60023 Mon May 03 04:28:05 -0700 2004 12 2 Los Angeles Area 0 317060 I was wondering how far in advance should one book reservations for Crustacean? Also, how is the dress code [evening dinner]? Any dishes that should be at the top of the list to try out? I'm trying to plan a birthday dinner for a good 'friend' of mine ;) thanks for any help! :) Mon May 03 04:28:05 -0700 2004 0 bjunk 1 317074 FYI: Here's a thread on Crustacean. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/56275#292689 Mon May 03 11:11:24 -0700 2004 317060 0 elmomonster 1 317088 Avoid this place at all costs... It is waaay over priced and the food is not even marginal. Service is snooty. This place is for masochists. Mon May 03 13:25:25 -0700 2004 317060 0 JeniH 2 317148 AMEN!!!! (And I was there for business at no charge!) Mon May 03 17:05:22 -0700 2004 317088 0 LesThePress 3 317151 Yes. I can't stress how much I HATE Crustacean. I hope the original poster reads my previous review which I linked onto my original response. Mon May 03 17:16:39 -0700 2004 317148 0 elmomonster 3 317670 Amen to that Amen. If I am going to pay that much for a meal....I want top quality food and top notch service. I got neither. And I REALLY don't get all the fuss about those garlic noodles. Give me sesame noodles from ANY new york chinese takeout any day. Fri May 07 03:21:07 -0700 2004 317148 0 sari 1 317157 I think Crustacean is pretty. I haven't eaten there, just gone for drinks. Given the vitriol this place engenders, the safe bet, have birthday aperitifs or cocktails with your friend here, and then go elsewhere on foot for dinner. festive time. Mon May 03 17:47:41 -0700 2004 317060 0 Jerome 2 317168 Well spoken. Mon May 03 18:37:35 -0700 2004 317157 0 elmomonster 1 317185 WOW. didn't know it was THAT bad. :( I guess i should re-consider the birthday dinner there. ..... I'll look into Spago's. Do you have to reserve seating well in advance? thanks for the help!! :) Mon May 03 20:01:58 -0700 2004 317060 0 bjunk 2 317871 I was wearing blue jeans and a button up shirt and was rejected at the door. My feelings have recovered. Sat May 08 22:22:09 -0700 2004 317185 0 Bruce Harrison 1 317337 I can't believe all the bad reviews about Crustaceans. It is one of my favorite places to eat! I must say though that the service is almost as bad as they say. Don't go there expecting great service (the kind they have at Nick's Seafood in Maui's Fairmont Kea Lani). My only expectation when I go there is absolutley to die for garlic Dungeness crab adn garlic noodles. I am a huge crab fan and I can tell you that nobody's rendition of garlic crab comes close to what Crutacean's can do for your palate! Paired with the garlic noodles, it's a match made in heaven! If you are not going to eat the crab/noodles there, don't bother. Everything else is not worth the money. But if you love crab, you are doing yourself an injustice if you don't try their garlic crab. It's expensive but you'll never get a meal quite like it! Tue May 04 20:00:00 -0700 2004 317060 0 Mikaela 2 317351 I guess you either love it or hate it. I thought the noodles were gummy and the crab only tasted of garlic and salt, no real crabby flavor. The Il Grano version of this dish is more what I expected. Tue May 04 21:20:12 -0700 2004 317337 0 Just Larry 2 318474 A few years ago it was my favorite too. But after 2 bad visits at high prices, I lowered my expectations. Sun Jun 13 13:03:30 -0700 2004 317337 0 Elissa