Karney "Vore" V.'s Profile

Still satisfied with the move.  Received the courtesy call a few days in advance to confirm move date and time (arrival was to be between 8AM to 10AM).  Movers arrived at 8:15AM.  Guy, the "foreman," discussed paperwork with me as the other 2 movers began moving things out.  

Like the reviewers here say, they were indeed quick.  Then again, there wasn't much stuff to begin with.  I'd hired them to move my large items.  Guy, however, used this time to ask a myriad of questions about the items and the destination point.  Maybe people like friendly movers but he was overstepping his boundaries by being a bit on the nosy end of things.  

After things were packed I led the movers, with my car in front, down side streets to the drop off point.  I noticed that when I slowed down to 30 mph they were still far behind me.  Other cars changed lanes in front of them and in short, they were pretty much driving 20 mph on the way to the drop off point.

Best deal for all 4 tires that I could find about a year ago, when I first came here.  Had to wait about an hour to get them installed.  Not a big deal because I just brought my laptop and did work while I was waiting.  As I recall there was nowhere to sit inside, so I remember having to sit outside.  I spoke to Carrie (Cary?) before coming in over the phone - and she was really nice and helpful.

No promos - would've gotten a better deal at Costco but unfortunately, I have customized rims that came with the car when I bought it, so Costco did not have the tire size I needed.  They referred me here and I am satisfied with my purchase so far.

Just called to ask if they can do a simple tire patch.  Yes, the man replied over the phone.  When I asked how much they charge he asked what size my tire is.  Standard size?  I told him I didn't know.  He then says to call back when I know my tire size.  Click.  Yes, he hung up on me.  This place is, in a word, sucks.

My friend had recommended this place when I had asked him about decent clubs with an older, less ghetto crowd.  He suggested The Edison and said the demographic consisted of some young and older people (in their 30s).  He also described the crowd as "young professionals," which now, after going, I find to be a total joke.  

1. DRESS CODE
First off, the recommendations about strict dress code here is an absolute joke.  Perhaps it is for the gentlemen, but for the ladies, there doesn't appear to really be one.  As my friend and I walked up to the entrance, two guys had been turned away - at 9PM.  I don't know what could have offended the bouncer, but it is interesting to know they actually turn away people.  

A saw many girls trying to pull the old getting a 10 pound of beans into a 5 pound sack.  I suppose there is no basis to turn someone away because of poor judgment in how well you fit something, but all that aside, there were some really questionable picks for outfits among the ladies.  I saw some girls wearing black capris with some kind of weird loose top - it didn't seem like something appropriate for a club, more like an aerobics class at the gym.

Before coming to the Edison the Yelp reviews got me a little worried that I wouldn't get in, considering that I planned to wear a pair of designer blue jeans and top, rather than a dress.  I had foregone wearing a sleeveless, form-fitting black sweater for a more appropriate silken, long-sleeved blousy top (which wasn't as comfortable) to seem more dressy in spite of my jeans.  However, while people watching from our reserved table I noticed the variety of people there, walking around (after awhile you keep seeing the same people in rotation).  And I must say, a vast majority were not fashionably dressed.  Sure, 90% of the females there are in dresses, but you have to look at the quality of dress.  Guys have it made - and they all look the same with their collared, buttoned shirts with jeans.  Once in awhile there'd be a freak wearing suspenders and thick secretary glasses or some kind of Fedora hat, but other than that the mens' attire seemed rather monotonous, just like their pick up lines ("So where are you from?" or "What nationality are you?" and my favorite that was directed to my friend, "Are you Chinese or Japanese?" - she is neither, lol).      

2. GETTING THERE
Parking - The easiest, hassle-free thing you can do for yourself is just do valet.
Entrance - Harley (in the alleyway)
I'd read reviews here indicating that arriving before 9:30 ensured the avoidance and hassle of long lines.  However, when I left the place around 12:30AM on a Saturday, the line still seemed nonexistent so as I see it, there doesn't appear to be some ridiculously long line to get in here.

3. THE FOOD
Three words: sweet potato fries.  Had I not already been full from having had dinner before arriving, I would've gone with people's recommendations for the kobe sliders.  However, any meat after having a medium rare steak would just seem an insult to my palate.  My friend ordered fish and chips, and I chimed in to add to our order the sweet potato fries.  Thank goodness for that, because the sweet potato fries were awesome.  Some had a spicy kick to it while others were simply sweet without the spice.  I didn't mind, but I just noticed the difference in taste, depending on where you pick from the conical cup it comes in.  Fish and chips left much to be desired.  It came with 3 sauces: tartar, ketchup and some kind of vinegar concoction of sorts.  If I ever come back here, I will definitely order the sweet potato fries and ask for a side of ranch dressing instead of ketchup, as I think it makes a better match.

