Loud, trendy retro + modern mix, buzzing from within the husk of the ol' Gardens of Taxco in WeHo. Heads up, on the 20% surcharge. I'm fine with it, bc math is no fun. It's definitely a bit WeHo pricey, but it's tasty, and worth it for a fun birthday night out. Not the spot for a quiet relaxed dinner for two. Everything was delicious, quite honestly. Crispy charred carne asada. Margarita was soothingly good. Creamy guacamole *****Which they can thoughtfully make without CILANTRO, for those of the "cilantro tastes like metal soap" ilk (my partner). Really creamy, addictive sauce on that chicken piccata. By that last sentence alone, you can tell it's not traditional Mexican. No free chips & salsa. No free refills. But hey, you're off the couch. Staff could use a tad more welcoming fun training. read more

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Off the top, this review will focus on the vibe and cocktails--not necessarily the cuisine. Beverages: 4/5. So far, its coo. I was there Saturday & Sunday for two separate birthday parties and switched it up. Saturday was the La Picosa Old Fashioned and last night was the Matty Walker. La Picosa is decent, but very much in the fold of replacing the whiskey/bourbon with Mezcal in classic cocktails. Thus, nothing that stood out. In my opinion, between the two, the Matty Walker was the standout with all the ingredients hitting their mark. Reminded me a bit of some of the cocktails at The Cambridge House in the Marais, Paris. The Super Dry Larger is crisp and refreshing. Friends didn't have a glowing review of the Marvarita. Apparently it leaned heavy on the salt and lacked the bite of fresh lime juice. Not really my drink of choice, so taking their word for it for now. Cuisine: 3/5. If you're a SoCal transplant and dislike spice, then Tex Mex might be your thing. All good. It aint' mine, but I knew that going into it. That said, the California Cheeseburger is decent and gets the job done. Definitely satiates your appetite if you're hungry. My friend ordered high priced fish and chips that were slightly soggy, as well as tasteless beans, so be advised. Service: 4/5. Better last night than Saturday night, but cool overall. Tall bro was hella attentive and checked back on us often, with consistent water refills. Ambiance: 5/5. This is where Marvito shines. Understated. Chill. No pretension, and hella dope retro interior decor. In a section of the city that acts like a flame to clout chasers and pretentious moths, Marvito is a breath of fresh air. Much respect to the vision here and I hope it retains its laidback vibe. Buen provecho. read more

Marvito - La Picosa Old Fashioned. - Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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Marketed as: Psychedelic Dive Bar meets Honky Tonk!! Been here 3 times. I live a block away. Not a warm, neighborly place. First trip was on the "grand" opening. It was n Fine, good food and service. Brought 4 other friends that live just north of the Laugh Factory. Felt a little expensive, but I was so happy to have a cool place on the end of my street I thought 'whatever!'. Second visit was a week later. On the second visit my girlfriend and I just wanted a quick beer. (We live 50 feet away). They accommodated us even though they seemed a bit perplexed by the fact we only wanted a drink. Keep in mind the bar only seats maybe 6 people. Totally fine-- dive bar, right? Wrong. We decide to hit the patio, eventually (YOU MUST WAIT TO BE SAT. ) This is confusing from our idea of what we were told is the vibe of the place. Which is HONKY TONK DIVE BAR. This trip left a bad taste in our mouth, thought maybe it was a busy night, let's give 'em a break. THIRD VISIT, tonight. I got off work (from a restaurant). Really wanted the Timbo Pills beer I know they serve as my welcome to the weekend. Went to the host, told her we didn't have a reservation just wanted a quick drink. We were told... "You don't have a reservation?" With an ugly tone by the hostesss.. we said no and she said give me a few minutes. We said okay great, no problem. We waited 5 minutes without a glance in our direction as she passed us several times without giving us more info as we saw stools on the patio open. Eventually, after so many sassy passes by the hostess (mind you, I make a point in my life to be as courteous to staff in any hospitality industry as possible) we decided to leave. Maybe this is a 'dinning experience' and not a grab a drink place, but If that's the case why is the patio seating for reservations only and facing a B/S UGLY VALET PARKING LOT. You guys told the neighborhood it's a psychedelic dive bar. NO IT'S NOT. We won't come here again. We'll just go to Mics. The host on Friday night has too much attitude. Hosts are supposed to TRY to be accommodating. Not here. We gave this place 3 chances over 6 months, and each visit just got worse. read more

