Insider Pages Reviews for Crustacean Euro Vietnamese Cuisine

4 Stars: i always enjoy the cuisine (by steph J)

steph J — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

i have been coming here for yrs. love it. great dessert

3 Stars: Nice Setting - A Bit Oversold (by SuzyCattheBeach)

SuzyCattheBeach — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:00 GMT

The atmosphere can be a challenge, especially during busier times; however the food is very good. Everyone rave about the garlic noodles and they should because they are delicious. And the setting is of course something to be seen, especially for out-of-town guests.

5 Stars: Pink Lotus!!! (by JAG099)

JAG099 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Try the Pink Lotus!!! Be ready to be surprised! From the fish in the floor to the food.. this place is always fun and amazingly delicious!

4 Stars: Coconut Shrimp (by Cravery82)

Cravery82 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Crustacean makes you wait for a reservation, but I promise you that wait it well worth it! I had family visiting from the east coast and wanted to take them out for a memorable meal. The restaurant has exquisite Vietnamese cuisine, and my grandma literally died over the coconut shrimp. My meal was amazing too, but it was the TYku cocktail the waiter suggested that pushed my experience over the edge!
If it didn't take so long to secure a reservation we would have gone back every night they were in town!

5 Stars: Wonderful Experience (by jgoodb)

jgoodb — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I went to Crustacean for the fist time last week and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I was impressed by the Koi "Walk on Water," and the rest of the decor was absolutely beautiful The waitor was helpful and attentive, and my food was excellent! (Especially the garlic noodles- yum!) Crustacean is pricey, but definitely worth every penny.

1 Stars: TERRIBLE! (by JSoleymani)

JSoleymani — Mon, 04 May 2009 09:00:00 GMT

What a disaster of a restaurant!

We had a reservation, but were seated more than 20 minutes late. When we were, we were given a HORRIBLE table in the aisle...where people were walking back and forth next to us. We asked for another table, and we got SO MUCH attitude!

The music was loud and obnoxious, the waitresses were bitchy, and the food didn't even look that good. In fact, we didn't even eat! We left and walked a few blocks to a little Italian place for dinner.

Instead of them being nice and helpful, it felt like the waitresses wanted to tell us "you should be glad we LET you sit here!"

1 Stars: DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!! (by Peanut)

Peanut — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:00:00 GMT

1. Food is not authentic (and I am Vietnamese)
2. Famous "prawns" are always overcooked and rubbery.
3. Garlic noodles will give you heartburn - so greasy.
4. You're paying for the lease, not the quality of food.

1 Stars: HORRIBLE! (by mspeeches)

mspeeches — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I'm gonna use my friend's favorite word when sumthin's not good.'HORRIBLE'!!... I hope this review I'm writing reach millions of people.My husband & I went to this place for my friend's birthday dinner for our 1st time. I heard this restaurants' name so many times, I was happy to finally go. I've been to quite a few upscale restaurants & I've been to regular diners/cafes. Check this out... I don't even have to get into how the food was, what I'm going to say I feel is worse. My hubby & I arrived a lil late to my friend's gathering. I ordered the crab w/ the shell (whatever the dish is called). I then asked my friend's sister what she ate,and she told me the crab w/ NO shell. I said 'Oh, I wanna change mine to that, I'll let the waiter know'.The waiter brought out a crab plate which was the one w/ the shell. Another guest @ the table had ordered crab, so it was given to her, she began to eat off the plate. About 10-15min. later another crab plate had come out, this one NO shell (the one I wanted to change to). I noticed it was the one I wanted so I was gonna eat my food.The waiter & I had small talk & he noticed I had the plate with NO shell , he reaches over to the other guest's plate that she had ate from & switched our plates like it was the thing to do! Are you kidding me?? I told him I need to exchange this, & his response was 'oh no honey! I'm gonna still charge you for this'. Make a long story short- my plate was exchanged after the manager gave me a lecture about times being hard w/ the economy & they can't waste their food like that. Makes me wonder what other things they'd be willing to do , to save their food??? Hint,hint: if something falls on the floor behind closed doors.

1 Stars: The Worst Service Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (by Casablanca01)

Casablanca01 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:00:00 GMT

So disappointed. Took my husband there to celebrate his birthday and we are still waiting for our hot food to be bought to our table. There was excuse after excuse of why it was taking so long. Can you imagine??? We were told it was because we ordered an appetizer and then told is was due to us ordering filet mignon for dinner. It was amazing that the table that came in 45 minutes after us ordered appetizers and dinner and their meal arrived way before we even walked out of the restaurant. This was Saturday evening and I am now at work on Monday afternoon. They just can't handle the fame or the crowds. We were ignored several times when we tried to find out the status of our dinner. We still have not received any follow-up from anyone to apologize for running my husbands birthday!!!!!
Don't waste your time going there, it's all hype!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Stars: A wonderful evening for a special occasion (by Australiaaa)

Australiaaa — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I've been to several high-end restaurants local and overseas, and I will tell you this place is nearly unmatched when it comes to seafood. Let me preface this by putting down some of the previous reviews and setting them straight a bit. This is an UPSCALE, Beverly Hills restaurant. Yes, its expensive, yes, you're in Beverly Hills and yes the food in insatiable. I am mind-boggled by reviews that go out of their way to point this out. Anyway, I was with my folks to enjoy a birthday celebration and we were thoroughly impressed from start to finish. Our reservation was attended to promptly where we sat down in the beautiful main eating area. You walk over a large fish tank as your path, which is really cool and unique. The waitress was very friendly and helpful with the menu selections. Our three cocktails were served in a decent amount of time, all made great. Beef Satay and Crispy Rice were the two appeteizers, small portions, ($9.99ea), so somewhat expected. Two crabs (out of the shell) plus a lamb dish for the three of us. Absolutely delicious crab mean, cooked perfectly in their sauce, I tried some lamb and it was very tender, simply ignore the microwave comments from other review. We split a garlic noodle, which is a must have, you'll want to order more, I guarantee it. Lava cake and another, I forget the name, were both very good... Had myself a camomile tea, which I enjoy.. Bill was expensive, but we were all aware of the price beforehand, so no jaw dropping when we were handed it. Overall the place is beautiful, the entire staff was completely on top of things. Couple things I thought was odd was the position of the table, let my seat cramped, so we had to adjust it... Other than that, this place is a true pleasure if you're looking for a nice evening (birthday, anniversary, or a really impressionable date), not a place I can afford to see once a week, but when you do go, you'll remember it.

