03/08/09

A Serious Let down

by elise2003

I was drawn to the restaurant by the marketing on the web site with great food and entertainment, but after spending some time there I realized that the service was changing progressivley from one visit to another. To make matters worse the owner of the restaurant was serving our table. Our experience started off very welcoming, but before we knew it we felt a very hostile environment. We felt very pressured to order dinner even though we had verbally explained to our host that we were still waiting for our friend. Any one in their right mind would understand the situation. Perhaps it was a cultural difference regardless the customer is always correct. And in most businesses the center of the universe. Customers are the reason why small businesses thrive and they must always keep them in mind. Especially during this hard economy, where vendors will snatch customers at a blink of an eye!!!!!!

01/07/09

Exotic food in a beautiful atmosphere

by jordanalorraine

WOW! All of the senses are aroused in this best-kept Westside secret locale. Luxurious tapestry hangs from the ceiling above platform sofas peppered with colorful, textured pillows in the bar and lounge areas, where a belly dancer entertains a diverse crowd on Friday and Saturday nights. The soft ethnic music compliments the aromatic Moroccan spices and array of creative cocktails served up by the friendly staff in traditional attire. Owner Michel Ohayon greets diners in French, Italian, Arabic and Hebrew and escorts them to cozy booths for not just a meal, but a cultural journey. Excellent for drinks, dates or groups, this place is an absolute gem!

• Pros: a unique and delicious experience

10/26/08

We had a nice evening

by wilwhim

A friend of mine discovered the restaurant on the internet and we searched it out without knowing what it would look like- She and I were happy to discover that it has a beautiful ambiance - The French woman who seated us asked if we had a reservation which seemed strange as the place was empty- but eventually it did fill up. I had a glass of Chardonnay (7.- was not a full glass) She had a virgin fruity drink (10). The service was always polite and helpful. I had the poisson du vendredi (20.) which I liked a lot though the fish seemed a little underdone. She had a dish with chunks of lamb and vegetables and couscous (don't remember the price on that). We were both very happy with the food. The service continued to be excellent through out the evening. The music bumped up when the belly dancer came out which was a little annoying as we were having a nice conversation... the dancer clearly wanted everyone to watch her, and though I always want to support a performer when they are performing I just decided at a certain point that it was more important to give my attention to the lady I was with than the lady who was gyrating 8 ft away... it actually got a little uncomfortable. The entire evening ran about 62. plus 20ish% tip = 75. It was on the whole a nice evening and I would definitely return. You want to sit in a corner on the couches- I can't imagine sitting on a stool for the entire evening.

Editorial Review by Kim Cooper

by Contributor

Exotic decor, belly dancers and steaming pots of mint tea set the stage for family-style Exotic decor, belly dancers and steaming pots of mint tea set the stage for family-style couscous and tagine main courses.

07/14/08

Amazing ambience and venue!

by becssilverstein76

We hosted my rehersal dinner here and let me just tell you...SPECTACULAR! Everyone had a blast and the staff was so accomodating! I definately recommend Koutoubia for special events and parties. It is so unique and people of every age enjoy it. The food was phenominal...way better than DarMagreb or Marrakesh by far! 5 stars all the way!

• Pros: Perfect for special occasions!
• Cons: Having to leave at the end of the night.

04/24/08

Great evening at Koutoubia

by rsilvertone

Great evening at Koutoubia, exotic teas and belly dancers. How do they do it? I was surprised and was so thrilled that Table for Six had their progressive dinner at Koutoubia. It was so different, I mean it was a great experience.

I recommend this to others who want to do something different. Would I do it again? I?ll do it before my car keys fall to the floor.

Rsilvertone

• Pros: Must See!!

01/27/08

We were harassed and abused here.....

by sivan111

I went out to a very nice restaurant with my boyfriend tonight for dinner. A pretty upscale Moroccan restaurant. The owner, who served us, was very friendly chatting with us throughout our meal. The meal was about over, we ordered tea and dessert. Meanwhile, the owner comes to our table to chat with us again. And out of nowhere, as he started feeling more comfortable or chatty, I guess, but out of nowhere he started asking us sexual questions.

