Ok happy hour and location. The food is not so good and it's overpriced. Service is ok. Environment is not too cozy
Scott B.
It's a laid back steak house vibe Prices are comparable if not better than other steak houses in LA. Inside and outside are obviously different. From some of these reviews it seems like people don't understand that. they have heaters btw! But depending on the weather and my party size I go back and forth. Really love the happy hour here! Best burger on westside! Lily is fantastic and always super helpful The bar is so fun on Friday and Saturday nights!! Although can get a little cougarish Baker and kelly are awesome!!! Love stopping in on Friday nights when they are working!
Glenn H.
Food is mediocre & service is substandard... Not a clean establishment. Sad to see the fate of this long established restaurant in Santa Monica. Lily the manager was horrific & made my bad experience worse. I was not looking for a discount just for a special birthday occasion to not be a disappointment...Unfortunately, the experience was so bad, I felt it was necessary to share my experience.
Winston O.
I've been going here for years, but super let down twice in a row. Food was bad. Water tasted like swimming pool. Even the tea tasted like dish soap. Get it together.
Jason L.
Having lived in NYC for 15 years I love a rustic steakhouse. Won't go too hard as the bartender was super nice. Let's just say the food is lacking seasoning. I've never had a bland steak tartare in my life...until tonight. The burger was beyond underwhelming. Did they even season the patty? The fried calamari was solid. Definitely my favorite. Although, still could've used some seasoning and I wouldn't call that sauce "spicy". Not bad. But also not a hint of spice. Anyway. I think I'm just picky. Or have been spoiled. Just moved to the Palisades two weeks ago and am still searching for flavor. Wish me luck.
Daisy G.
Highly overrated. Service was good. Ambiance was good too. Food , that's another story. Very unimpressive. I ordered steak frites and if I'm being honest, probably the worst I've had. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless you're going for a drink.
S F
Charming bar with good atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Debra H.
Old school historic restaurant with great food. Fantastic steaks and burgers. The bar area is cozy and warm. Good service. A favorite of mine in LA area.
beefinch
We loved everything about our visit - the steak was cooked perfectly, sides were delicious (including the award-winning onion rings), and the ambiance of an old world LA steakhouse with great music and furnishings. All of the staff was excellent and friendly to us too. I definitely will return regularly!
andrew
We love the golden bull for several decades, but the only problem for us was the discomfort of the booth we were sitting in. There really was no way to get comfortable as the cushions beneath us were very worn, and the back of the booth was shared with another table, and if they moved, I would feel it throughout the meal, so other than the discomfort, it was a pleasant evening.
If you're making a reservation, you should know that if your table is outside you will not be afforded the fine-dining experience of linens as well as a non-wobbly, slanted table yet still pay the same full price for food and drinks. A HUGE disappointment first-time experience. Restaurants that expand their dining experience to outside just to maximize their space yet not offer like-for-like dining experiences should be held to a higher standard!. The manager was completely uninterested in what I had to say and completely dismissive. He could not be bothered. So much for fine dining in LA. Sadly, patrons pay the prices, regardless.
Catherine Butterfield
Once a year on my birthday I go to this place and order a martini, my only martini of the year. This year from my first sip I knew that someone had watered down the gin. I told the waiter, and he said, “That’s impossible.” Anyone who has ever raised a teenager knows that that is more than possible, it’s probable. A great waiter would have replaced it with another, but he stuck to his guns and I drank it anyway. There was absolutely no buzz, and as a one-martini-a-year girl, this was quite disappointing. The food, which used to be great, is now extremely average. I believe I will find a new birthday place. (PS No one wished me Happy Birthday, though I mentioned it on the reservation.)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Kylie Geatz (altkylie)
Stopped in here for a quick drink prior to a dinner reservation down the street. The bartender said he wouldn’t serve me immediately after looking at my license because I have a Connecticut ID that was “clearly fake”… as a 25 year old with a real CT drivers license, I tried to explain that I could show my passport as well as I was traveling for work but he was incredibly rude, dismissive and wouldn’t let me explain the situation. My friend grabbed a drink and we sat, me with water, and he pointed at me telling the other staff to watch me. Frankly, I didn’t want a drink after this interaction otherwise I would’ve escalated the situation or contacted the police to validate my identification. A gentleman sitting at the bar even commented on the rash behavior of the bartender. His overall attitude and demeanor was awful and I have never experienced anything like it. Would not recommend this establishment if you are from out of town.I can not speak to the food or the other employees at this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Ariel
One of the best steakhouses in LA! I love the ambiance and service. Never fails to impress!! Will definitely be coming back here! They also have great non-meat options and their crispy “chicken” sandwich is fantastic.
TennisPlayer1
Marguerita's were a bit watery - steaks fantastic, as well as service. It was a cold and rainy night in LA and the warmth of the fireplace in the bar and the booth were soooo cozy.