4 Stars: BeautiFULL!!! (by GoldenAsh)

GoldenAsh — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

It's like a slice of heaven from the moment you pull up in front of the restaurant to walking in the entrance way. It is beautifull...the ambience and architectural design as well as the common themes of water and sea life. And the food and conversation is probably the best part. Definitely recommend the Dungeness Crab and the garlic noodles. Also, the prawn (large shrimps) and the filet mignon entree is VERY Good as well.

4 Stars: A Design Experience (by butterflymaiden)

butterflymaiden — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

It seem as if every table was placed with much thought and with great attention to the feeling of the place. The food was not memorable, but who noticed when the ambience was so dramatic.

1 Stars: The "secret" is out, Crustacean is not so special (by mhb1954)

mhb1954 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I'm not surprised to read some bad reviews from 2008. I'd never been to Crustacean before, but this was my first time and my last. The restaurant is beautiful and the walk on water is nice, but they have tables wedged into places that require a contortionist to navigate! The waitress was nice; she was enthralling with her description about Crustacean's history and the "secret kitchen" into which only An family members or employees with 10 years' + experience are allowed. I thought, "this food should be something!" We started with a sampler plate. It wasn't "bad," but when I saw that it cost $25 it was!! I mean, really. $25 for a plate of nicely presented appetizers? Our shrimp entree was tough, even the waitress agreed, "someone overcooked these!".. she took one back and returned with two, one on the house! Unfortunately, none of the shrimp were remarkable, and the very small portion of garlic noodles... jeepers! Those cost $11.00? I've been to hole-in-the-wall style Vietnamese kitchens in the Mission District in San Francisco where not only do you get a better value, but the food TASTES better, too! The crab was very good, but for $50? Crustacean is overrated and not at all worth the money. Our dinner for two was $200 w/ watered down martinis--my mother could make better and she's 91! I cannot recommend this place. The inside looks great, but spend your money elsewhere and get better value and better taste. The "secret" is out: there is nothing so special about Crustacean. Follow up: I note that a reviewer may interpret me for a miser: not at all: I've dined in some of the finest eateries in many countries on six continents; many were much higher priced than Crustacean. Here's a tip: if you pay $1 or $111, it doesn't matter: lousy food is "lousy." "Vietnamese" is not a trivial cuisine to cook, and poorly made drinks served with equally mediocre food says something about the business, not the diner.

4 Stars: Beautiful food, beautiful people (by Shelby H.)

Shelby H. — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:53:00 GMT

I think that the first time visitor will be impressed and satisfied. Living in LA, you sometimes get jaded by the glitz and glamour. I've seen a few celebrities there from time to time but the real attraction for me is the food. They have outstanding Vientamese food! While overpriced, the food is very, very good. The decor is also quite imaginative - glass covered koi pond that you walk over as you enter the restaurant.

4 Stars: Flavorsome Dungeness Crab and Garlic Noodles!!!! (by foody2008)

foody2008 — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

good lychee martini cocktails. Waiter's crab recommendation was great. The crab was a little oily, but nevertheless, tasty and infused with lots of garlic. The garlic noodles were delicious. If you like lots of garlic in your food, there are lots of selections on the menu. The decor was romantic. The band was a little too loud for my liking. I would have preferred something a little more mellow.

4 Stars: My FAV restaurant (by Sheryl c.)

Sheryl c. — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:43:00 GMT

I ate at this restaurant 3 times in one month. I love their crabs and garlic noodles. My husband ordered the fish but didnt like it. The waiter took the food and offered my husband a different dish. When we paid the bill, they didnt charge us for the fish. Our over all experience was really good. I can't wait to go back to this restaurant again. For those who are curious about this place.. I think it's worth a TRY. Hope your experience is as good as ours.

3 Stars: Crustacian Restaurant (by Michael N.)

Michael N. — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:23:00 GMT

Went for dinner at Crustacian last night and it sucked. Very disappointed. I always see pictures of movie stars coming and going so I thought I would give it a try. Plus it was my birthday. The food lacked flavor and was over priced. The appetizers were disappointing too. I had to ask for chili sauce to spice up my dish and still tasted lousy. I only had one bite and left it. In most restaurants, when a waiter notices a customer not touching their food, they ask what's wrong and even will take that item off of the bill. Neither happened in my case. We had Randall as a waiter and he had an attitude problem. Thumbs down for Crustacian.

2 Stars: DOOD (by applesandy2)

applesandy2 — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Dood. if your going.. remember your paying for the ambience. Really..you can come to my house and i'll make you the best damn garlic noodles in town..all for $5. I'll even add shrimp in them suckers. Smart Vietnamese people...selling it for 15x the price. So really...if you do get the garlic noodles...get a side of rice...it's bland and salty afer a while. And they should have the host/hostesses in the front be a little more welcoming. C'mon...how ya running your business.

1 Stars: EXPENSIVE, poor service, loud, mediocre food, EXPENSIVE (by notasnob)

notasnob — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

We arrived on time for our reservation and waited for 30 minutes to be seated. while waiting at the bar we were largely ignored by the bartenders who were busy making drinks for the tables while ignoring those at the bar. While seated at the bar we noticed several of the wait staff sampling customers drinks that were waiting to be delivered to tables. One waiter in particular put a straw that had been in his mouth back into a customers drink at least 3 times. Once seated at a lovely table in front of the wait station and half hanging out into the main aisle our poor service began. We asked for a wine list and then our waiter disappeared for about 15 minutes. The bad experience continued from there with the food being nothing more than over spiced, over cooked, under sized portions, of not so special items. The patrons were loud and the band only added to the noise. The organ player had tuned in a sample that sounded, I kid you not, like a fricking accordion. I wasn't paying to be at a bad Polish wedding but thats what it was starting to feel like. Then the highlight came with the bill $480 for dinner for 4 not including tip. Red Lobster was starting to look attractive after this experience. I have no problem with expensive if I'm getting what I'm paying for and this was so far from that kind of quality, it was insulting, I felt robbed. The final insult came with the interminable wait for the valet and a $10 fee with tip for that as well. All I can say is don't bother with Crustacean there are far better places around at half the price and places at this price that are orders of magnitude better.

