Fifty One Kitchen

Review summary

1. P

   Philip

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   62 reviews

   3.0

   62 reviews

   Dined on 16 November 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   The food was good. Service awful. They were doing an event that night and they should have closed the restaurant much earlier. Some food cold. Charged for a drink they forgot to bring. Don’t know if we will return.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
2. R

   Rod

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   14 reviews

   4.0

   14 reviews

   Dined on 11 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Tasty generous portions, we had the lunch specials and they were large. You could have gotten two specials and easily fed three people.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
3. J

   Justin

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   8 reviews

   2.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on 12 October 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   I went off of previous reviews to select this restaurant. I was expecting the place to be a good date night spot, but when we arrived, there were employees at the front door goofing off and throwing things as they cleaned tables (not the worst thing). We were seated and the front door was wide open so we could hear the bar next door and the street noise. I understand it’s to invite people in, but to be seated near the door when the restaurant only has maybe 4-5 tables occupied with easy 20-30 tables, seemed like a poor choice. The service was okay. I was looking for our server a few times but they were nowhere to be found. I almost got up to ask for a fork. The food was bland. It was unsalted so we gave it a solid 5/10. We were pretty over the whole thing so we wrapped it up so we could just go to In n Out across the street. I was hoping for something more, especially when this was a date night, so I was very underwhelmed. I felt like I wasted my money. We made light of it and joked about it and moved on with our night. I’m hoping this constructive feedback will help everyone on all side. I understand not everything will be perfect, but this was too many strikes for me.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
4. DC

   DCTraveler

   Washington DC

   98 reviews

   4.0

   98 reviews

   Dined on 6 October 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Somevof the dishes were very good; others like Ma Pow Tofu were disappointing (loose, thin, runny and totally lacked sichuan peppercorn spice even though we ordered medium level). Service was good. Was my first time there; will try a second time before determining whether it’s a keeper or not…
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
5. M

   Mladjen

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on 26 September 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Had a great experience! The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Our server Marco, was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. Overall, a wonderful meal and great service. We’ll definitely be back!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
6. C

   Cheryl

   Los Angeles

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on 15 September 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   In addition to the usual pork and shrimp dim sum dishes, Fifty One offers tasty chicken choices. Our faves: pan fried chicken dumplings are crispy, chicken siu mai are large, sticky rice is flavorful. The radish cakes are cut in smaller cubes, providing lots of surface area to get crisped. Can't beat the 50% off dim sum on Sundays! Fifty One has been excellent with reservations both on Open Table and by phone. Take out order was ready on time. Servers have been very attentive and helpful.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
7. M

   Marie

   San Diego

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 9 September 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   I've been enjoying Fifty One for several years, so I feel awful giving them a one star review on service. However, after the jaw dropping way we were treated on Sunday, Sept. 8....I had to say something. When I got there I was the only person dining in the whole place. As I waited for my friend to arrive they brought me water & menus. Once my friend arrived about 12 minutes later, no one ever returned to ask us our order or if we needed anything. The restaurant had started to fill, people were being seated, giving their orders, getting their food. We made eye contact with several of the six employees working and not a single one showed up. I finally had to get up and flag one of the younger guys, who did not appear to be waiter, down to ask if we could place an order. I got there at 5:20. I wasn't able to place and order until 6pm. Food came out and was delicious as always. But not a single person stopped by the table to ask us if we needed anything, or make eye contact with us the entire time we ate. We needed soy sauce and chili oil for the dim sum. We felt like they didn't like us, so we never tried to get up and ask again. It wasn't until there were just two pieces of dim sum left that someone came over to say "uh, just checking in....did you guys like, need anything?...maybe the check?" We're in our early thirties, maybe look a little younger. Was it ageism? Was it annoyance that we got up to ask to place an order? I don't know, but I would dine in there anytime soon. I'd place a takeout order :/
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
8. k

   kosta

   VIP

   Miami

   12 reviews

   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on 3 September 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We were in LA for an overnight and chose Fifty One Kitchen because it had great Ratings. We had a car so getting there was easy and there is cheap underground parking in that area. 2 hours was 2 bucks. The food and service were exceptional. Even better than the ratings indicated. We asked for light garlic and it was perfect. Fantastic meal and great service. And it’s a great area to just walk around in in the evening! Highly recommended!!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
9. J

   Julia

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   20 reviews

   5.0

   20 reviews

   Dined on 30 August 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food. Love the steamed buns. Friendly, knowledgeable staff.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
10. D

    Daniel

    Los Angeles

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on 25 August 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5

    Great restaurant. The Dim Sum Sunday brunch is awesome!
    

    Is this helpful?

    Report