The Warehouse

I can only imagine that the people giving this restaurant even passible reviews do not eat out much. A friend and I went for the Thanksgiving buffet last night and it was just awful. The food had obviously been sitting for quite some time without being refreshed - the salads were soggy, the "hot" dishes were ice cold, blackened tilapia was sitting in a pool of oil, dishes like enchiladas and taquitos were completely dried out. I finally stopped even trying to find edible items to eat and complained to the manager. He brought out the chef who asked me what dishes I had problems with. I said virtually all of them and went down the row telling him what the problem was dish by dish. This apparently made no impression on him as he simply went back in the kitchen. As I was not nearly hungry enough to consider eating this garbage, I handed my half-filled plate to the manager and told him there was no way I would be eating here. He seemed entirely unconcerned and walked away. My friend, however, was very hungry as he had not eaten all day. So he opted to stay and eat, while I had a drink to keep him company. (Only one drink though - as it was impossible to get the waiters attention to order a second drink. Not that the restaurant was at all busy - I guess he was in the bar watching the game or something!) Afterward, my friend said the food was every bit as bad as it looked and he regretted not having left. The kicker was the bill was $25 for that slop, without the drinks! I swear I have seen more appetizing food in hospital cafeterias. In my opinion, $5 would be too much to charge for that buffet! On the way out, my friend complained to the manager and told him that, while he was paying the tab, he was extremely disappointed and recounted everything that was wrong with our dining experience. The managers response? Quote - "You didn't have to eat here." Nice way to respond to a problem, right? So bottom line - very bad food, very bad service, very bad management. Don't waste your time eating here - there are many, many, many better restaurants around.

Pros: decor is kind of interesting, nice view

Cons: food, service, management

Posted 11/27/09

Spent the last two July 4ths at this restaurant. Made reservations five days before July 4th, for a party of nine. Got to the restaurant and was toldn "Reservation didn't guarantee you a table with a view and by the way, we decided yesterday the we are having a price fix menu." After waiting for and speaking with the manager he told us he could seat us outside. An hour later I'm still sitting in the bar paying for my own drinks. Going to leave and never come back.

Posted 07/06/09

my husband and i recently received a $200 gift certificate for the warehouse. this past weekend we went to the restaurant. the decor inside is beautiful but i opted to sit out on the patio. we started with there sampler platter. i thought the portions were way to small but for 2 people it was more than filling. for the main course my husband got the cioppino and i had the scallop and shrimp pasta. both were filled with seafood and very tasty. unfortunately this is as far as we enjoyed our evening.

when we went to pay the check with the gift certificate (our bill was $107) the waiter came back and informed us that we could not get cash back. we told him we weren't expecting cash we wanted another gift certificate to come back another day. he told us we couldn't do that either. he suggested that we send the remaining $90 on cocktails and dessert. i was dumbfounded. how stupid. i asked to speak with the manager. 10 minutes later the waiter returned to say there was a misunderstanding and they would issue us another gift certificate. when we received the certificate my husband took a look at it and on the certificate is written:

NO CASH BACK!!!
NO GRATUITY INCLUDED.

when i confronted the manager regarding how incredibly rude i felt it was. he told me this is standard policy and should have been written on the first gift certificate.

so if you're looking for a place with great customer service. keep driving down the street. next time i'll go to tony p's

Pros: the place is very pretty

Cons: management is flat out rude

Posted 02/23/09

A friend and I went to The Warehouse one Sunday for Brunch, and I was in my own utopia. The service was geat and the food was delicious(not to mention the great Mimosas). The atmosphere was wonderful-- especially since it's at the beach. I love fine dining at the ocean!!! In conversations with friends about Good-Eats in L.A., I always mention The Warehouse Restaurant-- it's the BEST!!!

Pros: Ambience, and food

Cons: Always crowded

Posted 07/02/08

My first time at the warehouse was very unexpected. It just so happened that me and some friends were going to cheesecake factory until we heard something about a fire down the street and decided to go for what was closer and convienent.

I ordered the fried calamari, sooooooooooo good! Nice thick plump pieces of squid (and at a reasonable price-hellooooo!). For dinner stuffed salmon with crab and mashed potatoes that were well seasoned and loaded with flavor.

The scenary was amazing! The decore looks like something out of jungle book. Great view on the water near boats. Very exotic! Good crowd. Great service...they made it easy for me to WANT to take on the uncontrolable urge to leave a tip and not just the "change". Plus the waiter was very attractive which gave each visit to our table that special something. His name is James.

Pros: mixed crowd, youthful/mature appeal, had live band

Cons: bar closes around 1am

Posted 03/25/08

My husband and I dine out several times a week. The Warehouse Restaurant remains one of our favorite spots. It's nice to walk into a restaurant and be recognized by the great staff by name and be treated special. The staff isn't the main attraction, however. It's the seafood. I don't know if it's just the way they prepare it or where they buy it, but it is always delicious and satisfying. When we think about going to the Warehouse Restaurant, although going any night is good, Monday is very cool since they have wine night and no matter how much the bottle cost, they only charge half price. What a deal! I recommend this place a lot. One of the last great places to go in the Marina.

