Beso

05/17/2008 Posted by hesselgesser

Beso my a**. Thank God there's a Del Taco two blocks away. Just kidding. Just to be honest, I don't think this place is/was all that great. If you're looking for some new, hot, special place - there are a number of other places that I'd spend my money at. This place has a good location and high ceilings, that's about it. The decor is decent, but not as nice as it should be to raise the kind of attention they think they deserve. The scene is not all that special either, if that's what you're looking for. If you are impressed by a bunch of b listers or people who act like they have more money they they really do, then maybe you'll like it.

Pros: Center of the action. Del Taco is close by or you can walk to a better place for dancing & drinking.

Cons: The hype. Makes everyone involved in the place think they are better than you.

05/16/2008 Posted by LagunaCGSG

The 2 hour drive from Laguna Niguel to Hollywood was worth it. $350.00 for a party of four wasn't bad. The food was excellent, and the background music really helps create the atmosphere Eva tried to create. This is a very trendy, elegant well thought out floor plan. Don't let the outside of the facility fool you. Margarita's are a must. Becareful when you bump into a star, it is bound to happen. My wife Loved it, it was a great evening. I read the other Review's and in all fairness evryone has differnet taste. Despite all of the dinning my Wife and I have done this is my first review. If you can afford it , I think you should try it. I think there are 3 components to a good evening, the food, Service and most important the company. Enjoy your Journey.

Pros: ambience was nice

Cons: "hollywood"

05/11/2008 Posted by angelori

I made reservations for Beso a month in advance for 8:15 on a Friday evening - why, I have no idea. The restaurant wasn't even full until about 10:00. The main dining room had 5 empty booths when we were being seated (late). The hostess attempted to seat us in the corner of a back room, behind a loud table of 12. When we asked to be seated in the main dining room, she said all of those tables were reserved for other guests. I asked to speak with a manager, and things only got worse. The general manager was a complete dooshbag and had the nerve to tell us that each of those tables were reserved for the restaurant's "investors", but he would see what he could do. We were taken to a table upstairs; when we again questioned this decision with the hostess, she responded by saying she's "just a messenger." At least we were now overlooking the dining room. We had a perfect view of the "reserved tables," and nobody was seated at those tables until over an hour later. What's worse, unless the "investors" are 20 to 30-something obviously single women in tight clothes and stilletos, this guy was obviously full of sh*t. Not to mention, he seated tables of 2 or 3 girls at those tables of 6. Seriously, does he think that these girls are going to be better restaurant patrons than 3 couples?? We later learned that the "investors" were on a table right next to us. We attempted to use the upstairs bathroom, and one of the "investors" jumped up and said it was closed for a private party. Uh,we used that same bathroom 10 minutes before, and there was NOBODY at this "private party." He even made one of the waiters close the curtains and put a "private" sign in front of the door. Seriously? This place could not be any more cheesy and pretensious. This is not the kind of place long time E. Hollywood residents (like myself) want in their neighborhood. This place won't last more than 6 months. Eva Langoria should be ashamed to have her name associated with this place.

Pros: Nice Decor. Ramon was a good waiter.

Cons: "Management" is disgustingly rude and unprofessional.

05/11/2008 Posted by Acox101

Great service. I do not understand all the negative reviews, but my husband and I had reservations for Friday night. We arrived a little late and were seated right away. The service was out of this world!! I highly recommend the mango martini. There was never a moment I felt like I needed something that my server did not provide!!! We had the special that evening of the shrimp flat bread, the lobster empinadas, and the blackened shrimp. I would say the blackened shrimp were a little hard to eat and were stuck to the shell, but the rest of the food was great. We tried the strawberry rehbarb for dessert and were also impressed with it. I will be visiting Beso when I return to LA next time. Also the atmosphere was wonderful and decor was amazing.

Pros: great service, excellent food, amazing ambience!

Cons: the blackened shrimp!

05/09/2008 Posted by ACope

I have to disagree with the negative responses. I went with three girlfriends, celebrating an engagement announcement on a Tuesday night probably 2 weeks after opening. Eva was there, which was nice to see, but most importantly was the delicious food. Although service was a bit rusty (I presumed it was the newness of Beso, working out its quirks) they were still apologetic and took care of us with an on the house drink (how any hospitality staff should do it!) From the artichoke dip to the Ricotta flatbread and mini tacos were fabulous. Our main entree, the snapper was good but not great. Coming from SF where all food is a delight I have high standards and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I will be going back. :-)

05/04/2008 Posted by critix123

Went there on a Friday night, wasn't that busy. Our server never checked back on us to see if we needed anything, we had to ask repeatedly for more water, and forks from other servers!! The artichoke dip was excellent, however that was it. Eva's tortilla soup is a joke, such a fancy presentation for a such a bad soup with only 2 thin slices of chicken, very disappointed with it. Then we ordered steak, which got to us COLD, and the taste was off, nothing impressing. Same thing with the pizza we didn't even finish. 3 out of 4 dishes were bad. The decor in this place is amazing, and because of the location and the price we had higher expectations. Service was sloppy, the only thing they brought really quick was the check.... go figure.

Pros: people, ambiance, bar

Cons: food, service

05/03/2008 Posted by kristina100

First of all after reading all the Haters reviews I don't think I would of gone near Ivar itself. Luckily I have a brain and a love of food, so I decided to check it out for myself. And I am glad that I did. I had an amazing evening at beso! I felt that I received the whole experience at Beso of fine dining with out the stuffiness. From the amazing food to the decor, the great staff, & fantastic white sangria... I was sold people! I would definitely give beso a try and be the judge for yourself. I could go on and on about my meal but words would not do justice. I will say this, it would be a sin to go and not try the churro desert!

Pros: food, drink & friendly staff

Cons: haters giving beso a bad wrap

05/02/2008 Posted by peckly

i am a friend of chef Ramsay and trust me i've tried over thousand restaurant in LA n never came across such horrible food in my life. if u love ur life please dont eat at Beso!!

Pros: drinks

Cons: food

04/30/2008 Posted by tanz

HORRENDOUS. Please don't eat here. How do you ruin guacamole? Is that even possible? Only saving grace were the beautiful chandeliers and the never ending jokes this place will provide you. If you need to laugh try eva's tortilla soup - such a presentation has never been done before. I never felt so guilty for spending money in my life.

Pros: Drinks, attractive environment

Cons: everything else

04/28/2008 Posted by isa2g

I really don't get where all the bad reviews are coming from. I'm a foodie and this is one of the best restaurants I've been to in a while! The lobster taquitos were to die for, the scallop crudo exquisite, the lamb was exceptional, and the creamed spinach beyond anything I'd tasted before. I wasn't too keen on the french fries my friend ordered as a side but who the heck orders french fries when at Beso? For dessert you have to go for the churro. Pure ecstasy I swear. The mixed drinks shouldn't even be called drinks. That's how good they were. Indescribable. The maitre D was a little stuck up but we only dealt with him for 2 mins. I was disappointed that they didn't offer to transfer our bar bill to our table once we were to be seated. In turn, our waitress was courteous, educated, funny, serviceable and anything else that I can express. Alot of stars around and beautiful decor. A homerun of a restaurant. Yes, it is pricey but if you are going to be upset at 15 dollars for 3 taquitos then you shouldn't go here. I would have paid 20 for 1 and I'm not rich... I just like my food.

Pros: Food, Drinks, Service, Star Power

Cons: Maitre D