4. THE SERVICE
Our server was nice, though it took 30 minutes before we received our first drink.  Perhaps it would've been much faster to simply go up to the bartenders.  Aah, the price you pay to reserve a table.  

5. THE DRINKS
There's variety and the drinks are well made.  I ordered a Mai Tai and mojito.  The only thing missing from their mojito is the sugar cane stick.  Other than that, I thought it rather good compared to my other samples from WeHo e.g. The Abbey, The Spanish Kitchen, Fiesta Cantina, etc.  If you enjoy mojitos, the one here is not bad.

Two words: TOMATO SALAD.  If you even remotely enjoy tomatoes, avocado and all things sweet, this is a must try.  I must dissent the opinion of another reviewer who mentioned it having too much oil; I thought the amount of oil (with a sweet balsamic vinegar?) was just right.  The burrata and clover was a nice touch and brought together everything perfectly.  I'm unfamiliar with my cheeses so I had to do a little research a la Wiki: Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese, made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving it an unusual, soft texture.  [Salivating yet?] It is usually served fresh, at room temperature. The name "burrata" means "buttered" in Italian.  I won't get into all the history of it because frankly, I just don't care.  

That said, moving onward...

GETTING THERE
My friend made reservations using Open Table for 21:30 on a Saturday for my birthday.  We were running late because of traffic and my friend not being able to find where to park (true, it makes no real sense that the address is 350 and parking structure is at 355 (Wells Fargo parking lot) but I digress.  The maitre 'd was a good sport who was civil with me even after I called a second time to tell him we were lost and couldn't find parking, all the while with my friend's expletives in the background out of frustration.  I heard him softly chortle to himself after I had repeated his question to her as to whether we were north or south on Hope Street.  I am sure he heard her response to the question.  As we walked through the door and before we even said anything to him he smiled and said, "You finally made it."  A man with that kind of cheery disposition deserves a pat on the back - and a drink of his choice.  

THE FOOD
a) Main course: 10 Year Anniversary Surf & Turf Special - Lobster and Petite Filet
What I did care about was the steak, as this IS after all a steakhouse.  I read some stellar reviews about the ribeye but decided to order their 10 year anniversary surf and turf special for $39.  Unfortunately, the filet did not live up to my expectations.  It was good, yes, but I've had better versions, including my own.  I ordered it medium rare and expected it to be a bit more tender.  Lobster was good - but since I don't often have lobster and am by no means a lobster connoisseur, I can only say that I was happy with it.  

b) Side Dishes
i. Szechwan long beans - Good, but nothing special.  I was expecting it to have some kind of light Szechwan sauce, but it really was rather bland and something that I could've simply made myself.

ii. Butternut squash, oven dried tomato, fresh mozzarella - The butternut squash was good, but perhaps as a personal preference, I wouldn't have paired it with tomato.  Either that or my taste buds had been spoiled by the freshness of the tomato salad.  I still enjoyed it with my petite filet, especially the squash.  I would've been happier with just plain squash or sweet potatoes though.

THE SERVICE
Because we were late, there was only 30 minutes eating time tops, which put a damper on my "quality time" with the food.  The waiter was helpful, courteous and provided us with decent service.  Our water and iced tea was refilled promptly and I can find no qualms here.

All in all I would only complain of one minor (and random) thing: steak knives.  The steak knives were simply not sharp enough.  I had trouble cutting through my steak and it got a little annoying (but I quickly got over it because the food was so good).  They ought to consider getting new steak knives.  Other than that I would totally come back to try the ribeye, sweet potato fries and relive the state of euphoria I was in with their tomato salad.

It's been awhile since I've been here (think summer 2006 - a weekend in August to be exact).  The place is in my book grossly overrated.  $20 cover.  I *never* pay cover.  My friend who gets me into all the clubs by getting herself on the guest list couldn't hook it up with this one.  She said it was worth the money so I relied on her judgment and - was disappointed.  We did, however, bypass the line because we were a group of about 5 girls, which helps.  I was there for a total of about 20 minutes and decided to take a taxi back to the hotel room (where my less risque friends were) while my friend and her buddies stayed to scavenge for men.

The dance floor is too small.  Period.  I don't see the appeal of being sprayed with mist followed by hot flames that come down to "heat it up" as it were.  It just made me feel icky and in need of a shower.  The people on the dance floor are packed in so close there is no elbow room to dance - or move.  The drinks there were not strong enough to keep me falsely entertained, or interested in staying.  I cannot therefore recommend this place to anyone who likes to actually DANCE on a dance floor (the only thing you can do in that amount of space is grind with someone so for some, I guess that's all that matters).

