11/06/09

Things Must Have Changed

by tvtrixie

I had read the previous reviews and was a little skeptical about going to The Mint. I shouldn't have been. The show was standing room only and because of a chronic back problem, I can't stand up for four hours straight. I thought I was going to have to pass on going, but my date called and asked them to reserve a bar stool for me, which they did. When we arrived, they had reserved an entire table for us, knew our names and introduced themselves! They couldn't have been nicer. Same goes for the wait staff. Very sweet, very attentive.

The only thing that wasn't up to par was the calamari, which turned cold after two or three minutes, making it rubbery. The drinks were good - not overly strong and not "is there alcohol in this?" weak. Like Goldilocks, it was just right. The tiramasu was delicious, the hummus nice and garlicky and the pita bread was piping hot. The bands were all great, especially The Soul of John Black.

Don't base your decision to go to The Mint on old reviews. There has obviously been some personnel changes since last year. I would definitely go back. The only thing I would suggest for the owners is that they pick up the trash next to the building or invest in a good trash can, it would make it that much nicer.

• Pros: Extremely nice staff
• Cons: cold calamari, trash outside the building.

11/05/08

RUDE MANEGEMENT

by MUSICCRTQ

I WENT TO THE MINT THE OTHER NIGHT AND DEALT WITH THE A VERY ABRASIVE DOORMAN WHO WAS NOT ONLY RUDE BUT WAS HITTING ON MY GIRLFRIEND AT THE SAME TIME I THAN TRIED TO APROACH THE OWNER WHO WAS JUST AS BAD IF NOT WORSE. I WILL BE SURE TO TELL ME FRIENDS NOT TO GO. FOOD WAS DISGUSTING AND OVER THE TOP...

03/20/08

Good Music, So-So Drinks, HORRIBLE SERVICE

by kailanni

I visited this venue for the first time last night. I came with 2 friends to see a mutual friend perform. Upon our arrival my friends and I found a table in front of the stage and seated ourselves. The less than pleasant waitress came over and took our orders. After we ordered about $75 worth of food & drinks she walked away, then returned & informed us that she needed a credit card before she put the order in. She said she wouldn?t charge it & we could pay however we wanted to when we were ready but she just needed to hold the card. I was offended because I don?t recall seeing her request this from anyone else but I didn't make a big deal, it was girls night out, we came to see our friend & have fun so I handed over my card and let it go. During the meal she made several thoughtless mistakes such as bringing a draft beer when the order was for a white zinfandel, forgetting things that we ordered & bringing things that we didn?t. Through all of this not once did she apologize for the mistakes. Still we continued to be pleasant and try to enjoy ourselves. The drinks were mediocre, the food was decent & the service was awful. After our friend finished her performance we asked for the check. She had charged us for the beer that she brought by mistake, AND for an order of French fries that we never ordered or saw. After huffily correcting the bill she brought a revised one back. Needless to say, I did not tip. When I signed the receipt for the bill, she looked at it, saw the absence of a tip & get this- had the NERVE to say "I see you didn't tip, was there a problem with the service tonight?" Unbelievable. I calmly began to explain what the problem was but she abruptly cut me off and just waived me away saying "You know what, that's okay, have a nice night sweetie." Then walked away. I will never return here again. And it?s too bad, because like I said, I really enjoyed the atmosphere & performers, but the service really put a damper on the experience.

• Pros: Good Crab Cakes, Nice Crowd, Really Talented Performers
• Cons: Poor service, $8-$15 cover at the door, plus a 2 drink minimum to sit at a table.

06/20/07

Terrible door lady

by photoman5050

Just went to The Mint and the people who work there are jerks!!! I will try to make sure that I never go there. The bertender was great but the rest of their help were completely rude. The door lady was exceptionally terrible.

Go to a different club....It's LA, there are plenty. Support establishments that appreciate your business.

10/13/06

Great music club!

by cahuengacat

I've been here about five (5) times. It's a great place to see a band and toss back a few cold ones. If you want to sit down, you'll need reservations. Always good parking in this area (pass on the valet). I've only eaten a few snacks here...and I must say that they are qutie good. Good sound system to boot!

• Pros: Cool music joint!
• Cons: You will stand!

09/13/06

Good music, good food

by julesf402

I went to The Mint on a Tuesday night to see my friends' band play and to eat dinner. We had the southwest crab cakes and chicken quesadillas. They were both tasty, but as a warning - the crab cakes are TINY. You get three that are about the size of a quarter. I liked the atmosphere - dark with lush fabricks and candles. If you want to have a conversation, get there before 9:00 because after the live music starts you want be able to hear anything but that. There was a $7 cover that night and plenty of street parking in a decent neighborhood.

07/27/06

WHAT A WASTE

by daterchick

STUPID ON EVERY LEVEL

AVERAGE FOOD. HIGH COVER CHARGE. MUSIC LOUD. PLACE NOT COOL

DRINKS WERE ... HMMMM BASIC AT BEST.

06/27/06

matthew gladstone gourmet foods

by mgladstone

wow... ive been so honored and amazed with all of these great reviews. as of july 1st 2006.., however. i will not be supplying foods or acting as executive chef at the mint.

i will be focusing all of my energy to my culinary responsibilities as new executive chef at the formosa cafe ( as of june 15th, 2006 ) and to our catering division

please continue to support live music at the mint... and please treat yourself to my new menu at the formosa cafe

thank you for the kind words everyone!!

04/08/06

my new favorite restaurant!

by oximoron

without question. best bar food in la. cant wait for chef matthew gladstone to open another restaurant. club is terrific. dark, cool. food is filling/ wonderful spicy flavors. never had a combination of flavors and presentation like this... in a lounge bar. or just about anywhere. i hear... get there early.. music gets loud.

• Pros: food, wine, waitress
• Cons: loud

12/09/05

Down to earth service

by christinabuff

We went to see Kate Earl last night and she was fabulous! The band that played before didn't have much luck with the audience;they talked a lot throughout their performance.

The ambiance is wonderful between the lighting and the closeness of the stage; it was very cozy.

The service was fun; our waitress had a cute personality and when we asked what she liked, she did not hesitate.

The chef, Matthew Gladstone, did a great job with everything we ordered (try the crabcakes and the macaroni and cheese, they are amazing!) and we even got some appetizer fries "on the waitress."

A waiter bringing our dish told us it was compliments of the chef, but it was in fact a dish we had already ordered; kinda funny.

On the whole, it was such a comfortable, relaxed environment with good food, good service and good music. I will be back!

• Pros: fun, delicious food, personable, f service, cozy atmosphere
• Cons: pricey valet