Magnolia

After dining at too many Los Angeles restaurants that have chic and trendy decor, but mediocre food, I have to say that I didn't have high expectations for Magnolia. Luckily, I was wrong about this place. Three of us went into Magnolia early on a Sunday afternoon. The restaurant was only about half full. We were seated right away. The decor, as I said is trendy, but cozy. Lots of black and beige. The service was attentive, although my friend did have to ask a couple of times for vinegar (granted, it's not something that everyone asks for when dining). The food, I have to say, was the highlight of the experience. Two of us ordered the B.L.A.T. sandwich, while my boyfriend ordered lox and bagels. The B.L.A.T. was terrific, and came with yummy shoestring fries (or a choice of salad). According to my boyfriend, the salmon seemed really fresh too. Overall, this is definitely a place worth coming to for lunch, especially if you want to check out the ArcLight for an afternoon movie afterwards, since it is within walking distance. Pros: Good food; close to the ArcLight Cons: Parking may be a nightmare .... more

I'm a New Yorker so I'm extremely picky when it comes to restaurants. I am so excited to have found Magnolia since I have been to so many places in LA and have never been satisfied. I went in with three of my friends and we were seated within 15 minutes of arriving (we were also late for our resevation and the adorable hostess worked us into the packed restaurant). We were all blown away by our meals as well as the server who was extremely attentive and had a great personality to boot. We all shared the tuna tartare (which I crave every day now), the mac and cheese which had a great smoky flavor (very different), and for entrees we had the burger, the filet of beef (dissolved in my mouth) and shared the Lobster Ravioli and the Halibut. All were excellent which is hardly the case in my experiences with restaurant hopping. Food aside, the crowd was stunning, music on point, and the decor gave off such a great vibe. The place is beautiful. The only complaint i had was that it took a while to walk out since it was so packed. I plan on going back as much as I can! Pros: ambience, food, service Cons: crowded more

I'm a New Yorker so I'm extremely picky when it comes to restaurants. I am so excited to have found Magnolia since I have been to so many places in LA and have never been satisfied. I went in with three of my friends and we were seated within 15 minutes of arriving (we were also late for our resevation and the adorable hostess worked us into the packed restaurant). We were all blown away by our meals as well as the server who was extremely attentive and had a great personality to boot. We all shared the tuna tartare (which I crave every day now), the mac and cheese which had a great smoky flavor (very different), and for entrees we had the burger, the filet of beef (dissolved in my mouth) and shared the Lobster Ravioli and the Halibut. All were excellent which is hardly the case in my experiences with restaurant hopping. Food aside, the crowd was stunning, music on point, and the decor gave off such a great vibe. The place is beautiful. The only complaint i had was that it took a while to walk out since it was so packed. I plan on going back as much as I can! Pros: ambience, food, service Cons: crowded more

I can't believe the people bashing this place are going to the same restaurant I was at this past weekend. We showed up on Friday 20 minutes late for our 9pm reservation and the two hostesses, besides being as sweet as can be, were very professional and efficiently told us to, "please wait at the bar while we will need a few minutes to seat you", due to us being a little late. No problem, we went to the bar where there were no seats available because it was very busy, but we still got our drinks quickly. After 10 minutes at the bar one of the hostesses came and got us as our table was ready. She sat our party of four at a table in the front room where the people watching is as good as i've seen in this town. First of all the Magnolia Gimlet is as almost as good of a reason to go as the tuna tartare which is absolutely divine. We had one other app which was the mac n cheese and we also shared the magnolia salad for starters which were both delicious. I then had the fillet, my girlfriend the salmon while my buddy got the chicken entree and his date had the lobster ravioli's. All were extremely tasty and perfectly filling. We then washed down our meal with their mint chocolate chip cookie sandwich which was unbelievabe. Along with our dinner and drinks being great, we really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was fun, lively, and a perfect place to go with friends or on a date. We will definitely be back as often as possibe as this place seems it would be really fun to be a regular. And by the way we sat close to the front door where the supposively "rude" hosts were and they were amazingly lovely considering how busy they were. I seriously can't imagine where these negative reviews are coming from except that the place was happening. Pros: EVERYTHING Cons: can't go everyday more

