around 5:30 to 7:30, had three glasses of wine (don't judge). Got the check, and only one glass was charged at the happy hour price (half-off). Now, I ordered my final drink at exactly 7:00 (happy hour ending time), and expected to see at least 2 glasses and hopefully the 3rd at that price.
Furthermore, does it make sense that I would drink one glass in 90 minutes and two in 30?? Anyway, brought it up with the waitress, and she was really quite rude about it. I ended up paying for 2 glasses at happy hour price and one at regular price, which would have been ok had she not acted like I was trying to pull a fast one on her. Especially since my companions all got charged the happy hour prices.
And, their french fries are $9. $9!
So, West, it was fun while it lasted but I'm moving on.
Original review:
Far and away, the best possible happy hour adjacent to the Getty. Oh, what's that you say? There are no other happy hours adjacent to get Getty?! Les horreurs!
Now, I don't think I'd head here for anything other than their happy hour, which features half-priced drinks until 7 pm. Half priced! Champagne cocktails & martinis for $7, amazing views, great seating. And, even on Fridays, not crowded at all.
I haven't eaten anything there, and I must say, the diners there on a semi-early Friday night were clearly families staying at the hotel. But the 'lounge' is separate from the dining area, so I was easily able to ignore the squealing kidlets across the room while sipping my pinot noir (which, incidentally, at $7.50 happy hour price was a gigantic and tasty pour). Some in my group ordered the calamari small plate (which was a towering platter of food), and they found it a little too heavily battered.
I assume it's more of a scene in the evening, our waitress was too impeccably formed for it to be otherwise.
And speaking of the waitstaff and bartenders-- they were exceedingly charming to myself and my coworkers who can, on their best days, pass for geek-chic. In fact, as I waited on my waitress to run my card at the bar, the bartenders were joking around with me.
I am eager to return to get my early-evening upscale drink on-- berry fizz cocktail here I come! -
Review from Deidre H.
Los Angeles, CA
11/6/2006
Located in the newly renovated Angeleno Hotel, this bar is HOT, HOT, HOT. . .
sweeping 360 view.
handsomely appointed over price drinks.
lots of fake boobs.
good apps.
your standard order for a los angeles hotel bar but, with a great view. -
Review from Tami R.
Santa Monica, CA
10/31/2006
So I was here for a birthday party on a Monday night, so I have no clue what the crowd is normally like, but this was my experience.
First I walk in, impressed by the decor, but unimpressed by the three hotel staff who don't say hi or ask what I'm looking for, luckily I see the sign that says West 17th Floor by the elevator.
Again at the top, no one to greet, and not that many people inside, I find my group.
Drinks are expensive, semi-creative, but not very strong. Decor is nice, but dark. Great place to take a date if you have a bad pimple on your forehead if you know what I mean.
The bartender was nice, but not very good, I actually thought it was her first week, but the maitrede (sp?) informed me later she was one of their best bartenders... right... working on a Monday night.. um OK.
I checked out the menu and it seemed classic but good if they cook their 100% angus aged beef well.
It's got a great view of the westside, and I'd like to check it out for drinks while watching the winter sunset. -
Review from em m.
Los Angeles, CA
5/29/2010
I've been to this place only once for hh and once on a regular night. Overall I would say its a nice place with nice view and ambiance but drinks at even hh prices are not cheap, just not expensive.
Drinks are good and strong, bartenders are friendly and pretty. Parking is a bit difficult as its on a street with like not parking and valet costs a bit. All in all not bad to go for a drink and chat with friends and unwind.
I have not had any food here, there is restuarant. -
Review from Myko L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/15/2007 4 photos
The fact I may never go back there due to sheer embarrassment ...doesn't mean you shouldn't check it out! (I almost fell to my death there...but I did recover quite rock-star like, so, I guess I can go back...but only with sunglasses on).
West has amazing views of the west side from the top floor of Hotel Angeleno. We were recently there for Sunday brunch and the views were amazing. The decor was comfortably chic and the service was actually quite attentive.
What doesn't get this place 4 or 5 stars is the price/value. Valet, I heard, was 12 dollars...WHAT? For brunch?! The simple eggs and potatos were 12 (I actually think it's only 3 at Denny's!). Basic coffee was 5 and the orange juice was 5...I've never heard of 5 bucks for basic coffee before! Also, I think the presentation was quite lacking. For that price point, I expect something more hearty and more aesthetically pleasing.
Great views, great decor, great time. I just wish I got more for the money. Perhaps I'll come back next time for drinks. I think the views and the atmosphere can be quite romantic. Definitely date friendly!
CHECK OUT MY PHOTOS... =) -
Review from Jaime L.
Huntington Beach, CA
4/7/2009
Hung out in the lounge at night and had breakfast in the am:
Lounge:
View is spectacular
Crowd is subdued
Had cheese platter, hummus and pita, blue cheese sliders, truffled fries and flatbread. The shrimp flatbread was a little a fishy but we asked them to send back and substitute chicken and it was pretty tasty. The blue cheese sliders were phenomenal and the truffle fries were good too. A friend ordered the mini calzone and she said it was just ok. From the look of it it is only good for one or two bites.
The drinks were great! I had an outstanding pomegranate martini and some lemon drop shots. Prices were reasonable too and the bartenders really go out of their way to make you happy.
BREAKFAST:
The view during the day is breathtaking. Expansive views of South Bay to Long Beach to Santa Monica. You could probably just spend the whole day there taking in the view. I bet the sunset is gorgeous to take in from there.
I had some of the best whole wheat toast ever. After asking the server what brand it was, we found out that the chef makes all the breads and muffins on the premises. Nice.
Had a nice bowl of fruit and coffee too. Not a bad breakfast spot.
Hotel is nice. A modern spin on the old Holiday Inn. Rooms are pretty small, so be prepared. Overall a great place to spend an evening with friends and family. -
Review from Stephanie C.
Los Angeles, CA
5/13/2008
Let me be very clear in saying I am reviewing the "Lounge" part of WEST Restaurant and Lounge. I went for one reason: music. Lately I have come to realize I love me some Jazz. Then I discovered this little gem. From first to last, I had a divine evening.
Pull up to the valet of the Hotel Angeleno and be greeted immediately. You walk into a sleek, modern and beautiful lobby. Maybe you take a seat on one of the couches or check out the pool with the fireplace. Then sashay over to the elevator and press number 17; we're going to the top, darling! The doors open and a dark, wooden, circular reception desk with gorgeous light fixtures set the mood for the rest of WEST. Take a left to head to the lounge and I dare you to not feel like a million when you see the view that awaits you.
So I ordered my Manhattan and made myself cozy. Then the Jazz started. My God, the Jazz. Monday nights belong to Ryan Cross and his Jazz Experience. We're talking some of the best musicians around today. The "stage" is very small and intimate and the wooden ceilings help with the acoustics to make it a very unique experience. A breathtaking view, fantastic music, a cocktail in my hand and great company...a more perfect night I could not imagine. If I didn't usually work Monday nights, I'm sure you would find me no place else. -
Review from Brendon D.
Long Beach, CA
7/5/2008
Holiday Inn gets a major LA-style face lift.
They did a great job with revamping this place. Though, I've not stayed in the rooms, West is a great spot.
We were there at sunset and simply loved it. There is something manically soothing about looking down on the horrible 405 traffic while sipping an over priced cocktail in this beautiful restaurant.
Based on what everybody else says, this place gets bumping later, but it was filled with a great group of people and the bar staff was pro and super attentive...without kissing our asses.
Don't half step. Go here for a nice change of pace in Brentwood and Santa Monica.
