(323) 850-9050

7156 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046 34.0906 -118.3457

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Neighborhoods: West Hollywood, Central LA

Last updated 6.08.11

Category:

Restaurants, Lounges, Catering, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Martinis, Happy Hour

Restaurant Special Features:

Late Night Dining, Outdoor Dining, Date Spot, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Work

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Formosa Cafe

Featured Review

Alison Kramer

Contributor

The Scene – Opened in 1934, this trolley-car restaurant has preserved its star-studded history, making it an ever-trendy watering hole in West Hollywood. Dimly lit, the two red and ebony bars are encased by walls of vintage photographs. Hundreds of black and white portraits, from Marlon Brando to Humphrey Bogart, are autographed evidence of the bar's former patrons. It's also a prime landmark for out-of-towners who crave a taste of the classic Hollywood scene. Industry folk still flock to the bar's happy hour for specialty mai tais, martinis and snacks.

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Stop in weekdays from 4pm to 7pm to take advantage of discounted sake, cocktails and small plates.
The Extras:
Private parties and catering are also available. Call several weeks in advance to reserve the original train car room or the upper patio deck.
When to Go:
The upstairs bar and deck is open Thursday through Saturday, and although it's less exclusive than the Standard's elitist Roof Bar, the space is usually packed with networking nightlifers by 11pm.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Cool atmosphere”
  2. “Great atmosphere filled with young actors and established alike.”
  3. “always like going here whether it's for some quick dinner before a night out or a party on the roof- the atmosphere is great, the food always good and the cocktails are well mixed.”
  4. “Great atmosphere, terrific service and - in my opinion - very good food.”
  5. “If you want to drink, do that but there are much better places in this town for beverages, quality food and a cool atmosphere.”
  6. “The service is great, as is the atmosphere, decor and drinks.”
  7. “Great atmosphere.”
  8. “Terrific "old Hollywood" atmosphere with some good people-watching.”
  9. “The atmosphere at this old Hollywood joint is really cool.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Great food with an eclectic asian flavor, reasonable prices and amazing desert.”
  2. “And try the Molten Chocolate Souffle--it's more of a rich cake than a true souffle, but it's WORTH THE WAIT!”
  3. “the wasabi fries/ spring rolls with lobster and the crab cakes were outstanding.”
  4. “crab cakes great.”
drinks
90.0% positive
  1. “Be nice to the bartenders and you'll have great drinks.”
  2. “think one of the best small plate "bar" chefs.”
  3. “havent eaten dinner here, but the rooftop is a great spot for cocktails.”
  4. “The waitress was better than most I've encountered in Los Angeles, the drinks were great- they did not unfortunately get me drunk enough to enjoy the food.”
  5. “great bar food!”
  6. “Head for the bar and skip dinner - the food is not that great, but get some bar food instead to go with the booze.”
  7. “Plus the $4 drinks at happy hour were a big bonus.”
  8. “If you want to drink, do that but there are much better places in this town for beverages, quality food and a cool atmosphere.”
  9. “The place was too dark in my opinion but they had good drinks and excellent service.”
  10. “Good place to go during the mid-week if you just want to have some drinks at a nice place with decent looking semi-pretentious people.”
  11. “always like going here whether it's for some quick dinner before a night out or a party on the roof- the atmosphere is great, the food always good and the cocktails are well mixed.”
  12. “great lounge bar food.”
  13. “There's no question this is a cool, atmospheric bar, but when we went, one of us got served a rare steak that was blood red inside and still cold.”
  14. “great wine there but lousy food.”
  15. “The service is great, as is the atmosphere, decor and drinks.”
food quality
85.0% positive
  1. “The wasabi-spiced mash potatoes beneath it however were delicious.”
  2. “great lounge bar food.”
  3. “truffle herb fries were great!”
  4. “Good food.”
  5. “The food is good [kobe burger, truffle fries and sliders are particularly nice”
  6. “love the food to dark for a restaurnat”
  7. “every dish was unique and wonderful.”
  8. “If you want to drink, do that but there are much better places in this town for beverages, quality food and a cool atmosphere.”
  9. “Gratefully, our very good waitress told us that the shrimp tempura and veggie eggrolls tended to be VERY greasy, so we didn't order those.”
  10. “Great food with an eclectic asian flavor, reasonable prices and amazing desert.”