4 Stars: Great Seafood (by finedine2008)

finedine2008 — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

The famous crabs are excellent, I would totally recommend the Roasted Garlic Crab. But if you prefer a lighter choice, the Drunken Crab is also great.

A must order is the garlic noodle side dish, it tastes amazing as well!

4 Stars: Good.... (by cafranco)

cafranco — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Very simple and good. Enjoyed the garlic crab and noodles. The atmosphere, waiter's and bar tenders-great. The front desk rude and snobby! I have been there a few times and it's always the samething. No prompt seating with or without reservations.

5 Stars: A must try in beverly hills (by foodloversarah)

foodloversarah — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Went to this place with my boyfriend and his parents and it was one of the best meals I have ever had! The decor is fabulous with a koi aquarium in the floor beneath your feet. The bartenders were nice and attentive while we waited for our table. Once seated our waiter was amazing and made sure we loved everything we got. Definitely order something from the secret kitchen which is a kitchen only family members of the restaurant are allowed inside of, because the lobster and their signature garlic noodles from there are to die for! This place is not a cheap place by any means but if you want to splurge this place is the place to go hands down. One of the best dining experiences of our lives.

1 Stars: Do you like that Fried or Microwave? (by afrechico)

afrechico — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:00:00 GMT

It's really expensive for deep fried or microwave food, beautiful place to look and being look at, but if you go for the food, you are in the wrong place.
Just ask the server to tell you the truth, and you will find out that even the Lamb is Microwave, with plastic wrap and everything.
But of course you are willing to live the fantasy and pay for the big bucks for it.
Be smart about what you pay for to put in body!!!

3 Stars: Time for a Re-reinterpretation. (by mike3333)

mike3333 — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Crustacean was really something when it first opened in the '90s, an over-the-top interpretation of Asian seafood in a unique (the underfloor koi-stocked stream trickling through the bar) and quite stunning (the multi-level dining room is warm and comfortable, unlike many of today's glass and concrete morgues). The food was exciting, interesting, fun and expensive, and at the end of the meal you felt like you really experienced something.
These days, much of the novelty has worn off. The food seems tired, as if whoever dreamed up the menu is long gone, leaving the second string to crank out dishes based on fuzzy memory. The prices remain high, but you're left wondering why since successful high-end chains now create equal fare at lesser rates. Crustacean is aching for a redo and splashy reopening. Give the interior an evolutionary, not revolutionary update, dredge the stream for any missing Hollywood starlets and hire a chef who wants to do great new things with seafood--and make sure the fish is as fresh as Crustacean once was.

2 Stars: GREAT Service, VERY Average Food, COSTLY (by keenan55)

keenan55 — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:00:00 GMT

NOV 21, was my birthday and my lovely girl was taking me out to a fancy restaurant. I have lived in Chicago,NYC and Miami and now reside here in downtown LA. With that said I can definitely give my opinion on fine restaurants that I have had the pleasure of dining. The interior of Crustacean is beautiful, the service is supreme but the food is a RIP OFF. I don't mind paying for delicious food but this was a joke. Not to be mean but the small portions and the average taste left me hungry afterwards. Nothing special about the "Garlic noodles" except the price. A couple of empty Lobster tails with 5 pieces of meat on a plate full of noodles $40. Since when did the price of noodles go up? I had the Chilean Sea Bass that was 4 fork servings in size. Our waitress was a doll. . . and very attentive. The band that was playing during our meal should have been in a pool hall tavern. They lacked the style to accommodate such a stylish room.
Very disappointing Dinner. My Girl was the main person to complain and apologize about the evening.
I'll stay down town and dine at places like ROY'S. . . . . on 8th
The rest of my evening celebration was Fabulous. I would not recommend this place at all.

3 Stars: Excellent service, average food (by jordanst2)

jordanst2 — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I just finished my first meal at the restaurant. I'm disappointed. Let me start off by saying that if you are not from los angles or unaccustomed to a "dining experience" then Crustacean still may interest you. The famed decor is actually quite impressive, the service and people watching are both excellent. The drinks are surprisingly strong.
Now to the important part... the food. We started our meal with an appetizer variety plate consisting of fried shrimp, beef skewers, dumplings and another kind of pastry type shrimp food. The plate also came with three dipping sauces. The shrimp was good (however, only four came on the plate) the beef was overly marinated and very salty. The dumplings tasted no better then the ones you can find in the freezer section of your local TJ's. The plate came out luke warm at best. Overall the appetizer was fair.
I next ordered the "Colossal Prawns" (their description, not mine) with garlic noodles. I had heard that the garlic noodles were the thing to have at this restaurant and i'm now wondering, as i drink my fourth glass of water and still feel parched, if all of the other reviewers who have eaten these noodles live in some kind of culinary vacuum and have never traveled east of the 110 for Asian food. The garlic noodles are spaghetti with garlic sauce. Salty garlic sauce. Honestly, they tasted no better than food court Chinese. I wanted to love them, and i did not.
The "Collossal Prawns" were of average size. I think i was served five. They were also thoroughly spiced with garlic- pretty good. However, they came out cold which was a surprise and incongruent with the level of service in the restaurant.
I also sampled some of my friends' dishes, one of which was the Crab. Let me say, as apathetic as I was about my food, i was equally relieved that I didn't order his. I watched with empathy as he attempted for 25 minutes to extract threads of crab from undersized legs. For $50 this was a joke.
Desert tray was exelent

4 Stars: Garlic Noodles...mmmmm! (by sverige)

sverige — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT

First and foremost, I have to give this place an A+ for decor. Really, it has an incredible ambience and yet you feel like you have so much privacy. The service and staff was also an A+- they were all so attentive. However, I was underwhelmed by some of the food. The garlic noodles were of course, delicious. I also got the Roasted Crab (which was enormous and messy- but you can pay an extra $9 to de-crab- I should've done that) but I didn't think it was any better than any other Vietnamese or seafood restaurant I had been to. Also, the food got cold right away so it wasn't entirely enjoyable to eat. The yellowtail for an appetizer is also recommended (soooo good.) Of all the dishes I tried, I think I liked the Tiger Prawns best (and it comes with the garlic noodles!) We ended with the coconut cake which has a delicious filling. Overall, a good exeperience, but I was looking to be Wowed and I wasn't entirely.

