The Foundry on Melrose

This place is terrible! Our reservation was at 9pm, we didn't leave till 12:45pm because the service was terrible. The waiters downright ignore you.
Too bad, the food is fantastic. This will be another chef that will lose out on good reviews because the place is the worst in LA.
We thought it was new and working out the kinks. Wrong, it's been open for a couple of years. I promise it will closed in a couple more.
In a recession, money is tight and nights out are a splurge. If you want to waste your money - please go here!

Pros: Food is great

Cons: "Are you my waiter?"

Posted 09/29/09

My wife and I went recently for the second time and we have declared this is now our favorite L.A. restaurant. Eric Greenspan and his co-owner, (Blonde gentleman, forgot his name) make you feel like family. They are constantly checking in on you and really want you to have a great time. Greenspan is a riot by the way! We ate at the back patio which is lovely and then went up front after dinner to have a few drinks and listen to live music. We didn't want to leave! Great food, great people, great atmosphere! The only thing you should not do however is have one person order the Chef's Menu and one not. We had huge lags between courses and our waitress seemed to forget about us and actually forgot to bring desert for my wife's tasting menu. We let it slide because we were both so full. The waiters (male) seem more in tune than the girls. We will be back many times because it is such fun.

Pros: Great back Patio, Great Music

Cons: un-even service

Posted 09/16/09

Wanted great food and great blues and we got both. Loved the guy with the beard on assorted acoustic guitars playing absolutely authentic, down home, BLUES. The tasting menu was inexpensive and very "southern" and the combination made for a perfect evening. We will definitely be back.

Pros: Music and Food

Cons: none

Posted 04/07/09

We had the chef's menu with wine pairing. Overall, the meal was OK and we had an enjoyable evening, however, our dining experience really lacked that "Wow!" factor. The tuna tartare was quite bland. The lobster pasta was incredible, the New York strip was tough and the quail unremarkable. The wine servings were exceedingly generous and the pairings were good. The timing of the wine serving was off as most were served well after we had received the accompanying dish (I feel that it's really important to taste the wine before and after tasting the dish to see how the wine changes and why it was selected). The ambience was really very good and our waiter was great. We like to try different tasting menus on special occasions, and we were not blown away by The Foundry - sorry.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Parking

Posted 03/02/09

Great back patio and amazing food! If you're looking for a new place for a quiet night of creative food and great people, check out the foundry.

Posted 09/05/08

I have no idea who "eatout4sure" is, but I think he/she needs to check into a mental hospital, ASAP!

Walked into this restaurant with some pretty high expectations...they were all surpassed.

Chef Eric Greenspan is absolutely amazing, actually SAT my wife and I! (that doesn't happen...um...ever??)

John, our waiter, was SUPERB. Unreal service, gave us great suggestions for the menu, checked on us about 4 dozen times, Eric came over twice to check on us as well...and they even brought my wife a dessert with a candle in it for her birthday!!

Actually, I had the Braised Short Rib/Hangar Steak (just like eatout4sure) on top of a spinach/blue cheese salad, both on top of browned butter mashed potatoes...holy mother of tasty food, I mean every bite was amazing.

My wife had the jidori chicken which was SO unbelieveably juicy on the inside, yet had a great crunchy texture to the crust. It was LITERALLY "perfect." She only eats chicken, other than she is a vegetarian, and they offered to work with her and make several of the veggie sides that come with meals into entree portions for her, so they are very accomodating.

Also, try the celery root soup with hamachi sashimi and blod oranges. I don't even LIKE celery, but for some reason I had to try this. Boy, it was fantastic!! Thanks John for the recommendation!! If you're reading this, I KNOW you remember us :)

At our next big occasion, I know we'll consider the Foundry again and again and again.

The ONLY thing, is the menu is pretty limited for those who like a ton of things to choose from. I think only 5 appetizers and 5 entrees to choose from. But let me tell you, I'm sure, you can't go wrong with ANY of those choices.......:)

In closing, GO TO THE FOUNDRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pros: food, atmosphere, service...everything?

