Firefly — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I planned my birthday dinner in advance and scheduled it through Open Table. Arrived at 6:25p for resos at 6:30p, when we checked in the hostess stated that we have only 90 mins. We were like, ok? I have been here many times, pre-COVID, so must be something new. Then, when we sat down, we were reminded that it’s 90 min and that all food is ordered at once. My other half asked if we decided to order more does that mean we cannot order more. Our waiter, Patrick, said “no, we cannot”. Then we said that we don’t want the food to all come out at the same time...he reassured us that it would not. We asked if we had to order dessert ahead of time too, he said “no”, at least we had that option. We ordered drinks, and they came right away, the 3 cheese plate, baguette, caprese and heirloom tomato salad and meatballs came next, 8 mins after the drinks and 8 mins after that came our dinner plates...8 mins. Really? Unbelievable. The mushroom pappardelle was delicious, the steak (on the digital menu via QR code) it stated filet minion, but the hard menu stated NY, regardless it was like a breakfast steak, thin. Could not have been prime. Also, it was chewy and terrible. The frites (too big to be frites) were actually soggy fries. My other half kept biting his tongue to not cause a scene but the table behind us was already doing that to the manager. He sent his food back and was telling the guy off. The table next to me said you can forget it and ordered after his appetizer, no one was going to tell him what to do. We should have done that!! We ordered dessert because it was my birthday even though we were just over it, we still wanted to make the best out of the situation. The waiter came and stated that they have no candles, said “sorry” and left. We just looked at each other like we were punked for sure, right? This could not be happening. I get that it is COVID, but this is not the right thing to do. It’s also not a sustainable business model. I have worked both front house and back house in the restaurant industry. I know that a restaurant is a lost leader, in order to make a 25% profit they have to turn tables pretty quickly. That requires good customer service and good food... the atmosphere alone won’t bring people in the door and keep them coming. So, to not present a problem without a solution, here goes...on slower days, create a theme night like comfort food or, like Campanile, do grilled cheese night (created by Nancy Silverton), or stay open all day and between (3-5p) encourage patrons to dine on a limited menu at a reduced price, or extend your dinner hours or write off all extra food to shelters or other charities that could use it, develop more outdoor catering to parties...there are really so many other ideas. Pushing people to hurry and eat and then hurry and leave does not create a good experience for the customer, and isn’t THAT what it’s all about? Gathering at a great place with family and friends, in a place that you all like/love, with people you all like/love over food you all may/do like/love...isn’t that the point? Especially after this pandemic. YES!!! They are looking only to capitalize to try to make up for loss in revenue due to the shut down, I get it. What about the patrons, we are now just getting out to restaurants, so since we are all so desperate to be normal it’s ok to give bad service and treat people like cattle? No it’s not!! For us, it doesn’t stop there...the valet turned our lights to “on” causing the back lights to go off. We always have the lights set to “auto”. For those who may be just be above legal limit if given a breathalyzer test, getting pulled over and getting a DUI is very probable. Why touch the lights if you don’t have to, that’s what “auto” is for? We didn’t discover this until someone motioned to us at the light. Had no clue..why would we? To make matters worse, we tossed and turned all night because we ate too damn fast because we were rushed. We recently dined in OC (Mozambique) and VC (Basta), they don’t do...

We Ordered All the Vegan Options at Firefly (with Photos)

Our mission was to savor every vegan dish offered, while I also couldn't resist sampling one non-vegan plate to understand the depth of flavors.

Firefly, a non-vegan restaurant in Studio City, surprised us with a diverse range of vegan offerings, mostly found in side dishes and appetizers. Eager to experience the executive chef's take on vegan cuisine, we booked a reservation and indulged in all the options, ordering more than we could eat.

Dish 1: Farmers Market Salad

A perfect balance of acidity, nutty richness, and a touch of sweetness from the green grapes surprised us in the most delightful way. Each bite offered a harmonious fusion of flavors, making it an instant favorite and a must-order to kickstart your appetite.

Dish 2: Heirloom Tomato & Burrata (minus the burrata lol)

Customizing the Heirloom Tomato & Burrata to align with our vegan preferences by omitting the cheese, we indulged in a vibrant plate of fresh, semi-dried, and fermented tomatoes, adorned with sweet black olive jam, fresh basil, and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. The absence of burrata didn't dampen our excitement as the tomatoes offered bursts of flavor, harmoniously balanced by the sweet olive jam and the refreshing touch of basil.

Dish 3: Baby Carrots

These Baby Carrots, served with hummus and kaffir lime kosho, proved to be a ‘holy cow, YUM’ experience! The hummus was creamy and perfectly balanced and the kaffir lime kosho was the bell of the ball - it elevated the entire experience with its mind-blowing sour and salty taste. Whether you're a hummus lover or a vegan enthusiast, this dish is a must-try that will leave you craving for more.