I was not impressed by Studio 54 when I last visited this place back in 2005.  So unimpressed that I haven't gone there since - perhaps it has changed, but somehow I doubt it.  I think Ghost Bar is a cooler place, so in that regard I am slightly biased toward venues that are a bit less - crowded.  There didn't appear to be an "older" crowd, which I might have enjoyed more.  I saw a young crowd that night on the Saturday I was there during summer - and the only faint memory of the night was being accosted by a bunch of short cholos who wanted to dance.  Thank goodness for Ghostbar or the night would've been quite uneventful!

I have only been here late night on Saturdays so I cannot speak to what it is like during daylight hours or on the weekdays.  Last call for food is actually at 1:30AM on a Saturday, not 2AM.  However, I have seen people come in at 2AM as my friends and I were leaving - and they were still seated. AND I have also arrived there at 1:30AM on a Saturday before and been denied.  It simply depends on who is working that night.  

That said, the food here is delicious.  I have ordered various dishes ranging from your conservative can't-mess-this-one-up Pad Thai and Pad See Ew to duck with white rice, seafood soup, and beef salad.  It's all been good.  And I always make sure to order their Thai tea with my meal.  They also have boba, though I always forget because I usually order immediately or not long after being seated to ensure the food comes out quickly.

No one followed me around like another reviewer said.  It's got all the supplies a typical wholesale beauty supply store should have: boxes of cotton, cuticle remover, assorted spa supplies, nail filers, art brushes, nail polish, you name it - on top of the tons of hair care products.  Prices are reasonable, staff is friendly - and it's right by Bangluck, Pho So 1, A&W... how convenient is that?

They could do without the cheesy automated "WELCOME!" recording in a heavy Vietnamese accent when you first walk in the door.  ;)

Meh.  We went here because it was too late to even hope of getting into 7 Grand.  With one ground level and a patio without a view, there isn't a whole lot to do if you're not with a group, getting drunk or trying to hook up. To be sure, this is a hook up spot on Saturdays (and may be the last Saturday I spend here).  Why?  Because looking around the room and hearing people talk as I walked past, guys were getting numbers and people's conversations were of the superficial kind that only strangers engage in (e.g. "So do you...?").

Went here at 12:30AM on a Saturday and what do you know, there was a relatively long line out front.  My friend asks how long the wait will be and the bouncer asks if it's just us.  Once we respond in the affirmative, he says there's no wait and unhooks the rope to let us in - score.  For once being female has benefited!  

Decor inside wasn't anything spectacular. For some reason we thought there was a second floor - ha (must've mixed it up with some other bar in DTLA).  After waiting quite awhile for drinks some dudes let me order because they say I've been waiting a long time - how sweet!  I ordered a lemon drop, but it wasn't very strong.  Not as strong as it could be, especially with a big piece of ice floating in my glass.  

We walk out to the patio and as I cross the threshold I am stopped by a guy who begins to try and pour on whatever ounce of charm he has, and fails miserably.  As he talks, I down the rest of my lemon drop in less than a minute flat.  I nodded, responded appropriately and smiled, hoping more liquor would miraculously appear in my glass.  Then it made sense why he was so annoying: he's a USC alumnus.  After Mr. Self-Proclaimed 5th Generation Old Money dismisses himself, we look for some arcade games to play.  We see this game I played as a kid that I now forget the name of - you shoot spaceships. When I played this game eons ago it was 1 quarter to play - here it is 2.  The machine is by the entrance at a booth.  I put the money in and press start - and it's, what, BRICK BREAKER?!  What a disappointment.  By then I am buzzed (drinking on an empty stomach helps) so the game lasts less than a minute - dah!  

We move to find Mrs. Pac-Man.  I put in 2 quarters and it says i need 1 more credit to begin, even though it's 50 cents to play.  OH WHAT?!  So I put in another quarter.  My friend plays and we have fun - the whole 4 minutes of fun it is before it's game over.  Needless to say the arcade games blow and are just for show.  

Saw reviews of people talking about a Korean BBQ truck outside.  When we left at closing, there was only the carnita truck - that sold lengua, cabesa, carnita, carne asada and a slew of other items less than $2.  Strangely, hot dogs were $3.  My friend pointed that out after we ordered carne asada and carnita.  Disturbing.  The carne wasn't so bad, but I wish the Korean BBQ truck was there. ;)   Not likely that we'll be coming back - but it made for an interesting night.

PROS:
- No cover charge
- No line (if you're a girl) - the bouncer is nice, which is a plus
- Lively, relatively polite crowd
- $3 and $5 flat rate parking nearby
- Chill peeps, nice dudes - dope ass bouncer (can I say ass on Yelp? Better yet, can I say dope?)  crowd was definitely better than Hollywood
- decent music

CONS:
- Only one bar; half the battle was trying to get a drink
- Short dudes, some with major B.O. - amplified by everyone being packed in like sardine cans
- An inordinate amount of fat chicks
- Those video games are a rip!  I want my money back
- Weak drinks