Cons: slightly limited menu and pricey, but what do you expect if you want a fine dining experience!

Posted 02/04/08

wow! what an incredible experience we had at the Foundry. not only were we greeted and sat by the executive chef himself, but we were treated to an unbelievable meal as well. the menu is inventive and the surprise treats are exciting. i want those little swirly treats again! the staff is extremely professional and on top of everything. our water was always filled and our needs always met. i haven't had such juicy chicken in a long time. many meals in LA are good, but not many are as memorable as the meal we had at the Foundry. if you haven't been, you need to go.

Pros: incredible service, amazing food

Cons: back room gets a bit chilly on a windy day, limited menu

Posted 02/04/08

We had an amazing experience at the Foundry on Melrose last week. The atmosphere is welcoming and intimate, with a romantic back patio as well as an area reserved for "chef's tables" right by the open kitchen. Our server was friendly and knowledgable about the food and wine and both my husband and my dishes were incredible. The pork belly appetizer is exceptional and the short ribs are the best in the city, hands down! After dinner, we sat at the bar (delicious cocktails!) and watched live jazz. The crowd was diverse and fun, certainly not stuffy. Anyone looking for a great place to celebrate a special event or just have a great evening out should try the Foundry on Melrose. Nothing but compliments to chef/owner Eric Greenspan!!

Pros: food, service, live music, bar scene

Cons: none

Posted 01/18/08

Awful experience. When I read about this guy Greenspan in the Los Angeles Times I expected Bobby Flay but what I experienced was Ronald McDonald. The Short Ribs tasted like the dead sea (way too much salt) and my salad was wilted. The atmosphere was very Bridge and Tunnel mixed in with a lot of the older Melrose dine around crowd smelling like White Diamonds Perfume. The only good about this place was the Jazz band which plays some of the best Jazz I have heard in L.A.

To top off this awful experience the Chef screams foul language through the Restaurant at his kitchen staff which is obviously due to his Napolean Complex. I never right reviews but after paying 200.00 for a dinner that my 3 year old could have made I could not resist. Go to Mozza instead.

Pros: Jazz Band, Back Patio

Cons: Salty Food, Obnoxious Chef, Price, Crowd

Posted 12/22/07

Great space, great food. New lounge area is sleek, comfortable and with a great view onto Melrose. The new lounge menu is delicious and very reasonable. Yukon gold gnocchi with duck ham is off the charts.

Posted 11/29/07

The food was good, albeit on the pricey side - $150 for two appetizers, one entree, one glass of wine, one coke, and a cheese plate (including tax and 20% tip). Expedient service, which borderlined that type of "get everything out to them so we can free up the table" service, except for the fact that our server was very polite, unlike other restaurants that try to do the same.

The cheese plate is a small portion, but well worth it, with variety and quality.

Pros: cheese plate, good wine selection with generous pours

Cons: small portions, definitely need three (pricey) courses to be full, very loud table

Posted 10/24/07

A must go to! One of the best new restaurant I have been to. You will not be disappointed. Great food, service and nice outdoor patio. I dine out a lot and it takes a lot to impress me and this one far exceeded my expectations.

Pros: everytihing

Cons: none

Posted 10/21/07

My husband and I can't stay away from this place! The menu brims with comfortable and exceptionally executed dishes. The pork belly appetizer and the braised beef short ribs are to die for. The service is friendly, attentive and fun. Likewise, the sommelier is attentive, knowledgeable and patient. The Foundry has become one of our favorite date spots.

Our experience has been marred only by the young hostess who doesn't seem to understand the concept of client relations. Maybe it's her age, but on each of our visits, we were greeted in a stiff, off-putting and unwelcoming manner. She seemed confused by how to juggle greeting the diners with assigning them to appropriate tables. Overall, she made us feel like she was doing us a big favor by allowing us, non-celebs, to keep our reservation. In my opinion, for a restaurant that is aiming for "fine dining for the everyday man," this is a real problem. BUT, don't let the hostess keep you from trying this place. The rest of the joint is just about perfect.

