Grand Lux Cafe: User Reviews

Never again...
By loshark from LA, February 22, 2008

Overall rating:

I recently moved and live 3 blocks from this restaurant. I was thrilled, because I love The Cheesecake Factory and Grand Lux has a similar menu. During the past 7 months, I have been to this restaurant less and less and it will now be NEVER AGAIN. They removed some of the better dishes from their menu - I have no idea why. Big problem - there is always a wait to be seated - it doesn't matter if they're crowded or not - whether you want the dining room or the bar - they keep you waiting. The food is often mediocre. The service is always mediocre. The other night - the most incredible event happened. I didn't get my dinner. We were 5 - including a 2 year-old. The waiter smelled of cigarettes when he finally showed up at our table - 15 minutes after we were seated, after waiting 15 minutes to be seated (it wasn't that crowded - 5pm on Saturday). We were seated in a dark corner of the restaurant and I couldn't see my menu. I asked the waiter for a candle or light - another 10 minutes later, I was advised there were no candles - they were out of oil. The waiter stated he had complained of the dark area several times to management. I was in a booth against the back wall and couldn't get out to the light without disturbing the person sitting next to me. I stood-up, raised my arm as high as I could, holding my menu in the air, where I could catch a little light from the ceiling in an attempt to read mymenu - it was ridiculous!! We finally ordered, asking how long it would be, as the child was getting antsy as we had already been at the restaurant over 45 minutes. The waiter said 10 or 15 minutes at the most. 30 minutes later - 2 meals came out, the child was finally eating. 5 minutes after that a pizza came out for someone else. I was sitting there - finally catching my waiter, asking where MY meal was. His answer - oh, didn't the manager come and talk to you? Uh, NO, I answered - at this point, the table was finishing their dinners and I asked to cancel my order. The waiter apologized and left. When we grabbed the waiter to get a bill (almost 2 hours after arriving at the restaurant) I asked what happened. He said the chef simply never got around to cooking my meal. THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME. When we left, I went to the manager (who had no idea this ever happened) to complain. But, he was so busy, managing the mob of people waiting at the door holding their vibrating sticks, that he didn't have time to deal with a meal that was never cooked.
It's only 3 blocks - but never again will they get my money!!
CPK, Chipolte and PF Changs are within 50 feet of this restaurant . They are all superior in service, value and food.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value: