64943 Tue Dec 07 19:33:24 -0800 2004 18 2 Los Angeles Area 0 349436 Going to Sona on Friday for my husband's b-day dinner. Has anyone been? Any recommendations or warnings? Thanks. Tue Dec 07 19:33:24 -0800 2004 0 Meli 1 349441 See below. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/54210#279241 Tue Dec 07 20:12:11 -0800 2004 349436 0 jcwla 2 349446 Thanks for pointing me to this! Citysearch consumer reviews of Sona were pretty terrible, by the way. Tue Dec 07 20:41:54 -0800 2004 349441 0 Meli 3 349507 Been twice , never again! Citysearch is fairly reliable. It's hit or miss everytime a course is set on the table, and I really wanted to like this place. I don't appreciate spending over 100- pp just to have an ordinary experience. Some of our friends love Sona, we don't! Please let us know how your dinner is? Or play safe and go to Spago, La Cachette, Josie, Four Oaks or Four Seasons. Wed Dec 08 11:25:34 -0800 2004 349446 0 russkar 4 349533 Sona expensive, then you recommend Spago? Four Oaks: You've GOT to be kidding. A tourist trap. La Cachette: Went last week, food is not bad but service has slipped considerably. Is it under new management/ownership? Wed Dec 08 13:40:35 -0800 2004 349507 0 jcwla 5 349540 I'll certainly report back. I didn't make these reservations, so we're going no matter what. Wed Dec 08 14:22:39 -0800 2004 349533 0 Meli 5 349613 Sona is very expensive for what you get. Spago is a fantastic deal compared. La Cachette (been 3 times in the last 2 weeks, Service was almost over-bearing(hovering) which I dislike, still the best French in Town)(Returning this Mon for dinner) Four Oaks is very good if you call the Chef first, he cooks personally and everything is great. Wed Dec 08 21:58:46 -0800 2004 349533 0 russkar 6 349642 Oh yes, I'm sure most folks just call the chef beforehand whenever they dine out. Those proles among us who don't have a very different view of Four Oaks. And as for Sona/Spago, the tastings at Spago are just that: little tastes. At Sona each course is a full course. The six-course tasting menu is, what, $60 or $65? And we were literally bloated with great food... Thu Dec 09 02:29:53 -0800 2004 349613 0 jcwla 7 349645 at Sona it's all about the tasting menu. otherwise be prepared to be underwhelmed. Many friends have confirmed this, so I can state with emphasis. Thu Dec 09 02:45:40 -0800 2004 349642 0 bonbouffe 7 349646 at Sona it's all about the tasting menu. otherwise be prepared to be underwhelmed. Many friends have confirmed this, so I can state with emphasis. Thu Dec 09 02:45:50 -0800 2004 349642 0 bonbouffe 8 349653 We have "only" ordered the CHEF'S Tasting Menu (9 courses)100-pp both visits. Underwhelming is an understatement. Thu Dec 09 09:58:36 -0800 2004 349646 0 russkar 9 349667 LOL, perhaps someday it will live up to the gastronomic ideal that is Four Oaks....... Thu Dec 09 12:05:00 -0800 2004 349653 0 jcwla 10 349816 Sona probably won't see someday unless they make Serious FOOD improvements. MAJOR DISSAPOINTMENT, Both dinners there. Fri Dec 10 01:26:33 -0800 2004 349667 0 russkar 11 350086 We'll see. So far they're certainly not hurting, despite your best efforts to attack them for daring to do something new. Sat Dec 11 12:40:00 -0800 2004 349816 0 jcwla 12 350116 No Attack. The food wasn't good both times we went. We have other friends that experienced the same. The French Laundry is doing something different, Sona is doing something that isn't very good, especially when it comes to developing repeat customers. Bastide is on the same wave length. Sat Dec 11 16:16:33 -0800 2004 350086 0 russkar 13 350184 Everyone I've known has loved Sona. The place is doing land office business. Perhaps you don't like the fact that David and Michelle make everyone feel special and not just you? Sun Dec 12 14:42:34 -0800 2004 350116 0 jcwla 14 350193 It's only about the Average Food, nothing more. 2003 Ultimate Restaurant results: Spago 74 votes (1st) Sona 10 votes (16th place) 2004 Results: Spago 113 votes (1st) Sona 7 votes (28th place) The trend appears to verify the food is slipping. Maybe some postive feed back to David & Michelle would be helpful. Sun Dec 12 15:43:28 -0800 2004 350184 0 russkar 1 349462 One of LA's best restaurants. Order from the menu unless you want to be stuffed. Tue Dec 07 22:29:58 -0800 2004 349436 0 rmc 1 349504 Sona is definitely one of those places that you either love or hate. They are trying to do a modern interpretation of French/Cal Asian food and sometimes their experiments are mind-blowingly creative and delicious, other times it simply misses the mark. It is quite pricey, though, and I believe that is why some people think so negatively of it - why spend that much money if you are not sure you will like what is presented to you. It's probably worth a visit if you want to try something new. I would recommend buying one cheese course to share because they are usually quite well chosen cheeses and a nice interlude before the desserts begin. Please report back on your experience. Wed Dec 08 10:44:21 -0800 2004 349436 0 Ninja