Larkin's

09/04/09

No parking. No alcohol. No credit cards. No future.

by togi55 at Citysearch

Decent food and cute surroundings but a really strange operation, and finding a place to park is like taking a walk on the wiid side. No parking lot to speak of, and if you miss your chance on the on the crazy busy curve out front, you're in for an unexpected adventure -- there's no U-turn anytime soon and if you make the next right, it's off on a trip to the moon. Prices are just weird -- at brunch, $12 for an a la carte egg dish, $4 for lemonade; $5 for a smallish side bowl of grits or potatoes, but only $3 for bacon. What could be cheaper wholesale than those two starches (even if you throw in bacon bits, butter and some imagination, way overpriced). Piece de resistance: waiter told us upon presenting the check that it was CASH ONLY (ATM available). Apparently there's a little sign on the door that says so, but since the customer ahead of us kindly held that door open for us to enter, we had no clue. No Amex is one annoying thing, but no credit cards AT ALL and $5 for grits? Hard to swallow and no booze to help. What planet?

• Pros: Interesting recipes
• Cons: Just about everything else for my dollar

05/26/09

Not for kids- terrible service

by kbarranco at Citysearch

I had a party of 15 and called left voice mail and emailed them to reserve the patio. I got an email saying no problem. I told them it was after my 5 year old's baptism. Then I emailed them a few days later and said what would happen if I have 18-20 people. I never heard back. I tried calling-- no answer. No emails.

The owner was one of our servers. Here is how the emails went down:

FROM ME: We want to take about 15 people to your brunch Sunday. My friend is the host. We have both been to Larkins before and love it. We are looking for outside space or possibly a room to reserve. what is possible? Also, do you have kids menus?

FROM LARKINS: We would love to have you guys. We have our outdoor garden patio which is a perfect spot to have Sunday Brunch... Our semi-private dining room accommodates up to 12 people only. We can put you inside at one table but would be around other tables. So there you have it, it is all up to you.

We do not have a kids menu.

FROM ME: Hi— so I would like to confirm the patio for 15 people Sunday, at 11:30am for brunch. Please email me back that you received this....

FROM LARKINS: Got it, See you Sunday.

FROM ME: Hi- what happens if we have 15-20 people? Are we still good to go in that patio area? It’s for after a Christening.

FROM LARKINS: (no reply)

FROM ME: Hi- I’m not sure who this is directed to. But I just wanted to tell you how the internet can destroy a restaurant. I must say everyone in my party was Yelping about the worst restaurant experience of their lives. It’s so sad that my son’s baptism is overshadowed by the disaster that happened Sunday.

You made a big mistake. You knew we were coming. You helped others in the restaurant before helping us. We waited 45 minutes for coffee (we timed it) and 1.5 hours for our food. I NEVER got my food at all. I was told “It’s coming” and nothing. I just ate someone’s grits then picked something up on my way home.

I have never seen my son so hungry when there was nothing I could do about it. He was fetal in my arms whining how starving he was. You have no idea unless you have kids how painful that is.

We were told there was nothing that could be done. Not enough clean glasses. Do you not have glasses for capacity? People were being served before us because their order “was easy”. I am so sad that a restaurant I wanted to support failed so miserably. I had bad service when I went sometime last year and I chalked it up to you just getting started. I would have never thought it would be this bad. BTW, I never did get a reply to my last email about more people or a return call when I left a voice mail.

I am 47 and from New Orleans and have been going to restaurants all my life and I have got to say, hands down, this was the worst experience of my life. That is saying a lot.

FROM LARKINS: Just thought I would take some of my time to respond to your e-mail.

Parties of more than 15 usually pay a fee to reserve a special

section of our restaurant.(This helps large parties to have a smooth pleasent time, it allows us to have a designated person for your party.) I think your final count was 23.

That being said, my staff attempted to accommodate your party to the best

of our ability. It seems that Chuck E. Cheese would have better served you

and your children on your special day. Sorry your experiance was so

horrible. Hopefully you can concentrate on the positive of the day and not

the negative. Our restaurant is not a fit for everyone, as it was not for

you and your family. Hope your future dining experiences are more

enjoyable elsewhere.

-Larkin

• Pros: great concept
• Cons: not too bright with getting it together

05/24/09

Terrible experience at Larkin's

by lovehaircutiepie409743 at Citysearch

Parking was a joke on the little side street. The lot in back has four spaces that were probably taken by the waiters. I asked a waiter, who was on the porch, "Hi, we're here for brunch. It's our first time. Do we check in with you?" He could not have been more hostile,"Do you have reservations?", he scowled, hopefully assuming we were a big party and could be turned away. " When I called, they said we could just walk in". There were only four of us. Visibly disappointed, he muttered for us to follow him in and then just left us standing in the dining room until someone else told us to take one of the available tables. My wife saw the first waiter spying angrily from behind a curtain in the back that he quickly closed when caught. "I'll try to find you some menus", the second waiter offered bitterly before he too became lost. What seemed like days passed, actually 15 minutes, when he came rushing by again, I asked through parched lips, "Can we see a menu please?". " I told you, I'll try to find them." I told you? I told you? Surely my hearing was also going haywire. A waiter would never say" I told you", would they? Another 15 minutes waiting for iced tea in (who cares now) Mason jars. Then the long march waiting for the food. By the way, Mr Joshua, I saw no art, no charm, and certainly no quaint craftsman experience. Only disdain, disregard. disrespect, and a hostile vibe. Before I could lose my mind and voice, we decided to cut our losses and leave, long before the food arrived. Another seemingly good idea gone very wrong. Happy Ending! We had a lovely brunch at The Castaways in Burbank. I highly recommend their vibe.

