Magnolia

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

I have been eating at Magnolia regularly for about a year and although I enjoy the food and the ambience, I have to admit that the service has always been incredibly inconsistent. At times it has been great and the wait staff incredibly fun and attentive (it is at those times that I love this place), while at other times the servers seem incredibly unhappy, rude or just plain incompetent. The last time I was there for a friend's birthday, our server never put in the birthday girl's order, never came back to check on us and the birthday girl herself had to walk back into the kitchen area to inquire about her meal. And of course by the time it came the other 7 people in our party had long since finished their meals. The manager and bus staff tried to pick up the slack but our waitress never could get it together, nor did she seem really interested in doing so. I have had enough of these experiences there now to make me want to skip ever going back. Pros: Tuna Tartare, Mac and Cheese, burgers Cons: Price of cocktails, sketchy service more

I have been eating at Magnolia regularly for about a year and although I enjoy the food and the ambience, I have to admit that the service has always been incredibly inconsistent. At times it has been great and the wait staff incredibly fun and attentive (it is at those times that I love this place), while at other times the servers seem incredibly unhappy, rude or just plain incompetent. The last time I was there for a friend's birthday, our server never put in the birthday girl's order, never came back to check on us and the birthday girl herself had to walk back into the kitchen area to inquire about her meal. And of course by the time it came the other 7 people in our party had long since finished their meals. The manager and bus staff tried to pick up the slack but our waitress never could get it together, nor did she seem really interested in doing so. I have had enough of these experiences there now to make me want to skip ever going back. Pros: Tuna Tartare, Mac and Cheese, burgers Cons: Price of cocktails, sketchy service more

Very, very disappointing service as the food isn't bad. We felt as though we were on candid camera. The server was shaking a cosmo in front of our party in the shaker and the cap came off and the entire contents flew all over us. We were soaked and in about 20 minutes our server was gone, with no goodbye, no explanation of where he went, we found out later his shift was over. This was for a birthday and the dessert we pre-ordered never came, we didn't receive any comps for the drink that we were now wearing, and when we asked the owner if the manager could help us as we were having very lousy service, (he was sitting next to her on the patio smoking a cigarette) he said that she was off the rest of the night. Unbelievable. We will NEVER return. Pros: decent food Cons: worst service imaginable more

Very, very disappointing service as the food isn't bad. We felt as though we were on candid camera. The server was shaking a cosmo in front of our party in the shaker and the cap came off and the entire contents flew all over us. We were soaked and in about 20 minutes our server was gone, with no goodbye, no explanation of where he went, we found out later his shift was over. This was for a birthday and the dessert we pre-ordered never came, we didn't receive any comps for the drink that we were now wearing, and when we asked the owner if the manager could help us as we were having very lousy service, (he was sitting next to her on the patio smoking a cigarette) he said that she was off the rest of the night. Unbelievable. We will NEVER return. Pros: decent food Cons: worst service imaginable more

I was a little hesitant after reading some of the other experiences, but I'm glad I went! I had the Magnolia salad paired with Beringer Pinot noir for starters. The salad resembled a Waldorf salad, but with a more Cali-approach, meaning heavier on the diverse leafy greens, and lighter on the nuts, apples and cheese. Very healthy and fresh ingredients, and it tasted great with that particular wine. Midway through my salad, I smelled the skirt steak being prepared, WHICH SMELLED AMAZING!!!! Next time for sure. For a second tasting, I had the chocolate tiramisu paired with a Washington merlot called 14 Hands. I had never heard of chocolate tiramisu, and the chef definietely delivered beyond my expectation. Imagine the lightness of tiramisu but in a chocolate persuasion, served with berries and a sprig of mint. For finishers, I had a snifter of Hennessey XO, and watched the parade of beautiful slick people march through. It looked like everyone was having a good time, grooving to the music (thanks for the old school Prince track). I will definitely return to Magnolia for the skirt steak. A highly qualified chef, and a well researched somalier. It seems like it's better if you make reservations, because this place fills up quickly. I went solo and ate at the bar, at 7:30 pm. So I had no problem getting a seat. Pros: Amazing food, amazing wine list, cool bartenders, beautiful clientele. Cons: Requires a little advance planning for seating purposes. more

I was a little hesitant after reading some of the other experiences, but I'm glad I went! I had the Magnolia salad paired with Beringer Pinot noir for starters. The salad resembled a Waldorf salad, but with a more Cali-approach, meaning heavier on the diverse leafy greens, and lighter on the nuts, apples and cheese. Very healthy and fresh ingredients, and it tasted great with that particular wine. Midway through my salad, I smelled the skirt steak being prepared, WHICH SMELLED AMAZING!!!! Next time for sure. For a second tasting, I had the chocolate tiramisu paired with a Washington merlot called 14 Hands. I had never heard of chocolate tiramisu, and the chef definietely delivered beyond my expectation. Imagine the lightness of tiramisu but in a chocolate persuasion, served with berries and a sprig of mint. For finishers, I had a snifter of Hennessey XO, and watched the parade of beautiful slick people march through. It looked like everyone was having a good time, grooving to the music (thanks for the old school Prince track). I will definitely return to Magnolia for the skirt steak. A highly qualified chef, and a well researched somalier. It seems like it's better if you make reservations, because this place fills up quickly. I went solo and ate at the bar, at 7:30 pm. So I had no problem getting a seat. Pros: Amazing food, amazing wine list, cool bartenders, beautiful clientele. Cons: Requires a little advance planning for seating purposes. more

the people are pretty, the restaurant is beautiful and trendy.. the food could do better. i was expecting really good food after reading a bunch of good reviews from magazines and online, but i was highly disappointed. i dont think i'll be coming back. Pros: great ambience Cons: mediocre food more

the people are pretty, the restaurant is beautiful and trendy.. the food could do better. i was expecting really good food after reading a bunch of good reviews from magazines and online, but i was highly disappointed. i dont think i'll be coming back. Pros: great ambience Cons: mediocre food more

