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

11/10/2007 Posted by ecentrickal

My friends and I decided to check the place out since we live in the area. We didn't anticipate on being there for 3 hours. We ordered appetizers and main dishes (tapas) and they were all brought to us randomly. I got my food before I got the salad and my friends were waiting 40 minutes for their salads. The food was bland and tasteless. I ordered the sautéed vegetables and the only thing that was in my dish was spinach and garlic with butter. The salads (arugula/beat) were basically all greens, hardly any vegetables and a few sprinkles of dressing. The mignon au poirve was undercooked and we had to sit there for 20 minutes for the waiter. We also tried the deserts and they were also brought to us at random times. Mind you, my chocolate soufflé came 30 mins after my friends cake did and it was so hot that I was advised not eat it for 15-20 minutes. We were constantly looking for the waiter and we just got fed up. My friends and I couldn't handle sitting down for another 30 minutes that’s why we went straight to the manager and expressed our concerns. The only thing she said was "I'm sorry you didn't like our rest, we hope you change your mind and come back and visit us" while she sipped her wine. Wow! What ever happened to customer service and decent food?

Pros: I liked the lighting

Cons: SERVICE, BLAND FOOD

07/26/2007 Posted by citynic

Tapas are our favorite! I am always willing to eat at a new tapas place! This place is no cobras and matadors, but it was still a nice experience. The chicken was not worth it, but everything else (steak, crab cakes and a few other dishes) were OK. The best part about dinner was the desert! Chocolate soup with biscotti and marshmelows and the cheesecake made with marscapone cheese was like nothing I had ever had before! Amazing!!! I would definitly go back for desert!!

Pros: Best Desert!

06/14/2007 Posted by albizus

I went on a hot blind date to this place and I fell in love: With the restaurant! The food was just simply amazing. Every single dish a winner, each one a wonder of flavors and textures. The mojitos were divine and the wine list a masterpiece of affordable, ecclectic gems. And the service was solid but not fussy. I'm meeting all my blind dates here from now on because if we have nothing to say to each other I know we can always talk about the great food.

Pros: loved it all

Cons: it's not closer to where i live

05/19/2007 Posted by roundface795

The service or lack of service was very pathetic. Our waitress kept on asking if we would like to order more food and we would have to remind her that the food we did order has not arrived yet. Also, we had to ask her for water twice and refilled it only after we request it. The food was a bit better than the service but not by much. The best thing we ordered was the cheese plate and that is only because the kitchen didn't have to make it. Don't waste your time; AOC and Celadon are much better if you are into small plates.

05/18/2007 Posted by tatsujones

Cool place, decent food. A little pricey for what you get when all is said and done. Try the mango mojito!

04/26/2007 Posted by raveltaino

okay, i've loved this place since the get go. great food, great service, great music, great decor. just great! i visit the place at least once a week and never get bored. the only thing is that like most tapas bars those small plates--even though they are not so small here--do add up. then i found out about "40-a-deuce sundays and mondays." it is a pri-fixe menu of five savory small plates, and one sweet small plate that changes every week and serves two people. but get this, also included is your choice of wine: a whole bottle of white, red, sparkling, or rose. ALL FOR FORTY DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!! i'm torn about letting the world know about this gift from the minibar heavens but i feel too darn guilty keeping it to myself. this is the best deal in town at the best restaurant in town, period the end! and everyone should know.

Pros: everything

Cons: the place should be twice the size

04/24/2007 Posted by lukduck

My boyfriend and I came here for Valentines...and instantly fell in love with it. The food is marvelous. Probably the most intersting food I have ever had. It was a little pricey but we knew it would be, which is why we went on Valentines. But the food combinations are great. The food melts in your mouth, and you may find yourself licking the plates. The decor is nice too, its simple and modern. The bar is convenient if you want to jus go for drinks, and there is a nice area by the window for drinks only. They have a chalkboard for you while you are in the bathroom, you know to pass the time. I highly recommend coming here. My friend had her birthday here a couple of weeks ago, and we reserved the back area, it has trees all around the walls, and is quite lovely. The staff is great, as well as the valet. I cant wait till we can splurge and go here again.

Pros: the food is GREAT! it has a valet, near to Hollywood...but not in Hollywood

Cons: since it is Tapas, it can get a little expensive to feel full

01/28/2007 Posted by jaie78

I went here for my birthday dinner along with 20 other guests, and the food, service, and ambiance were great! The food and drinks are especially yummy while the decor and lighting really donate to a hip but casual atmosphere. Service was friendly and helpful especially considering our large party. We chatted and sat before and after dinner for awhile without the service pushing us to move for their other guests. The food is really great as well - try the ribs and yucca bread! But watch out because all of those small portions can add up pretty quickly.

Pros: Service, Ambience, Drinks

Cons: Small, Pricey