the automatic 20% service charge really do be making all of us mad, huh? LOL. but seriously, i always leave with an icky feeling when said charge is not disclosed by the server from the very start. and that's exactly what happened to me. besides that, the ambiance is very cozy and warm. and i do love their branding! sat at the bar and the bartenders were all so very nice and accommodating. leche de tigre was fire. wings would be fire if it had more sauce. and make sure you get some sauce on each bite, or it's quite flavor-less. will i be back to eat? probably not. will i be back for a drink? maybe. the possibility would be stronger if they had a happy hour. read more

Marvito - Snapper Leche De Tigre - Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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There's something very special about Marvito, and somehow it's still one of the best-kept secrets. I honestly wish I could go higher than 5 stars on this one. The food is genuinely terrific, but what really makes the place hum is the people. Bar staff, servers, host--everyone on the team was rad. We rolled in to watch the conference NFL games and instead landed in what felt like a perfectly calibrated Sunday situation. Not a scene. Not sleepy. Just right. Every member of the Marvito crew was smiling, laughing, radiating good energy. Maybe it was the margs. Maybe the tequila shots. Whatever it was, it turned what could've been a family-heavy, kid-filled afternoon into something that still absolutely slapped. That's not easy to pull off. Also: an objectively impressive number of dimes in the room. Big shouts to y'all. Only real bummer: the two TVs aren't ideal for a full-blown watch-party setup. But honestly? Not the end of the world. The vibe carried it, and the day still hit. They bill themselves as an "elevated dive bar meets psychedelic honky-tonk," and for once, the branding isn't lying. It feels like the OG grit Fairfax used to have (not whatever the hell it is now), mashed up with a Venice-era looseness, somehow connected by the cinematic DNA of The Nice Guys. Slightly unhinged, deeply charming, and very intentional. Marvito isn't trying too hard--and that's exactly why it works. big love to you guys. read more

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Nestled within a revamped cottage on Harper just up from Santa Monica Blvd., Marvito has the look of a 1970's finished basement, with dark woods and warm lighting giving the room a relaxed vibe that immediately makes you feel welcome and comfortable. It's a small room with an adjacent patio, so be sure to make a reservation -- we did, but elected to sit at the bar because that was our mood. The staff was friendly, professional and accommodating, and our bartender, Ulysses, took very good care of us. Cocktails are creative and tasty without being too, too pricey, and they have a fairly extensive list of tequilas, mezcals and other spirits if you're craving a top shelf moment. The menu is making headlines for its unique blend of Mexican and Italian foods. It's not fusion, because the cuisines stay in their lanes; it's just unexpected (and more than a little delightful) to find tacos and quesadillas on the same menu as Chicken Piccata and Veal Parmigiana. But I'm here to tell you it works... really well. We started with grilled olives tossed in herbs and lemon, served alongside what they call "bar nuts." The olives were big and meaty, and very tasty. The nuts were a mix direct from the tin, without any touch of cheffing whatsoever, and a bit disappointing given the success of the olives. My wife ordered the Shrimp Crispy Tacos, which were packed with diced shrimp and a raft of Mexican spices, folded into fried shells and topped with a bonus, jumbo shrimp. Lots of flavor with a very satisfying crunch. I ordered the Chicken Piccata, because how could I not? 3 medallions of white meat chicken are pan sautéed with lemon, capers and a richer-than-usual lemon/butter sauce. On the side: linguini in butter and garlic, with a generous dusting of fresh Parmesan cheese. This was the best expression of Chicken Piccata we've had in a good, long time, and we highly recommend you give it a try. We also ordered a side of the fried potatoes: crispy on the outside with a soft, pillowy interior, all seasoned nicely and tasting top notch. They were even more perfect (is that possible?) when slid through the Piccata sauce. We were too full for dessert, but will come back to sample those ASAP!! A fun place with an eclectic menu of very tasty food and drink, and very much worth a pilgrimage read more