  11. “we had the ahi salmon roll--extremely delicious.”
  12. “crab cakes great.”
  13. “Great atmosphere, terrific service and - in my opinion - very good food.”
  14. “The Calamari was cooked nicely but the weird sweet-pesto(ish) sauce that came with it was well, weird.”
  15. “Just aweful fast food menu and oily food gross tasting dishes with no selection at all and no real meals.”
  16. “wasabi fries great.”
  17. “The menu is now a hybrid of some of the great, classic Chinese dishes that regulars had come to love (Kung Pao Chicken, Fried Rice, etc.), as well as new variations on a few of the old chef's creations--new & improved Kobe Burger and Lobster Mac & Cheese,”
  18. “We were starving so we decided to stay anyways and order some food.”
  19. “The food was good but I didn't think that it was fantastic.”
  20. “The waitress was better than most I've encountered in Los Angeles, the drinks were great- they did not unfortunately get me drunk enough to enjoy the food.”
  21. “There's no question this is a cool, atmospheric bar, but when we went, one of us got served a rare steak that was blood red inside and still cold.”
  22. “However, even when I have happy hour, I still want to enjoy reasonably memorable food.”
  23. “Head for the bar and skip dinner - the food is not that great, but get some bar food instead to go with the booze.”
  24. “Be sure to ask the server about any specials not listed on the menu--they usually have some tasty treats hidden away.”
  25. “the wasabi fries/ spring rolls with lobster and the crab cakes were outstanding.”
  26. “always like going here whether it's for some quick dinner before a night out or a party on the roof- the atmosphere is great, the food always good and the cocktails are well mixed.”
  27. “Both times I've had the sesame fries and the ribs and both have been very good, although the sesame oil in the fries tends to give them a bitter aftertaste.”
  28. “great wine there but lousy food.”
  29. “great bar food!”
  30. “had a perfectly grilled piece of salmon in a tasty, mild curry sauce.”
menu variety
80.0% positive
  1. “Just aweful fast food menu and oily food gross tasting dishes with no selection at all and no real meals.”
  2. “Be sure to ask the server about any specials not listed on the menu--they usually have some tasty treats hidden away.”
  3. “The menu is now a hybrid of some of the great, classic Chinese dishes that regulars had come to love (Kung Pao Chicken, Fried Rice, etc.), as well as new variations on a few of the old chef's creations--new & improved Kobe Burger and Lobster Mac & Cheese,”
  4. “love new menu.”
  5. “Quirky menu, great prices”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “good place to go to when you want to go out but don't want to deal with typical Hollywood BS.”
  2. “It's a good place to go to with a few friends if all you want to do is sit and talk.”
  3. “Good place to go during the mid-week if you just want to have some drinks at a nice place with decent looking semi-pretentious people.”
  4. “Very hip, great place to”
  5. “It's a great place for a date or a party!”
  6. “Cool people, great bartenters and perfect place to hang.”
  7. “great place”
service
92.30999946594238% positive
  1. “Terrific "old Hollywood" atmosphere with some good people-watching.”
  2. “Gratefully, our very good waitress told us that the shrimp tempura and veggie eggrolls tended to be VERY greasy, so we didn't order those.”
  3. “The first time we came here we had the best waitress not the second but hey I have had worse.”
  4. “The place was too dark in my opinion but they had good drinks and excellent service.”
  5. “Good place to go during the mid-week if you just want to have some drinks at a nice place with decent looking semi-pretentious people.”
  6. “The service is great, as is the atmosphere, decor and drinks.”
  7. “Cool people, great bartenters and perfect place to hang.”
  8. “The bartender was really nice, and took the time to chat with us.”
  9. “The waitress was better than most I've encountered in Los Angeles, the drinks were great- they did not unfortunately get me drunk enough to enjoy the food.”
  10. “The staff always seems consistently friendly.”
  11. “Be nice to the bartenders and you'll have great drinks.”
  12. “Be sure to ask the server about any specials not listed on the menu--they usually have some tasty treats hidden away.”
  13. “Great atmosphere, terrific service and - in my opinion - very good food.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Quirky menu, great prices”
  2. “happy hour is one of the best deals in town!”
  3. “Great food with an eclectic asian flavor, reasonable prices and amazing desert.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “always like going here whether it's for some quick dinner before a night out or a party on the roof- the atmosphere is great, the food always good and the cocktails are well mixed.”
3 Star Rating: Average

