Luau Beverly Hills

06/20/09

looks are deceptive

by bosslady1 at Citysearch

Good food but poor classless service. It began with the park & retrieve your own car valet- $8 parking. when making the reservation they were told that we would be celebrating a 77th birthday. We reminded the waitress when desserts were ordered & she returned with no candle, nor was there a complimentay dessert or even ice cream - no acknowledgement at all. I would rather have great service and average food.

• Pros: great seabass
• Cons: poor customer service & no class

06/13/09

Go heavy on the apps and cocktails

by kara nortman at Citysearch

Excellent food and a great date spot for a night on the town with my hubby. At first I was a little weary of the tiki, fringed exterior. But once inside, it was all class. The hanging, illuminated blowfish sound kind of mawkish, but they actually added a subtle, elegant tropical feel. As for the food.. fantastic. Try the peking duck tacos and seabass. And Frank Sinatra's signature cocktail did not disappoint.

• Pros: Ambiance and food!
• Cons: Slow valet

01/27/09

Delicious BUT Expensive..!

by letyg at Citysearch

Great location, great decor, great food, great vibe but this restaurant is very expenisve. My small drink was $18 and the food is pricey. I really wish this establishment would lower it's prices just a bit so we could go back more often.

• Pros: Food, Ambiance, Decor, Staff, Location
• Cons: Prices and small drinks

01/17/09

Things Ain't What they Used to Be

by TheDukeBH at Citysearch

I have been going to Polynesian themed restaurants for a scant 40 years, dating back to Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood, Trader Vic's and, of course, the original Luau (where my sister's Sweet 16 got a little out of hand), so I think I have some basis of comparison and judgment. The drinks here are an embarrassment to the legendary restaurants. The Navy Grog arrived bereft of rock sugar swizzle stick or paper umbrella. It was neither strong nor satisfying. The $35 Scorpion Bowl was only slightly larger than the finger bowl they brought with the Pupu Platter, the enormous straws seemingly stuck into a pin cushion made entirely of ice. The new incarnation is a glitzy but pale imitation of its storied predecessor. I am resigned to the idea that "all things shrink with age," and perhaps my memories are too nostalgic and, to be sure, Mako's food is at least as good as its forebears', but we came for the drinks and they don't get it. Prediction: Will close by year's end.

01/04/09

Bring your wallet to this Luau

by gogobag at Citysearch

The first sign of trouble was when the front desk greeter told me "I can't have you looking at my screen," when I happened to glance in the direction of her reservation computer. "It's confidential information," she sneered as if she was working at the CIA instead of a mediocre, overpriced Beverly Hills theme restaurant. Sadly, that's what Luau is. From the Pu Pu platter of average Polynesian fare (meatballs, coconut shrimp, pork ribs) to a $39 chicken served in a cloying jidori sauce, the food was underwhelming and the prices stunning. $13 for a mai tai. $45 for the laughably confused Japanese-style Wagyu New York steak from Australia (really, no joke). Obviously, you don't go for this sort of cuisine expecting it to be fine French cooking, but at these prices, you have a right to. The room is pleasant enough. Kitschy and retro. The puffer fish hanging lamps are funky... though there's something depressing about living creatures being turned into light fixtures. Whatever, go for a cocktail, but save your money and eat somewhere better.

01/01/09

Favorite New Restaurant

by KaitlinKerr at Citysearch

I have dined here twice already, and intend to keep coming back!! We've had excellent service both times (despite the fact that they are quite busy). The drinks are strong, and make me feel like I'm on vacation. I love the pupu platter, I will get it every time! Entree-wise it's been fun to try quite a few things: my favorite so far is the lamb with lychees & peanut sauce! Although, my boyfriend's new york steak was also amazing. And, the orange chicken was delicious. For dessert I recommend the chocolate cake & the key lime pie! ugh, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Bonus: (I can't help it, celeb spotting always makes my night a little more fun.) The first time I was there I saw J-Lo & Mark Anthony dining in the corner! The second time Courtney Cox & David Arquette were there with friends.

Con: The restaurant is pretty small, so we did have to wait 15 minutes even though we had a reservation- but it was worth it! I think maybe that's why they keep their bar closed to the general public (to use it as a waiting area).

• Pros: Fun environment
• Cons: Be prepared to possibly wait a few minutes for your table (even with reservations)

12/14/08

Poor service

by jraposa at Citysearch

We read about Luau on a website & we were shopping in Beverly Hills recently and decided to stop into Luau for a drink and something to eat at the bar. When we walked in the bartender asked if we had a reservation & we said we just wanted something at the bar. The bartender stated they don't serve at the bar, it is only a place for waiting for a table even though there were 10 stools and looked like any other bar we have been into.

The restaurant was very quiet and we didn't want to sit at a table. I don't understand their policy and it turned us off to a place near home that we may have frequented.

• Pros: Close to home
• Cons: Poor Service

12/10/08

Exotic decor to go along with an exotic feast.

by mrdelrey at Citysearch

This place is ideal for family style dining. I recommend you start off with the poo-poo platter, an assortment of appetizers. We ordered the sea bass, curry filet mignon, and the halibut. All which was very good. And if you have room for desert, try the coconut cheese cake or the chocolate lava cake.

• Cons: A bit pricey

12/06/08

Retro blast, that shouldn't be pre-judged!!!

by hollywoodeats at Citysearch

Fantastic time. We had to wait 30 minutes on a Saturday, but that is to be expected at a hot restaurant in LA. We had 2 mai tais at the bar and waited. The hostess was friendly, and the waiter was excellent. The food and atmosphere was fun and playful. We had Chilean Sea bass and the Ping Pei chicken. Coconut Cheesecake was to die for. We will definitely be going back.

• Pros: great food, great service
• Cons: older crowd, but got better as night went on

12/03/08

Poo Poo to the staff

by dineher at Citysearch

Attractive decor and tasty tidbits were overshadowed by insulting and rude management. Is this really the time to offend a single customer? They may be knocking themselves out in the kitchen, but they are being blindsided by the noncooking staff. Wake up and kiss the customers.

• Pros: very attractive
• Cons: management