Three New Entries -- Short, sweet and sometimes, stinging

Café La Boheme
8400 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 848-2360
Happy Hour 5:00-7:30

Food - 6
Prices - 6
Service - 4
Bonus points: - 2 for the worst dirty martini I've ever had, and -5 for the kitchen not opening until 5:30, despite Happy Hour supposedly starting at 5:00
Total - 9 out of 30

The dirty martini was AWFUL, the fusion drink was good, the burger was wayyyy overdone (ordered medium rare and came out very well done), the shrimp toast was tasty, the fried chicken (japanese style, not southern) was okay and the calamari was very good.



Mirabelle Restaurant
8768 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (424) 354-3438
Happy Hour 4:30-8:00

Food - 8
Prices - 7
Service - 10
Bonus points: +2 for great atmosphere and space. -5 for people smoking at the bar (although that might be a plus for some.)
Total - 22 out of 30

We loved the interior of this open, airy place, and the service was incredible - fast, friendly, seemed happy to be working there. Unfortunately, because it is also sort of open air, a few parties were smoking (which ruins any space in which I'm trying to enjoy good food). We had two martinis (one Greek and one watermelon) which were GREAT, calamari, hummus, the cheese plate, and they brought out bread, butter and tapenade, and for two of us it was $30 plus tip, so we left forty. The calamari was so-so, but the hummus and cheese plate were both very good. Here's the problem - the prices on the drinks are very good, but the appetizers were barely discounted from the regular menu. Still, we left sated and happy for twenty bucks each, so can't complain. Worth checking out. We'll probably return soon.



Grand Lux Cafe
121 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048-3309
Phone: (310) 855-1122
Happy Hour 4:00 - 6:00

Food - 7
Prices - 6
Service - 8
Bonus points: -5 for really excessive noise - crying baby, constantly running blender and extremely loud music.
Total - 16 out of 30

I look at that score and it seems too low. Not sure why. The food was all good, but not great. There are no drink specials, but the prices on food are very good (except the ahi, which was overpriced). The pina colada had to be sent back, which is strange, because in the restaurant part of GL, this is one of the best pina coladas in town, but they couldn't get it right at the bar. They brought out that great Grand Lux bread with butter, and the fried chicken was tasty, but overcooked. The sliders were terrible (have to get back to Happy Endings - now those are great sliders) and the calamari was good. Not much more to say. Can't remember the final tally, but I think it was $75 for three people with tip. A little much for HH, but we did overeat by a bit. If you're already in the Beverly Center, and want some quick, tasty comfort food for cheap, you could do worse than Grand Lux. But I wouldn't make it a special trip.