Eight-18

Initially I was pleased a wine bar opened in Toluca Lake. Now, this place can close and I wouldn't miss it! I recently tried to make reservations for the "Eight 18" back room for a function. I was given less than professional service by the owner, BRAD. He never returned phone calls, was never at the restaurant, it seemed for more than five minutes on any given night and when inquiries were made to the staff regarding pricing and what was involved in renting the "Eight 18" back room, no one but this "Brad" seemed to know the informaiion. I even was hung up on by a waitress! I will not suggest or recommend Eight 18 as a place to go and will travel miles to avoid support of this establishment. I found Brad and the "Eight 18" staff to be unprofessional and strongly suggest he seek a locale which suits him -- I think there's space available on the planet Saturn. Pros: None come to mind Cons: Brad as the Owner; staff not knowledgeable re pricing for reservations for large party more

The service was slow, the bread was stale, the food was cold and the restaurant was dirty. Enough said. more

What a great hang for the neighborhood! Although true wine afficianados might think the wine list could go further, it's fabulous for those of us that know what we like and want help in trying something new. The staff is friendly and helpful. Although they have a full menu, I've only had the cheese plates. Get there early for a table and allow plenty of time to street park. Pros: Great, classy hang out was desparately needed in this neighborhood Cons: Not inexpensive, allow plenty of time to park, get there early for a table more

Eight-18 is by far my favorite place to be. It's a very sweet, sassy, sexy, intimate wine bar in Toluca Lake. The staff and patrons are very... more

I have been hearing the rumor of 661 in Valencia closing for sometime... I am one of the main bartenders there and frankly, I am tired of the rumors. We are still open and doing better then ever! We are getting all new wines and revamping our selections this month. I have yet to see an eviction notice and to this day we are still operating and going strong. If the writer of the first blog was unhappy with the wines being offered perhaps he would feel more comfortable in the wine section of the grocery store. We and Eight-18 offer various wines from all over the world that will give you a taste of something new every time you visit. Come and try either bar... I guarantee it will be a pleasant experience you will NEVER forget!!! Pros: Exciting atmosphere, Cool hip crowed, The Feeling of Hollywood/WeHo in Toluca Lake Cons: Always crowded! more

So after reading all of the previous reviews I came to a conclusion..... Who are these people?! Are they 70+ years old? Look, Eight-18 is definatly not for you. Its loud, they play rap and hip hop, but what's wrong with that? And they play that music after dinner hours. If you are a boring old person then go somewhere else. Eight-18 is meant for those of us who want to have good food, good wine AND have a FUN night; without having to go to Hollywood. The DJ is amazing! She has been in People Magazine and has been at Celebrity Parties. Koodos to Eight-18 for having her. Now as for the food... It's great! and their menu changes every couple months so we customers don't get bored with there food. Most people are just accustomed to restaurants that have there food in freezers and it's the same menu as it was 10 years ago, and that's what they expect. Well you wont find that at Eight-18, and that's probably why you don't like it. It's REAL food. I love this place! It's a breath of fresh air to the Valley scene. OH! And the Servers are some of the classiest, Sexiest girls I've met. Ok... I'll get down my Soap Box now... Pros: Hip spot, Great service, Menu always changing, Quiet Back room dining Cons: Always need a reservation! more

In our most recent visit to 8-18, the food was wonderful, the wine was more creative and the ambiance one I will revisit time and again. I love finding good wines by the glass (always the same tired lists at most restaurants but here they actually contemplate what sophisticated customers may want ) and Toluca Lake needs this kind of experience. Glad we came back and found a true good neighborhood restaurant. more

This bar is part of Wine 661 in Valencia who is being shut down for not paying their debts. I have seen eviction notices posted on the door. How long will it be before this bar also closes down. The wine selections are very poor, hardly ever will have your first choice on the menu, they do not keep a full inventory. There is limited selection of food and is served like someone threw it on the plate, in the microwave and out to you. Could this all be because of the monetary problems this owner is having and is losing interest ? I strongly suggest taking your time and money elsewhere. Like Trader Joes where you can but a bottle to take home. Pros: Great location, good staff Cons: Poor wine choices, cold, uninteresting food more

I went to check it out b/c people continued raving about it. I have no idea why! Wayyyyy to loud in there....horrible choice of music. I would say I am pretty knowledgable when it comes to wine.....the wine list was very mediocre. I waited 45 minutes for my food to come out....I ordered short ribs. They were cold.....and not very good, dry. Everything is overpriced. I don't mind paying for an expensive meal, but It should be worth it. We ordered dessert, what a joke. Our server was delightful, but thats the only positive thing I can muster up about this place! Do not go there, thats all I can say. more

