Rice

08/29/2007 Posted by freebie_grabber

I ate here with my uncle and his date (yeah, I know -- weird combo, eh?) back in February of 2002. We were seated outdoors just as the sun was setting, so the magic hour cityscape scenery was great. We ripped our way through countless beers and cocktails, and indulged in uber-expensive, microscopic-portion "Modern Pacific Cuisine" dishes. From what I recall, the food was great. We spent several hours at our table, but I don't think our server (herself a young hottie) was in any hurry to shoo us away, judging by my uncle's urban hipster wardrobe (backward kangol and sport jacket) and our easily-three-digit bar tab. If you haven't already read about it, Rice is downstairs from the W Hotel's "Beach Bar", with sand and a fire pit. If you've got cash to burn and you want to impress a date, take her here!

Pros: Upscale ambiance, excellent food and drinks, hip location

Cons: Microscopic portions, high prices

01/31/2007 Posted by rkreisler

My dinner experience here was horrible. The wait staff didn't know anything about wine, in our party of six, everyone's food was either cold, over-cooked, dry, too salty, too sweet, or all of the above. My steak was well-done (a filet well done!!!!!!), and the panna cotta was rubbery, and you had a sneaking suspicion half the things they served were out of a box/can. We were one of six tables in the restaurant and the food took forever to be served. As you can guess, I was hesitant to go back for breakfast weeks later, but friends of mine were staying at the W, so I obliged. The chilaquilles were decent, but they couldn't make it spicy enough even after we requested extra spicy. The peanut butter french toast thing was the sugariest thing I've had in my entire life. After three of us each took one bite, we had to push it aside. We were on the patio on a beautiful day and for the two hours that we lounged there, we had countless refills on coffee, but every cup was lukewarm at best, and they said they had no way of producing a hot cup of coffee for us - a "fresh" brew was just as cold as the last.

Pros: Food had good presentation, nice bar/lounge scene, good-looking people, decent mixed drinks.

Cons: Food was poor, expensive, service was sub-standard for the price and expected caliber.

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11/02/2006 Posted by restauranter77

I usually do not write restaurant reviews, especially negative ones because of the degree of impact on the restaurant's business... however after a night of stomach cramps and extreme nausea after eating at Rice, I felt indebted to voice my opinion. Not only was this restaurant incredibly overpriced ($130) for dinner for 2 with some of the smallest portions I have seen... but the food made me sick! Will never return. You're better off going to one of the small non-room-service-level restaurants in the gaslamp district where you get what you pay for.

10/06/2006 Posted by kbtc

If you enjoy friendly servers, large mimosas and jazzy music, enjoy RICE. We arrived just before the busy time at brunch (8am) prior to heading to the film festival. My server was so cool. She brought us flourescent orange mimosas in tall pilsner glasses, the "Hot and Frisky," and "Eggs 'n' Hash." My boyfirend and I enjoyed her recommendations. Servers were friendly, jovial, and personable. I would love to see what dinner is all about. Servers recommend reservations, although seating was prompt and accomodating. Dogs are allowed on the patio. WE BROUGHT OUR POOCH!

09/10/2006 Posted by agsusc

You can't go wrong with anything on their breakfast menu. My favorite is the waffle with vanilla butter...great! On my second visit, though, the service was pretty slow (maybe the wait staff had a long night).

Pros: food

Cons: service

09/10/2006 Posted by sdlecong

My husband and I wanted a nice romatic night on the town. Rice was a bad choice. We choose the 5 course chefs menu. Our plates were left on the table for an unreasonable amount of time. The time between courses took forever. It appeared that there was one server for the entire restaraunt, and no one to help bus the dishes! The music was so loud we couldnt carry on a conversation. Then the food: we received duck confit twice, once as an appetizer, once in an entree. apparently the soux chef, chief chef ect. dont plan the flow of the menu. our new youk stip(8oz) came out well done. All 5 courses were full size, too much food. In general, we were really unhappy that we wasted our friday night and $180 at RICE.

Pros: sat right away

Cons: everything else