Table 8
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Phone: (424) 354-3434
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Spaulding Avenue
- Best of Citysearch:
- Late-Night Dining 2007, Bar Menu 2006
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 6pm-close
Editorial Review for Table 8 – by Tara de Lis
The Scene
No longer a honey-glowed ode to glamour, this popular Melrose lounge has gone the way of a moody, almost masculine den. The man behind the mohair--Thomas Schoos of Wilshire and O-Bar fame--transformed the space with dark cherry wood armoires, zebra skin rugs and chandeliers that are more for looks than light. The crowd is atypically low-key for a restaurant pursuing high-concept: Glam girls in skinny jeans slink by casual producer types in baseball hats and blue jeas, while sprawling couples feel the lazy effects of the comfort food. Servers are knowledgeable and accommodating without being obtrusive.
The Food
Word of advice: For the best possible experience, don't even bother leaving the lounge. It's laidback and comfortable, and the small menu steals the show with affordable, filling fare. Kobe-style sliders are served medium rare, with subtly sweet red onion marmalade. Crispy chicken confit (aka fried wings) falls gingerly off the bone, and best of all is the famed herby grilled cheese with pulled short-rib. More formal dining disappoints. Seared yellowtail is cooked to near melt-in-your-mouth perfection, but pronounced pepper overpowers it. Pork medallions, while very tender, are way too salty. (Hamhock jus and thick chunks of bacon? Not a good idea.) Thankfully, the kitchen still knows how to hit the sweet spot--desserts are redeeming, particularly the oven-fresh warm cookie plate, served with a glass of milk (if you order it).
Hits: The restaurant succeeds in being unpretentious and inviting. The bar menu is creative, affordable and served late while drinks are reasonably priced. Even after Food TV and Oprah appearances, Govind himself still mans the kitchen and makes the rounds when he's in the house.
Misses: The large plates menu in the dining room shows much promise, but salt and spice predominate several of the dishes. The decor feels dated and unnecessarily fussy given the relatively casual crowd.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Look GoodThe special off-menu porterhouse steak for two must be ordered at the time of your reservation to ensure availability. It's served with sides, and makes a full meal.
When to GoA special late-night menu of small bites is served daily until at least 11:30pm, often till 12:30am on weekends. The bar is sometimes open all the way till last call.
What to DrinkSpecialty cocktails are priced at $10, a bargain. The wine list is small but impressive, featuring uncommon picks like the L'Aventure Rose and Lazy Creek Pinot Noir (versatile, medium-bodied from premier Anderson Valley winemaker Josh Chandler). Schott stemware is nice but one-size-fits-most. Wine temperatures are pretty good (a little cold on the whites, just warm on the reds). Corkage is $20.
Look GoodA small but retractable plastic covered sectional patio is provided for smokers--but it gets rolled up before the restaurant closes, so don't be surprised to find the area's jarring late-night transformation into a barren tattoo-parlor adjacent ghost town.
User Reviews for Table 8
03/04/2008 Posted by stevieyo
I came here twice during the Dine la restaurant week and had the best time. The food was great and what a deal three courses under 40 bucks at a three star restaurant , can't beat that. I even took my parents out for dinner. So I just went in for drinks and found out that they are doing a new 3 course prix fixe for $38 starting next week and running through tax season. Thanks Table 8 maybe I'll invite my inlaws this time.
Pros: great 3 course menu for $38 best deal in town
Cons: they only do the prix fixe at this time of year
03/04/2008 Posted by charliepaw
After reading reviews about table 8, my bf decided to get the Porterhouse steak. The steak was good; juicy and just melts in your mouth, but i thought it was over priced at $88. It came with mashed potatoes, a small salad and a few baby carrots. We decided to eat in the lounge because I wanted appetizers on the lounge menu and they wouldnt serve the lounge menu in the dinning room. (you can order from both menus in the lounge). I got the grilled cheese and kobe slider which were delicious. I wasnt such a big fan of the lobster roll, it tasted too salty and the fries tasted like EXACTLY like McDonalds fries. If I wanted McDonalds fries, I would just go there and get them for way less in price. We finished our meal with the dulce de leche chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream dessert ($9). We both thought the dessert was delicious. The chocolate cake comes out warms and simply melts in your mouth, however it was rather small. The waiters and hostess were very friendly however they did seem to have a pet peeve with crumbs on the table. As we were eating I had a crumpled napkin on the table and the waiter reached over and threw it away. I also had a little piece of food that drop on the table and the waitress came over and picked it up with her bare hands. I thought it was a little strange that they would pick up every little piece of paper or crumb off the table while we were still eating. Maybe they just like the tables to look clean...... Even though the waiters seemed to be a little paranoid with crumbs, they were none the less very nice and polite. There was nearby residential parking where you can park your car instead of using the valet. Im not sure where they park the cars because I didnt see a parking lot. Over all this was a good dining experience even though certain foods were overpriced. I would come here again and just order a bunch of food off the lounge menu and get full w/o spending tons of money.
Pros: longue menu, comfy couches
Cons: some items overpriced, kept on picking up crumbs on table
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