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Food- good, I enjoyed the fresh chips and Salsa and the grilled zucchini very much! Service -good and friendly welcome Ambiance - my favorite part, very viby and cozy Cons- the 25% service fee attached to our bill for two people which tacked on an extra 25% on top of taxes and total . and This service charge does not go to them as a tip so then I had to tip. Would I ever return or recommend NO . What would they charge a table of four, 50-75% service fee? read more

Marvito - Sashimi Burger and fries Salsa and chips - Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

I love the vibe of this place! (RIP Gardens of Taxco). It has kind of a side of the road 80s bar feel to it. It is dark, plays great music (Paul Simon, the Eagles), and just overall feels 70s/80s retro. The food was good, some things were EXCELLENT (please order the potatoes and the chile colorado)! The shrimp enchiladas, guacamole with chips, and tortilla soup were good, the chicken tinga quesadilla is not a must, but still enjoyable. I will say, it was just a random Tuesday and the place was PACKED, like way too packed. The bathroom was a bit gross, I opted to wait until I got home to use the restroom. One thing to note, especially, is that they automatically include 20% gratuity. Our waiter did not mention this to us, luckily my husband saw on the bill, because I was not paying attention. There were only 3 of us, so I was a bit surprised at that. I always tip 20% but had my husband not noticed, I would have unknowingly tipped 40%. I did not see this on the menu either. So I thought that was a bit odd. Otherwise, our service was great, our waiter was super nice and provided recommendations and had a cute personality. As I said, it was suuuuper busy, so he was really hustling. But just know that 20% will automatically be added! You can also add additional if you want. read more

Marvito - chili colorado (with rice, beans, tortillas), chicken tinga quesadilla, potatoes, shrimp enchiladas - Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

I saw the reviews run a little bit hot and cold for this place, so when my partner suggested we pop in today, I was somewhat ambivalent but also curious. It definitely pulls off the retro vibe... my family literally owned a real dive bar in the 1970s and this was VERY that. The signage, the decor, the vibe, it was all very retro in a fun way. The hostess who seated us and our server (Mattie) were both super friendly, sweet even. Recommendations were on-point, the crispy beef tacos as an appetizer were spot-on and the Chile Colorado (a traditional Chihuahuan dish consisting of pork simmered in a rich, red sauce made from dried, blended chili peppers) was fantastic. A generous portion too. My guy got a little taco plate that was super fresh and more food than it initially seemed. Not a cheap date spot per se, the prices were higher than the dive bar decor would suggest... but it was worth it. Everything was fresh and flavorful and just on-point, Mattie was fun and friendly without being too attentive, just all-around a great venue with delicious food and a good vibe. read more

Here's the thing... I loved this spot when I first went. Fairly close to the grand opening. Bartender was amazing, burger was great and they even had some cool drinks flying around too. Music and tv's also on-point. However, I went shortly after the first time I stopped by and it was a completely different experience. I was in desperate need of food and as I entered, I said hello to the GM, who remembered me from the previous visit. As I was given a menu and talking with the bartender/server, I heard the GM say the kitchen was closed. It wasn't an on the hour thing, terribly late, or stated anywhere... it literally happened when I was ordering too. I asked for clarity, and they just said sorry, kitchen is closed. Wtf is that about? I saw other servers taking orders too. So, I asked again, and was told the same thing again. They could have approached me apologetically or even like, hey, we need to close for such and such reason... maybe we can get you something though. Nope. They lost a lifetime patron over a bad decision from the guy in charge. I go by there often too. Oh well. read more