04/08/11

Run down condition

by No hay remedio

April 05,2011 No hay Remedio,

This establishment is charming and the atmosphere is good. The general state of the place is shabby and overdue for a face lift. I was not too impress by the quality of the food, the service was great & friendly. I do not beleive that too many movie stars are visiting the Formosa.

3 Star Rating: Average

08/09/10

Good for drinks, bad for food

by MeginLA

The atmosphere is cool, albeit dark. The staff is great and attentive and the drinks are well made. However... do yourself a favor and don't eat there. It's pretty bland and poorly made.

3 Star Rating: Average

10/01/08

Saturday Nights

by csilva38

Saturday nights can be packed inside and out. The patio area and roof get very crowded. Last weekend we left the roof as there were far too many people for safety. Parking, try valet if they are available. Otherwise, get there early or you will be very frustrated in finding parking. Do NOT attempt to walk alone to and from car in this area. Food has improved. Drinks always strong and service excellent. Fun place when not so crowded. Great atmosphere.

  • Pros: Drinks and Atmosphere
  • Cons: Saturday crowded especially patio roof area.Parking not good.Neither is walking alone.
3 Star Rating: Average

09/22/08

Seedy - just the way I like it

by dadsdaught

This place was probably awesome in 1950. Now it is seedy. That's exactly what I was looking for - a little cheesy, a little run down, but mostly fun. Drinks are decently priced. Food is edible. Staff is nice enough. A good place to go to when you want to go out but don't want to deal with typical Hollywood BS.

3 Star Rating: Average

09/18/08

Ah tradition -- check it out for a cheap happy hour

by AngelenoFoodie

Check out the review of this and many other happy hours at: happiest hours(dot)blog spot(dot)com - no spaces between words, but City Search won't allow it any other way. I've been to this Happy Hour twice now and I have to say, the first time, I was so pleasantly surprised by the food not sucking (as it has at Formosa in the past) that I viewed it with rosier memories than it merited. That said, the food doesn't stink. It's tasty and very cheap. All appetizers are $4 during Happy Hour, except the shrimp tempura, which is $5. Both times I've had the sesame fries and the ribs and both have been very good, although the sesame oil in the fries tends to give them a bitter aftertaste.

On the most recent trip, we also has the chicken satay and chicken shu-mai. These were not good. The peanut sauce on the overcooked satay was bland and the shu-mai was like a processed chicken meatball. Gratefully, our very good waitress told us that the shrimp tempura and veggie eggrolls tended to be VERY greasy, so we didn't order those.. However, the $5 mai-tai was great. My companion just drank water, and the glass never went empty, so that's nice.

Two of us ate well, one drank, and we got out of there for $28 (after tax and big tip). For Happy Hour, this is serviceable, but not compelling. Still, if you have folks in from out of town, and want them to get a true Hollywood experience, why not. It's a cheap thrill.

The Details on Formosa Cafe

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • good memorable food
  • great atmosphere
  • great drinks
  • particularly nice filet sliders
  • terrific service
  • unique dish
  • nice staff
  • cool semipretentious people
  • great prices
  • great spot
  • not best waitress
  • great maitai
  • great new variations
  • rich cake
  • great bar food
  • amazing desert
  • liked cheese
  • best bars
  • really great shu mai
  • bitter aftertaste
  • great crab
  • famous restaurant
  • particularly nice truffle herb fries
  • delicious wasabispiced mash potatoes

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