4 Stars: Great wine selection (by caljacqui29)

caljacqui29 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Aside from feeling like an idiot that I thought I would fall into the stream (didn't see the glass), I loved this restaurant.
Our server was attentive and suggested some great picks. Our wine was just what I expected and I left satisfied and happy (love was in the air that night too).
I would probably prefer to sit downstairs next time, though.

5 Stars: HOLY EXPENSIVE, Batman! (But worth it -- especially if someone else is paying!) (by freebie_grabber)

freebie_grabber — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I was fortunate enough to have eaten here for free one evening a few years back -- the tab was picked up by some company that was trying to schmooze my former employer. The restaurant itself is amazing, with water flowing under your feet on the first floor and a great overhead view from the second floor. The open-air design of the building and the tasteful decor set the mood for what will most likely be one of L.A.'s top "Pan-Asian"/seafood restaurants. The service was impeccable, even for our high-maintenance party of about 8 or so. The food was delicious -- try as many different things as you can if you get the chance. Crustacean also has a very impressive cognac / brandy / rum selection in their dessert menu for smooth sipping as you reflect back on the one or two C-notes you just dropped on dinner. Enjoy!

2 Stars: Average at best. I've had better food at a chain restaurant for a quarter the price.. (by aurory13)

aurory13 — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

To start, great location and easy parking. Valet service available and a garage directly across the street with a $2 flat rate. On entering, beautiful surroundings including the underfoot aquarium leading to a large two story main dining area that is not expected from the smaller entrance. Beautifully done interior, simple, not overly creative or unique but charming. The server was knowlegable and told an interesting history of the restaurant which enhanced our anticipation. Drinks came relatively quickly after some prompting minus one which was forgotten but soon remedied. The appetizer plate with the beef skewer, chicken dumplings, crab puffs and coconut shrimp was 'ok'. The beef was luke warm at best, cheaper cut, the puffs burnt at the ends and the shrimp tough and over fried. Dipping sauces were nice but nothing extraordinary. The highlight of the meal was the appetizer special lobster salad which was decent. Nice greens and veggies with a miso soy type dressing that is familiar to anyone that has had chinese take-out. The over-hyped grilled crab was some of the worst I've had. It was absolutely soaked in oil which overtook any other flavorings that may have been present. I literally went through 4 steamed napkins trying to keep my fingers degreased. I honestly felt it was something you would get at Red Lobster. My friend's entrees were ok, the seabass being nice and predictable. Nothing I haven't had many times before. The beef tenderloin overdone, no more flavorful than the skewer. As for the garlic noodles... pasta with lots of oil and some garlic. That's it. And that is the Signature Dish! The chinese place around the corner has a similar dish for $7. Wow. Very typical of LA I guess. Lots of hype surrounding something that gets a 'C' in comparison to places I've frequented both here and New York for a quarter of the price. Will not be returning and recommend you go elsewhere to spend that much of your hard earned money on a meal.

4 Stars: Always a good choice (by tedonthetown)

tedonthetown — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I went to the original when I lived in SF- at the beach, then its expansion to Union Square-not even sure if that still exists..but have now been living in LA for 6 years and cannot believe I hadn't eaten at the BH one until 2 months ago! My loss!! The food is absolutely delicious!! Go simple...crab & garlic noodles (someone at the table MUST get it) my husband prefers..tiger prawns & gn...you CANNOT go wrong nor will you break the bank with these orders! Go authentic and wash down with vietnamese beer . If you are still hungry, get the fried bananas/plantains...I also recommend sitting in the backroom/or the balcony for dinner..front room is a scene.. if you prefer a scene ask for a canopy table by the live jazz band... great happy hour-try some small dishes, have a beer, listen to music..downside-slight delay on table that I don't think was necessary, valet can be really tough, still smell a bit garlicky..

1 Stars: GOD AWFUL. OVERPRICED, UNDERSEASONED, OVERRATED, AND UNDERWHELMING FOOD. (by sdiddy)

sdiddy — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

NUFF SAID. if you want to pay $250 for "secret kitchen 007 superdooper special garlic noodles" and some overcooked junk shrimp (4 pieces for $40!!!!), by all means go here. the garlic noodles are the same as you would get in pfchangs. yes its noodles. wif garlic. not sure whats so secretive about it. seriously. go to pfchang, spend $25, and save your extra loot for suntin else. and by the way....if you order the sampler tapas appetizer platter you will seriously bust out laughing. $30+ for 3 people...its beef teriyaki, some nasty depe fried nasty rangoon thing, a potsticker (you can get better frozen ones at ralphs), and some other forgettable thing. you can get all this kind of stuff at any chinese restaurant that is 1/4 the price and taste better. i honestly cant believe the horrible quality of food and price they charge here. listen to me and avoid this place...trust me you will be better off without this experience.

1 Stars: Horrible service, cold food, warm water - why spoil your meal in Beverly Hills when there's so much better?! (by jasonsmitty)

jasonsmitty — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

So this was our second trip to LA and our second visit to Crustacean. I have to say that things went downhill in the 3 years between the two visits. Our San Pellegrino water came out warm. The appetizers came out cold. So at that point when the waiter asked how everything was we immediatley told him the issues. The waiter litterally chuckled thinking we were joking even though no one was smiling. Anyway, he asked what we wanted done and we asked him to fix everything. He went off and spoke to the manager and came back and said they'd give us free dessert and replaced our water. The entrees came and they too were horrible. This place really has no business serving food. After explaining to the waiter that we wre not sticking around for dessert, we asked for the cold appetizer to be credited. The waiter calls the manager and the manager discloses that the appetizer costs 80 dollars (the menu said 18.95). We asked to see the menu and the manager returned without the menu saying it would be credited. I'd highly highly recommend you do NOT dine at this excuse of a restaurant. Maybe go in and look at the fish tanks and then leave. Just don't do it.

1 Stars: Average food, high prices but a beatiful spot at least (by larestaurantguy)

larestaurantguy — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I don't get this place. The kitchen is a secret place, only family is allowed, bad idea. They probably need to let someone else in there as I was not impressed at all with cuisine. It is a very beautiful restaurant if food isn't that important.

