04/09/09

Maybe not for lunch

by greenpaz

We came here for a late lunch (1:30 or so) recently, and the place was only about half-full. Nonetheless, the hostess told us she only had one menu for us to share. Much later, while we were waiting for our waiter to notice us, she came back with another one. The waiter did finally notice us, came by to say he’d be right with us, but didn’t return to take our order for several minutes. Such slow service is odd considering most restaurants understand that weekday lunches need to move along quickly. (Strangely, we saw the occasional employee walking quickly by, with nothing in their hands, looking rushed, and then returning in the same rushed manner, also with nothing in their hands.) After waiting a while, my wife saw that the manager was walking by and checked her watch with a somewhat dramatic but very sincere look of exasperation. Miraculously, the food materialized soon after, but way later than it should have. (It also took the waiter way too long to proffer the bill after we’d asked for it.) It turns out there was a party of 20 somewhere else in the restaurant – at least, that was the explanation we got from one of the busboys, who apologized for the slowness of service. Oh, also, the fire alarm went off toward the end of our meal. No explanation was offered.

Party of 20 or not, it’s hard to explain a lot of the delays (it was a sushi restaurant – most of the food we ordered needed to be prepared, but not cooked), particularly the valet parking – another interminable wait while they brought our car up, though no other patrons were around. The sushi was decent but not extraordinary. Perhaps dinners are better, but the next time I want a sushi lunch, I’m heading elsewhere.

• Pros: Nice interiors, great light
• Cons: Terrible service

02/10/09

Nice atmosphere

by merchantglobal

Ok a restaurant shouldnt need to pump up its own reviews on this site and others, having said that, the place is posh. There is a nice rooftop bar with views of glittering LA, and reasonably priced small plates and appetizers. Cabanas are available with bottle service, but you don't need one to get in. I'd recommend this as a good date spot, not too crowded, and nice atmosphere.

01/11/09

Best Sushi in La!

by Katies23

"I went to the newly vamped Bond Street last night and couldn't have been more impressed, in fact as a someone who makes a concentrated effort to try every sushi joint in town, I REALLY couldn't have been more impressed. The food and service were beyond the pale, fantastic, wonderful -- My boyfriend and I wanted to stop in for a few dishes before a party in the neighborhood and couldn't leave. It was a true delight for all the senses, and would highly HIGHLY go beyond recommending it and push my fellow Angelinos through the door. Our server, Jay P, so charming, on his game, and nice help me, with my many food allergies navigate the menu and allowed me to have a side order of what I believe will turn into a city famous spicy tuna. We recognized a flavor palette from the yellowtail restaurant in the Bellagio in Vegas and when we asked our server, the new executive chef came out and greeted us. He, too, was incredibly charming, so down to earth, not to mention he created delicate and fun sushi that you just don't see on the LA seen. From Katsuya to Nobu, this place is like no other. It combines small bites, with great roles and intresting sashimi dishes. This is just a new brand of sushi, and it is worth a try. The manager also greeted our table, was incredibly cordial and welcoming. The chef sent over farmer's marker fresh sorbet on the house and beautiful melt in your mouth bon bons that he was trying for the sushi house. We are continually in shock and awe, laughing, as each dish was more delicate and beautiful than the last. Even more incredible was the service: In a city where you often hear "no substitutions" or an unwillingness to accommodate those with food allergies, this super chic high-end establishment could not have been more accommodating.

My prediction to the manager was that this place with this new commitment to service, presentation, and food, will be jammed by the end of the month. I just hope I can get a seat!"

• Pros: Food, Service, Presentation
• Cons: I am Addicted to the Spicy Tuna

12/27/08

Better than ever!

by sammietorino

I've been to BondSt several times and it's always been good. I heard they have a new chef so some friends and I went in last night to see if anything was different. It was AMAZING. The menu still has some of their old dishes but I'd say about half of them are new. The manager was really nice and sent out these tuna tarts for us to try. They were so good that we ordered 2 more. The other dish that I really liked was the pork belly with olive oil powder. At first we all thought it was feta cheese but the manager explained to us that it was olive oil powder. Once you eat it, it turns to liquid in your mouth. I forgot exactly what the process was but he said the chef uses a lot of modern techniques in his dishes. Whatever. It was great. Whether you have been or not, definitely check it out.

• Pros: food, ambience
• Cons: Valet parking takes a while

12/12/08

Best Restaurant EVER!!

by StaceyRodgers

I LOVE Bond St!! They have the BEST food! The Chilean Sea Bass is to die for!! Not to mention the spicy crispy shrimp!! I would recommend it to anyone! Great food, fun atmosphere and GREAT drinks!! Try the pear one.. forget the name but its great!!

