09/09/09

chic enviroment for not a lot of money

by shawn puckett

I have been going to BLD for sometime and have never had a bad experience. Everyone knows they job and do it very well, but never get in the way of your dining experience. The food is always good and a great wine selection. And I like the fact that the tables aren't too close together that you can hear someone else conversation. It's a great place to go for the 2nd date...

• Pros: great lay out, not a bad table, good service
• Cons: always busy

03/29/09

I'm italian, this is NOT an italian restaurant!! period.

by mattiegitte

everything is so disgusting that they should shot-down the doors. my wife is still disgusting just thinking about it. Im italian and this is NOT an italian restaurant. stay away.

02/15/09

So-so

by DaWiz

Visiting from back East and looking for good Pizza. This place was nearby so gave it a shot. Sat and ate pizza at the bar. Typical west coast cardboard crust,possibly frozen. Dominos,Pizza Hut and Papa Ginos are all much better . Still looking.

• Pros: Not sure.
• Cons: Pizza

02/09/09

Terrible Service - Manager was totally Inappropriate

by DannyWil

We had a party of 12 celebrating a birthday - mixed group of adults and young adults. We made a routine request at the beginning of the meal for two checks - No Can Do! - we were told. The pipsqueak manager came by and said for 30 years they don't do this and that's the way it is.

Well, appears he wasn't done then as he stopped by - unasked, mind you - and proceeded to repeat this again with a little more edginess in his voice. We hadn't even ordered yet.

Where's the service - especially in today's economy?

The waitress countermanded the manager and did split it into two checks - but we weren't done with the manager just yet!

When we tried to pay, I picked up seven people and the other five struggled to figure theirs out - they kindly added 18% graturity to the bills - don't have a problem with that when you're provided good service - but this was very questionable by this time.

One young adult asked to get his total separate so he could pay with a credit card - the manager proceeded to acted up - again - in front of customers waiting to get in and went on a virtual tirade insulting us that we weren't even as competent as thirteen year olds to split a bill! He even called the cops because by this time the person with the credit card said he wasn't going to be insulted like that and refused to pay.

The manager -I referred to him as a pipsqueak previously because he was a little man with a chip on his shoulder, obviously - turned to me and yelled at me as to what was I looking at and I was not welcome anymore and to get out - mind you, I had said nothing and had already paid! All over providing some assistance and some service to split out a bill.

The food was mediocre - although we did enjoy hearing the staff sing. It definately was not worth the rudeness of this man! Steer clear - there's a lot of other fun and fine dining in LA.

• Pros: The singing staff
• Cons: The Management and service

09/15/08

Excellent Old Style Italian Food

by leeannebama

I had lunch at Miceli's the other day and it was so good. I had the spaghetti ravoli combo with the meat sauce and it was the kind of italian I was looking for. Nice thick red sauce with lots of flavor.

• Pros: Yummy Classic italian food
• Cons: parking

01/19/08

Excellent "take out" perfectly prepared and packaged for entertaining at home rather then cooking.

by nightranger

Excellent "take out" perfectly prepared and packaged for entertaining at home rather then cooking. Everyone was very impressed with the meal and I did not have to cook for hours. I ordered a range of appetizers and salads and entrees. I ordered before I left work and picked it up on my way home, Everything was ready and neat packages. They helped me to my car with the packages and gave me reheating instructions. I had plenty for everyone and left overs or the next night. I was able to work a full work day , serve a perfect dinner and clean up was a snap (NO PANS TO CLEAN). I can not recommend their takeout and delivery service enough. When you do not have time to prepare dinner for entertaining at home this is the perfect solution. Thank you Miceli's Your friendly, welcoming style and great food explains why you have run a great restaurant in the difficult Hollywood market for an amazing 59 years.

• Pros: The owners care deeply about their customers and the food is wonderful.
• Cons: Not that fancy of a place and a bit dated, but comfortable and friendly and welcoming.

01/18/08

Worst Pizza Ever

by Aenima

This was by far the most disappointing dining experience I've ever had!! The pizza (which is supposed to be a signature item) was really bad. It was still raw in the middle and looked like it came from a freezer. We sent it back immediately. I wouldn't even have fed it to my dog. It was inedible! My lasagna was covered in 2 inches of indigestible cheese and it was piping hot in some areas and cold in others. Clearly this was just thrown in the microwave.

The fried calamari was equally disappointing. Instead of tasting bad it had no taste at all!

Do yourself a favor..skip this place!!!!

01/07/08

Most Obnoxious Waiter Ever

by hollywoodlocal

One of the worst dinning experiences of my life, not because of the food, which was great, but because the waiter simply would not leave us alone. Upon arrival he berates us for not ordering alcohol, and then when I didn't order salad he gave us a (no joke) 10 minute lecture on why you have to eat salad before the main course. This was only the beginning. Throughout our entire meal he was hanging over us talking about this and that, and just generally ruining our experience. We gave him several hints that we weren't interested in his stories and in fact I even asked him if he was on coca1ne because he was talking so much. The manager had to ask him several times to get food or greet other customers as his attention was on us the entire time. The food was delicious, but i will only be returning for take out

• Pros: Great food
• Cons: Obnoxious service

11/26/07

You gotta experience the opera-singing waiters

by marpop

I haven't been here in a while, but at one point I was coming at least once a week. I've never been here on a weekend, so I dont know about the whole reservation thing, but on weekday evenings it's fantastic -- that's when they have the piano player and the blonde singing waitress (who totally sounds like she should be on a Disney soundtrack) sings along in a very strong vibrato. The vibe is home-like and the pasta dishes aren't outrageously delicious, but they're also not bad. You have to try it here at least once - it's great for groups and kids, but like I said, i dont know what it's like on weekends.

• Pros: singing waiters, welcoming setting
• Cons: parking is a drag - pay lot around the corner

11/03/07

Make Reservations!!!

by dezee06

Please make reservations before arriving!!! My wait without reservations was an 1hr 20 min. The food was delectable but the wait was horrible. I would recommend this place to anyone that is in need of a nice night of entertainment and great food.

• Pros: entertainment and food
• Cons: the front desk hostess and absentminded waiters