The Paradise part that is.
This restaurant, beach and a day spent there used to be a wonderful experience, and as a local who has been to the restaurant easily 50+ times often spending the day and two meals with family and friends, and now will not bother with it at all - I feel the loss.
Yes, the beach is still there if you can see it - but seemingly the entire LA inner City invades on any pleasant sunny day. Families monopolize the beach with rude people literally walking over or on each other to get from one place to another.
Watch the people fighting (sometimes physically) over the beach tables as they circle diners like waiting vultures since the restaurant takes no responsibility over this area. Diners will also hold tables interminably as well as the beach chairs so be prepared for the long waits to snag a spot.
The old restaurant staff is mostly gone and since it is still an industry heavy clientele most of the new staff waiters and waitresses are actually just pretty actors simply biding their time to be discovered by a visiting director or movie star. Unless you are recognizable yourself expect third class service.
The food used to be generous if not haute cuisine so if you knew the menu you would leave full and having enjoyed a basically pleasant meal, no longer.
The restaurant has a harried kitchen staff turning out much, much smaller portions than the increasingly high prices merit. The bulk of every plate is greasy fries or chips. Pastas are gummy and simply reheated. Food arrives cold; salad bar is often emptied and not replenished.
With all these negatives what’s left; having to walk in like a naughty child with your paid receipt to get a stamp to leave the parking lot with only a $3 charge vs $25 without validation.
Yup, that’s the finishing touch and I’m finished.
Pros: it used to be nice
Cons: it's not anymore
Posted 06/04/07