Pros: Seafood

Cons: It can get a little crowded at times.

Posted 03/16/08

i was at the warehouse with my family, out on my dads birthday. I was there for my first time, but my brother had already been there. It was his suggestion to have dinner there. I tell you It was the best experience Ive had, i go out to eat twice a week, and have never encoutered a resturant with staff so attentive, the food was exellent, i had the stuffed salmon with the side order of scalloped potatoes, My mouth still waters just thinking about it. My dad had unbeiebable prime rib, so tender, and cooked to perfection. i could go on and on about the food, the prices might be a little high, but damm worth it! I highly suggest you guys stopping by this beautiful restaurant.

Pros: Salmon, Prime Rib, and Service

Cons: can't think of any

Posted 03/16/08

This has to be the most romantic spot to take a woman and have a great meal. The staff is very catering and professional and the food is amazing. You have many different environments to eat in all in one place. You can sit outside near the yachts and water, upstairs with an awesome view or in hidden crate booths that allow a maximum of privacy. The cost is worth everything you get. If you go in out a Friday or Saturday night, you can experience live entertainment. I've had friends who have had private parties there and they only charge for the cost of food and drink no matter how many people are at your party. The place is just great. Don't know what else to say about it.

Pros: everything

Cons: none

Posted 03/15/08

Went for Sunday brunch on a referral from someone...it was ok, the buffet was not well maintained and looked messy and is in the darkest part of the restaurant, so it looks unappetizing. Food was just ok...kind of a weird mix of food. Too much of too many things done badly, rather than a few things done really well. Crab legs were as thin as a pencil. Definitely didn't touch any oysters. Not really worth the money, plenty of nicer places to eat. oh well...live and learn.

Pros: outdoor patio

Cons: food

Posted 08/10/07

I have been to this restaurant twice and that would be the last time. The food is below average and a bit pricy. However; the service and the valet is nice.

Pros: service

Cons: food

Posted 04/22/07

Just tried this place for the first time in March of 2007. I was a bit hestiant, after reading the mixed reviews on citysearch. Went at night, so didn't get too much of a chance to appreciate the outside decor (did see the koi pond, which was neat). The host (male) didn't speak to us, until we greeted him. We had to wait about 15 mins for a table (Thursday night at about 8PM). The inside decor is very outdated...it reminds me of the restaurant that the two kids from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" went to on their date, when he doesn't have his wallet. The waiter was okay. The food was actually pretty decent. I recommend the gouda mac and cheese as a side. It was delightful. Average entrees range from $17-$30.

Pros: Gouda Mac and Cheese

Cons: Service, Inside decor

Posted 03/03/07

Wow there is so much to say about this place. And it's all positive! First of all the building is an old fisherman's warehouse. Upon entering the building you walk across a bridge over a pond filled with teh most beautiful coy fish. Inside there are nets and crates and fishing props. I suggest sitting outside in the back so you can see all the boats coming and going from the Marina. The Warehouse is right on the water so this is always a great dinning experience. The food is fantastic. Burgers delicious and seafood is always fesh. I suggest going on a Sunday for the brunch buffet - you have never had anything like it.

Pros: Food, location on the water, fast service.

Cons: You will get addicted!

Posted 10/30/06

Wow. Wow. The food is just not very good! For a nice-looking restaurant and for ~$30 for a entree, I'd expect at least mediocrity. The food was really disappointing and I am by no means a gourmet. I ordered the prawns and barely finished one prawn -- and I was hungry! My friend's dish was equally disappointing. The server was nice, the ambiance is OK (but with such a great location, they could have done a better job), the lighting makes you feel a little bit like you're being interrogated by the police in one of those old movies.... but none of this really matters because the food really isn't very good! And the parking lot is valet-only, which I find annoying.

Pros: nice location

Cons: bad food, expensive

Posted 10/15/06

Actually, the service was not bad. However, the food is nothing to brag about. Skip this joint any day. If you are looking to enjoy a meal outdoors, pick up a sanwich and go to burton chace park, which has a great view of the marina. the warehouse looks like its time has come and gone. the menu needs to be revamped because the food is just straight plain and boring. in LA, you just dont need to settle for this low quality. if you dont care what the food tastes like or what you are eating this place is for you. otherwise SKIP THIS JOINT!!!!!!!

Pros: VIEW

Cons: FOOD

Posted 08/21/06

The Warehouse is great because it's the only place you can eat outside on a deck - on a Saturday afternoon in MDR - and enjoy the sunny California weather! The food is wonderful, and reasonably priced. I recommend the seafood here (steamed clams & oysters on the half shell), and they have good wine by the bottle (Syrah). I like their lunch menu, and have also been to Sunday brunch which is packed and the food selection is wonderful! There are so many options - so go when you're starving. They have a bevy of shrimp, fish and crab legs for brunch, and great dessert. I've always enjoyed my meals here, and it's a fun place to go on a date, with family, or even with a group of friends to watch sports in the bar area inside.