At first I thought maybe it was a quick joke or something. But the owner went on and on with it and started making more sexual jokes about us and asking questions, directing it towards me, and so on.

Then he started making jewish jokes and asked my boyfriend if I take care of him well on Shabbat and

made remarks and then he started imitating (physically) the movements of sexual intercourse.

The entire time we were quiet - in shock.

Finnally, I could not look at the server in the eye after that and I was so embarrassed.

I went to the bathroom and when I came back my boyfriend was standing up and told me to wait outside near the car.

He cancelled the tea and dessert order, asked for the bill, paid the bill and tip. And then he went over to the owner/server and told him off. He told him never to talk like that again and what he thought of him in a very stern way. The owner apologized to him, but honestly, I feel like I need to file a complaint of some sort.

12/01/07

Don't waste your money and time!!!

by ar_irene

If you really want to try real Moroccan cuisine, don't waste your time at Koutoubia. First, when we came, we didn't get the seats we wanted. We were pushed to order more while we didn't want to. Coming from Paris, where you can find and eat wonderful Moroccan food, we wanted to have the same experience in Los Angeles. But instead we left very disappointed. We wanted just to get a good couscous. But here it had no taste at all and and the portion was very small. It was typical French stinginess in food. The owner is a French and this French pinch to the Moroccan cuisine doesn't suit at all. Nothing matched. Two small legs of chicken and almost raw vegetables, the sauce is salt water with small cube of Maggie.

Hope we'll find a real Moroccan restaurant.

07/30/07

UNIQUE CULTURAL FUN EXPERIENCE! WONDERFUL FOR PARTIES!

by ashmil

I had a FABULOUS time at Koutoubia with a large group of family and friends. Not only was the food phenomenial. NO ITS NOT THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY with the LARGE portions BUT THAT IS NICE for a change to not be in a chain! It is great and a very large group/family environment. The owner and staff were so attentive and really worked to make this a special occasion for my fiancee and myself. I would definately recommend coming to this restaurant if you want something different and want a unique, cultural experience. The celebration dinner is AMAZING and a MUST DO FOR GROUPS! If you normally go to CPK or PF Changs maybe this place isn't for you...if you have traveled the world and appreciate family owned establishments DEFINATELY put Koutoubia on your list of things to do in LA :) You will NOT regret it!

• Pros: wonderful house wines, Bastiaa, Celebration Dinner
• Cons: belly dancer is only there on the weekends

05/07/07

The Worst Dining Experience In My Life!

by kal_el

One of my friends invited me to her birthday celebration this past Saturday night. Little did I know that I would soon encounter the worst dining experience in my life. From the minute we arrived at this wretched establishment, everything was "rush, rush, rush." We were still waiting for a member of our party when we were crammed into a dark corner, after being told it was a prime location. From the minute we sat down, the wife of the owner (I referred to her as Madame Bee-yotch the rest of the night) was pushing us to order our food. When we told her we were still wiaiting for someone, she asked if we could just order for her. She then said that we had to order the set menu. Now, on the menu it clearly states that parties of 8 or more have to order the set menu, but we were a party of 7. My friend then asked to deal directly with Michel, the owner. He asked why we didn't want to order the set menu. She told him that there were several vegetarians present and I piped in that I was a picky eater. He turned to me and rudely asked what I wanted. I got up to leave because I had had enough. Another member of our party said that this was the worst customer service he had ever experienced, but it didn't seem to register at all. When another guest asked for more lighting so he could read the menu, he snapped, "What do want? A flashlight?" He stormed off and got one, which he proceded to slam on the table. I was literally fuming, but I saw how upset the birthday girl was getting, so I ordered another drink and kept them coming for the remainder of the evening. The owner explained that people come to this restaurant to hang out for the ambiance and don't order food or drink, hence this policy. Well, let me tell you, this restaurant isn't all that and I will never return. The customer service is awful and the food is mediocre at best and the portions are too small. I am e-mailing this review to all my LA friends and encouraging them to pass it on. AVOID KOUTOUBIA AT ALL COST!

• Pros: Moroccan Martini
• Cons: Rude service, small portions, not a good value for your money, no parking lot