Minibar
Los Angeles, CA 90068
Phone: (323) 882-6965
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Universal City Boulevard
- Best of Citysearch:
- Small Plates 2004
- Hours:
- Sun-Thu 5:30pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-11:30pm
Editorial Review for Minibar – by Tara de Lis
The Scene
This mid-century modern space is like an abstract peacock that has spread its graceful wings; stark-white leather banquettes fan out against turquoise and chocolate-brown walls. A mirrored ceiling section with spherical lamps, circular cutouts and oversized oil paintings of maudlin women add quirky appeal. Fun-loving waiters occasionally hand out tambourines and maracas to adventurous diners to keep rhythm with the funky electronica soundtrack. The back room is lined with soothing forest-scene wallpaper for a more intimate experience.
The Food
An international hodgepodge of small plates radiate spicy flavors. Bread isn't complimentary, but warm yucca-flour biscuits are worth the money. Piquant barbecued shrimp cups are complemented by grilled cactus and zesty avocado relish. Comparably mild chicken pibil is steam-roasted in banana leaves, and the tender venison filet cutlets are sweetened with a port and cranberry reduction. For dessert, the homemade guava and mascarpone cheesecake is rich and smooth.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoThe kitchen is very play-it-by-ear when it comes to closing time. Call ahead to see if they're staying open later than posted hours.
Look GoodBe very specific regarding pacing your order, otherwise you may end up with too many dishes at once. If necessary, order only a couple items at time in the order you want them to appear.
Where to SitIn-the-know diners hold court at the single round table--No. 62--in the middle of the banquette-lined room.
The ExtrasExpress your inner artist without breaking the law by using the colored chalk and board in the bathrooms.
User Reviews for Minibar
03/19/2008 Posted by daveinla
TRIED TO CALL AND THE PHONE NUMBER IS DISCONNECTED. TRIED TO EMAIL AND IT BOUNCED BACK. HAD A GREAT TIME A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, SORRY TO SEE YOU GO.
Pros: NA
Cons: NA
01/25/2008 Posted by camposa
Concert at Universal's BB Kings bar last night, so we ate at Minibar beforehand. Just down the street from the entrance to Universal CityWalk, this was a perfect place to enjoy some good eats with my honey. Since I'm a big fan of Modern design, this place was tops. The colors and lighting really compliment each other bringing a very sensual vibe to the whole place. We were seated on one of the side tables with a banquette. The waitress comes back with a small shot glass of Spanish Cava as a palate cleanser and my order of a Mojito. The Mojito was excellent by the way. The waitress tell us about the Prix fixe dinner they have available on Sundays, a deal for $40-for two. We decide to pass, eager to sample items from the menu. We start with the Meze trio..this is pita chips with three kinds of dips. Then we have the Yucca bread, followed by brochette of flank steak, salmon strudel, rissoto funghi, and the duck confitt eggrolls. All magnificent. Especially the risotto..creamy and flavorful. It was perfect. We ended our evening with the chocolate souffle. This was so warm and delicious that we each ordered one for ourselves-no sharing here. When I made reservations for this place, I wasn't sure if my honey would like it. He doesn't like tapas style dining and he's a "meat and potatoes" type of guy. But he really liked this place. He even got "full" after wards. The servings were enough for two, and since they all come one after another, it really gives you time to savor each dish. I suggest this restaurant if you are on a date. We found it romantic, and I loved the music they played through out the place and so will you.
Pros: flavors
Cons: none
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