Insider Pages Reviews for Kate Mantilini

2 Stars: Overpriced disgusting food...but nice waiters. (by farggi)

farggi — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:00:00 GMT

My friend had eaten here once before and didn't care much for the food, but she still suggested I go try it myself. We were seated immediately and the wait staff were incredibly nice. We ordered a pasta dish that sounded amazing on the menu, but what it ended up actually being was mushy pasta topped with a sliver of "prosciutto" (which was really just deli ham that they charged an extra $6 for). Nearly $26 for one plate, which in price terms beat the rest of the menu which went far beyond $20. What saved this restaurant from me giving one star was the waitress and the decor. The waitress talked to us about our movie, and it so happened the leading actress had just been in the restaurant earlier. The restaurant also has a really simple decor that is open, casual and inviting for big groups.

3 Stars: Pretty! (by weho333)

weho333 — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I drive by this place every day on my way to work. Someday I will go. Swear!

3 Stars: If you have a problem with Gift Cards (by ravenwoods)

ravenwoods — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I had a problem with expiring gift cards and took it up with the owners. If you have gift card which does not have an expiration date printed on the card, and yet they will not honor the card, remind them that the owners have promised to comply with the law, which says that expiring gift cards must have a clearly printed expiration date on the card.

2 Stars: Just a Glorified Diner (by KCS7)

KCS7 — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We were not impressed with this place at all. It was 8pm and many diners had already left but we still had to wait quite a while before hostess came. She walked us through the restaurant which was in an absolute state of mess. No excuse for that!
Waitress had a bit of an attitude and she wasn't the most helpful.
The food was ok, but the prices were way too high for this glorified diner. With the same price you can go to an actual restaurant, get a clean environment, decent service and better food.
I would not recommend the place, but go ahead and check out for yourself. You'll likely won't go back either.

1 Stars: wasn't impressed... (by hungryness)

hungryness — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

i was there last thursday and WHY did they run out of half the menu?? everything we wanted to place a order on was not available....food was average and the service was ok but they need to stock their kitchen!!

3 Stars: Kate Mantilini (by LaVon W.)

LaVon W. — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:59:00 GMT

All American Cafe. Who knew one flat pancake could fill you up, no meat necessary. They have great omelet's, burgers and drinks. Cool spot for a late date or after club dining.

5 Stars: EVERYTHING IS DELICIOUS!!!!!! (by MelissaRoos)

MelissaRoos — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:00:00 GMT

My friend, her boyfriend and I LOVE it and go quite often!
I had the fish and chips which are amazing!!! I always try to diet, but once the bread is placed in front of me, I lose all self control!! Everything is so delicious, I actually even like the healthy menu (and that is rare for me):)

4 Stars: Great for brunch and the Burger is AMAZING (by finedine2008)

finedine2008 — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Come to Kate Mantilini's for two things:

One, come for Brunch. Their brunch menu is very extensive and offers plenty of varieties whether you are on a healthy diet or just a heavy breakfast eater.

Second, the Kate's burger. It is superb.

5 Stars: This place is so great and really lives up to it's reputation! (by mnirivero)

mnirivero — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I hardly ever get out to this side of town and am actually a true native of old-town Pasadena restaurants, however a gal's got to eat, right?! Well I was so pleased that I did happen to eat here; the food was delicious and came out quickly and it was reasonably priced to my surprise. I thought the servers attitudes were right on with the surroundings (I mean, come on it IS Beverly Hills)...so if anyone has dined here and taken it personally, they should give it another go.

5 Stars: Extensive menu & kid-friendly (by henrietta7)

henrietta7 — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I've come here several times with different members of my extended family and we've always left happy and full. The menu is extensive and has been delicious so far, and my kids were treated very well. This seems to be a great date place as well as being family-friendly.