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: everything

01/14/09

The chicken is to die for!

by pheobe at Citysearch

We ate here last weekend and had an amazing time. The restaurant is small so you may have to wait. Great service and I will be back for the fried chicken it was delicious. My husband had the jumbalya and wouldn't share. Great staff- Great food-Great prices. Who new this little gem was hiding in Eagle Rock.

• Cons: no reservations

07/29/08

Casual place with great food and decor

by wink0003 at Citysearch

I went to Larkin's last Saturday and I loved the fried chicken, it was perfectly seasoned and crispy. The cornbread, mac n' cheese, mashed potatoes and gravey were all delicious. I also loved the complimentary black eyed pea dip. Everytyhing had plenty of flavor. The service was a little slow but I didn't mind because the food was satisfying. Know before hand that they close somewhere between 3 and 5. Also, they dont serve regular fountain drinks like pepsi and coke. I loved the decor, it was pretty original ( stained glass, "woodsy" feel, picnic tables as out door seating). The online menu is a bit different and should be updated. The quality of the food outwayed all the negative things for me thats why i give them 5. Nevertheless, I would go back and even recommend to a friend.

• Pros: excellent food, cute decor, and not busy location.
• Cons: low on staff, slightly slow service. No common soft drinks.

07/18/08

Amazing Food!

by zelle853 at Citysearch

I've been here twice and can't wait to bring more friends. This resturant is in a great Craftsman style house and the food was amazing! I recomend the fried chicken! It melts in your mouth, the blue cheese wedge was also worth having then have the banana pudding for desert. The crowd is young, cool and hip. They have a great patio. The staff was friendly and fun!

• Pros: Great food, Friendly Staff
• Cons: Don't take reservations for less than 6 people. Its first come first serve

05/30/08

Great food! Great people!

by mara alvarez at Citysearch

We are "regulars" at Larkin's and have been since December '07. This place is great and although, yes, I agree that parking is difficult and the wait is long if you don't have a reservation - it is so worth it! We've never been disappointed with the service, always with a smile and always accomodating. The food is delish! Our favorites are either the Jambalaya or the Red Snapper - the collard greens, mac n' cheese - and of course ALL of their desserts. We've hosted several little parties and Joshua has been great in helping me get everything together and pulling it off effortlestly. I can't say enough great things about Larkin's - yes, it has room for improvement - but nothing like what's been described in the other reviews. It's a great small restaurant, with a small restaurant feel and awesome home styled cooking. Not soul food, not California cuisine - just great food.

• Pros: Great service and food - Homey ambience with excellent decor
• Cons: Parking

04/22/08

Great food and Ambience

by KerrysGirl at Citysearch

I read the variety of reviews and have frequented Larkin's three times and had impeccable service with a smile and the food was also tasty and flavorable. I have been twice for lunch and once at dinner and due to the popularity of the place, I recommend having dinner between 6pm-7pm because anything after 7pm will require a wait.

I like the hot link corn dogs, the killer black eyed pea salsa and the mac and cheese creation is sinful. The po-boy sandwiches are also great and I especially like the idea of being able to bring my own bottle of wine, how lovely. As for the parking, stop complaining folks as that is becoming the norm in this lovely city and it is only going to get worse.

Just walk or park across the street or for those who did not know, there are about four more spots in the back of the restaurant if you bothered to look.

Glad to see Larkin's is in the community and looking forward to going back again and again and again :)

• Pros: Nicely decorated, affordable and fun
• Cons: No white meat chicken :-(

03/30/08

Sunday Brunch?

by nyla2008 at Citysearch

I had an opportunity to dine at Larkins last week. I pulled the menu online but was looking forward to their "fine" soul food Cuisine. The service was adequate- smiley faces but unable to accurately list the ingredients in the veggie sausage. The Sunday Brunch menu was quite limited.The scrambled eggs was well seasoned but not tasty. ( that should speak volumes) The pancakes was too sweet. It would send someone into a diabetic coma. I was not impressed at all. Leaves much to be desired : (

02/05/08

Horrible service, long wait and over priced

by Annacantelope at Citysearch

I went to Larkin's with my boyfriend and his parents and we were all disappointed. We were told our wait would be 30 minutes but the wait ended up being over an hour. During that time, we saw many tables that could have been seated sit uncleared by the bus boy. That was strike one. Strike two was when we asked our waitress if we could have another cup of the bean salad with pita they serve before the meal. (its the equivalent of chips and salsa at a mexican restaurant) Our waitress told us that she would "Have to ask" if she could give us more. We all thought that was pretty weird - to have to ask to serve FOOD at a RESTAURANT - and needless to say, she never gave us more, or said anything more about it - she just ignored our request. When the food came, my boyfriend scalded his hand because the waitress didn't bother to tell him that his dish had just come out of the oven. I got the fried chicken, which was fine, but they dont serve any chicken breasts, only dark meat - shocking considering it $15 - and the presentation was non-existent. It was like they had just thrown three pieces of chicken on a plate with a lump of potatoes. Mac and Cheese was also nothing special - I could do better with a box of shells and cheese or a trip to The Cheesecake Factory.

The whole service gives the feeling of being amature, run on a shoestring budget, and trying pass as something much nicer than it is.

• Pros: decor is cute
• Cons: Slow, inattentive service, long waits, over priced