by Darrick Staff on I am updating my original review from when I claimed that Lavo has bed bugs: I had a client lunch at Lavo (11/22/2010). The food was excellent, the atmosphere was comfortable, and the service was ehhh... My clients and I had bites all over our legs after our lunch. Given that New York has a major bed bug problem and the time of year, we thought we had bed bug bites. It took a while to get answers from the staff, we went inside and spoke to the people at the front, I called the main line and left a complaint, and called back the next day to follow-up. The responses from the staff was unusual- claiming that the bites mosquito bites from manholes and the subway. It didn't make sense given the time of year... The other day, I received a message fro the manager on rateclubs requesting that I contact him for a full explanation. This morning I did just that and he spend almost 20 minuets explaining the mosquito problem, and what they are doing to solve the problem. He even offered to show me the space and contact their exterminator directly. As I mentioned in my original review, I really enjoyed the food. I believe the manager and will try Lavo again in the next few weeks after the mosquito problem is fully resolved. It may have taken a few days, but the manager really went above and beyond to assure me that everything was okay now and that it's not a bed bug problem. That shows me that they truly care about their customers and their dining experience. I appreciated the conversation very much. Thank you for putting my mind at ease. Hopefully this mosquito issue is resolved by the next time I am there so that I can give you what I would have liked from the beginning, full five stars. I applaud Lavo's efforts to reach out to me and put my mind at ease.
by Reid Gimm on Ahhhh, I do love Tao! I would normally give them 4 or 4.5 star, but this time I have to give a 3.5, for the extra long wait, and the good, but not great service. 3 times a year, I have several groups of 20 - 30 people that roll in to NY, and they all want reservations at Tao...on a Friday or Saturday...at the last min. Typically, I can beg and plead, and the manager at Tao will grudgingly confirm my reservations, while swearing at me, and warning me not to go over on my numbers (because he knows me, and we always do). On my last visit, the wait was a little long, so we wandered to the upstairs bar, where we were literally standing scrunched shoulder to shoulder and proceeded to down a few or 5 cocktails while we patiently waited to be seated. I kinda felt bad for the people who had tables around the bar, because there were a lot of random asses almost touching their plates, but they didn't seem terribly bothered. The food was great as always, the service was good, but has been better, and the atmosphere was festive and fun. I will definitely be back, with my unruly and growing group.
by Rosalynn H. on I gave this place three stars because two would have meant 'Meh I've experienced better' and really for Hollywood I never do. So Hollywood means lower standards b/c they like to treat their patrons like $hit. Ate at the Dakota for their $40 prix fix menu. The steak is the best to go with, and definitely the coconut dessert. The Frisee Lardon (pork belly) wasn't bad and their beet salad is good if you like candied beets. Service is super slooooow. People actually got up in between servings to walk around and chat because the food took so long. Hard to get people into the pool/bar area w/out dinner purchase. Have to buy bottle service. The pool area wasn't even packed at all! And THAT folks, is what you get for a Hollywood place. Chateau Marmont doesn't hassle you as much. BTW - One of my friends who got a room there found a snoring man already inside it!