Pros: great service, food, deck

Posted 05/13/06

There are only a few places left in LA to go for a buffet style brunch. This is the best brunch for the money. There are a few places that offer a better quality of food, however they cost about 3X as much as The Warehouse brunch. The service was great, the staff is constantly refilling the seafood bar (which is spectacular by the way) and the carving station usually has 3 choices of meats. There is a large variety of foods to choose from. The omelette station and waffle stations are separate which makes the wait much shorter than when the station is shared. The atmosphere makes this a great place to go with a group of friends, have brunch and drink champagne.

Pros: Price , Food Choices, Ambiance

Cons: Valet prking only

Posted 04/02/06

I have eaten for dinner and the food and service was OK. I also went, spur of the moment, for brunch! That was an experience. We sat outside and ate and had mimosas. For the price, it was great!! The day was beautiful, the food was fresh and tasty. I am a native Cali girl, but go home at least 2x a year. This is a place I try to visit, weather permitting!

Pros: view of marina, fresh food, decent price

Cons: birds begging

Posted 01/28/06

This is the place that makes deals with the hotels. The places hotels send you are never the best. They are terrible. The food here is average at best. The outside decor and coy pond are nice, but thats where it ends. A place that looks that interesting from the outside could never be that great. My whole family was in town, like a party of 15-20 people. I took them here. Big mistake. Cold food, terrible service, and they just couldn't seem to get it right. We left without eating basically. Very embarrasing for me.

Pros: not too expensive, outside looks nice, easy to park

Cons: bad food, bad service, touristy

Posted 10/07/05

If you have any respect for food or the value of money, don't go here. The 3 hostesses looked us up and down and then ignored us so we just walked passed them and seated ourselves. Food and drinks are overpriced. We looked at the food the table next to us ordered and it looked overcooked and the salad stale, so we asked for our check after a round of drinks. Just walk in, take a look around, yell "argh! ahoy!" but that is all the time and effort you should put into this restaurant.

Pros: decor

Cons: everything else

Posted 08/05/05

The Warehouse is one of those places that one should go once, and then never go again. The decor is great, and the service matches, but the food is AWFUL!!!!! Way overpriced and not worth it. The salads are soggy and the seafood, is below average. I suggest one go in look around ask a few questions and leave. Take in the best part about the experience, the interior decoration, but don't eat the food....

Pros: enviorment, service

Cons: lousy food

Posted 06/24/05

The ambience is pretty interesting. However the staff are unexperienced and the food horrible. I ordered a salad and the cucumbers must have been sitting there for days, because it was hard and dry. When I asked our waiter what kind of sauce was on the salmon, he said didn't know and made it up because he contradicted himself. It took about 10 minutes to get a glass of wine.
Overall, the food wouldn't be so bad if it was cheaper.

Pros: Nice location, Interesting Ambience

Cons: Overpriced, Inexperienced staff

Posted 05/24/05

You cant beat this place for brunch or dinner. Everything is fresh, hot and mouth watering. They have a meat station, omolete station, variety of salads, pastas, mexican foods, seafoods, etc. And you definatly have to save room for the desserts that have their own unique flavors. The service is always friendly and never too far. THe prime rib btw is melt in your mouth great!

Pros: food, service, price

Posted 08/07/04

This place doesn't look like a warehouse, it looks more like a seafood crab shack - a nice one, with a nice view of the marina. The inside is quiet and romantically lit. The prime rib is excellent. If you like chocolate, you need to try the "Death by Chocolate" dessert.

Posted 03/14/04

Even though it is expensive to eat there the food is well worth it.

Pros: Romantic, Good Food, Valet

Cons: Expensive, Sometimes Crowded

Posted 09/16/03

If you're looking for a romantic and unique place to celebrate a special occasion, then The Warehouse deserves definite consideration. Reservations are not necessary - we were driving by, headed for another place when we saw it and thought we'd check it out. It was about 7:00 and our wait wasn't more than 25-30 minutes. We even were given our choice of inside or outside seating - I recommend outside though inside is interesting and unique. Overall we were pleased, however, they could have offered more choices on the dinner menu. You pay mostly for the ambience, but the service and quality of food is very good.

Pros: ambience, valet parking, service

Cons: menu selection

Posted 04/26/03

Even the entrance is beautiful, with a big koi pond (it needed some nighttime lighting). We were seated outside, overlooking the Marina, made comfortable by the heaters. Our waiter, Peter, was very cheerful and attentive. After sharing calamari, I had the "split cargo". The filet mignon was great, but the prawns needed more garlic; especially with only straight butter with it. My date had the prime rib, which he felt was too bland. We both ordered our steaks medium rare; his was almost alive! The chefs should kick up the flavour in general, though my steak was great. It was too bad we were too full to finish the rich chocolate mousse cake! The band was still doing sound checks when we left. There's a cover charge to see them, even if you have dinner. They may be audible from the dining area, since we could hear the sound checks.

Pros: Great atmosphere, Menu variety, Decor

Cons: Cover charge for band, Valet-only parking

Posted 03/10/03