Love it. I'm a big fan of Max Marder's vision for Marvin, and I'd been tp Gardens of Taxco, the former occupant of Marvito's space back in college. (You know, those group meals where the check comes out to $200 and you wind up with $119 in cash and two people aren't at the table any more?) Anyway, it's Marvito now, and I'd been meaning to make my way there for a hot minute. On the night I did, valet was easy if not cheap, and Gigi quickly found a spot for me at the wood-paneled bar. The vibe overall is late 70s/early 80s LA Mexican restaurant, right down to the playlist: Steely Dan, Wings, etc...There is even a Donald Fagen poster hanging in the bar. Ulysses was calm and present, even in the chaos of 8-person groups ordering 12 different variations on the margarita. On this particular evening, the restaurant had been blessed by Sir Paul McCartney's presence. Which is kind of incredible. I'm sorry you weren't there, Max, but if that isn't the best happy birthday gift, I don't know what is. Life imitates art which imitates life. The food was great. I got a carne asada taco combo and it managed that difficult space between authentic and elevated. And it came out quickly on a busy, busy night. Will surely be back. Bravo. read more

I absolutely love the vibe here! The food was delicious, I highly suggest making a reservation as they do fill up quickly. We tried a variety of their items and enjoyed each of them. Portions are on the small side, I suggest ordering a few items and sharing them. Flavors and presentation were spot on, great option if you're looking for a fun night out in the area! read more

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This place is so good, fun, and unforgettable. Food punches way above its weight. Same owner as Marvin. You won't find a more vibey spot.

I really wanted to like it here. I was so excited about a new restaurant opening in the neighborhood. But it fell short in many ways. We were seated on the patio and service was spotty at best -- we had to flag down our waitress multiple times, never got more water, never were asked if we wanted more drinks. The food was just completely mediocre. Our drinks were fine. Neither was filled all the way and my friend's drink came in a plastic cup. We ordered a salad and some chips and guac -- the guac was laughably small (and was super expensive) and the salad was, again, fine. I spent $50 and left hungry. Wouldn't recommend. read more

I loved Marvito! We came here on a Monday night with a group of four girls and everything was fantastic. The spot itself is so cute and chill which I loved. They have valet parking- but there's also some street parking if you can find a spot. The service was great and their food was great too! We ordered a mix of things- we loved the corn burrata, Caesar salad, and the hard shell tacos. Their chips and guacamole and taco plate was great too. Don't miss out on their drinks! They have the best house margarita - it's tasty and super strong. Overall would definitely recommend stopping by here! read more

I have been to this restaurant before and the vibes are usually great, however, this last visit fell short. Our waiter (don't know his name because he never introduced himself), was extremely rude, had a major attitude, was not accommodating, extremely inpatient, condescending and ruined our experience for my birthday. Really disappointed in the service. read more

I really don't understand these bad reviews. The service has been impeccable with great banter, and the food was beyond what I would've expected for a pioneer town looking chill vibe bar. The scallopini was the best I've had in the city. Color me surprise but color me going back again and again. Ground beef, the crispy beef tacos make my girlfriend dance in her chair every time. We have given it three chances so far and every time has reassured us this is gunna be a staple for the neighborhood. Love the Bronzino, loves the Crudo, loved the ceviche, love de Leche de Tigre. read more

We went for drinks Friday night. Guess what, they add 20% tip to the bill automatically, but that was not disclosed by the server. I then added another 20%+ gratuity without realizing they had already charged a tip. Called the restaurant the next day and got Gigi who said Ulysses is the manager and he doesn't talk to people by phone, so I needed to email him to request he drop off the additional gratuity. I emailed but haven't had a response and the bill was charged to my Visa with no adjustment. That's really NOT cool. I have no problem with an automatic gratuity being added, but it feels very disingenuous for the server not to say, "just want you to know we have already added an automatic gratuity." I won't be back. read more

Great ambiance, great service and delicious food. They also offer valet parking and there's an outdoor patio.

