59847 Thu Apr 22 11:04:21 -0700 2004 8 2 Los Angeles Area 0 315840 After many negative reports about KM’s on this board, I had my concerns about going there for dinner last night. However, since it was a business meeting and I wasn’t paying, I went with an open mind, especially since one of the reoccurring complaints was it’s being very overpriced; I had nothing to lose! I arrived early (about 6:00pm) and the very small bar area was full (1 seat left), but the oyster bar was empty so I sat there. The friendly bartender said ‘no problem’ and was served immediately. As the group arrived we went to our table nicely placed in an alcove separate from the main dining room, which I liked since a large group (especially ours) can get loud and distracting to other diners. Our waiter (Steve) came to us immediately for our appetizer/drink orders. In fact, as each person arrived he was just as quick to get his/her drink order, very nice service. Since I’ve been on the South Beach diet (new year’s resolution), I couldn’t try the bread. It was served warm and look very good: French bread with thick crust and soft middle. However, the butter, which I will only eat when I go out to dinner, was whipped, so if I was having the bread I would have been disappointed at not having ‘real’ butter with it. We had a few appetizers. I only tried the asparagus with grainy mustard sauce; and it was really excellent! In fact, because everyone liked it so much we ordered a 2nd order . Others had the onion rings, crap cakes and a shrimp cocktail. They all looked good, especially the shrimp cocktail (at $15.00!) and everyone wolfed them down with very positive comments. Also, by the way, the appetizers arrived very quickly, which I also liked. For dinner, I had the vinaigrette salad with balsamic vinegar and lamb shank with root vegetables. The salad was a nice portion and the dressing fine, not exceptional but tasty. The lamb shank however, was fantastic! It was easily the largest lamb shank I’ve ever been served. It was tasty (lots of yummy juice, too), cooked perfectly. The root vegetables were also excellent. Since this was the daily special and I didn’t see the check, I have no idea what it cost. The person next to me on one side had the Sliced N.Y. steak (the steaks – 4 of them - were either $29 or $34) smelled wonderful and was perfectly cooked (charred medium rare). The person to my left had the white chili. My associate across from me had the seared Ahi tuna, which was a nice portion and looked really rare and good. . Since it was a business dinner, not friends or family, no one offered any tastes of their selections. Too bad, they all looked good and everyone seemed to enjoy their selections. I was too chicken to stay for the deserts, they sounded absolutely wonderful and people who’ve been there before said they were outstanding. So I can’t report on the deserts, sorry. I can see why some posters complained about this place as the prices are really up there. What I can’t understand is why anyone would complain about anything else though. The food and service were A+. I would go there again, preferably on expense account of course, but I’ve paid as much many times for meals not nearly as good . After I go off my diet, I must go back and try the flour-less chocolate cake with a layer of fudge and snickers sprinkles!!! Thu Apr 22 11:04:21 -0700 2004 0 LesThePress 1 315846 Nice report -- there are some tasty items on the menu at KM. And congratulations for still being on your program this far into the year! Thu Apr 22 11:28:45 -0700 2004 315840 0 jcwla 2 315858 Thank you! Down 35lbs as of today! Thu Apr 22 12:39:00 -0700 2004 315846 0 LesThePress 3 315918 But root vegetables as lamb shank accompaniment are a no-no, just an FYI. Green leafies, etc. are the appropriate pairing. I lost 50 lbs on that diet nearly 30 years ago, when it was the drinking man's or Stillman diet. But keep up the good work. You will never, repeat, never regret it. Thu Apr 22 17:02:52 -0700 2004 315858 0 rmc 1 315863 excellent recap and great news sticking with your diet - 35#'s sounds like you found out the key to losing weight - drinking lots of water. Thu Apr 22 12:55:30 -0700 2004 315840 0 Kurt 1 315914 I liked Kate's as well and I agree with anyone who thinks its overpriced. I went there for brunch on a Saturday because Nate & Al's in Beverly Hills was way too packed. Anyway, the cornbeef hash (supposedly homemade) was okay, but he THICK french toast was to die for. I would go back with a date or something for Sunday brunch. Also watch out for the $7 orange juice, I think that's what it cost, all I know it was pretty steep. Not that money is really an object when it comes to food, but buyer beware. Thu Apr 22 16:51:28 -0700 2004 315840 0 Wizazz 2 316106 Orange Juice definately not $7.00. That's ridiculous. Sat Apr 24 14:10:35 -0700 2004 315914 0 Adam 1 315982 Some things are overpriced where as somethings are a real bargain. Their roast chicken w/ garlic is one of the best and comes with a ton of fries for something like $14. Their fish and chips (which comes with worse fries unless you ask for shoestrings) is $22. Although it's very good I think that's too expensive for fish and chips. I also like their turkey finger sandwiches which aren't on the menu. Those are $14 for very little food, but worth it to me and perhaps nobody else. Thu Apr 22 21:31:13 -0700 2004 315840 0 duckduckgoose 1 316060 I haven't been to KM for a couple years, but I always enjoyed their Mac'n'Cheese. Also they have a remarkable coleslaw. To me it tastes like shredded cabbage dressed with Caesar dressing. It's always been fresh and very tasty. Fri Apr 23 17:00:56 -0700 2004 315840 0 Dorothy