For starters, nothing like our waitress spilling a drink on my girlfriend and not apologizing for it. Next, nothing like paying 15 bucks for each of our alcoholic beverages... that clearly had no alcohol in them. Lastly, nothing like the manager of the restaurant then offering to allow us to buy DIFFERENT drinks instead of offering to bring us replacement drinks that actually have some kick. Forgive me, but dare I say typically, when someone screws up something in a restaurant, they FIX it rather than ignore the mistake and try to move on... and still charge you for their error? Seriously, Magnolia, are you that strapped for cash with your 15-dollar "perfect margaritas" that you can't achieve a modicum of decent service? more

For starters, nothing like our waitress spilling a drink on my girlfriend and not apologizing for it. more

This was a great find for after late movie munchies. I had the steak sandwich with fries and it was really succulent, medium rare meat with great flavor that I almost didn't want the horseraddish in there so I can taste the meat more. After I had the molten chocolate cake served with some fresh berries with a berry reduction sauce and homemade vanilla ice cream. The cake was pleasant, but a bit small, the ice cream had this delectable custard like taste to it which was a pleasant surprise from the run of the mill vanillas I usually encounter. Pros: unexpectedly pleasant vanilla ice cream, tender meat, good drinks Cons: can get loud inside (ask for the back patio if you want to relax and have quiet) more

This was a great find for after late movie munchies. I had the steak sandwich with fries and it was really succulent, medium rare meat with great flavor that I almost didn't want the horseraddish in there so I can taste the meat more. After I had the molten chocolate cake served with some fresh berries with a berry reduction sauce and homemade vanilla ice cream. The cake was pleasant, but a bit small, the ice cream had this delectable custard like taste to it which was a pleasant surprise from the run of the mill vanillas I usually encounter. Definitely a good late nosh and will be returning again. Pros: unexpectedly pleasant vanilla ice cream, tender meat, good drinks Cons: can get loud inside (ask for the back patio if you want to relax and have quiet) more

never wrote a review on citysearch before but felt compelled. went to the arclight for a movie (which was beat) but went to magnolia after and was AWESOME! sat and ordered lots of appetizers and wine chatting way into the night..the hummus is soooo good, had and apple tart that was scrumptious...the staff was fun, service was great, and the atmosphere was perfect. really, everyone should go to magnolia, it is a fantastic restaurant. I plan to be back many more times. more

never wrote a review on citysearch before but felt compelled. went to the arclight for a movie (which was beat) but went to magnolia after and was AWESOME! sat and ordered lots of appetizers and wine chatting way into the night..the hummus is soooo good, had and apple tart that was scrumptious...the staff was fun, service was great, and the atmosphere was perfect. really, everyone should go to magnolia, it is a fantastic restaurant. I plan to be back many more times. more

I've been to magnolia 3 or 4 times already. It has always been a good experience. The food is very good and fairly priced. The design of the restaurant is great. The staff is friendly and very nice. The wine list is probably the weakest point of the place (pretty basic and boring), so I always bring my own bottle. I recommended it to friends who enjoyed it very much too. Pros: ambiance, food Cons: wine list, close late more

I've been to magnolia 3 or 4 times already. It has always been a good experience. The food is very good and fairly priced. The design of the restaurant is great. The staff is friendly and very nice. The wine list is probably the weakest point of the place (pretty basic and boring), so I always bring my own bottle. I recommended it to friends who enjoyed it very much too. Pros: ambiance, food Cons: wine list, close late more

The food here is excellent all around! It's a great place to meet up for a business lunch, grab a bite at 7pm or 1am! Sunday brunch is the best! Yes it's a scene, but it's a great scene on Sunset Blvd. If you want something less sceny head over to the Grove where people are wearing shorts and tanktops to dinner. I recommend the skirt steak, tuna tartar, mac and cheese, crab and brie quesadilla, among others. And the homemade mint chip ice cream sandwich for dessert! Prices are mid range, which is good for how nice this place is. Impress your next date without dropping a Benjamin! Valet parking is only $5. A steal for their neighbors up Sunset where youre paying $20 a car. So many places around to drink before and after too. Pros: Food, Prices, Ambience Cons: Getting stuffed more

The food here is excellent all around! It's a great place to meet up for a business lunch, grab a bite at 7pm or 1am! Sunday brunch is the best! Yes it's a scene, but it's a great scene on Sunset Blvd. If you want something less sceny head over to the Grove where people are wearing shorts and tanktops to dinner. I recommend the skirt steak, tuna tartar, mac and cheese, crab and brie quesadilla, among others. And the homemade mint chip ice cream sandwich for dessert! Prices are mid range, which is good for how nice this place is. Impress your next date without dropping a Benjamin! Valet parking is only $5. A steal for their neighbors up Sunset where youre paying $20 a car. So many places around to drink before and after too. Pros: Food, Prices, Ambience Cons: Getting stuffed more

A group of friends met up for dinner and we were seated at the front booth, the night was starting out great from there. We had a great table and the food and drinks only added to a wonderful evening. I had the ahi tuna, it was cooked just right, so good. I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. Our server was very friendly as well, can't really say a bad thing about this place! Pros: food, ambiance, friendly Cons: can get crowded more