5 Stars: BEST FOOD AND CATERING IN CALIFORNIA (by noodles_r_my_lyfe)

noodles_r_my_lyfe — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

For my cousins 18th birthday we hired Crustacean to cater his party. The food was absolutley AMAZING!and the staff was soo nice-- i was amazed. we have used them for every event since and the food continues to awe us. Chef Helene's An's food is so healthy and light and the crab and noodles (a family favorite) is DELICIOUS! o-- and the new york steak is sooo juicy and tender. By far the GREATEST find ever!

5 Stars: DELIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISH! (by dms365)

dms365 — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

My bf took me here for my bday and we really enjoyed ourselves. We were seated nearly right away. We even enjoyed our walk to our table over the Koi "Walk on Water." For those who don't know what I am talking about - to see it is to believe it...there is a river (covered in glass) of koi throughout the restaurant! It was definitely cool. Our server was amazing, polite and attentive. Upon learning it was our first time at the restaurant, he told us a little history about the An Family and suggested some of his favorites and what the restaurant was best known for (and what you will read about in the preceding reviews) the garlic noodles and cracked crab - needless to say, we followed suit and got what the place was known for! I must admit - that it was humorous to look around the swanky place at everyone with bibs tied around their necks! I enjoyed EVERYTHING I ate. I highly recommend getting the tapas appetizer with the dumpling, chicken satay, coconut shrimp, etc. YUUUUUUUUM! Enjoy!

5 Stars: delicious seafood (by juju13es)

juju13es — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

The prices are sky-high, at least in my opinion, but I don't think you can find garlic baked crab of the same caliber at any ol' seafood joint. You can't pass up the garlic noodles either. Plus, the ambience is pretty amazing with the underground koi pond/aquarium that guests can walk on top of (you don't see that just anywhere...)

5 Stars: Best Dungeness Crab you can get ... (by zbigboy)

zbigboy — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I've been to this place several times; once to this location, and several times in San Francisco.

Both are outstanding. The Beverly Hills location was a better experience.

*** Fantastic atmosphere / layout.
*** Great food (I recommend the dungeness crab with garlic noodles)
*** Very good service.
*** NOT a good place if you are bringing young kids.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for good crab, good food, or a great environment.

5 Stars: GREAT FOOD AND GREAT SERVICE (by rubendolor)

rubendolor — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I HAVE READTHE OTHER REVIEWS AND I GUESS I WENT ON A GOOD NIGHT. IT WAS A MONDAY AND WE HAD MADE RESERVATIONS FOR SIX FOR DINNER. WE WERE GREETED BY A VERY FRIENDLY HOST WHO SEATED US QUICKLY EVEN THOUGH WE WERE A HALF HOUR EARLY. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT WANT TO BE SEATED UPSTAIRS AND THAT I WOULD WAIT TILL MIDNIGHT IF THAT WAS THE CASE, WE WERE SEATED DOWNSTAIRS QUICKLY. WE ALL ORDERED COCKTAILS AND WHEN ONE PERSON IN OUR PARTY WANTED 7 UP IN HER DRINK, ONE OF THE STAFF ACTUALLY WENT DOWN THE STREET TO BUY A CAN FROM A STORE! NOW THATS SERVICE. NOW I HAVE BEEN IN GOOD RESTAURANTS AROUND THE WORLD AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE FOOD MET MY EXPECTATIONS. I WAS KIND OF WORRIED AFTER READING THE REVIEWS BUT WE ALL FOUND THE FOOD TO BE WONDERFUL. FROM THE CRAB TO THE NOODLES TO THE STEAK, EVERYTHING WAS TASTY. SO I GUESS MAYBE IT DEPENDS ON THE TIME AND DAY YOU GO, BECAUSE ALL WENT WELL ON OUR VISIT. OUR BILL CAME TO ABOUT $1000 BUT WITH TWO ROUNDS OF DRINKS AND TWO BOTTLES OF CHAMPGANE PLUS THE FOOD AND TIP, WE FIGURED IT WOULD BE ABOUT THAT MUCH. I AM GOING FOR LUNCH THIS WEEKEND SO WE'LL SEE IF ITS ANY DIFFERENT. SO I GIVE THE JOINT TWO THUMBS UP! AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR WATER, TELL THEM NOT TO BRING ANY.

4 Stars: garlic noodles!!!! (by pinays)

pinays — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

i have been to crustacean several times and the menu is just average. however, the garlic noodles and cracked crab swimming in garlic are EXCELLENT! i have had the prawn, and i was sadly disappointed. the dessert menu does not provide anything exciting. so the only thing that keeps me coming back are the garlic noodles and the crab! btw, eating here (especially with drinks) is not cheap.

2 Stars: Don't Believe the Hype (by eastcoastcritic)

eastcoastcritic — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

We were seated promptly but then it took 20 mins to order drinks and we had to ask for water 10 mins after that. We constantly had to raise our hands to get our servers attention and then the food came and it was lukewarm. We ordered the shrimp with garlic noodles (shrimp was overcooked), snap peas (delicious but almost cold) and the roasted crab (bland, nothing special). I had 3 lychee martinis with dinner and each one was totally different then the last (very annoying). My date and I will never go back!

3 Stars: Beverly HIlls hype. (by coachlvr)

coachlvr — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Very romantic, beautiful ambiance, not to mention the Koi swimming, beneath the floors. This place is my boyfriend's favorite for the crab, and the "to die for" garlic noodles. He took me there for the first time, although it was really pretty.. real Beverly Hills-ish, the food was just okay, and waaay overpriced for what I had. I must admit the garlic noodles are yes, worth the hype, but the tiger prawns were overcooked and chewy. For the price I would expect them to make it perfect ( and $18 for a side of baby bok choy? hell no. I could buy a whole crate and cook the same myself for that price!) . Be sure to ask for tap water, or else you'll get $7 Fiji bottled water. Service was prompt, and our waiter was always attentive. There was even a point where I was so indulged with conversation, I forgot to put the napkin on my lap, the waiter quickly put it on for me. Unless you're going for the garlic noodles and crab, I wouldn't go back. Between the 2 of us, we had 2 entrees, 1 bottled water and 2 glasses of wine = $230 w/out tip. If you decide to go, make sure to get the garlic noodles , crab, and some wine. Thats pretty much that's all that's worth the price over there.