What a gem of a place! The ambience is delightful. It's as if you have been sent through a time warp back to the 70s with a cozy vibe, and good music. The food is likewise delicious. If you want a cheeseburger in a taco, then the crispy beef tacos hit the spot. The fish tacos were wonderfully battered with a tangy crisp salsa, and the prime NY steak tacos were perfectly cooked, seasoned and well-balanced. The highlight here is the La Picosa Old Fashioned one of the most beautiful plays on an Old Fashioned I've had with the coconut flavor being subtle and not overwhelming. The servers are friendly and knowledgeable. This is a place I would keep coming again and again. read more

If you're a fan of Marvin's, then you're a fan of Marvito's. The food and staff is so on point. I ate there three days in a row and on the third day I brought in the new year with a shot of tequila and a cigar out front. I definitely recommend this for first date vibes. read more

20% service charge, huh? So that's $25 for a burger. And then add 20%? Total: $30. An unnecessarily dishonest way to do business. Sure, Marvito is hardly the only one pulling this trick, but they don't have to join this dishonest trend. And 20% is at the high end of this bs. Also, using "20%" is within range of a typical tip, so it is bound to further confuse customers who might think that's instead of a tip. That $30 burger doesn't include tax or tip. So add another $3 for tax, and another $4.50 for tip. That $25 burger is really a $40 burger. Really good burger worth $40? Great, then sell it honestly for its worth - don't trick people. [This note is obviously ONLY about the service charge itself.] read more

Not great vibes and weird service ... The margarita is fun and festive, but I will not be returning here

Came for a friend's birthday. Love the look and vibe of the restaurant. Margaritas (served in martini glasses) were strong. The food was fine but was surprised by the chip serving. No more than a kids side serving at chipotle and not any more memorable. Sort of laughable to serve that way. It was quite loud so lots of yelling over the music to have a conversation but still had a good time. Overall feels like it doesn't quite know what it wants to be. Is it fancy or is it lowkey? Do you want tacos or a $45 chicken parm and a thimble of queso? All options are on the dimly lit table. read more

Unfortunately a very disappointing restaurant. I indeed had high hopes that the food would be good, but unfortunately it's a HUGE miss. The first clue was seeing that aside from their Mexican offerings they also (strangely) have Italian dishes as well as American fare on their menu; I should have immediately left as this is usually a sign for me to go elsewhere, but I stayed to give it a chance. My friend and I ordered from their Mexican dishes, but once served we ended up looking at each other trying to figure out how you can mess up the food so badly... Mexican food... in LA!!! Then as the two of us rushed to wrap up the experience, we noticed that the bill had the wrong pricing rung up and that they also automatically tack on a 20% tip (no matter the size of the party). Overall a very saddening experience: Overpriced, terrible food and poor customer service. read more

Meh. The food was good except for the absurdly bland guacamole. We sat outside and THERE WERE NO HEAT LAMPS. We were told that they were ordered and they were being customized. Customized. read more

Had such a fabulous time here last night! I decided to check it out after hearing about it on The Infatuation LA and found it to be even better than the video promised. We rolled up at 7 on a thursday and were seated within 20 minutes. Even sitting on the patio facing the valet lot was lovely, I think this is a good option if you want a little more quiet. Our server, Jacob M went above and beyond. He was so charming and friendly and gave us excellent advice on ordering. Such a gem, he made the already lovely experience a million times better. We ordered chips and queso, chicken piccata, roasted carrots, and the beef tacos. The queso was perfection and I loved that Jacob brought us fresh chips so we could get every gob of it. Surprisingly the carrots were amazing too! My personal favorite was the juicy chicken piccata but truly everything was stellar. I left so full and so happy and extra excited to eat my way through this entire menu. P.S. Hot tip: park at city hall across the st. It was $5 versus Valet (sorry Marvino but I'd rather give you money by ordering more food!) read more

For the price, you can definitely find much better Mexican food. We wouldn't have minded if we felt the quality of the food was something special but it was average compared to the Mexican food you can find elsewhere at all sorts of price points in the city. read more

I had to check this place out at least once because I love checking out new places in the area. The service was great and everyone was friendly. Unfortunately like all the other reviews have said it's completely overpriced for trying to give "hole in the wall" decor and vibes, considering Halloween is over. We ordered a few drinks off the menu, ground beef tacos, chicken quesadilla (which is basically chicken taco) the extra small chips and salsa, fries, and a few sides. Granted it was more than enough food, it wasn't worth the fine dining high price tag. If this place offered a happy hour I'd be back because I live in the neighborhood. I'm glad I checked it out, but will most likely not be back. read more

