Firefly

As a new regular, having just moved to the valley less than 2 years ago, I can't say enough about the firefly. I live south of Ventura and have the lovely pleasure of being able to walk briskly and arrive at the the front door within minutes. Aside from work, I have met the some of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of stumbling upon (having been here for 25+ years working in the dreaded industry) right down the street at the firefly. Yes the food is the best in valley, hands down, sure the ambiance and the lighting sets the mood for the perfect night out, and of course the people are hip and beautiful, but what sold it for me is the character of not only the guests, but those who work hard to make so many feel welcome, time and time again. I cannot say enough about the staff who have made the firefly more than a local spot to see and be seen, but a place that takes all the greatest aspects of LA minus the pretentiousness while ""saying what they mean, and meaning what they say."" I highly recommend the firefly, and have been more than impressed on every occasion I walk out that front door- more

My husband and I rarely go out because we have three little ones at home. We finally got a babysitter and made a reservation for Firefly. We had heard so many wonderful things about it. and were excited to try it. I had a wonderful conversation with the woman who took my reservation. She suggested I might want a place by the fireplace or a cabana for our special night. When we arrived, we checked in with the host and had a lovely glass of wine in the lounge. We were seated by the fireplace and had a wonderful meal. My husband had the lamb chops and I had the sea bass, both delicious. We shared the hamachi and artichoke salad to start. The desserts were amazing and the management actually sent out a new dessert for us to try! I love Firefly the atmosphere and staff are truly wonderful! Our next night out will be spent threre! Pros: wonderful staff and atmosphere Cons: not for children but a wonderful night out more

A group of girlfriends and I have been having drinks and appetizers here for a couple of months now on a weeknight here or there. Recently a friend of mine told me to check my bank as the waitress in the bar area had overcharged her. There were 6 of us and they added a 20% tip on to the bill. When I checked what cleared my bank an additional 20% was added on top of the bill with the tip. I called the restaurant and the manager suggested it was my bank that added the charges and acted like I was insane for calling to check on this. I gave her the waitress' name, the amount etc. as I was looking at my receipt. She basically told me too bad and she didn't see what the problem was. Normally I wouldn't care but 2 of us from the same party were both overcharged by the same waitress and she was hardly attentive at that. Pros: Food and Drinks Cons: Waitstaff, Overcharging, Management more

Unfortunately, Firefly is so poorly managed that it doesn't matter that the food is good, I won't be returning. I went with a large group this past Saturday night and made sure to make reservations well in advance. The restaurant called the day of our dinner reservation to confirm and had recorded the reservation incorrectly. In order to accommodate everyone, they said they'd have to seat us at two different tables an hour apart, but that they'd most likely be able to seat the later table early so we'd be eating 30 minutes apart instead of an hour. We're a flexible group so this would have been fine. However, from the moment we arrived the Managers did not keep their word. They didn't seat any of us on time and what's worse, because we were all standing around for so long they kept asking us to move out of the way and when my friend commented (to his wife) that if they'd just seat us we'd be out of the way, the Assistant Manager (Timmy) became enraged and threatened my friend. It was unreal! We couldn't have been a happier, more easy-going group, we just wanted to eat. The Management handled themselves poorly and finally recognized this and tried to make amends by paying for drinks and appetizers. Of course they forgot to deduct this from the bill so we had to have another discussion with them to get them to honor their word and comp those charges. Moreover, we had a few friends who got so hungry waiting that they ended up eating in the bar and were sitting close to the front entrance. They said they watched as the Managers kept getting complaint after complaint from other parties they'd mis-managed as well. They seem like amateurs. The food is good and the ambience is great. It's a shame all of that is for naught since the Management drags them down. I would not recommend this restaurant. more

How do I even begin? Well, this place was absolutely amazing on every level. Even though though there is limited parking, no worries, there is a valet service. Upon entering this charming establishment, the first impression I got was very cozy, with a great friendly vibe. The lighting is low, which sets an intimate tone, and the vibe is upbeat and welcoming. Also, this place is really spectacular because you are actually dining outdoors, next to big beautiful fireplaces, and lots of candles..... I could go on and on... Amoung all of this wonderful stimuli, the waitstaff is very warm and friendly, making this high-end establishment feel like a place away from home. Lets get to the food. I must honestly say, the food is DELICIOUS! Not only that, but the menu variety will never bore or leave you wanting more! The plating is so beautiful, you almost don't want to eat the food, but, its so good, you have to restrain yourself from licking the plate... in public. I definitely reccommend this restaurant hands down. It's great for a romantic night out, or just a get together with friends. Pros: ambience, food, waitstaff, price more

My husband and I heard about Firefly Restaurant through word of mouth. We went there for dinner last week late on a Tuesday Night. When we walked in we were greeted by a very bubbly/helpful hostess who sat us right away at a great little cabana-like table with a wall of candle light, perfect for taking in the atmosphere which was chill and casual w/ cool eclectic music chiming in the background. Friendly informed service. But no joke... the food is so good. I can't wait to go back for the Cast Iron Skillet Mussels! Oh, and the banana bread pudding.... YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brings back childhood memories. Pros: Surprising reasonable prices for the quality. Cons: Hard to get a table. more

I live close to Firefly restaurant and go often. The menu is wonderful and creative. The chef changes the menu often and one special is better than the next. Last time I was in I had a beautiful bottle of Linnie Calodo! There wine list is amazing and there is always something new. Every one is warm and welcoming and the service is great. I am fortunate to have Firefly as my neighborhood spot! Pros: Best food in LA Cons: Crowded on the weekends but worth it! more