1 Stars: "Would be actors provide would be serivce" (by RachelDevin)

RachelDevin — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

The food was fairly good. There are no complaints here about that, but the service was enough to turn the most loyal customer away. On a particular day, I committed the cardinal error of asking the waiter the price of one of the specials. He told me, "If you have to ask, you don't belong here." Later I asked another question and when the waiter walked away, he gave me a "dirty look." My daughter, a doctor, who was with me at the time went to speak to the manager. As she said, "I'm allowed to treat you that way when I'm angry with you, Mom, but no one else is!" The manager could have cared less and was absolutely rude to both of us, two professional women. Come to think of it, no one deserves that treatment, professional or not. I had been there before this particular incident and found the servers much the same, "would be actors, providing would be service!"

4 Stars: overwhelming menu and portions (by sharkysuz)

sharkysuz — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I took one look at the menu and was immediately overwhelmed. It was enormous and quite varied, which I suppose is typical of a diner. And that's exactly what Kate's is; an upscale diner. True to diner form, the portions were large (I had the meatloaf and took half of it home) yet enjoyable. My companions also liked their meals (garden burger, pasta with broccoli, and rotisserie chicken). There were two things that stood out to us, the placemats and the service. The placemats were plastic with "Kate Mantilini" cut out of the top. And the service was great. Our waitress was very attentive and helpful when discussing the menu. In addition, she saw us struggling to divide the bill and offered to split it for us. Overall it was an enjoyable meal.

5 Stars: Late night burgers... (by julie_alafrancaise)

julie_alafrancaise — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I can't vouch for anything else on the menu except the burgers--Kate Mantilini is the best place in LA to get a FABULOUS burger and a bottle of red. My foodie hubby and I have been twice a month all summer. A delish burger for $10 (with blue cheese), you can't beat it. Fries are extra, yes, but they're worth it, too (frenchy style, skinny and crispy). Waiters are attentive and friendly--the antithesis of LA snooty.

3 Stars: Good for the right crowd (by cutiekatie)

cutiekatie — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I went to Kate Mantilini as a 21 year old college student, nicely dressed, and very polite. However, the hostess and waiter treated me as though I was a 5 year old about to run into the dessert tray. We were all but ignored by the waiter, who rushed us out the door before we finished swallowing. They brought us bread that was burned to a crisp, an obvious accident that never would have appeared on the table of the older couple next to us. The food is a great combination of comfort and high-end, but is extremely expensive. It is a good place for a date, but if you want good service, wait until you're at least 30.

5 Stars: Love It (by jsnso818)

jsnso818 — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I've been enjoying an occasional lunch or dinner here for years. I've always found the service very good and the prices, while not "cheap", are quite reasonable for the area and the quality of the food served.

4 Stars: Great Sunday classic breakfast in LA !! (by lexro)

lexro — Tue, 02 May 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I have been going 1 to 2 times a month for breakfast on Sundays for the last 5 years (along with my little girl and wife) and I have only good things to say about this restaurant. The service is most of the time great, the staff is very friendly and accomodating. The food is perfection, best eggs benedict in town. I am proud to take friends with us there. Another plus is it's a great restaurant that is actually child friendly which is hard to find in this city!

1 Stars: RIP OFF (by laddy)

laddy — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Rude maitre d'. Their policy is not to seat anyone until the ENTIRE party arrives, so, if (as in our case) the fourth person is late, everyone else is left standing. Apparently, they assume all people who sit at tables without ordering right away are slackers. The crowd is middle-aged and stupid looking. The kind who will pay $70 per ticket to watch a bad play. Lots of big hair and bad makeup. Took forever to get our food (what there was of it) and then we were 'accidentally' overcharged by our inattentive waiter. Since when is dining out supposed to be a strenuous workout? All that armwaving to get our waiter's attention, whew! Next time I'll bring a red flag. Any restaurant in this city with a 'name' is a tourist trap, and this place is no exception. Oh, and the place has no class. NONE.

3 Stars: ok (by d_fens)

d_fens — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Really good food on certain days (like when they on Thursdays have Osso Bucco and Fridays have Veal Milanese) and some other dishes all the time but what's about the prices? It is certainly not $$ as Citysearch suggests. More $$$. Wort it? Perhaps. I think so.