12/12/08

Great Environment and Fantastic Food

by Rocky84

I recently went to Bond ST. in Beverly Hills and it was fantastic!! This was my first time going and it was for a friend's birthday. I had the sesame crusted shrimp roll. Overall, the service was excellent and the vibe was definitely very chill. Would be a great place for a date!!

• Pros: Ambience

12/11/08

New Chef!

by chilipep

So I have been to BondSt. a couple of times, the food was pretty good but nothing really "wowed" me enough to make it memorable. But, I went last night with a good friend and I have to say I was really impressed. They were offering some pretty stellar specials one of which I ordered. I had a pork belly dish that was beyond tasty. Our server told us that they have a new chef and the specials are kind of a preveiw for the new menu he is going to roll out in the next few weeks. If the specials are truley an indication of what is to come, I just might have to become a regular. I will def be back!

11/19/08

Only go to the one in NYC -- where you will be treated with respect.

by ced16

I'm incredibly disappointed. After going to Bond St. in NYC for 10 years (I am even on their Christmas card list!), I moved to LA. I was so excited that a branch was opening in LA.

I've been four times since they opened. The food has been almost as good to just as good (depending on the visit), but what happened yesterday compelled me to write my first review on Citysearch ever...

I arrived in the afternoon. There was exactly one other patron in the entire place. The woman who sat me was very sweet. The waiter on the other hand could not have been more rude. There were no pleasantries, he acted as if my presence was an inconvenience, I had to flag down the hostess to get more water, he didn't say anything when he delivered my food, was clearly exasperated by my being there, no "thank you" when he delivered my check...I paid for my food, STILL tipped the guy 15% (I don't know why), and then paid $7 to pick up my car at valet, plus a tip. One would think that in these economic times, one might be trying to retain customers, not make they feel as if they don't belong there.

I still make it back to NYC for work and still go to the "Bond St." there. At the Bond St. in NYC, the people and atmosphere are top rate. Maybe that's why they're still thriving, and this LA outpost was nearly empty.

Regardless, I will never go back to the one in Beverly Hills. If it's the same owner(s), I hope he/she/they have a serious chat with the folks running the LA operation.

They're giving one of my favorite haunts a very bad name.

• Pros: good spicy tuna rolls and excellent lobster tempura
• Cons: the service

09/12/08

Go to Bond St.

by GinosPizza

Don't believe all the haters, this place is legit. I certainly don't work at Bond St., but I'm giving it a glowing review anyway. I've been there maybe a dozen times and each time I've had a great dinner with great service. I strongly recommend any of the sushi selections, as well as the beef short ribs, and the sea bass. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but those are my favorites. To the person who complained about the portion sizes - get a life. This is fine Japanese cuisine, not the bloody Cheesecake Factory! Show me a Japanese restaurant with huge portions and I'll show you a Benihana. The staff is courteous and helpful. Perhaps if you got an attitude from them you did something to deserve it. Each time I've been there, the staff , including the managers, has made it a great, fun experience. I'll keep going to Bond St. as my top choice for Japanese in this town. The staff, food, and atmosphere can't be beat.

• Pros: Great food, great staff, great ambiance.
• Cons: Self-important d0uche bag reviewers.

New York's swanky sushi restaurant springboards to Beverly Hills inside the luxe Thompson Hotel.

by Mar Yvette

This buzzing New York sushi import is right at home in the Thompson Hotel's posh digs. Girls in silk halters and guys sporting cufflinks fill the anterior lounge while a black-clad, mostly male waitstaff whiz through the main dining room crowded with big brown leather booths and tiny tables set against banquettes. Unlike the hype surrounding its social scene, Bond Street's kitchen has had its share of mixed reviews. The menu is a blend of sushi and Asian fusion, all served as small plates. To start, the complimentary edamame is a nice touch. Seaweed salad, made of six varieties, is served in a circular stack of deep greens, red and white--it's a rubbery concoction of chewy delight. Tuna tataki oozes with smoky flavor but the arugula potato roll is more like lettuce crammed inside rice and nori, topped with shoestring potatoes. That said, the signature Chilean sea bass, served in an artful diamond-shaped form, is firm yet flaky, with a savory-sweet glaze that is achieved by marinating the fish in sweet miso for two days. Worth every penny. And at this place, that's a whole lot.