3 Stars: Disappointed & Dissatisfied (by meags)

meags — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I waited a week to write my review because I thought it would allow me to calm down. I made reservations for a party of 6 for my mother's birthday only to arrive and be informed that we were not in the books. The rude man at the front said he could seat us outside on the noisy, cold sidewalk or in the noisy bar. I tried to reason that this mess up was not our fault and my father is hard of hearing so the available options were not reasonable. After much pointless communication with the chauvinistic host, we had to accept the bar seating. Then came the horrible service...bottled water when tap was requested, not enough glasses, wrong meals, etc. My father was unable to hear a thing. This had been my mother's favorite restaurant for many years until that night. The only positive part of the entire evening was my family and the food. Everything else leaves a lot to be desired.

1 Stars: VERY disappointed... SO OVER-RATED!... HOLD THE BUTTER! (by sanderella)

sanderella — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I've had catering from this restaurant before and was impressed with their food/service. I've attended events that hired these guys for catering, and again, was impressed. BUT...
To celebrate our 1st year wedding anniversay, my husband decided to surprise me and made reservations and requested a "nice table" to celebrate our special day. Since I've never dined there, I was excited. I've heard people rave about the garlic noodles and dungeoness crab, their specialty.
Entering the restaurant, I saw a couple of opened tables, but we were quickly taken upstairs. We were seated next to a couple that I could reach out and touch. We were also behind a family with loud, obnoxious kids. On top of all this, there were holes on the wall with electrical wires sticking out, what I believe were for light fixtures. I was appalled, but since my husband was doing a nice thing for me, I didn't complain. It would have hurt his feelings. So I sat quietly and looked forward to the so-called great food.
The waiter was very good. Although busy, he was attentive. On his recommendations, we ordered the sampler appetizer special. Since it wasn't on the menu, we didn't know it was going to cost us $24! It was tiny! I was forgiving because it was good.
I ordered the crab and garlic noodles. My husband ordered prawns. Each plate was $42. Fine, I will pay ANYTHING for great food, right? Well, we paid, but the food was just MEDIOCRE at best! What the hell is everyone raving about? The garlic noodles were more like spaghetti noodles with A LOT of butter! The crab, which was described as having garlic and all sorts of SPECIAL spices, was drenched with BUTTER and sprinkled with BLACK PEPPER. If their idea of special secret spices are nothing but black pepper and butter, anyone can make this dish at home!
I'm in the entertainment business, I eat at a lot of nice restaurants. This place is not worth the $250 we spent there, not even $50. So over-rated... and hold the damn butter!

3 Stars: A Dime a Dozen in NYC (by nycwoman1221)

nycwoman1221 — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 09:00:00 GMT

This seems to be a "hotspot" in LA. The food was good, but not worth the price. Typical second rate service. Loud and echoing because of the poorly designed accoustics, although it is pretty in a pretentious, glitzy, LA kind of way. Totally unimpressed. A pass for a second time.

5 Stars: Best Catering (by allyssa411)

allyssa411 — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I just went to the absolute best holiday party catered by Crustacean Restaurant. From trays of Garlic Noodles in minature take-out boxes to a gorgeous food table with Shrimp & Salmon to make delicious healthy wraps.
But my favorite must have been the super tender Braised Short Ribs.

5 Stars: Great Date Night- No Fabulous Date Night (by nataliegott)

nataliegott — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 09:00:00 GMT

If you really want to treat the one you love to a night of absolutely fabulous, I stronly recommend Crustacean. The Garlic Noodles are so great, you both have to eat them to avoid worries later. Wrap it up with Chocolate Lava Cake.

5 Stars: Very cliched, but yes the noodles are really good (by thelwani)

thelwani — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My friends and I went to gift exchange for Christmas and we really liked the holiday lights and decorations. We waited about 10-15 minutes to get seated passed our reservation time which wasn't too. The atmosphere is nice but a bit loud. Defenitely recommended to check out once.

3 Stars: Best Restraunt Ever (by navia25)

navia25 — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

This is my ultimate favorite restraunt. I love the food the service and the atmosphere. I have been here a thousand times and it seems the food just keeps getting better and better. For all you first timers I would get the garlic noodles and the crab. And a word of advice don't share the garlic noodles get your own.

5 Stars: Garlic Noodles! (by ocean422)

ocean422 — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Best garlic noodles EVER!!! I highly recommend the Banana Fritters!!! Beautiful ambience... good service. Delicious desserts. Worth it!

4 Stars: A restaurant that knows exactly what it wants to be (by dheilanw)

dheilanw — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 09:00:00 GMT

First let me start with the positive. The food is very good. The garlic noodles are great. I don't know if it's possible to eat without ordering a side of noodles but I've never been able to do it. The food on the special menu is also spectacular expecially the dungeness crab dishes.
On the flipside the wait can be very long without a reservation and on busy nights the restaurant is quite loud (very difficult to have a intimate conversation)

5 Stars: The best new happy hour in Los Angeles!!! (by mischah)

mischah — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Definately the sexiest happy hour in Los Angeles!!!!! I was so excited to discover a happy hour tailored to a more professional and sophisticated clientele. Their bar menu offered a nice selection of drinks and appetizers at half off the original price. I had an amazing Kobe burger that is exclusive to their happy hour menu and excellent signature cocktails. They had plasma tvs with the latest sports game at two parts of the bar and an accoustic band that came on as we were leaving. I went there with a couple of girlfriends and found the crowd very upscale and attractive. Perfect for after work drinks or meeting with a client or potential dating partner.

5 Stars: Tasty and oh, oh Garlicy!!! (by laurahan)

laurahan — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

The best items on the menu is the garlic noodles and the cracked whole crab drenched in garlic. For desert, order the fried bananas with ice cream. DELISH! It's a beautiful atmosphere with its fish tank integrated floor and very good service. Note: no tennis shoes or t-shirts!

4 Stars: Try the Garlic Noodles (by therealdiningdiva)

therealdiningdiva — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Very chic. Oh so Beverly Hills. Service was good. Great place to celeb watch (if that's your thing). My favorite: Garlic Noodles. If you try these noodles, be sure to pack some breath mints.

