Chris A.

1/19/2019

Ugh... The clerk at the counter coughed directly into her hand immediately before taking out a bag and serving me a pastry (fortunately at least using tongs). I'm sure this was after helping the prior customer at the cash register, handling their payment, and not bothering to wash her hands at any point. What a public health nightmare! Some inexpensive disposable rubber gloves could be a welcome addition for people serving and running the register.

The final kicker was that the apples in the pastry were severely overcooked and had almonds hidden inside instead of obviously decorating the top.

Pastry at this level and price needs to pay way more attention to the details.

Not sure I can revisit again, which is sad because its an otherwise nice local pastry shop.

4/25/2018

I've been to the original La Brea Bakery, and this is a dreadful facsimile. Nancy Silverton would be embarrassed.

This was just dreadful and sadly underwhelming. $25+ at a name restaurant at a vacation resort should provide better quality and portions than this dreadful Sysco-based meal. The puffed pastry was terrible and plopped on top of the dish. Sadly it wasn't cut-able without destroying the filling, so I had to remove it and use a heavy handed knife and fork to consume it. The advertised "stuffed with chicken" was false with only three small pieces or about an ounce. For a dish like this listed at $19, it should have been three times the size and far tastier. The side-salad was underdressed and only large enough to say it existed. The whole thing would have made a nice snack at any other restaurant. The worst part was that the dinner rolls, something you'd think the famous La Brea Bakery could do properly, were severely wanting. A better price for this, even with a vacation destination/resort "tax" would have been $8.

On the positive side, the service was fantastic.

I wouldn't recommend eating here and I wouldn't do it again myself, particularly given the myriad offerings in the vicinity.

4/10/2016

Eden on Brand, right next to the Alex Theater, has taken a dramatic step up from its prior location further North (which is now closed, by the way).

The atmosphere is stunning and very chic and borders on Hollywood night club with staff dressed to match, and apparently two more floors set to open soon according to employees. The darker theme with wood, stone, metal, and leather highlighted brilliantly with subtle lighting was fantastic. The restaurant is large and spacious and I can only imagine how fantastic the kitchen must be to work in. The space was actually so large, I almost wondered why they didn't try to sneak in a few more 2 tops on the first floor to give things a bit more bustle amid the hip music vibe being piped in.

The food, while a tad on the high side for standard burger fare, is generally great and exceptionally tasty. I loved the Royal Blue burger which had just enough blue cheese to be spectacular without going overboard. Similarly their signature Black Label Burger was fantastically beefy and even juicier than the Royal Blue. Both burgers were cooked perfectly. Given their burger creativity, I'm surprised that they didn't have a Kobe beef burger on the menu.

The shoestring fries, while cooked wonderfully and garnished with just the right amount of parsley were lacking a bit in flavor and could have used some more salt.  Perhaps frying them in flavored oil or adding a light sprinkling of garlic could have lifted them to the level of the rest of the fare and the surrounding ambiance? The spicy ketchup was a nice attempt, but was far too overpowering given the flatter fries and didn't fit in with the flavor profile of the burgers. Larger ketchup vessels might make it easier to dip a burger if desired.

The appetizers were passable, but not nearly as creative as the burger options. I tried their carrot appetizer which sadly, while interesting, didn't put the carrots front and center and left them a bit overcooked.  The chefs might consider updating the appetizer menu with some more creativity or possibly swiping a few ideas from the Smith Brothers in Pasadena or Crossings in South Pasadena as this seems to be what they're chasing after, but still keep things in the mold of the high-end burger joint.

Their beer selections were nice as was the list of harder alcohols, but I'm surprised they didn't have a signature drink menu which could go a long way towards highlighting their bar for increased revenue.

The staff, while warm and welcoming still needs to up their game a tad, though hopefully this will come with time as they settle into the new space which is only about a month old.  Refinements could include: tipping customers off to the fact that the ketchup is spiced; not being so clumsy as to ask diners if they want to keep their silverware, but just bringing out new sets automatically with changes in courses (especially given the higher bar of dining that's being portrayed); pronouncing duck confit properly (it's French); and possibly suggesting beer pairings with particular burgers (if they're not going to be suggested on the menu). Check averages would also be a higher if they checked on refills or alternates during the meal as well.

I can certainly see where they're going with the ambiance and the food, and would certainly come back again. It would be a complete five star experience if they can up their game just a tad to have everything match their fine location and decor.

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  The interior atmosphere at Eden on Brand

  The interior atmosphere at Eden on Brand
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  The Royal Blue Burger with shoestring fries and spicy ketchup

  The Royal Blue Burger with shoestring fries and spicy ketchup

11/9/2014

I've been going to Carmine's for more than a decade, and they've recently taken a turn downhill, apparently with a relatively recent change in ownership in the last several months.

My primary complaint is the dip in the quality and level of the food.  While still quite serviceable, what used to be better ingredients and higher quality fare, seems to have been supplanted by "Sysco mediocrity". Two particular examples on my most recent visit highlight the decline:

The pizza, while alright used a simple out-of-the can tomato sauce that wasn't seasoned at all and the toppings were mediocre at best. One is much better off stopping by almost any other pizza joint - for locals, I'd recommend any of the nearby Charlie Trios for a far superior pie.

The gnocci were definitely premade/frozen, which was confirmed by the server, and very lackluster as a result.  They were also swimming in a premade mediocre sauce. The chef/management have to know that it's not that hard to make fresh gnocci and/or sauces which should be de rigueur in any Italian restaurant of any respect. (Hint: it also probably makes for much better margins.)

I'll also mention that instead of a standard drink glass, I was given a tall bar glass instead while other table-mates had standard glasses. (The server confirmed they were short, but this also speaks to problems in either stocking/managing, particularly as I was seated on the first turn and not later in the evening when dishwashing issues could have been blamed for the problem.) I do give the staff credit for the additional effort to make sure my partial-volume glass was always full though.

The décor with the upgrades a few years back is much warmer and inviting than it's previous much darker/divey appearance.  The service is truly excellent and the staff are, as always, welcoming and happy to help.

I really hope that the level of the food moves back up to the level of it's previous quality; I'd love nothing more than to improve my rating for this restaurant, which is otherwise an excellent local place.

8/17/2012

Though there are very few used bookstores in existence anymore, this is clearly one of the best I've ever been into.  Big, spacious, lots of selection and the NICEST staff I've ever seen!  Jerome in particular is witty, entertaining, and wonderfully helpful.  This is certainly a gem worth saving, so forget buying online and get all your books here.