Bamboo

10/24/09

SOME good food, but inconsistent and pricey!

by poppycock at Citysearch

This place has a really nice ambiance, and my husband and I had a very nice waitress who didn't act annoyed at all, even though we came in a bit late in the evening (just as the other two tables at the restaurant were finishing). I ordered the mango chicken and it was DELICIOUS. My only complaint was that it was essentially a chicken breast pounded flat with rice, beans and plaintains (which, although delicious, were pretty greasy)-- and it was $15. My husband's pollo milanesa was essentially the same meat-- chicken pounded flat, but then breaded and pan-fried. Didn't have enough sauce, and again, was pretty pricey for what it actually was. I'm not saying not to go there-- it has a good vibe and at least my dish was awesome. Just wish they would bring the prices down a bit...

• Pros: mango chicken
• Cons: a bit too expensive, some dishes better than others

01/09/09

C OCKROACHES!!! and RUDE SERVICE

by rockoutloud at Citysearch

I was there last week and saw huge c ockroaches (citysearch won't let me spell c ock all together, even with a "roa ches" after it, which it won't let me spell either) scurrying across the dining room floor and the bar floor!! GROSS! makes you wonder what is in the actual kitchen.... Also, the waitress was pretty rude. It seemed like she was there just to get her 15 percent and that's it. When we first sat down and she walked up to us this is how she greeted us in a monotone line in one breath in 1.5 seconds flat: "Hello how are you can i get you a margarita?" Although it sounded more like one long word. We're not coming back and I wouldn't advise anyone to go there.

• Pros: waitresses are effecient with their breaths
• Cons: C OCKROACHES!

02/15/08

Bamboo's Food is Great, but Atmosphere is Very Casual

by KatieHillUSC at Citysearch

I was surprised to find that the atmosphere at Bamboo was way more casual than most of the reviews suggested. It has a nice family-owned feel, but the tables and chairs look like cafeteria furniture and the waitress who served us was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. At the same time, it was really private and empty when we went there on a Sunday night, which I liked. It was cozy and quiet with pleasant music, which made for great conversation. We sat inside, the outdoor candle-lit seating may be slightly more formal. The atmosphere made me hesitate at first, but I thought the food was excellent. I would describe the food as Latin American, there are clear Cuban and Brazilian influences. The portions are really large and everything comes with black beans, rice, and fried plantains. We shared everything, it was great. I had a special shrimp and asparagus dish with pineapple salsa and my boyfriend had a bbq style chicken dish that had a sweet, delicious flavor. The prices are beyond reasonable for the amount of food that you get. I don't recommend this place for a first date, it's much too casual. But if you're looking for a place to explore a new kind of cuisine with your significant other for a more casual night out, it's great. It's definitely not the place to start if you're looking for a night out on the town. The service was fast and very kind. I would go back again.

• Pros: authentic, delicious food. fast service, huge portions, great value
• Cons: very casual atmosphere, not very asthetically pleasing

09/29/07

Delicious Find in Palms

by shellbert at Citysearch

I moved to down Palms a few years ago from West LA and have not been good about finding restaurants in this neighborhood. Discovering Bamboo was a wake-up call to what I have been missing. I went for dinner fairly early on a Sunday so it was not very busy, and the atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable. The steak I had was done perfectly to my taste--medium well but soft enough for easy cutting. The meat and vegetables julianne were a flavorful mix and it was the first time in a long while that my eating companion not only commented on how good my food was, but asked to try and bite (and one or two after that). His fish was also well prepared and very tasty. Overall, a nice, casual, not-too-expensive spot that works well for a couple or a family to enjoy a tasty dinner without a lot of fuss.

• Pros: Relaxed casual environment, good food, reasonable prices
• Cons: parking spots were hard to determine versus parking for Brazil Cafe restaurant next door.

08/07/07

Amazing Flavors, Inexpensive, Variety

by summertime18 at Citysearch

Bamboo is a great restaurant for lunch and for dinner. They have a wide variety of food - everything from salads to pizza to entrees such as steak, chicken, and salmon. The portions are large and filling and the prices are extremely reasonable. I didn't think of myself as a big fan of Caribbean food, and you really don't have to be. Bamboo uses quality ingredients and flavors them with perfectly balanced spices, sauces, or toppings. I ordered an appetizer salad and it was the size of an entree! I then ordered the grilled vegetable and chicken pizzas. My friends ordered the steak and salmon and all were delicious. I am a huge pizza fan and this is some of the best that I've ever had! The crust was soft and a little crisp around the edges, there was just enough cheese and the grilled vegetables were great. The chicken was the best though -extremely tasty as well - some of the best I've ever had - not spicy, but with a kick. Our bill came out to less than $40 with drinks as well. Service was good and there is a large outdoor patio as well.

• Pros: Food Flavors, Selection, Price, Service

Spicy Caribbean cuisine served in a tiki-lit island hideaway.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
The restaurant's understated island theme has made it a neighborhood favorite; wicker chairs and a candlelit interior provide a casual, romantic setting. The Latin American-influenced menu features simple starters like salad with sweet Roma tomatoes, Maui onions and fresh mozzarella. Entrees bank on tongue-numbing sauces, and come with white rice, black beans and thick slices of lightly fried plantains. A house favorite is light, Jamaican-style mango chicken drizzled with plump raisins and tart-sweet pineapple.

11/19/06

Great food and excellent service!

by boozy_moonbutt at Citysearch

A real find in the heart of Culver City. Try the Yucatan Chicken and the Colossal Shrimp, both are to die for, and ask for spicy! The mojito was a little on the sweet side, but the margs were excellent, and the service was prompt and friendly.

• Pros: Excellent food, good portion size, fast and friendly service
• Cons: Patio right on Venice Blvd.

10/29/06

Saucy!

by radiancelee at Citysearch

Love the mango curry chicken and the shrimp appetizer (though the latter portion is relatively tiny - 3 butterflied shrimps). The restaurants could use nicer tables to kick up the Carribean feel of the place, and the street view to Venice is not my favorite. However, it's worth a stop and trying the great sauces that come with the dishes. Also try the Fresh Guava Water!

• Pros: Sauces, Guava, Music
• Cons: Ran out of my first order and had to change, a little slow though there was hardly anyone there

07/07/06

One of my faves

by ninapb at Citysearch

One of my favorite spots; brought some friends over and everyone loved their meals. They have a fantastic fruit smoothie, and wonderful seafood and chicken dishes.

• Pros: A+ food

01/17/06

Long Time Favorite

by mlfield at Citysearch

My family has been eating here for at least the last 14 years - maybe longer, about 2 saturdays out of every month. The food is always terrific - we have never had even one bad meal in all those years! The waiters are nice and full of information. The kitchen staff is willing to accomodate most special requests off the menu. Also, there are unlisted sides such as grilled vegetables and salad as well as the listed sides. I tell everyone I know to go to Bamboo and they always return with rave reviews.