I'm from Maine, visiting LA and staying with a college friend whose been wanting to visit this place for months... We show up on a packed Fri night, the place is jamming, the scene is amazing (seems like an incredible place to meet new people) and we were lucky enough to find a spot on the couches in the lounge... as packed as the joint was, within minutes a server got our orders for apps and cocktails, and she kept finding her way through the crowd all night and even gave us a round on the house for being newcomers and good customers! Pros: Incredible crowd Cons: Wish I could have a tray of fried olives! more

I celebrated my anniversary at Firefly last weekend. The host was delightful when we checked in with her and asked if we wanted to have a drink before we went to our table. We enjoyed a wonderful glass of wine in the lounge and then went to our table. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable she made several suggestions all of which we indulged. I have never in my life had anything like the Hamachi! The wine list was beautiful and unique. The dinning room itself is extremely romantic and lit with candles. We had a wonderful experience. We live close by and will be back soon!!! Pros: Ambience & Service Cons: Hard to get a reservation but worth the wait more

The best place in the valley, and one of the top spots in LA, period... There's a reason this place draws the crowd it does... the ambiance is amazing, the executive chef prepares one of the finest menus in the city, the service is tremendous, and the while it's generally an extremely busy crowd, it has all the class of an upwardly mobile, successful crowd while lacking that certain pretentious vibe that you come across so often in the city of angels... Pros: Service is incredible from MGMT down Cons: No cigar smoking more

My husband and I make a point of going to every new restaurant in town, most of which, we never go back to. Being from New York, we are accustomed to a bit more attention to detail when it comes to food and service. Firefly, for us, is the exception to the rule. Since moving to LA from the east coast, Firefly has become our ""home away from home"". We love the menu (which is constantly changing), the friendly and attentive service, desserts and boutique wine list. I generally don't write these reviews, but after reading a few on here, I felt obliged--some of the negative comments written about food and service were just unbelievable to me!! For goodness sakes, (in comment to a past reviewer) who wants another boring flourless chocolate cake that you could get anywhere. The menu here is exciting and inventful--maybe that customer would have been happier at TGI Fridays. Firefly is a don't miss--ignore the negative comments here. Yes, it can be tough to get into, but it is well worth the wait! You'll be happy you went. Pros: food, service, people watching Cons: hard to get in more

I've been here countless times and it is always great. The atmosphere is sensational and the food is delicious. I have recommended Firefly to all of my friends and co-workers and I have been thanked many times for the recommendation! more

The most pretentious horrible place. stay away! more

This place never disappoints me. I've been here countless times and it is always great. It has one of the nicest atmospheres of any restaurant around: cozy fireplace, candlelit walls, and chill music. The menu has some awesome appetizers--I highly recommend the fried olives (totally addictive)! This place is lively and fun on any day of the week, so be sure to make a reservation. They have a very knowledgeable wait staff (our last waitress knew all about French wines--people who know about good food and wine!) and usually everyone is friendly and helpful. Thank you guys! By the way, this is a great place to take a date! Pros: Ambiance, Great Food, Great Drinks, Valet Parking Cons: Not good for very large groups more

meh. this place was just OK. nothing spectacular past the ambience, which is great. service blah. food OK. i'm glad i tried it, but wouldn't go back unless for drinks only in their very cozy lounge. Pros: ambience Cons: overrated more

Let me start by saying that I'm a huge foodie - I love good food, and am not taken in by hyped up hot spots. So upon reading the intial reviews for Firefly I was certain it wouldn't live up to the hype, but decided to give it a try just in case.. Pros: HEAVENLY food! Cons: HELLISH service :( more

I went to Firefly for my birthday with a couple of friends. The place looked very nice and I was very pleased, that is until the food came out! I ordered The Mussels and they were good except for the part that there was wayyyyy too much salt on them. To top it off I was opening one of them and slice my thumb straight across. They didn't even offer a free meal or to take the mussels off the bill . Well, then the entree showed up and looked great but again there was soooo much salt in all the food that it lost the taste of the steak. Also, the plate came with some green in some cheese sauce which was sooo noasty. After all that I thought let me get some chocalte for dessert, well they only has some fufu stuff. I just wanted like a flourless chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. Is that too much to ask for?? The staff that work s there is very weird expecially the door guy. Wow, we were listening to him talk to people and you would think that the place was packed by the way he was being. I would recommend this place for a date or bringing your significant other but not too pick up. Pros: Nice Date Place Cons: Food too salty more

The only thing missing is the real fireflies, but the candles flickering in the cubbies on the walls is a close second. I keep telling them they need flaming martinis to go along with the fire theme :) When the FEMALE chef is in the kitchen, the food is second to none- have to check it out Rachel Ray! The ambiance is superb. For two, sit by the fireplace, for a group, a round table in the corner near the garden, but not too close to the bar cause it gets noisy there. Unpretentious exterior- hidden in vines. Interior bar/lounge with a renaissance flare. Dining room feels outdoors with a greenhouse style glass pitched roof. Known as the Valleys hidden treasure. xoxo Fran Pros: Service is mainly amazing. Food is out of this world. I love to cook, I know. Cons: Valet only parking may take a little to retrieve, but its fun mingling while u do. I didn't like the male chef-he has a terrible attitude. more

Let me start off by saying that I've never posted a comment about anything, EVER. I will also say that Firefly has been my FAVORITE bar since forever. Pros: Ambience, Patio for Smoking friends Cons: Hard to find, slow service, mediocre food/menu more

A great experience all around...you should definitely try this place. One of the best dining experiences I've had in a really long time. Definitely have the scallops, hanger steak and can't miss desserts. more