2 Stars: Read bad reviews & decided to try anyway (by yourownliz)

yourownliz — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Sometimes I think people who write really negative write ups are too particular. Wow - I was wrong. We spent $70 dollars on:
1 order of fish and chips (the fries were simiar to seasoned curly fries)
1 beer
1 turkey sandwich (mash potatoes on the side tasted like they were made from the box)
1 fruit cobbler that was not very good - and I am a total dessert lover.

This place is over priced. There menu is not very appealing. We scaned it for 15 minutes before deciding on something because not sounding that great. We are pretty easy to please but this place was a dissapoint that left a hole in our pocket.

5 Stars: I love Kate's (by jkelly1537)

jkelly1537 — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Some people may think this place is overrated, but they really do a good job on many things. Guacamole platter is great, meatloaf is excellent. Breakfasts are big and satisfying.
Not cheap, but the quality is there.

2 Stars: overpriced attitude (by mintycool)

mintycool — Tue, 11 Jan 2005 09:00:00 GMT

The prices are fairly outrageous here considering the size of the portions compared to other places in the area. Went mid-afternoon on sunday. Place wasn't crowded. But we got cold attitude from the host and server. Service was below average having to wave server over to get refill on drinks. We actually had to ASK for dessert! Food is pretty good. Just nothing special about this place for what you get and what you pay for!

5 Stars: DEELICIOUS (by Cheeseapril)

Cheeseapril — Wed, 15 Sep 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I take all my pals there for birthdays and such. The service is very prompt and the staff are friendly.
The prices vary and their menu is quite large. You can have the $30 salmon or the $12 chicken.
Calamari appetizer is one of my favorites, and the desserts.......(drooling)...apple pie.
I think I will call a pal right now for this weekend.

3 Stars: Not So Great Service (by adelly)

adelly — Tue, 30 Mar 2004 09:00:00 GMT

Had brunch here last Sun, w/ great expectations. Food was average to good, but comparable to usual brunch spots in LA, where prices were about half those of the items here. Would have thought of coming back, had it not been for the slow service we got from our server, Bobby. It took long to get refills of coffee, & when I asked for butter, it never came. After 15 mins, I had to get up & get it myself from the kitchen. I never even got an apology. He rushed through everything else, like he just wanted us to pay and get out of there. Should have just eaten at a cheaper place.

5 Stars: My Favorite Restaurant! (by valerieallen)

valerieallen — Tue, 16 Mar 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I have been to Kate Mantilini in Beverly Hills on several occasions. Everytime, the food and service were amazing. I've also dined at the new Kate Mantilini in Woodland Hills and it is equally as good. For Sunday brunch I recommend the French Toast. It was lightly laced with Gran Marnier and oh so delicious. At the restaurant in Woodland Hills I had Beer Battered Fish and Chips. Instead of using regular old Cod, they use Halibut. Who can resist their fresh homemade guacomole? This is a great restaurant for brunch, lunch and dinner. It's one of the very few places open late night. It's all good!

3 Stars: Jerry Deli's for the Rich n Famous (by Sanec)

Sanec — Thu, 30 Jan 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Upper class Jerry's Deli.....nothing special about this place. Service was good but the food wasn't as good as Jerry's Deli.

3 Stars: NO VEAL (by yveTTE)

yveTTE — Mon, 04 Nov 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Saturday my family and I ate at Kate's. As usual, the Ceasar Salad and clam chowder were very good! My husband decided to try the VEAL. IT WAS AWFUL! It was very dry and burnt on one side. It came with boxed mashed potatos and was priced at a whopping $26.00!

Because of the view, great service and Ceasar, I'd go again. NEXT TIME WE'LL STAY CLEAR OF THE VEAL!

5 Stars: Stylistic Diner (by greg)

greg — Tue, 21 May 2002 09:00:00 GMT

From the outside, Kate Mantilini looks like another one of those shi-shi LA restaurants. But upon closer inspection, this is just a great diner with an artistic decor. I must say that I was surprised how reasonable the prices are. Ive been here many times and the breakfast menu is one of the best in LA. Dinner offers a good menu and I would always recommend the oysters. I had the clam chowder once and it needed a lot of improvement. Otherwise, I have no complaints.