Horrible place. Used to be my favorite place to eat.....all of my favorite servers are no longer there. I also used to love the food, but they have changed the chef so many times......the plates are always different. either that or they are out of the dish i want to order. Out of chicken? who ever heard of such a thing? also liked the cheese girl June....who is no longer there. My food often comes out 30 min late.....and sometimes cold. Excellent bottle list.....but everytime i went to order a bottle.....it took 3 or 4 tries to get a bottle they actually had.......A wine bar without wine? whats the deal........maybe the owner should pay attention to whats going on in his restaurant a little more.......this is one customer who is never going back Cons: loud, always out of everything, food always changing more

Eight 18 has a good selection of wine and cheese, and pretty friendly service. The only thing I had a serious problem with was being accosted by the incredibly loud and overwhelming MUSIC - which was not only in bad taste (i.e. Rap and bad Rap at that), but at a decible so high that I seriously could not hear the person next to me. A wine bar is and should never be a nightclub. It's a place to enjoy the finer things - to expand the palate and slowly sip fine wine with tasty accompanyments, all while enjoying good conversation. It's not a place for chain wallet wearing Jack and Coke drinkers - which seems to be the type of crowd Eight 18 is attracting with a DJ spinning eardrum thumping music on the overhead speakers (yes problem 2: who ever heard of DJ music on overhead speakers?). I really wanted to try a second glass of wine but the music was so unbearable we got the check and dodged out as fast as we could to prevent permanent hearing loss. Management should consider trying to attract a crowd that's willing to pay $15 for a glass of wine, which is probably not the type of crowd that cares to listen to Biggie Smalls rapping about big bootie byotches at a decible that could shatter the glass they're drinking from. It's no wonder the place was practically empty on a Saturday night. Decent food and wine will only get a restaurant so far - ultimately it's about an overall experience, and unless you are deaf or going deaf this is not the place for you. Pros: Decent wine and cheese Cons: Unbearably loud and terrible music more

This place keeps changing, food, menu, chefs, cheese girls, servers. What's happening? Regulars won't keep coming back if they never know what to expect! Cons: loud music, inconsistant more

I've been here a few times. While the decor is nice - the lack of tablecloths or curtains is surprising. They have wine lockers but nothing in there is climate controlled. Some people have "boxed" wine on display! You can't even buy a bottle to take with you - might as well go across the street to Trader Joe's! The music is waaaay too loud and the staff always seems drunk. Especially the managment. Either they are never around or they are sitting at the bar drinking with customers. The lunch menu seems like a rip off of every other menu in the valley and the dinner menu lacks focus (and flavor) Skip this place - save your money and order in. more

A few months ago I commented elsewhere about this Toluca Lake place (Eight-18). I really disliked it so much, I feel compelled to repost my comments here. The only thing I will say to its credit it that it's quite loud and sceney, which *can* be fun. But as someone who loathes massive meals and adores small plates, this place really ruined that for me. A minute portion of Mac and cheese came out in a chewy (not crispy) parmesan basket. Probably two dessertspoon's worth. Really underwhelming. Cheese platter was pricey with tiny slivers of cheese. Truly MINISCULE! We had shrimp with pomegranates. Quite nice. But honestly, $9.00 for TWO shrimp? Are you freaking kidding me???? Also I shared two carafes of a fairly decent pino noir and was charged $54 for that pleasure. Restaurants must love this small plates fad. So easy to overcharge for so little food. Also, we waited for our drinks (at least 15 mins -- not too egregious), then all of a sudden all the food and drinks arrived at the same time... Not going back. No way, no how. Pros: nothing, really Cons: the servers are inexperienced with wine -- in Wine Bar?? more

Went here for the 1st time this weekend and I just loved it. It's not a place to go and get hammered. It is an adult hang out. Great wine and incredible cheese. The staff is very helpful, too. My husband were able to hang out, drink, eat and talk and actually enjoy our conversation. Go figure. A great addition to Toluca Lake. I will definately be back. Pros: Great atmosphere, food and wine Cons: Have to tip the food portion of your tab separately - strange more

I can't say enough about Eight-18 (& it's Eight-18 not Ate18.) The atmosphere is fun, the staff is great, the wine is delicious, the food is good! Portions are perfect for dinner or appetizers. If you haven't been here yet, GO GO GO! more