MainRo — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Decor, performances and ambiance are to die for and that’s the best thing about our experience. The only delectable thing ordered was truffle pasta. Everything else left much to be desired.

From the beginning, reservation was for 6 people birthday dinner. It was everyone’s first time at the restaurant so we were unaware what to expect but knew that place was wheelchair accessible. When we arrived, we informed the hostess that one of the guests is wheelchair bound and asked for appropriate accommodation and seating. He proceeded to tell us that we are reserved for the booth, which is on a podium and has 2 steps from ground. The host suggested to us that the wheelchair bound guest be lifted up the two steps to the podium (??!!) and essentially seat his back to those steps with limited space and potential hazard of falling back. Then the host proceeded to ask if we can remove the guest from the wheelchair and sit him in the booth (???!!!). We were appalled to say the least. However, we remained positive and cordial to requested the host to seat us on the main floor, about 4 tables big enough to sit us were empty. The host asked to give him time to grant our request. It was really uncomfortable and forced but at the end we were seated on the main floor.

The service was pretty attentive. The drinks were good and strong but that wasn’t enough to carry the poor taste and quality of food.

The waguy sliders and branzino were pretty bland. The guests kept moving food from side to side of plate and weren’t satisfied. The sliders weren’t worth the price and gave off 85% lean ground beef and not waguy grade meat. Branzino simply had no taste.

Salmon entree wasn’t finished either. The fish had very strong oceanic taste and smell which took away from any seasonings and the sauce it was served with, which were a bit too salty too.

The salmon crispy rice was subpar. The rice was entirely too crispy, it was over cooked and rough to the bite. The texture was too harsh especially to be paired with salmon and caviar.

The crispy shrimp appetizer was horrific, was there even any shrimp? I would assume for the price and the description the entire shrimp is fried. Oh boy were we surprised. It was literally fried pieces of tempura filled with nothing. I’m assuming each shrimp is cut up in at least 4 pieces before it’s battered. Well you pretty much get 2 whole shrimp in that appetizer.

The waguy bites appetizer. What was even that? Based on name and description you would expect bite sized pieces of waguy beef served. Nope. Not here. Surprise. You get 4 teeny tiny beef pattys on spoon (???!!). Why is ground beef patty advertised as an waguy bite?

Last but not least. When credit is due, it’s due. The truffle pasta was mouth watering. The mushrooms were so delicious, the sauce was so velvety and creamy. Everyone had a bite at the table and was very much amazed at the delicious taste and disappointed that they didn’t order the same thing.

Wrong roll was served, waiter was informed and took the roll away and said the correct one will be brought. 40 minutes later when everyone had enough disappointment of their food, the roll was still not served. We requested the bill around that time and the roll was on the bill. We asked the waiter to adjust the check which he did with no hesitation.

To sum up, if you looking to JUST have drinks and enjoy the ambiance and amazing entertainment and performances, this spot is for you.

If you are looking for a good meal, it’s not worth it. For the price the quality of food is outrageously overpriced. We left desiring for more with a decent hole in the pocket and an appetite for more [good] food...

I’m giving this place 5 stars, but do understand: it is EXPENSIVE, and it is a totally amazing night out…. that’ll leave you hungry* for more.

Made this reservation on a whim, without understanding that I could be charged $50 per person if I forfeited it. Needless to say, the three of us in my party were going. We booked a 7:00 reservation.

We decided Uber was cheaper than the $22+ dollar valet. Upon arrival, there was sufficient security. Felt safe, felt exclusive. All of the right vibes.

We were in awe walking in. The place is breathtakingly beautiful. The LED screens on the walls, stairs, and ceiling… the gorgeous bar… the blue velvet seating… the floral infused mezzanine with stage below it… all of it just well designed and inviting. It felt glamorous.

The performances were great. In our two hours there, we saw a trumpeter, aerial performers, a jazz singer, and several staff presentations. Really great all around.

The menu, in my opinion, was underwhelming, but we selected the Organic Chicken, Sea Bass, Truffle Pasta, Truffle Fries, and Cauliflower. There was nothing I didn’t like; it was all delicious… but man- the portions just didn’t match the price: $18 Truffle fries for less than a handful. The bass was laughable. The chicken and the truffle pasta (ordered as-is) were adequate. The pasta was actually our favorite, on par with the cauliflower. Still, overpriced for the laughable quantity you got all around. When we left, we were still hungry*.

Now, I understand, you’re paying for the ambience , entertainment and environment… so the food gets a pass. However, the 22% entertainment fee should have been stated up front, perhaps at the time of signing the card/contract at the host desk where you agree that you can only use the table for 2 hours. Yes, we were literally told by the waitress when it was close to two hours that our time was up. Again, we understood, because the next batch of patrons need to be seated, and the area to be cleaned. I get it. All in all, including the unexpected entertainment fee, and our 7-total-glasses of wine, the bill for my party of 3 was approximately $460 before tip. Steep, sure, but the experience was well worth it.

I think I read somewhere about a $150/$200 per person “minimum”, and this was not true for us… at least, this didn’t present itself or it wasn’t brought up by staff. We ended up spending that much anyways, as it was, and was even seated on the bottom near the stage. So… this needs to be clarified on the venue’s website, because reading about a “minimum” almost scared us off.

Staff was super attentive, and venue super clean. I would absolutely go back for a very special occasion… but it’s not the kind of place you would go to on a typical night out to eat. We were surrounded by many groups and parties having a great time! Super positive and contagious energy! So fun.

Will...

This PLACE!! I am Navy stationed at Camp Pendleton and flew my sisters and a friend in from the East Coast for one sister’s birthday. Found MainRo when I changed last minute from several other venues. We’re in our 50’s and I wanted them to experience a club that didn’t feel so GenZ that it wasn’t fun for US. The MOMENT we walked in and still waiting to be seated - we wanted to dance! You could FEEL the music, amazing atmosphere, FUN entertainment - mix of Cirque du Soleil, Burlesque w/some Sax & a racy singer - mingled in-between. And that D.J.! Whew!!! I personally walked to the front at the end (and WE shut that place down - danced SO HARD that when we finally walked to the front to leave, THEN the music stopped LOL) and motioned to her how outstanding she did mixing that music! They did a special “birthday shoutout” - with Club flag waving and strobe lights - at the end since we were obviously TOO absorbed in dancing and singing our butts off to realize we had missed our opportunity earlier when they had called ALL birthday folks to the center of club! LOL We noticed and cheered for them at that moment and everything! LOL We only had drinks (which were DRINKS not watered down) because we had eaten before we got there.

From the attentive Valet, to the Security gentleman who took the time to take a photo of us on the red carpet as we walked out, to the woman who received us when we arrived, to our OUTSTANDING waitresses who went above and beyond… MainRo DELIVERED. Made my sister’s bday visit to Oceanside, Marina Del Rey and L.A. so...