Dish 4: Hand-Cut Frites

Despite this small indulgence, it was undoubtedly a side dish that should not be missed. Each thick-cut fry boasted a golden brown hue and a satisfying crunch that paired perfectly with the parsley and garlic seasoning. Throughout the meal, we found ourselves reaching for more, savoring every crispy bite.

Dish 5: Garlic Smashed Potatoes

The Garlic Smashed Potatoes were a unique and impressive vegan side dish. The perfectly cooked potatoes offered a savory experience that pleased our palates. The true star of the dish, however, was the luscious saffron aioli that the potatoes sat atop. We were very pleased as creamy sides are a rarity at non-vegan restaurants.

Dish 6: Brussels Sprouts

The Brussels Sprouts were a surprising and captivating fusion of flavors. Enhanced with sweet and sour chili sauce, roasted grapes, and vegan bacon, this vegan dish showcased the brilliant combination of vegetables and fruit. The pleasant bitterness of the Brussels sprouts paired surprisingly well with the roasted red grapes, creating a symphony of flavors that delighted our taste buds.

Dish 7: Fried Eggplant

The Fried Eggplant, drizzled with date syrup and served with green chili cilantro sauce, left us in awe. The green chili cilantro sauce, with its earthy, bright, and beautifully spicy kick, quickly earned its place among our top three favorite dishes of the night.

Dish 8: Atlantic Salmon (non-vegan dish, for me)

Firefly's Atlantic Salmon, served with eggplant puree, king oyster mushrooms, crispy sesame leaves, ginger relish, and dashi sauce, stood out as a culinary masterpiece that even delighted the vegan palate. The salmon was cooked to perfection, juicy, and full of flavor, while the vegan elements of the dish proved equally sensational.

Overview:

At Firefly, the exceptional service from our server, Haily, added to the dining experience. Her sweet and engaging demeanor, combined with her attentive care throughout the night, made the evening even more memorable. The ambiance of the restaurant, especially on the patio with the roof retracted, embraced the lovely LA summer night, setting the stage for a remarkable dining adventure.

The chef's ingenuity shone through each plate, and we extend our appreciation to the entire team for a truly...

The spot is hidden behind greenery with no sign anywhere except the small name on the front of the valet. I drove by a couple times before realizing its location. Expect to valet for $10. Ambience is really nice. Waitstaff is great. Drinks were good. Food... is a toss up depending on what you get (and I chose wrong; I was extremely disappointed). DON'T get the mushroom pasta unless you like boring flavorless thick and heavy pasta. The salmon looked good, but def didn't look filling enough for the price. Overall, it was a nice experience, but not liking my meal made for an incredibly disappointing experience. No one wants to spend $100+ for a lackluster meal. I went over the weekend, for my birthday, on Friday evening; it was my first time there. I like the atmosphere and ambience. There's a different vibe in the front rooms than the dining areas(which seem like elevated outdoor feel, but enclosed). The appetizers and desserts were good. The drinks were good and not too sweet. I've come to expect $15-20+ drinks when I go out in L.A. (which seems a bit overpriced for the size). The drink was good, but was small and had pricy egg foam on it (which was indicated by the additional cost on the bill) lol The menu is on the small side, but I do like the prix-fixe option. I wanted steak, seafood, or pasta, and was gonna get the steak, but the waiter said the pasta was the best thing on the menu. I shouldn't have listened to him; I wish I got the steak!!!! I tasted the steak and fries and both were so delicious!!! It was a really good size and buttery and cooked just right. The fries were not steak fries, but were some of the best I've had (garlic and truffle flavor??). The pasta was ok; I'd never order it again or even suggest it!!! I neglected to pay attention to the pasta type; It's a thicker heavy pasta. I had very high expectations and was grossly disappointed in my birthday meal; i was really sad, but didn't want to ruin the experience and tried to make the best of it. Although, it's a few days later and im still sad and pouty about that dinner. In addition to the pasta lacking flavor, the sauce was...too thick? You could taste the mushroom, and it was creamy, but was very heavy and flat in flavor. There was no complexity to the profile at all. He suggested i get scallops added for an additional $16 and I did (again that should've been a sign to get the steak cause I spent more money for boring pasta with heavy sauce and 4 scallops than i wouldve for a good size filet mignon). The (medium-large size) scallops were flavorful, but not good with such a heavy sauce. They didn't marry well. So, overall the place is great, but the nasty entree ruined my birthday dinner and made for a disappointing experience. I might spend more money for a birthday redo and go for a solo dinner and get the...