I can't believe the people bashing this place are going to the same restaurant I was at this past weekend. We showed up on Friday 20 minutes late for our 9pm reservation and the two hostesses, besides being as sweet as can be, were very professional and efficiently told us to, ""please wait at the bar while we will need a few minutes to seat you"", due to us being a little late. No problem, we went to the bar where there were no seats available because it was very busy, but we still got our drinks quickly. After 10 minutes at the bar one of the hostesses came and got us as our table was ready. She sat our party of four at a table in the front room where the people watching is as good as i've seen in this town. First of all the Magnolia Gimlet is as almost as good of a reason to go as the tuna tartare which is absolutely divine. We had one other app which was the mac n cheese and we also shared the magnolia salad for starters which were both delicious. I then had the fillet, my girlfriend the salmon while my buddy got the chicken entree and his date had the lobster ravioli's. All were extremely tasty and perfectly filling. We then washed down our meal with their mint chocolate chip cookie sandwich which was unbelievabe. Along with our dinner and drinks being great, we really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was fun, lively, and a perfect place to go with friends or on a date. We will definitely be back as often as possibe as this place seems it would be really fun to be a regular. And by the way we sat close to the front door where the supposively ""rude"" hosts were and they were amazingly lovely considering how busy they were. I seriously can't imagine where these negative reviews are coming from except that the place was happening. Pros: EVERYTHING Cons: can't go everyday more

this was probably the worst experience i've ever had eating out in LA. We made reservations and were kept waiting for 45 minutes - even though people came in after us and were seated right away. When I went up to the two hostesses they stared at me blankly as i told them we had been waiting 45 minutes, they were both completely rude and then acted as if they were doing us a favor as we were seated in an area with three open tables!! the service was non existent - 15 mintues to take our drink order, another 15 to get it - then another 20 for our food order. The whole night took about three hours - and the food, although not horrible, wasn't amazing. Definately won't be returning, ever. Cons: horrible/nonexistent service more

this was probably the worst experience i've ever had eating out in LA. We made reservations and were kept waiting for 45 minutes - even though people came in after us and were seated right away. When I went up to the two hostesses they stared at me blankly as i told them we had been waiting 45 minutes, they were both completely rude and then acted as if they were doing us a favor as we were seated in an area with three open tables!! the service was non existent - 15 mintues to take our drink order, another 15 to get it - then another 20 for our food order. The whole night took about three hours - and the food, although not horrible, wasn't amazing. Definately won't be returning, ever. Cons: horrible/nonexistent service more

Let me start by saying that I came in for lunch, on a not very busy afternoon with a friend. The service was not slow, but non existant. I can't say if the staff was rude or not because i never had any interaction with anyone! 20 minutes to take our order. 40 minutes before we asked about our food and they re-placed the order and another 15-20 before we actually ate. the worst part is that the restaurant was virtually empty. i can't even imagine how bad service is when they are busy. Cons: everything more

Let me start by saying that I came in for lunch, on a not very busy afternoon with a friend. The service was not slow, but non existant. I can't say if the staff was rude or not because i never had any interaction with anyone! 20 minutes to take our order. 40 minutes before we asked about our food and they re-placed the order and another 15-20 before we actually ate. the worst part is that the restaurant was virtually empty. i can't even imagine how bad service is when they are busy. Cons: everything more

We made late reservations on a Sunday night. Arrived a little late so we had to wait for a table no big deal. After about 10 minutes with no waiter we flagged one down, he took drink order walked away. It wasn't until at least another 10 minutes before he made us aware that they were out of all fish and chicken on the menu, which was why we were there in the first place. Long story short we went next door to the Fabioulous cafe and had an excellent meal with amazing service. Pros: Nice ambience Cons: Service is bad more