5 Stars: GREAT! (by multi)

multi — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

It is not the usual vietnamese cuisine most people experience. In fact it is nothing close to vietnamese cuisine considerin I come from a vietnamese background. However, as long as the food is good it doesn't matter. Had the crab w/ garlic noodles, some steak, appetizer platter, and a bunch of other stuff I forgot cause it was way back on father's day. We got free shrimp appetizer since it was father's day!! The food was very delicious. Had some desserts also. The ginger corbet was good but the music box cake was alright no wow factor. I don't think they make their desserts in house seems like they buy it from somewhere else and jack up the price. Speaking of price it is quite pricey, but the experience is worth it.

4 Stars: Very 'L.A.' (by micah k.)

micah k. — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 19:30:00 GMT

For starters, this is a very upscale restaurant, so it is pricey. But it is a great example for an 'L.A.' dining experience from its asian fusion cuisine to the unique aquarium beneath your feet.

PROS: Garlic noodles and the crab
CONS: can be stuffy, but I think its part of their 'thing'

5 Stars: great food, wonderful ambience, (by island_bruddah)

island_bruddah — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

went to this place last Friday, called for reservations and got seated really fast. It's my wife's first time here and she really loved the walk on aquarium. We sat down on the second floor next to the railings overlooking the main dining room. The server was very knowledgable and very helpful. I got the lobster and the wife got the seabass that was seared and grilled. recommended by our server. She enjoyed the fish until the last bite and I my only complain is that, I want more lobster. Should have gotten more spinach, and more tapas. It was a very enjoyable night for both of us and will be back there soon. The dresscode is really not implemented. they are not that strict.

5 Stars: best prawns ever!! (by fulanoderock1)

fulanoderock1 — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 09:00:00 GMT

This place is great for a romantic dinner, but not cheap. I loved the aquarium in the floor. The best food is from the secret kitchen. It's worth the extra money! And the noodles are awesome!!

5 Stars: My Favorite Restaurant!!!! (by amandapeters)

amandapeters — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:00:00 GMT

My eyes dropped out of my head the first time I visited. The place is absolutly gorgeous-but the jaw dropper is the mini-river running under your feet. It's like walking on water!!!

Whenever I have out of town guests, I have to take them. The garlic Crab and Noodles are sensational. A true must have.

Best place it town!!!

3 Stars: A Let Down (by babeehanul)

babeehanul — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 09:00:00 GMT

The koi pond was brown and dirty...the tables are quite close to each other both upstairs and down. The food itself was good but it should be considering the prices. Men are required to wear blazers but women can get away with jeans as long as they dress it up. Don't know if I'll be back here all things considered but glad I tried it out.

5 Stars: A must do in Beverly Hills (by westsidesocialite)

westsidesocialite — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I was really looking forward to coming here despite mixed reviews I had heard, so I decided to see for myself and I loved it! We had reservations, we were seated right away and the noodles are to die for! Best I've ever had. I also had the Dungeness Crab which was a huge portion and I ate all of it! My date had the tiger prawns which were also phenomenal. I think however, the lights should be dimmed down a couple notches. STILL, I LOVED IT!

5 Stars: When You Want a Treat...And You Just Got Paid! (by rowjo)

rowjo — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Crustacean was bustling and beautiful. Stop by the bar on the main floor (directly across from the live music) and have a cocktail...the bar experience was stellar!

We had a large group for dinner and were seated upstairs in a configuration well suited for our size. The service was, I'm afraid, a little harried...but there 16 of us and it was a very busy night. Service was efficient...just not as personable as I have had elsewhere. The food, however, was wonderful. I also really appreciated the wine suggestions that accompanied many of the menu items.

Here's the kicker... I spent nearly $140 all in for 4 courses/drinks. You could easily choose more modestly priced, equally appetizing selections from the menu.

For a special treat, I would highly recommend Crustacean. But to truly enjoy yourself, don't put yourself on a budget for the evening...just go ahead and order away!

3 Stars: I will never even CALL again! (by phanthecvl)

phanthecvl — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I know the restaurant business and been in for years. I understand this is a very busy time, but even then was so angry getting off the phone with them.

I called referring an important client of mine, who was looking for an asian restaurant. So I recommended them because I've been there myself.

The hostess was ridiculously rude. I was nothing but be polite and patient. I inquired about Valentine's Day and even said I understood. She disregards it, quickly recites what they are offering, snaps and interrupts me saying 'i can't do anything about it' and 'well, we have "very important clients" ourselves too'.

THIS IS ABOUT THE CUSTOMER, NOT A WAR AMONGST RESTAURANTS. DROP THE PRIDE!

It lacks even common courtesy. There are plenty of other restaurants out there, especially places that don't MICROWAVE their FISH before bringing it out (info from their former waiter)

3 Stars: OK but- (by wise1too)

wise1too — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 09:00:00 GMT

You can't say too much bad about this place but you can't praise it too much either.
Everything is OK but if you think this place is really good then you haven't been to a really good restaurant. Their specialty, the crab, is so entrenched in garlic that it becomes painful and messy to finish. The best dish was the noodles but it's not a dish to go out of your way for! For me this place is a "one time around the park." No need to return...been there---done that.

3 Stars: over hyped? (by akira101)

akira101 — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Pros: food was great! we had the lobster w/ garlic noodles. decor was very very nice. and the service was grade +A... one of the best in LA i've ever had.

Cons: the lighting was too dim. the much hyped koi pond was dirty. our appetizer which barely fed 8 of us costed $70.

Cost: for my party of 8: 1 appetizer, 8 entres, 3 deserts, a bottle of wine: $630 before tip. I thought this was quite reasonable except the appetizer and water (water today is more expensive than i though!)

1 Stars: Terrible experience (by pvaish)

pvaish — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I had arranged for pre-paid meal for my parents 40th anniversary. The day of the reservation, I received a call to confirm the reservation. I re-confirmed that the meal was pre-paid. My parents arrived and had an enjoyable time. When it came time to pay the bill, the waiter brought my dad the bill. I told my dad that it was pre-paid, so he asked the waiter if this was correct. The waiter said yes, and proceeded to charge his credit card. My dad called me to check to see if this was really the case. My dad showed him the credit card receipt which proved that it was his card. Christopher then proceeded to credit back the amount of the meal, but not the tip. I then called Christopher directly and asked him what happened. He said, "there's nothing I can say." Don't go to this place.