ADDENDUM: They now have a fabulous new hostess, so I have nothing but love for this place.

Pros: Food, overall great service staff

Cons: none

Posted 10/10/07

All I have to say is Eric Greenspan is the best chef in LA. He is amazing in every way... Give it a try. I have been going every two weeks

Enjoy

Posted 09/19/07

If you are looking for an exceptional upscale casual restaurant in Hollywood (Melrose), you MUST try The Foundry! The food is outstanding, the service is impeccable and the vibe is perfect. Owner Eric Greenspan's knowledge of world cuisine is impressive, to say the least. General Manager John Savage makes this potentially-trendy place feel like your neighborhood joint.
Great wine, great food, great people...what more do you need for the perfect recipe?!?

Posted 09/08/07

I have no idea what anybody is talking about hype here. I didn?t know ANYTHING about this place when me and my buddies went! I?ll have to say that it is pretty darn near the best restaurant in LA!

I can?t take anything away from this place. The food was awesome, the service was first rate, and so is the atmosphere.

I wish I could take gazpacho home by the gallon, the pork belly was ridiculously good, and the short ribs are making me hungry just thinking about them!

I would totally go back again and I would recommend this place to everyone and anyone WHO LIKES FOOD!

I will totally go back!

Pros: Everything.

Cons: None that I could find.

Posted 09/08/07

I eat out alot and the foundry is starting to become one of my favorite places to eat. The first time I went we ordered the tasting menu and it was fantastic. We decided to sit inside to watch greenspan in action and we were not let down. He was more than happy to bring our dishes to use and explain in detail not only what the dish's components were but also why he used them how they interacted with each other to bing out the most of each flavor. greenspan was a very animated and emotional chef who would not let a single dish pass without his personal inspection. greenspan also did not hesitate for a second to scold his kitchen if they weren't following his directions. as for the food it speaks for itself. we were informed that the menu changed frequently we felt the best thing to do was order the chefs tasting menu and we were not let down. Every dish that came out was plated perfectly and made me wish i had my camera with me so i could show my friends at the office and make them jealous. there was one highlight for me and that was the pork belly. the pork belly was perfect and basically desegrated when you pressed it against the roof of your mouth. the only let down (and a minor one at that) was the squab. it was a bit chewier than I would of liked, but still cooked well for such a delicate entree. we also had some red wine with dinner, not sure of the vineyard but it's called prisoner and it was perfect with the meal. after all six courses we were stuffed but still had to try the home made donuts. they we the prefect portion to cure my sweet tooth. Next time I go I plan to try the cheese plate, skate and duck. I'm sure I won't be let down.

Pros: Excellent food, large portions, great service

Cons: can get crowded and need a reservation on fri/sat nights

Posted 09/06/07

Another much hyped about restaurant in LA that doesn't live upt to any of the hype. Ambiance is below average, decor is non-existant. The waiters are probably theater actors (can we just have the normal actor wannabees instead of theater please--that's what I'm used to): overly dramatic, and fluffing up a sub par menu at that.
Food was aweful. Everything was too salty to begin with. The fish was dry and had no taste (other than salt) and the dessert was nothing to write about. Prices were pretty high, but not worth a penny. There is not anything on the menu that I would recommend. Their bread comes in odd tapas portions which is creative but inadequate. (How about a nice bread basket?)
Basically way way way too much hype about a way overrated restaurant. None of the three waiters ever even asked us how the food was--which was good for them because we would have told them for sure. Skip this one --save your $$$$ and go to In-N-Out instead.

