Larchmont Grill - Yawning on the Menu
Monday, February 12, 2007 18:31
The Larchmont Grill
5750 Melrose Ave.
Hollywood, CA
Lunchtime in Hollywood. Oh so many choices. One of the newest on zee list is The Larchmont Grill, tucked in an old charming house just east of Vine on Melrose. I was thrilled to see this place zing to life, and just as equally excited to try the upscale American goods.
Parking is a breeze; there’s a teeny tiny lot and loads of street spaces, since this isn’t a heavily commercial area. Inside, the place looks oh-so California chic. There’s ample indoor and outdoor patio seating, with a cool green, polished motif. Elegant and comfy. I opted for a table right on the edge of the patio - a little bit of both worlds.
The lunch menu is really basic - sandwich and salads with a few pasta and entree options. Nothing exciting here, but if it’s good it’s good, righto? My companion and I enjoyed the prompt and non-evasive service, but not the acoustics; even with only a couple of other tables here, the place seemed excessively loud. Maybe the patrons were to blame? We found it tough to carry on our business yammering, which was certainly a negative.
Larchmont also commits a grave crime in my book - puny little soda glasses, and extra charges on refills. Gah! I loathe such stinginess. If you’re going to stiff me for additional drinks, at least make the first one worth my while.
The food arrived fast and furiously, and we dug in. Here’s the report:
Drinks:
Just sodas. Really small, expensive ones.
Entrees:
Spicy Jumbo Shrimp Salad
– With mango, avocado, and a lime vinaigrette
Since the shrimp were neither jumbo nor spicy, this was a major let down. The dressing lacked punch as well, and the only really lovely part of this dish was the well-ripened avocado. A boring, small, insubstantial salad.
Chopped Salad Sandwich
- Turkey, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato & Avocado on Ciabatta, served with french fries
Not a bad offering, truly - although a wee heavy on the mayo. While this sandwich won’t change lives, it will curb a hefty appetite. The fries weren’t much to cheer about, however - overcooked and unseasoned.
Damage for 3 sodas and 2 entrees was about $28, before tip (way too much cash for the quality and portions).
RESTAURANT REPORT CARD - Larchmont Grill, Visit 1
Ambiance - B
Service - B-
Food (Taste) - C-
Food (Presentation) - C-
Wine/Drinks - N/A (just had non-alchies)
Value - C-
Vibe/Energy/Scene - C+
Overall Experience - C
Final word - it’s a no. Just not enough bang for the buck, and although the decor is scrumptious, the food is not.
By PoetKitty (see more of her posts). You can find more of PoetKitty's writing at her own website OMG Food!
MaxMillion says:
February 12th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Wow, you’re TUFF!
Gotta love avo when it’s “a point”, though (in this case, meaning perfectly ripe).
Is there a place on Larchmont that beats this one, or is it more that there are so many good places in LA it’s a crime to waste your time in a substandard joint?
okay — whoops — *not* on Larchmont………
Have you tried La Buca yet?? Mozza? Bin 8945? CELADON?
Pat Saperstein says:
February 14th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
I’m not really a fan of Larchmont Grill either, but didn’t you post this review on Chowhound in early November? Things could have changed since then, so it’s better to post reviews at the time they’re done.
Jonah says:
February 15th, 2007 at 9:27 am
“it’s better to post reviews at the time they’re done.”
While I agree that fresh reviews are nice, I don’t see any issue with posting a review that is a few months old. If that was the case, all of us foodbloggers would be deleting our posts after a certain period?
Personally, I think that a bigger issue plaguing the foodblogging world are the rise in posts sponsored by free meals or written by PR folks.
Pat Saperstein says:
February 15th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Touche, Jonah. But personally I think it’s useful to at least visit a place offering a free meal to see what’s about and to add to your knowledge of the city’s dining scene, as long as you specify when you’re writing about a press dinner or comped meal.
H.C. says:
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:38 am
Agreed with Pat on this one — I think that the infrequent freebie (especially if offered before the place/menu/item is opened to public) is useful for gauging a place or the general scene, and give readers/listeners/viewers a sneak peek preview of what to come.
However, I would be wary of a food blogger who doesn’t fully disclose free grub or solely relies on them for his/her review entries.
Mark says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:41 pm
The Larchmont Grill is under new ownership. I hope everyone gives us a chance. We have a new chef, new menu and a new place. Yes I am one of the owners. Please come vist us to see the new place.
MaxMillion says:
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:46 pm
^ Thanks for letting us all know about the changes. I certainly appreciate it.
Ana says:
October 30th, 2007 at 9:08 am
I have enjoyed some very nice events there. The Host is the best,
I had salmon, rice with a salad. A “Must Try”
It was so incredible that I insisted on meeting the Chef to see if I could learn how to make it myself.
I never pay attention to what Crirics write especially when there is a snobby tone to their work.
Word of mouth and trying things a least once for myself–Especially if the location puts forth the effort.
Critics–they thinks its cool to be rude & mean–Whatever.
I loved my diner and my evening there.