As a Weho resident I was really excited for this restaurant. I'm hoping the owners read the reviews and make some much-needed changes so that they can stay in business. We were seated side by side at a thin wooden rail literally in the parking lot. If they're going to use this deck rail as a table they need to put some kind of plexiglass up and install heaters. Besides being hit in the face the entire time with leaves and debris from the Santa Ana winds we were freezing. We had headlights in our face as Uber's drove in and out of the single parking space less than a foot from our food. The food is very expensive for the tiny portions that they are serving. You need to watch out for the charges they adding without telling you. For example, the taco plate which is literally $18 for two regular size tacos does not have any salsa or rice and beans. When I asked for some pico de gallo, they gave a tiny amount and then charged $4 extra without any heads up. So at $11 a taco I would never order again. The queso was tasty but again for $18 it was served in a small ramekin with a handful of chips. The one dish that was truly delicious and worth another visit if you can eat indoors is the chicken piccata. The last major issue and a complete turn off for us was that they add 20% gratuity without telling you and as a party of two in a small dive vibe Resturant it's simply not something you're expecting. I was adding another tip when my daughter happened to catch it last minute. I am sure that they are collecting 40% gratuity from the majority of people because it's so loud and people are cold and eager to get out and likely do not see the fine print. The food all tasted good but so does the food at three other Mexican restaurants within the same block or two. So make the drink and food portions respectable if you're going to charge those prices!!!! read more

Marvito - Tiny portion queso - Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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Super fun Friday night at Marvito! The food was very tasty. Loved the chopped salad and the asada tacos. The chicken tacos weren't my favorite as the meat they used was a little tough. The chips and guacamole was good as well. The 20% service fee was somewhat annoying but also our server was good and we had no complaints about her, so it was fine. It does clarify "additional tip" on the printed receipt. Also, the atmosphere, vibes, and deco were fun and enjoyable. read more

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Despite how excellent the food and drinks are, the service is downright incompetent. Enough to ruin our night and our friend's birthday dinner. We had a 9:15p res and they sat us at 10:10p. After that, they proceeded to make us wait 45 min for chips n salsa and the drinks we ordered. Not to mention the waiter who gave us 5 chicken wings (when we asked for 6) and kept dropping our silverware onto the floor. Love Marvin, but this experience was honestly downright embarassing. Very disappointed. Do better, like c'mon. read more

A small taco named quesadilla, one cevice tostada doused in lime and two cocktails, $100 just to sit in a revamped version of 1970s room. No happy hour. It's not tragically hip, just tragic. The servers are apathetic. Better mexican food in LA to be had for a fifth of the cost and smiling faces. Try Guac Daddy's in Weho; good food, great vibe, nice people- liquor license coming soon. read more

EW. Horrible service with Dana G and food was GROSS with insane prices. Tried to make a few adjustments and we were told we couldn't because everything was premade. Disgusting! read more

Had such an amazing time at Marvito last weekend!!! The food and drinks were incredible. The vibe was soo cool, great interior design and overall amazing vibes read more

Marvito - Chile relleno & Salad - Bars Near Me - West Hollywood, California

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Patrick was really nice. Food was amazing. Cocktails excellent. The steak was cooking PERFECTLY. CRISPY FRIES. They auto add 20% tip the our waiter let us know not to tip. Come enjoy ! Not sure why the ratings aren't better read more

Stephen is an amazing bartender. Cool location within an eclectic menu. I would definitely recommend checking Marvito out!!!!

This place scores very high on vibes and uniqueness. Menu also not what you expect but standouts were the crunchy beef taco and chicken piccata. Martinis were icy, delicious and hit. Hostesses were lovely, bartender cool. People on here love complaining about the chips costing money but have you ever paid for dinner rolls at a restaurant? Yeh, same idea. Support this place - it's one of the promising ones read more

For all of you complaining about prices while also advocating for a $30 minimum wage: get used to it. I've been here a few times since they opened and have had nothing but great experiences. Quality food + service + weho's livable wage come with a price. I'll be back and I hope they thrive. read more

Great food, great service, fun ambiance. Will be back. Beef tacos, chile relleno, and chicken piccata were the standouts.