To start, great location and easy parking. Valet service available and a garage directly across the street with a $2 flat rate. On entering, beautiful surroundings including the underfoot aquarium leading to a large two story main dining area that is not expected from the smaller entrance. Beautifully done interior, simple, not overly creative or unique but charming. The server was knowlegable and told an interesting history of the restaurant which enhanced our anticipation. Drinks came relatively quickly after some prompting minus one which was forgotten but soon remedied. The appetizer plate with the beef skewer, chicken dumplings, crab puffs and coconut shrimp was 'ok'. The beef was luke warm at best, cheaper cut, the puffs burnt at the ends and the shrimp tough and over fried. Dipping sauces were nice but nothing extraordinary. The highlight of the meal was the appetizer special lobster salad which was decent. Nice greens and veggies with a miso soy type dressing that is familiar to anyone that has had chinese take-out. The over-hyped grilled crab was some of the worst I've had. It was absolutely soaked in oil which overtook any other flavorings that may have been present. I literally went through 4 steamed napkins trying to keep my fingers degreased. I honestly felt it was something you would get at Red Lobster. My friend's entrees were ok, the seabass being nice and predictable. Nothing I haven't had many times before. The beef tenderloin overdone, no more flavorful than the skewer. As for the garlic noodles... pasta with lots of oil and some garlic. That's it. And that is the Signature Dish! The chinese place around the corner has a similar dish for $7. Wow. Very typical of LA I guess. Lots of hype surrounding something that gets a 'C' in comparison to places I've frequented both here and New York for a quarter of the price. Will not be returning and recommend you go elsewhere to spend that much of your hard earned money on a meal.
more