meltdown a la mode
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UPDATE: Mode is now closed until further notice. We’ll keep you posted. If you were interested in heading over to Mode Restaurant this weekend for the promise of 24-hour French food, you’ll be disappointed to hear that the restaurant is closed until Monday, December 3 some point in the future, due to a slew of kitchen and staffing issues on Friday’s big opening day. Would-be patrons were greeted with a dark storefront strewn with garbage this weekend.
On Friday, several readers reported a limited menu of two entrees (according to PeterJ, lamb osso bucco and goat cheese pasta) and a few sides. Apparently, even if you managed to order from the confused servers, there was no guarantee that you would receive your food at all — nor, strangely, that the lights would remain on. And it was cash-only.
Those calling ahead Saturday to be sure the restaurant was open (this includes us) were greeted with a busy signal. Feel like trying your hand? Mode’s phone number is (213) 627-4888. Hint: If there’s a busy signal, try again in a few minutes. If you still get a busy signal, assume it’s closed.
I hope they take my previous advice: For a second time, they didn’t take my advice and post a sign on the front door detailing what’s going and what patrons can expect. Opening-week jitters are obviously going to muck things up, but this second round of poor communication is doing much more damage to the restaurant’s reputation than any negative review could.
UPDATE 12/7: Mode is officially open 24 hours! We forgive you guys!
UPDATE 12/5: Mode is now open. Seriously. But be sure to call ahead.
Mode Restaurant
916 S. Olive Street
Downtown Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 627-4888
15 comments
UGH! After seeing The History Boys with my BF last night, we walked all the way down to Mode…only to come across a dead hulk of a restaurant. No signs. Trash everywhere. Needless to say, we were not happy.
Yeah I tried to visit on 2 or 3 occasions this weekend only to be letdown each time. The lack of signage and the massive collection of trash in the in outdoor dining area was definitely off-putting.
I was planning on stopping by to check it out but was unable to. Sounds like that was for the better. I’m going to wait now for a while until I hear some good things before even going to try the place..
I called Saturday and they were very apologetic over the phone and said they may open Monday at the earliest. We have to give these folks a pass for now. The will eventually help to brighten up a very dark street. I commend them for that. Great intentions, horrible implementation!
we went back again on Monday night around 7pm…my initial hopes upon seeing the sign lit up and light emminating from the windows were dashed when I only saw two gentlemen sitting at a table with no other activity.
Walked in and asked whats up…they said they were closed, but that the gremlins had been fixed for a re-opening on Tuesday.
Sounds like from the rico’s update above that it is still closed.
Just spoke to them, they opened tonight for another “soft opening” at 6 and will stay open if they have the volume for it. Let’s hope they have their crap together this time. So much potential…
Finally got to try Mode tonight. Pretty good! The menu is a pricey at first glance, but there are a few items more in my budget range ($10-$12). I had to Croque Madame and it was very good and filling, my buddy had the skirt steak panini and loved it, and another friend had the hamburger with goat cheese and also enjoyed it. The atmosphere was nice, if trendy, and the service was friendly and generally on top of things (although they brought another table’s order to our table by accident). On the walk back home, in front of Hanks Bar (at the Stillwell Hotel) and man stopped us and asked if we had gone to Mode and if we liked it, and after we told him our thoughts he revealed himself to be the owner, Tony. He said he was planning to add some more affordable items to the menu that would suit our budgets. Overall, I really enjoyed my food and dining and experience, and will return. Nice!
Bonjour! Mode is officially open and as a member of the staff, myself and the rest of us kids at mode would formally like to say:
WE ARE SORRY for all the negative experiences that some guests had upon coming to our restaurant during the “great Mode brownouts of 2007”. Our opening has been rocky, but we are working out our kinks and willing to try and make up for our previous mistakes.
We are thankful for all of our downtown neighbors who have welcomed us into the neighborhood and everyone who has tried the Mode experience.
Please be patient with us and come and enjoy some yumtabulous cuisine at one of downtown’s newest and different eateries!
Thanks,
K
I’m a 6-year Downtown-er and am thrilled to see all the new amenities that decide to come Downtown…some have come and gone, but most of the best have found a foothold. I had heard that Mode’s soft opening was a disaster from both friends and blogs (not enough food, long wait) and several iffy-to-bad reviews in the weeks following (e.g. no heat one day). I went to Mode for lunch today. I didn’t know if it would be busy so I made a reservation (very professional handling, even called me again this AM to confirm). As it turned out, it was quiet (rainy day?), only about 10 tables full. But wow. The service was a B+, the food was an A, and the atmosphere was a B+ (far less obnoxiously hip than I expected). I had the jumbo scallops ($16); my fellow diner had the goat cheese ravioli ($12). We really loved them both. Portions were not huge, but the quality, taste, presentation was perfect. We both had room left for dessert, so we each ordered the chocolate lava cake, which was served with a scoop of mint choc. chip ice cream ($7). YUM!!! I had a delicious french press coffee, too. The menu seemed to have a good range of salads and sandwiches in the $9-13 range. Lots of appetizers and small plates things, too. Personally, I was very, very pleased with this new addition to Downtown, and I’ll be going back very soon. NOTE: I forgot to ask if they are officially open 24/7 yet.
After driving by Mode today and seeing it dark, I gave them a call. The person who answered the phone said they shut down yesterday to do “more work” to the place. When I asked for a re-opening date, he said it would be minimum a couple weeks…. That sucks that they REALLY got off to a bad start
Wow. Simply unbelievable. Thanks for the info Veronica.
Called on Valentines Day 3 times abound 4:00 no answer. hmmmm…
I hear they’ve been permanently shut down by the city because they didn’t have the proper permits….don’t know if they will ever open again.
The white Mode sign is gone.
Sorry, I mispoke, the sign is not gone.