Pros: none

Cons: food is horrible, waiters dramatic, zero ambience

Posted 08/30/07

We made reservations for a Thursday night and were seated very quickly. We had asked for the outdoor patio, expecting something nice like the old Cafe Luna. Unfortunately, the ambience was sub-par. And by sub-par I mean horrible. I mean, come on, decorate a little. Or, if you're going to go for a minimal look, at least make it look sleek or modern! Anyway, the service was actually really good, but seemed forced. You know, kind of like a car salesman's approach. We had read about the the different types of breads that are served throughout the meal. Let's just be nice and say they were very mediocre. For the main course, I had the braised shortribs, which came out dry and almost flavorless. My wife's skate was similar: boring and no real flavor. We were amazed at the hype behind this place. Honestly, if you really want to dine on Melrose, head to All'Angelo, Table 8 or Carlito's Gardel. The food wasn't completely horrible, but it was bad enough to make us say that we will not go back. I have a feeling this restaurant will follow in the footsteps of the chef's prior (now defunct) restaurant, Meson G. And I definitely won't be upset...

Pros: It's on Melrose

Cons: Food, ambience

Posted 08/27/07

First and foremost, the service was terrible. Service was ridiculously slow and after telling the waiter how long we had waited for either drinks or courses (we ordered the tasting menu), there were no apologies, just excuses. The slow service could have been overlooked (a little) if the food was good - but it wasn't. It wasn't just "ok' either - it was downright bad. The gamey-ness of the squab was accentuated, rather than subdued by the sauce; the halibut had a flat flavor; the donut dessert was tough and chewy (one filled with jelly - I mean seriously, is this Dunkin Donuts and the other with lavender cream -truly not a good compliment), the amuse bouche had a flavor so foul I had to put it out into a napkin and the flavor lingered in my mouth until the next course came. The waiter didn't bother identifying what the amuse bouche was that night, so I have no idea what it was. Bottom line - with the wide array of amazing restaurants in this city - your time and money are better spent elsewhere.

Pros: Patio

Cons: Food and service

Posted 08/12/07

My girlfriend and I went on a Saturday night, were really looking forward to this new place. First, after we were seated it was 10 minutes before a waiter came over and it was another 20 before we had any water. The waiter was trying way too hard to be funny and opened with a joke every single time he came to the table...had he been attentive and a skilled waiter, then fine, tell a joke once in a while, he was neither. We both ordered the tasting menu with the wine pairing. The food was average and sometimes bad, but even if it had been outstanding our experience would have been ruined by the horrible service. There was a 25 minute lag between our 2 and 3 course and not once did the waiter or management come over to apologize or offer an explanation. When the course finally did come, our waiter cracked a joke and seemed taken aback when I said we had been waiting for 25 minutes. 10 minutes later, the manager came out and said he was sorry but "the whole restaurant ordered the squab at the same time". This was neither an apology or an accurate explanation (really, the entire restaurant ordered squab??). After we complained the food came out slightly quicker, but when the bill came we weren't comped a thing. Quick note on the wine pairing...small pours and they didn't offer to refill after we had been waiting for our food so long that we had drank our sip of wine that was supposed to accompany each course. Bottom line, don't waste your time or money on the place...the service will ruin the experience even if you do luck out with one of their more edible dishes.

Posted 08/11/07

Dined with a group of four on a Saturday night. I thought the food was good and the restaurant had a nice ambiance. Unfortunately the management was a letdown. We had a $450 bill for four people, a significant chunck of change even for a high end restaurant like the Foundry. We hadn't even sat through our standard 2 hour dinner window when the chef/owner, who was an acquaintance of a member of our group, requested that we leave so a six-top could sit. Now we understood that the restaurant was new and busy and the guy was trying to keep his customers happy, and thought he could ask us as a favor to leave (we were finishing coffee). Kind of rude to begin with, but we agreed and low and behold, when the check arrives, not a thing was comped! Asking a table with a decent check to leave early and then not giving anything back - it was insulting. Unfortunately, the food had potential, but none of us will be back.