We made late reservations on a Sunday night. Arrived a little late so we had to wait for a table no big deal. After about 10 minutes with no waiter we flagged one down, he took drink order walked away. It wasn't until at least another 10 minutes before he made us aware that they were out of all fish and chicken on the menu, which was why we were there in the first place. Long story short we went next door to the Fabioulous cafe and had an excellent meal with amazing service. Pros: Nice ambience Cons: Service is bad more

I really liked this restaurant. The food was great, and the service was great over all. There was one waitress who needed to be reminded repeatedly about refills, but the other servers were amazing and and on point. I would not reccomend this restaurant to famalies, its definitely too loud! I love thier salads. Pros: beautiful place Cons: prices are high for the quantity of food more

I really liked this restaurant. The food was great, and the service was great over all. There was one waitress who needed to be reminded repeatedly about refills, but the other servers were amazing and and on point. I would not reccomend this restaurant to famalies, its definitely too loud! I love thier salads. Pros: beautiful place Cons: prices are high for the quantity of food more

My buddy and I stopped into this awesome place a couple of nights ago. It was a really fun scene. We had a couple of drinks at the bar before being seated as it was a bit crowded. My friend ordered the grilled steak sandwich and loved it. I had the Magnolia burger and can tell you it is one of the best burgers I ever had. If you're looking for a fun place to grab an affordable and delicious bite before a movie at the arclight this is the joint. I can't wait to get back. Pros: awesome food, fun, affordable Cons: can be very crowded at times more

My buddy and I stopped into this awesome place a couple of nights ago. It was a really fun scene. We had a couple of drinks at the bar before being seated as it was a bit crowded. My friend ordered the grilled steak sandwich and loved it. I had the Magnolia burger and can tell you it is one of the best burgers I ever had. If you're looking for a fun place to grab an affordable and delicious bite before a movie at the arclight this is the joint. I can't wait to get back. Pros: awesome food, fun, affordable Cons: can be very crowded at times more

My boyfriend and I ate dinner here after the Arclight and has a great experience. I never write reviews but i was on citysearch today and felt i must pop this in.... Magnolia restaurant is super. Walked two blocks to the restaurant..very busy and the hostess was able to get us seated....we had great wine and the salmon was so clean and delicious im craving it today. We live up the hill and this is our new favorite restaurant. We'll be back for more! and the music is awesome. Pros: not too pricey...DELICIOUS more

My boyfriend and I ate dinner here after the Arclight and has a great experience. I never write reviews but i was on citysearch today and felt i must pop this in.... Magnolia restaurant is super. Walked two blocks to the restaurant..very busy and the hostess was able to get us seated....we had great wine and the salmon was so clean and delicious im craving it today. We live up the hill and this is our new favorite restaurant. We'll be back for more! and the music is awesome. Pros: not too pricey...DELICIOUS Cons: none more

Awful Customer Service. Cons: Terrible Service more

Awful Customer Service. My friend and I arrived early evening and asked for a table. We were told that everything was booked. Nothing available for two at 6pm on a tuesday evening. I looked around and we really were the only two potential customers at that moment, so we asked if we could wait at the bar until a table "opened up". We did get a laugh out of this, and since we had about 2 hours to until our movie, we sat at the bar. About a half hour goes by and 3 new customers show up -- that is it. So we approached the host again for a table -- nothing available was his response. Oh well, I guess they just don't care for the business. We will never go back. Cons: Terrible Service more

I was a little hesitant to go to Magnolia because i was afraid it would be the typical trendy placce but my girlfriends made reservations so i decided to tag along. I am so glad I did! We started with some cocktails in the bar and I had a heavenly drink called the Magnolia Gimlet. When we sat at our table I was having a great time just people watching but then the food came and I forgot all about anything else. We shared a tuna tatare and a mac and cheese both of which were delicious! I had the pork chop for my dinner and I am in love with it and the sweet potato mash that came with it. We also shared some desserts and the mint chip cookie sandwich was especially good! Other people seem to complain about the service but our server was fantastic, she was on top of things and very pleasant with our table. I have since gone back once more for brunch and also had a great time and great meal. This is my new favorite place, I reccomend it to all my friends. more