Vermont Restaurant and Bar - PK's Review w/Pics
For visual evidence, visit the obligatory blog: http://omgfood.blogspot.com
Vermont Restaurant and Bar
1714 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
11/21/06 - 12:30 PM
The Event: Favorite Lunch Friend and I needed a nosh spot. Something Los Feliz-y. Something chic yet tasty.
RESTAURANT REPORT CARD - Visit 2
Ambiance - C+
Service - C+
Food (Taste) - C
Food (Presentation) - C-
Wine/Drinks - C+
Value - C+
Vibe/Energy/Scene - C+
Overall Experience - C+
Vermont has been lingering on a nondescript corner of Vermont Ave. for years now, a popular French-y spot for business lunches, cocktails, and slightly upscale eats. I first took a turn here some five years ago, and from what I recall, I enjoyed the dinner. This was before I proudly wore the Foodie hat, however, so judge accordingly.
I like the minimalist, white-washed decor. I don't love the gargantuan plant that quite literally knocked me in the noggin as I walked through the front door. The hostess station is located to your immediate right as you walk in, and there's zero room for guests to linger. Since I was in a long-ish line, I had to stand outside, lest I continue to be assualted by the angry plant.
We were seated quickly, and the place was already jumping. Our server was a nice woman, but clearly and utterly frazzled. She took good care, considering, but this provided a rushed and unsettling energy. No big deal. We ordered super fast and awaited the dishes, which arrived in a similar turbo speed.
Drinks:
Sodas. Didn't spy the wine list.
Entrees:
Mine
(Photo above
)Calamari Salad
With greens, fried calamari, tangy dressing, tomatoes, and lemon wedges
- Truly one of the strangest and unappealing salads I've ever laid eyes on. The frisee/greens had a weed-like consistency, and similar flavor. There was a lot of tender calamari, but the little squid bites were way too greasy. Couple that with a tangy cocktail sauce dressing, and you have a world of ewwww. I wouldn't just avoid ordering this again, I would run like the dickens if it even came near me.
Companion
Linguini with Clams
- Linguini with a butter and herb sauce, served with a mound of clams
A very standard dish, and not overly fresh. The sauce had little flavor, but the clams were pretty tasty. Better than my evil salad, but nothing to brag about.
Damage for 2 sodas and 2 entrees: about $31 before tip.
Parking: Valet in back, but street slots available
Attire: Business casual
Pros: Nice decor, friendly
Cons: Not worth the price, rushed service, out-for-blood plant
Final word - you can do better in the area by a landslide.
PoetKitty
Dec 04, 2006 11:12PM
I had dinner there too in my pre-foodie days, and I remember saying, this place needs some kind of concept. However I have cocktails and fried calamari there in the lounge every once in a while, and it's always very nice, with good drinks in the evening.
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I likewise had a good meal in the lounge area when BofA had taken the entire dining room for some meeting/gathering justification. Food still good, drinks and wines still just fine, and over all I would recommend vermont to anyone. I love the ambiance - you just have to know how to avoid the woman-eating plants!!! - personally, never had a problem with the plants.
My over all grades would be B's or B+'s, with the only hesitancy being the service which on some nights can be very good, and some nights a bit more scattered.
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I work nearby, and Vermont used to be the venue of choice for birthdays, sendoffs etc. However, recently the standard of the food has really deteriorated - at a recent farewell lunch party, the salads were virtually inedible - limp and slimy with the most horrible sweet dressing. If you plan to go there for lunch - don't get a salad!
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Last night, I took my parents to Vermont to celebrate their 60th birthdays. The food was good, but our table service was HORRIBLE. Our waiter was no where to be found throughout our meal. And the restaurant's volume was much too high for my taste. The wine was good, the hostess was nice (she remembered to bring out the dessert we had pre-ordered) but overall it was not worth the hefty price tag.
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I find Vermont to be extremely average, or below, and not worth the price. The last time I ate there, the hostess was wonderful and the room is comfortable, but the service was awful and the food really forgettable. I may be nit picking, but my waiter looked like he slept in his cloths. Mashed up hair, wrinkled shirt, loose tie, five o'clock shadow. I couldn't help wondering if management doesn't care how their wait staff looks, what else don't they care about?
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i lived in los feliz when they first opened, it was either 99' or 00' and it was a welcoming change then. it was the one of the first "decent" restaurants in the hood aside from cafe stella. maybe there were others in the area but none that i can recall that offered cal-american food. since then it has slowly gone down hill and i wonder why. i was last there in 05' and food was mediocre at best and prices way too high.
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Mediocre? Hardly!
Maybe not to a standard set by Providence or similar, but probably the equal of most mid-upper-middle restaurants in the greater LA area. The food is good, the menu is seldom overly inventive, so go with aspirations set accordingly.
Will agree that sometimes the waiter response time is less than desired. Definitely agree that Heather, the hostess, is a charmer, and quite aware of things going on.
If you have a problem with something, go up and ask her to resolve it, or the owners -Michael or Manuel-and they will solve the issue. But this should be the case in any restaurant where YOUR money is involved.
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maybe they've taken a turn for the better. i know that the chef from bistro K was doing a night there or two. hopefully it has picked up since my last trip 3 yrs ago. but when i went back in 05' the place had only and echo of what it used to be when it first opened. i also remember michael. seemed like a really great guy. would personally come over and see if each diner was enjoying their meal.
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