Pros: Promising kitchen

Cons: Rude management

Posted 08/08/07

The food temperature was luke warm to cold, the flavors were flat, the menu small and uninspired. I got the duck with plums - the duck was cold and limp, the plums were bitter. Another person got the sea bass special, and it had a distinct fish flavor- unusual for sea bass, which means it was old.
The banana chocolate cake amazingly had no flavor, either, except a bitter, cocoa-like flavor. The banana flavor it did have was of a stale old banana, but even that was weak. The french toast dessert was also flavorless, and worse was not crispy - just limp and overcooked.
The service was slow. The entire meal took 2.5 hours, which would be OK if the food were miraculously great, but since it wasn't it just seemed amateurish.

Pros: nice atmosphere, good piano player

Cons: flavorless food, cold food, slow wait time for the food

Posted 08/02/07

We are convinced the waiter tried to scam us with an inflated credit card check which did not match the tab presented for the food and beverages. When asked to explain, the waiter picked the credit card receipts up without a word and someone else brought back a charge slip with the correct amount saying that our waiter had delivered the wrong bill to the wrong table. Why didn't the waiter just explain this and apologize himself? There is something very fishy about the way this was handled. The food was good but for a $200+ meal for 2 people and what seems to have been an attempted scam, we will definitely not return. It was a relatively small dollar amount that they seemingly tried to steal but if they are doing it with every check it adds up to a huge amount every night.

Pros: Good food

Cons: May not be honest with the check

Posted 07/28/07

We went to the restaurant on a Friday night, booked a reservation for 9 the day before. Unfortunately, we had to wait a full hour for our table, and the bar area was lacking in seating, so a person in our group with a recent foot surgery and a pregnant woman both had to stand for the entire time. The hostess was nice, even offering a free round of drinks--which never materialized. When we did sit, the patio out back was beautiful, and the wait staff courteous. However, we were starving at that point and it took some time before our appetizers came--and they were small. As sushi people, we found the sashimi lacking, although the grilled prawns were delicious. For the main course, both my girlfriend and I had the short rib, which was chewy, and again, little on the way of supporting side dishes. We finished off with the donuts--which were tasty, but hardly satisfied her sugar craving. Long and short--not terrible, but at that price there are better options for available.

Pros: Beautiful patio

Cons: Price, servings, wait for a table

Posted 07/14/07

a great find on melrose. every dish was better then the one before it. the cheese plates were fantastic and well priced! the short rib was delicious and could be easily split. the desserts looked amazing but was too full to try. the biscuits are so good you want to put some in your purse! the waitstaff was so helpful and friendly without a hint of snootiness! i will be back!

Pros: food, ambience, service

Cons: had to wait a bit to sit outside but worth it in the end!

Posted 07/06/07

the place is really cute and i do like the outdoor patio in the back. there was supposed to be a jazzband playing but there was none when we went. on to the food: i like that they gave us little bread -- tiny foccaccia, tiny biscuity (that was really yummy with garlic butter) -- so we are not starving but don't get full because of it. we ordered the pork belly and tuna tartare as appetizers. i liked the pork belly, salty and tasty. the tuna tartare was ok (i think the pork belly overpowered the taste). i had the duck and i thought that was just ok. not very flavorful. my friend had the shortribs and she said it was not very good -- something about the spices not going well with the meat. another friend had the cheese plate - she thought it was just ok. but, the thing that bothered me was that when the server came with the cheese, they did not even explain to her what cheeses they brought.

the service was pretty good though. very attentive. this is a good place to try and check out but don't expect to be wowed by the food.

Posted 07/01/07

I saw a quick news blip on Fox about Chef Greenspan?s new spot and decided to check it out. He really did live up to my expectations. I have experienced the back patio area for dinner one night. Which was perfect for an intimate date night, the outdoor fireplace really sets a great mood. The food was amazing. The menu was incredibly easy to navigate... apparently he switches up the 5 to 10 dishes every couple weeks. The knowledgeable wine staff served us up a couple of bottles that were both new to us as well as paired with food perfectly. One thing I have to recommend to anyone who does dine at The Foundry! Please do not overlook the appetizers... they were so much fun before the main course came out. I would have to say, reasonably priced for the experience I had. I would definitely recommend The Foundry to my close friends and family.