Ok happy hour and location. The food is not so good and it's overpriced. Service is ok. Environment is not too cozy
It's a laid back steak house vibe Prices are comparable if not better than other steak houses in LA. Inside and outside are obviously different. From some of these reviews it seems like people don't understand that. they have heaters btw! But depending on the weather and my party size I go back and forth. Really love the happy hour here! Best burger on westside! Lily is fantastic and always super helpful The bar is so fun on Friday and Saturday nights!! Although can get a little cougarish Baker and kelly are awesome!!! Love stopping in on Friday nights when they are working!
Food is mediocre & service is substandard... Not a clean establishment. Sad to see the fate of this long established restaurant in Santa Monica. Lily the manager was horrific & made my bad experience worse. I was not looking for a discount just for a special birthday occasion to not be a disappointment...Unfortunately, the experience was so bad, I felt it was necessary to share my experience.
I've been going here for years, but super let down twice in a row. Food was bad. Water tasted like swimming pool. Even the tea tasted like dish soap. Get it together.
Having lived in NYC for 15 years I love a rustic steakhouse. Won't go too hard as the bartender was super nice. Let's just say the food is lacking seasoning. I've never had a bland steak tartare in my life...until tonight. The burger was beyond underwhelming. Did they even season the patty? The fried calamari was solid. Definitely my favorite. Although, still could've used some seasoning and I wouldn't call that sauce "spicy". Not bad. But also not a hint of spice. Anyway. I think I'm just picky. Or have been spoiled. Just moved to the Palisades two weeks ago and am still searching for flavor. Wish me luck.
Highly overrated. Service was good. Ambiance was good too. Food , that's another story. Very unimpressive. I ordered steak frites and if I'm being honest, probably the worst I've had. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless you're going for a drink.
Charming bar with good atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Old school historic restaurant with great food. Fantastic steaks and burgers. The bar area is cozy and warm. Good service. A favorite of mine in LA area.
We loved everything about our visit - the steak was cooked perfectly, sides were delicious (including the award-winning onion rings), and the ambiance of an old world LA steakhouse with great music and furnishings. All of the staff was excellent and friendly to us too. I definitely will return regularly!
We love the golden bull for several decades, but the only problem for us was the discomfort of the booth we were sitting in. There really was no way to get comfortable as the cushions beneath us were very worn, and the back of the booth was shared with another table, and if they moved, I would feel it throughout the meal, so other than the discomfort, it was a pleasant evening.
Restaurantji Recommends
If you're making a reservation, you should know that if your table is outside you will not be afforded the fine-dining experience of linens as well as a non-wobbly, slanted table yet still pay the same full price for food and drinks. A HUGE disappointment first-time experience. Restaurants that expand their dining experience to outside just to maximize their space yet not offer like-for-like dining experiences should be held to a higher standard!. The manager was completely uninterested in what I had to say and completely dismissive. He could not be bothered. So much for fine dining in LA. Sadly, patrons pay the prices, regardless.
Once a year on my birthday I go to this place and order a martini, my only martini of the year. This year from my first sip I knew that someone had watered down the gin. I told the waiter, and he said, “That’s impossible.” Anyone who has ever raised a teenager knows that that is more than possible, it’s probable. A great waiter would have replaced it with another, but he stuck to his guns and I drank it anyway. There was absolutely no buzz, and as a one-martini-a-year girl, this was quite disappointing. The food, which used to be great, is now extremely average. I believe I will find a new birthday place. (PS No one wished me Happy Birthday, though I mentioned it on the reservation.)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Stopped in here for a quick drink prior to a dinner reservation down the street. The bartender said he wouldn’t serve me immediately after looking at my license because I have a Connecticut ID that was “clearly fake”… as a 25 year old with a real CT drivers license, I tried to explain that I could show my passport as well as I was traveling for work but he was incredibly rude, dismissive and wouldn’t let me explain the situation. My friend grabbed a drink and we sat, me with water, and he pointed at me telling the other staff to watch me. Frankly, I didn’t want a drink after this interaction otherwise I would’ve escalated the situation or contacted the police to validate my identification. A gentleman sitting at the bar even commented on the rash behavior of the bartender. His overall attitude and demeanor was awful and I have never experienced anything like it. Would not recommend this establishment if you are from out of town.I can not speak to the food or the other employees at this restaurant.
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
One of the best steakhouses in LA! I love the ambiance and service. Never fails to impress!! Will definitely be coming back here! They also have great non-meat options and their crispy “chicken” sandwich is fantastic.
Marguerita's were a bit watery - steaks fantastic, as well as service. It was a cold and rainy night in LA and the warmth of the fireplace in the bar and the booth were soooo cozy.