Comments on: depression-era diversion keeps the lights on: clifton’s ‘after dark’

By: Don Noyes-More

Don Noyes-More — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 00:57:40 +0000

UNTRUE. This is on-line stalking.

By: Third Wheel

Third Wheel — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:26:51 +0000

Dear Don Noyes-More: the columnist was your columnist and employed by you (if he really existed behind a fake name and stock photo. Talk about hiding in the dark.) Two of the groups he sent his garbage to are your groups. Why haven’t you apologized for the trashing of Blossom? Why haven’t you accepted any personal responsibility? The buck stops at the top, although in this case the top is really the bottom.

By: Don Noyes-More

Don Noyes-More — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:58:51 +0000

My first visit to Clifton’s was in 1959. I was but a little guy with my grandmother. And for years we would come downtown to Cliftons. The food was always good. And it was a fun place. Especially the old grotto. Many years later (2000) when I returned to DT to live, I again went back to eat in a place I have held dear in memory. Sadly the place is not very good anymore. BUT I visited their cafateria in W. Covina a few months ago and it *was* good. So perhaps they need to get the Covina people in this place. The place is a bit worn, (I’m being kind). It’s hard for some to understand how this place resides in so many of our hearts.
Don

By: dtroullier

dtroullier — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 07:08:58 +0000

mr. mercer, i love that you took the time to try to convince us about ole cliff’s, but it ain’t happenin’. the food is nasty. i know it’s not fusion and it is definitely not gourmet. all i wanted was a nice hot meal—-meat and a few sides—-to stick to my ribs. who honestly goes to a place and says, “boy i sho’ could go fuh sum ox tail!” i’m not chris rock and this ain’t kentucky! and there is a big difference between retro kitsch and kitchen roach. i’m sorry this place is not appealing. it is sticky, dank, dirty looking and needs some sprucing up and and those old-fashioned recipes need to go back to grandma’s house. for $10-15 bucks a meal, i should be able to get a marginally tasty meal and have the ability to wash my hands before being introduced to an out of the way restroom that was on lockdown.

By: Scott Mercer

Scott Mercer — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:41:31 +0000

The food is quite good for what it is. It’s not gourmet, it’s not fusion, and it’s not cutting edge. It’s old fashioned recipes prepared in an old fashioned way, and done in a time tested fashion. It’s workaday comfort food for w0rkaday people, prepared very competently with fresh ingredients.

Their ox-tail dish is awesome. They make their own soups, and they are very good. They roast whole turkeys, and carve the meat, and usually it is not dry and tastes great. I would stack up their mac and cheese against ANYONE’S, and to me the same for their baked goods, all made in house, especially their muffins and cookies. (Pies are pretty good but not spectacular.)

Yes, the Jell-O salads and pudding cups are very retro and kitschy. Kitschy is definitely a part of what the Clifton’s experience is all about, but certainly not the only part. A lot of the food they dish out is quite good and moderately priced.

By: tony

tony — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:24:59 +0000

I want so badly to enjoy a meal there but I don’t. I find the food inedible and the coffee gross. I love the interior but really, the food is awful. I’ve tried multiple times, multiple dishes. I live around the corner so the temptation of another restaurant open at night is incredible. But I too have never recommended Clifton’s to anyone — now do I plan to unless their food undergoes a major overhaul.

Even the bakery blows.

By: dtroullier

dtroullier — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:12:01 +0000

is it me or does it seem like ole cliff’s needs a serious scrubdown. when i first moved to l.a., it was one of the first places i ate to get familiar with the dining options in l.a. and the further into the building i went the less appetizing everything seemed. it was dark with weird lighting, old sticky chairs and tables, a locked bathroom and a few homeless people thrown in for added effect. it reminded me of a new york subway station. i went there once, have never been back and have never recommended it to anyone, yet everyone always sings its rejoices?!? what am i missing here?

By: JM

JM — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:50:53 +0000

Very happy about the extended opening hours. Never would have known about them, so thank you.

By: M a r c

M a r c — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:39:59 +0000

I would love to see them remove the grill facade and let the old building see sunlight again…

By: Rich Alossi

Rich Alossi — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:37:10 +0000

Going to aim for -next- Saturday, the 7th of February now. Will follow up with more info soon.