I enjoyed the dinner so much. I decided to try the Sunday Brunch the following weekend. Oh... watch out PANCAKE LASAGNA! That?s right, it tastes as deliciously yummy as it sounds. And the jazz band was a great mood setter. And did I mention the best Mojito in town!!!

I'll be back. YA.

Pros: Great spot to revisit. The menu changes every couple weeks.

Cons: You have to Valet. Difficult street parking.

Posted 06/27/07

I took friends over the Foundry, as it had just opened and mostly because of Chef Greenspan. I've always been a fan of him during his Patina's days. The service was nice and prompt, the atmosphere good. The food was so-so and the pianist sat at the bar almost all night, played two songs and took off.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Don't expect Patina's food

Posted 06/26/07

We were blown away by the service and food at The Foundry - seriously amazing! It's fine dining food without the stuffy atmosphere - perfect! We go out to dinner an average of 2 nights per week and both my husband and I agreed that it has been a loooong time since we've had such wonderful food. It's not cheap, but it's not that expensive either - I'd say it's on par with other nice restaurants in the area. Our dinner was $217 for 2 entrees, 2 apps, 4 drinks, dessert, and tip....actually, not that bad, and worth every single penny. The entree portions weren't huge but with the apps and in-between course tasty treats they serve, it was perfect for us. We left full and satisfied (but not painfully overstuffed...who wants that anyway?). Don't believe the first reviewer ("unhappydinners" must only write bad reviews) - it doesn't seem like he's used to finer dining (???). Anyhow, I don't typically write reviews but our experience here definitely warranted a fab review. You must go!!!

Pros: Food, Service, Food, Service, Food, Service!

Cons: Entree portions can be small, but that's what apps are for.

Posted 06/10/07

The Foundry on Melrose is a gem of a restaurant. You wouldn't expect to find exquisite, fine dining food in such a cool, hip area, but you will find it here. Chef Greenspan used to be at Patina, where I had experienced his creations before. Now that he owns his restaurant, he is able to create his own vision & what an amazing vision it is. From the friendly & knowledgeable staff, the FANTASTIC wine list & gourmet but reasonably priced menu, soothing yet hip ambiance with great outside seating, you will not be disappointed! We like to order a bunch of items & share.

Pros: Great wine list, full bar, AMAZING, creative dishes, outdoor patio with fireplace, LIVE MUSIC,

Cons: Live music can be a little loud if you're right next to it, eat outside

Posted 06/05/07

I have dinned at the Foundry twice, for dinner and brunch. Not only did I coo over the gorgeous setting and outstanding service, but both meals were fantastic. So impressive that I asked Andrew, the very attentive manager, for several cards to pass out. Make sure to refer to him about the selection of rare local and imported cheeses available to accompany their extensive wine list. I enjoyed both experiences so much that I am throwing a brunch party there next month! (The Stuffed French Toast is a must.)

You definately get what you pay for at the Foundry.

Pros: Great service, valet parking, outdoor seating, jazz music

Cons: A bit loud at night

Posted 05/22/07

We were excited about having dinner at this restaurant, it has very nice ambiance and good service. With the chief and owner from the east coast...we expected more.....besides a nice place. BUT......the portions are very small.....we ordered Oso Buco and had one piece of tough meat and one bone on the plate...no veggies or anything else that we could see.......the salad to start was not very interesting and was very small and cost way more than it should (all ala carte) .....we were still hungry so we ordered desserts and they were okay. We suggest having dinner first or leave hungry as we did....Bring lotsa money! Not worth it! Would not return....

Pros: Nice ambiance and service

Cons: Not enough food for the money

Posted 05/21/07