Horrible food & drinks at The Ivy

[June50]

We wasted $100 dollars at this restaurant on Saturday. We ordered a crab cake appetizer, they were deep fried, tasteless, tough and overcooked. My partner had the swordfish with rice, both items on her plate were bland and greasy. I had the gumbo soup, full of rice and not much of anything else. We had two daquiri's that were about 4 oz each, and overly tart. Avoid this restaurant at all costs, the possible celebrity sightings are not worth it, trust me. Why any celebrity would choose this restaurant is beyond me.

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Ivy
113 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[quielo]

A friend of mine who I work out with is a Limo driver. One day he gets a call to pick up Paula Ab**l. She asks him to take her to the Ivy. When they arrive she tells him to go onto the restaurant and tell the manager she is there. he does this and the manager says "so what?". After a minute the manager "Ok I'll take care of it", walks out to the limo and walks back with her into the restaurant where the guys take her photo. She then walks back out again and my friend drives her home.

I have had the grilled salad at the SM location and it was not bad. I have not eaten at the BH location. I do like to take out-of-towners to either as both locations have been featured in numerous films.

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Ivy
113 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

[foodiemahoodie]

Celebrities, generally, don't know good food. They choose it for the scene. It's rare that you go to a restaurant rife with celebs - that also serves good food. Giorgio's in Santa Monica Canyon is a good example. Okay food (better than The Ivy), but it's really about the scene.

[mc michael]

Well, Michael Caine is a chef. So much for that stereotype,

[goodhealthgourmet]

"It's rare that you go to a restaurant rife with celebs - that also serves good food."
~~~~~~~~~~
Spago? Cut?

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Spago
176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[mc michael]

The Ivy (and at the Shore) can still turn out good food on occasion. But it doesn't have to. It's more a ritual than a restaurant.

[westsidegal]

your experience mirrors my experiences there, food sub-par always.

[xdrixn]

just because one has money does not mean one has good taste.

[Tom P]

Celebs like to go because the staff will tackle anyone who even looks like they are headed to the table for an autograph. They do have a few great dishes: The corn chowder is amazing, the grilled salad is terrific, I like their fried chicken ok, and the pecan tart dessert is very good.

[farmertomato]

There are always a number of photographers lurking across the street from the Ivy. I think it's so they'll be able to get pix of celebrities being wheeled out to the ambulance after consuming the food there.

[boogiebaby]

The Ivy is not known for good food.

[Hungry4Good]

I can think of few things more embarrassing for a city that one of its forever trendy restaurants known far and wide has consistently bad food. I guess there is a priority problem that nobody seems to care about.

[maudies5]

I have had consistently good meals at The Ivy.

[kevin]

Yeah, I have heard from a bunch of people that contrary to popular opinion the food here is suprisingly decent (thought not great or very good mind you). For hounds that like this place, what do you order, I may have to visit in the next few weeks for a lunch with a friend (yes, celebrity sightings for her, whoop dee doo!!!), so what to order for savory dishes, desserts, and drinks????

thanks all.

how's the BBQ shrimp? the fried chicken? blackened steak or is it prime rib? hot fudge sundae? mint juleps, etc?

[goodhealthgourmet]

in all the years i've been going to The Ivy, i've never had a bad meal, but i;ve only ever ordered ONE thing...the grilled vegetable salad with shrimp or chicken. it's always delicious. and i was there with a fried a couple of years ago who ordered a salad with beets, blue cheese & bacon (among other things), and i snagged several bites - it was pretty darned good!

i don't know about the juleps, but i love the fresh mint leaves in their iced tea.

FWIW, the service at the location on Robertson *always* sucks...i prefer the one in SM.

[Emme]

i agree. the grilled veggie salad is the way to go. and the apple tarte tatin.

[maudies5]

I love that grilled salad, the fried chicken (divine). NY steak is awesome, fish and chips (tartar sauce is great), baked potato skins (off menu, filled with whatever you want), hot fudge sundae and I love the way they cook brussel sprouts!! I also like the crab cakes, but always ask for them as an entree, instead of an app. They serve 2 large crab cakes instead of little ones. No fancy drinks for us. They make a fine martini,

[mojoeater]

I've lived there and don't think LA embarrasses easily. And I still love that city!

[Servorg]

"You're gonna need an ocean of Calamine Lotion...." ;-D>

[Akitist]

You'll be scratchin' like a 'Hound...

[Servorg]

Now you made me sing the entire chorus out loud...and it's stuck in my head!! Thanks a lot! (g)

[Maxmillion]

so utterly appropriate!