Life - yes, that's the name: Life

LIFE on Wilshire
6311 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: (323) 651-5433
http://www.lifeonwilshire.com
Happy Hour: 5:00-7:30

Food - 7
Prices - 4
Service - 10
Bonus points: +2 for the best dirty martini I think I've ever had.
Total - 23 out of 30

Yes, it's a low score, so please read on, because I like this place. I really like this place.
Problem is, I like it for all the wrong reasons.

What I don't like is that during HH, none of the apps are discounted. All regular menu price. That would be okay, but the food is just not that special. Had the burger sliders and I gotta say, the ones at Happy Ending are far better (haven't been there for HH yet, but soon). The mojito chicken skewers were GREAT - get an order, even at $8.75 for three skewers (yikes!) - and the grilled cheese was nowhere near the hype. The bread was hard and way over-toasted. If you want a grilled cheese to die for, go to Doughboys and order the After School Special. Nothing comes close (and yes, Campanile, I've been on GC night - it's over-rated).

What rocked about Life was the awesome decor - so big and comfy - but at 5:00 p.m. we were the only two people in there, which was both weird and good. Weird because you never want to be the only table in a bar, and good because the staff wound up hanging out with us and they were insanely cool - a lot of fun, liked their jobs, made good menu recommendations, etc. As a result, we got a few things that aren't on the regular menu that were AWESOME (but can't really review them, since it was just something the chef made for the fun of it) and not much of what we ordered showed up on the bill. I can't say much more, because I would hate to get anyone fired, but it was a fun, cheap night. Don't bank on having the same experience.

How are the drinks? Like I said, this was the best dirty vodka martini I have ever tasted, and it was five bucks. 'Nuff said.

The room started to fill around six with people who were there for the Laker game, so it got more energy, which was good. We left at 7:00, and the total was uber-cheap (read: a lot comped) with a GINORMOUS tip.

Apparently they have bar trivia at 7:00 on Tuesday nights and that gets loud and crazy, so it would be fun to go back for that, but for cheap eats and a big crowd, this isn't your best Happy Hour bet.