Mastro's BH, Ten Pound Bar and Cohiba Millenium Reserve Review

[toledo1969]

So I have a little time to write about my Beverly Hills Wife's Birthday Getaway. I will start with Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills, this used to be my favorite place a some years ago. Great Steaks, Ambiance, Service, and you could smoke Cigars on the Terrace. Well those days are gone my friends, and I doubt they will ever come back. First off all we had reservations at 8:00 PM, the place was packed, had to wait 35 Minutes, and when you drove 4 hours and have not eaten anything since Lunch, it feels like an eternity, I would say that they put at lest 25-30% more tables, I mean you can hardly move, and I have a little bit of claustrophobia, so having 3 tables around you with less than 10 inches. Not to mention we had a big table of young kids, loud, arrogant, cursing and worst of all their chairs kept on bumping with our table. 

So I ordered a Hendrick Martini a little dirty, they brought me Olive Juice, not kidding, it was undrinkable. Sent it back, it took them 15 minutes to bring another drink. The service was bad and I mean bad. They just could not care less. So we finally ordered, the place is so dark you can hardly see the menus, we shared the Mastro's Chop Salad, wife had the Petit Filet Mignon, I went all out since I was hungry but I also did not want to stuff myself with a whole Rib Eye. So I ordered the 8 OZ Japanese Wagyu A5 NY Strip. I mean it was $150 dlls, but I said to myself, might as well have a good meal. 

Salad arrived, basically no dressing, had to order extra dressing. It was actually not bad, then the steaks arrived. My plate was basically cold, I asked the server that I wanted a warm plate. He took my steak before I even cut it and 15 minutes later my Steak arrives, and yes it was a hot plate, with my meat of course over cooked now. Ive had real Kobe, American Kobe, Japanese Wagyu. Let me tell you this steak was a at least 20% Fat, the taste was good, but not great. Don't know maybe my taste buds were blocked because of the whole experience. Good thing is that my wife did like her steak. 

When I made the reservation I had said that it was my wife's birthday, normally they bring a piece of cake with a Candle. Not this time, my wife ordered the Butter Cake, she said it was very good. I had one bite, and yes it was good, but I am not a dessert person. The bill came and they bring an IPAD where the Tip starts at 18%, I mean that's the minimum, and it goes all the way up to 30%. So I gave 18% and they waiter looked at me like I was the cheapest person ever. 

My thoughts on Mastro's is that they don't care anymore, it's so full, so many people want to go there, always packed, before they had managers asking how the steak was cooked, and they cared about the quality of the food, now it's just another chain restaurant living of the hype. 

So after an expensive mediocre meal we crossed the street to the Hotel Montage, we were escorted to the Ten Pound Bar, you feel like in the movie Goodfellas since you pass by the Kitchen in order to get to this very nice and classy bar. They have us a great table over looking the hotel. Very nice ambiance, Drinks are very pricey, I actually ordered the Cheapest was Macallan 15 Year for 50 dlls 2 OZ. They give you the nice One big Cube of Ice. But the initial Shock was that the waiter said there would be a $35 dlls Fee for each cigar. I had a Cohiba Corona Especial for my wife and a Cohiba Millenium Reserve for myself. I thought it was kind of high, but then again the place was really worth it. They were playing Sinatra, you have the Waiter dressed in a Tuxedo next to you, First class all the way. The only problem with this place is that it opens at 10:00 PM and Closes at 12:00 PM so if you plan to smoke a Double Corona, better get there when they first open. 

Now for the Highlight of the night, outside of my wife's birthday was the Cohiba Millenium Reserve. I will attach some pictures. Since I only have about 8 of these left from the original Jar, put them away in my humidor. And I tell you, these extra years have really make this Habano a classic. Best way to describe this Cigar would be those Cadbury Caramel Chocolates you used to get on Easter, mixed with Vivace Espresso. Just creamy all the way, prefect Draw. did not go out once. Burned Straight, one fo the top cigars I have smoked in my life. Every puff was a delight, so for me this was my dessert, really, the taste was well you just don't want this Habano to end. Unfortunately at 11:50 they brought the bill and I still had at least 2 inches left. Did not want to rush this great cigar, but we were the last ones there, wife started to give me a hard time. So we had to leave, left the last puffs. Last good thing is that they did not charge me the $35 dlls per Cigar Fee. So this made me like this place even more. 

 

So this is my review, hope I did not bore you with all the details, I took some pictures of the Steak but to be honest not even worth it to post them, but the Cohiba Millenium Pictures came out much better, and just looking at them again brings back the memories of an almost perfect cigar. If I had to rate it, I would go with a 99 Rating. 

[Ritch]

150 dollars for a steak that was over cooked and the plate not warm? And they expect any tip at all? That just wouldn't wash in Blighty.

Can't believe a club is only open two hours too. That is unheard of here.

Sounds like a fantastic treat for your wife's birthday even if the food wasn't that great and love the pictures if the cigar band on top of the cigar. It's like a little crown!

[slowsmoke]

I've been patiently waiting for this thread since you posted pics a few days ago of that Cohiba glistening in all its oils and glory.  Congrats!

I have had less than stellar experiences at the BH Mastros.  It is crowded and a very young/hip scene.  I am still a big fan of the Ocean Club Mastros in OC.  The service and food there have always been excellent, and the ocean breeze doesn't hurt either.

Never been to ten pound, but it is on my list now ?

 

[Lotusguy]

It’s basically a chain restaurant now - I used to go to the one in Las Vegas but it has gone downhill so much I don’t even go there anymore when I don’t have to pay for myself.

Hope you still had a great evening with your wife after all!

[RupertPupkin]

7 hours ago, slowsmoke said:

I have had less than stellar experiences at the BH Mastros.  It is crowded and a very young/hip scene.  I am still a big fan of the Ocean Club Mastros in OC.  The service and food there have always been excellent, and the ocean breeze doesn't hurt either.

Never been to ten pound, but it is on my list now ?

 

I second that! The Newport Ocean Club Mastros is still up there for me. I also recommend Pelican Hill Resort around the corner for a round of golf if you’re up that way. Beautiful course with incredible oceanfront play.