03/15/09

Overpriced and not worth the hype

by kpntrl

If you want to eat good Cuban food then I don't believe this is the place. I've eaten at Versailles and the food is much better for half the price. I recently went to this restaurant for the first time and I was less than impressed to say the least. My friend and I spent about $150.00 for dinner and a couple of cocktails! This is extremely overpriced for two people especially at a place that serves mediocre food, drinks and service. And did I mention the rude parking attendants! I will definitely never visit this establishment again nor will I recommend it to anyone else. So if you just want to go and dance to good Latin music then I guess it’s OK as long as you don’t mind dancing in an overcrowded small space.

• Pros: Good Music - Live Band
• Cons: Expensive, mediocre food and rude parking attendants

07/23/08

I had a blast!

by doll83

We celebrated my friend's birthday there on a Friday night. The table was reserved for 15 people. When I arrived it was pleasantly crowded and the live band was not playing yet. Our order was taken around 9:30pm and the food arrived one hour later. However the fare was definitely worth the waiting. I had grilled salmon with, rise and black refried beans, fried bananas and boiled veggies. The plate was generously piled and steaming hot and the salmon was juicy and delicate. After the live band began to play a conversation was almost impossible. However, since everybody was there for dancing salsa it didn't ruin the night at all. After the dinner everybody started to dance and guys were daring enough to ask women to dance, what really fascinated me. All in all, it was a fantastic evening with best salsa music I have ever heard, good Cuban food (a bit too heavy as for me, though very savory) and a lot of salsa dancing.

I would recommend this place to all salsa and Cuban food enthusiasts.

• Pros: Dancing, food, ambience, service, crowd, atmosphere
• Cons: Door in the lady's restroom doesn't close properly

06/03/08

Go Somewhere else

by GetInformed

The place is small and feels like it's a latin sweet 15teen! Not a place where you want to be seen.

The food is average, but expensive for beans and rice. The drinks? expensive and not worth the money.

The service is okay. Make sure you take your second car! The valet guy lost my keys!? The bar tender is okay, but SHE(the little one) insists on big tips! save your money and PLEASE GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. like EL CHOLO! the food is way better. i really dont understand the hype? the music/dance? SAME PEOPLE THAT GO TO THE MAYAN! there is more room to dance at the mayan. My rating is NO STAR, but that is not an option.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Save your money.

04/01/08

meh...

by rtnla

I had heard good things about this place so I swung by for an early dinner. Small intimate place with a dance floor.

Meat rice and beans were just so-so. The rice was very moist and flavorless and the beans were a bit bland. The meat (pork) was somewhat tasty but wasn't memorable. All though I didn't eat the bread it was sad to see that I was given a plain white bread roll.

The service however was really good an my waiter was very polite and attentive.

Off night? Not sure, but my experience that night did not live up to the praise that I've heard. I may give it a try another day.

• Pros: Cool dance floor
• Cons: simple and uninsired food

03/30/08

I would call El Floridita a little taste of New York.

by monikita

Ok, this is by far the best little kept secret in Hollywood. Best mojitos ever!!!! and, the skirt steak is great. They also have this tasty chimichurri sauce that is pretty darn good. The service is fun,friendly, and attentive. The place is small so dont expect a huge place. Reservations would be best or you will find yourself waiting. Guaranteed you will go back. I would recommend you try a Monday or Friday night, that is usually the best. They have a live salsa band that makes you feel like you are in New York!!! A place to hang out with your friends to have a drink or a date. I would not take a child there. Pretty trendy and hollywoodish..

03/11/07

Absolutely Wonderful

by bucksbride

My husband and I walked from Pantages theater to have dinner here. When we first walked up I wasn't at all sure about this place. The outside is pretty bland. However, once inside it is adorable. We got there early so there was only a few other people there. I could see that it would be amazing with more people for dancing. Our server was fabulous and offered us mojitos right away. They were just what we needed. He also helped with suggestions that we landed up ordering. Both of our entrees were great. The chicken dish that we got was so tender and flavorful. The cook brought our food out and was delightful as he sang along with the music. Our whole experience was memorable. I would definately recommed it and it was well worth the walk over (and I was in heels). The prices were great too, it is hard to find food of this quality without spending a fortune.

• Pros: Ambience, close to Pantages
• Cons: Very limited parking, outside

The rhythm is going to get you if the mojitos and classic Cuban dishes don't.

by Contributor

In Short
Taking its name from a Havana landmark once frequented by Ernest Hemingway and John Wayne, this supper club offers Cuban classics to another generation of Americans. Lunch is the best time to enjoy the Cuban food, but it's the nightly entertainment that attracts crowds and celebs such as Salma Hayek, Enrique Iglesias and Nicole Kidman. The salsa nights are legendary, but mambo and merengue are also represented.

04/29/06

fun stuff

by hellosir

great staff, wonderful service, really fun to dance or just watch...you can spot celebs!!

food was amazing. make sure to bring a fun date!

04/22/06

Great Place, Good Time

by dan_in_la

My wife and I enjoyed El Floridita last night. The service was fine, the food was great, the drinks hit the spot. This is a good place to go and have a good time. People celebrate here. There is no pretense. You don't have to be a great dancer either; just have fun.

• Pros: Fun, Good Food, Live music and dancin

01/30/06

Do not eat here

by foodfan11

I genuinely detested my experience at this restaurant. I was rudely treated from the time I showed up and was told I didn't have a table (when I had spoken with someone 10 minutes earlier on the phone). The food was pathetic. The service was slow to non-existent. Overall, it is my least favorite cuban food in los angeles and the worst service I've had anywhere in a long time. You can do much better than this place. I love good food and I wouldn't bad mouth a place unless I felt truly offended.

• Cons: bad service, bad food, expensive valet