5 Stars: AWESOME! PRAWNS WITH NOODLES ARE TO DIE FOR. (by greeneterrie)

greeneterrie — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

GREAT RESTAURANT. REASONABLY PRICED FOR THE PORTIONS (ENTREES). WOULD SKIP THE APPETIZERS (VERY SMALL IN PORTION) AND SOMEWHAT OVERPRICED FOR WHAT YOU GET. WILL GO BACK MANY MORE TIMES.

5 Stars: superb dining (by jayy178)

jayy178 — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I knew of this place from SF, but had never dined at either restaurant. From recommendations of friends, I decided to try this place out. Warning, be prepared to spend about $200 for a meal of 2+wine. Of course, it was all worth it. The dungeness crab and garlic noodles are awesome. I would definitely go back for a special occassion. The decor and ambiance was nicely done as well as excellent service...

4 Stars: Nice meal for seafood lovers (by wetpeds)

wetpeds — Sun, 11 Sep 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Finally went to see what the hype is about. Yes, have the crab (BIG dungeness) and the garlic noodles. The prawns got a nod of approval also. The tenderloin...not so much. Our appetizers were overpriced yellow-tail, ahi and tuna roll for $45! Should have gone to Zooma. The mango and lobster salad is also excellent. Great place for a date, unique decor. Excessively noisy...tainted my over all impression, but I will go back for a second impression. Stay with the signature dishes, avoid extras before hand and you will come away happy.

1 Stars: RIPP-OFF (by uman)

uman — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

ALL the good reviews are posted by restaurant insiders.
FOOD was BAD and served COLD

5 Stars: Very Elegant and Wonderful Food (by sue e.)

sue e. — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 10:42:00 GMT

Crustacean is very elegant. Diners are well-dressed. Food is first class. Food is high priced, but well worth it! We go there at least twice a year for special occasions -- without the kids! They waiters are very professional and are happy to make menu suggestions. Valet parking right out front of the restaurant.

PROS: Superb food and service
CONS: Expensive

5 Stars: FANTASTIC!!!!! FANTASTIC!!!!! FANTASTIC!!!!! (by guccihandbag101)

guccihandbag101 — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I went to crustacean one friday night. the crab was divine, aswell as the noodles. we had crispy chicken rolls, corn soup, crab, and noodles. the resturanuts ambiance was lovely, the service fantastic, and the food (need i say more)... uhh!!!! this is my favorite resturant in all of beverly hills. this is an excelent place to go with friends, on a date, or alone.

5 Stars: Best Crab I ever had! (by bubblejen)

bubblejen — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

This is definitely the best Crab I ever had! You must try the garlic noodle too. It is not that cheap but well worth every dime. The garlic jumbo prawns are good too but I perferred the crab.

4 Stars: Keep to the main courses (by mrk2100)

mrk2100 — Mon, 23 May 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Ok, the crab and the noodles are to DIE for... the rest, not so much. In our party we also had the corn-lobster soup, coconut prawns, and a banana and a pineapple fritter. Eh. I would definitely come back again for the crab - you get a LOT of crab so the price makes it worth it - and like I said the garlic noodles are fantastic, but I would skip the other courses. Also, we had no problem with rude watistaff or a long wait to be seated, and we were there on a busy Friday night.

5 Stars: Excellent Food and Terrific Ambience (by Kathleen B.)

Kathleen B. — Fri, 13 May 2005 10:52:00 GMT

Whenever out of town clients come to town this is a sure bet. Food is delectable and the fishtank is under your feet - yes you're walking on it - everyone always loves this palce and many of stars to see as well. Costly, but well worth it!

3 Stars: Crustaceans (by Cat g.)

Cat g. — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 23:28:00 GMT

This restaurant is beautifully decorated, has ambiance and definitely romantic but rather pricey. The garlic noodles are delicious, as well as the crab but the portions are really small. Also the seating area is a little to close for comfort for me, its ok when youre on a date but you dont want to be on a date with the table next to you. Great place to spend a birthday or anniversary for adults definitely not for the kiddies.

PROS: Valet Parking
CONS: Long wait to be seated

2 Stars: If you love butter, eat here. (by mm177)

mm177 — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I wanted to know if all of the hype was worth it. I went with a party of six and between all of us we ordered all of the "most talked about" dishes on the menu. The crab that is cooked with the An Family "secret" recipe was so buttery that I had to drink a gallon of water when I got home. I was enjoying the garlic noodles until sooner or later everything eventually just tasted like butter. Eating here left me thirsty all night.

Overall great ambiance, but the hosts/hostesses need to check their attitude, and you'll love it if you love butter. Not worth the hype and not worth the time (which you will need a lot of since they make you wait forever even if you have a reservation). There are much better shi-shi restaurants in the Bev. Hills area.

5 Stars: Excellent Food, Great Ambience, Ok Service (by milkboy33)

milkboy33 — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Excellent food, good for groups and romantic. Just a little above average service. Host was a bit snobbish. Overall I highly recommend.

5 Stars: Crab heaven (by ilovemymickey)

ilovemymickey — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 09:00:00 GMT

The only con I have for Crustacean BH is the wait. Whether it's packed or empty, you have to wait! Once you get pass the reception area, it's all smooth sailing. Our waiters/waitresses are always friendly and attentive. The manager often time comes by to say hello and chat with us. Go with the seafood salad w/ miso dressing (about $15)! The mixed appetizer is to die for (about $10/person)... crab puff, grilled beef satay, dumpling, coconut shrimp... main courses... the cracked Dungeness crab (about $40) is awesome although heart-clogging. It's basically crab w/ a peppery butter sauce, but it's totally worth it! Their fish dishes are very unique, and the prawns are huge! You can't really go wrong with their seafood menu. Dessert is always wonderful too~ yuuum to the chocolate lava cake! The ambience is a given... beautiful. Crustacean is good for small and large groups.

5 Stars: (by Marcee K.)

Marcee K. — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 17:23:00 GMT

This is my favorite restaurant in L.A. Have the crab, cracked, but in the shell and peanut noodles. Yum.

4 Stars: The food was splendid. (by intlfoods)

intlfoods — Mon, 06 Dec 2004 09:00:00 GMT

I went there six years ago with a few friends and it wasn't bad. The service was great and the food was splendid (of course if you spend the $$$$$). I am hoping to go back perhaps on Valentine's Day '05, it kind of triggers me a bit to see all the new reviews about long waits and unattentive services.