The Hungry Cat

I'm a fan.

I have never felt compelled to write a Yelp review before, but after tonight's entirely lackluster experience at The Hungry Cat in Santa Monica, I feel it's my civic duty to tell everyone how terrible this place is.

First of all, I must take this opportunity to say that the Santa Barbara Hungry Cat is absolutely worth a visit. The food is fresh and flavorful, the cocktails are perfectly crafted and well-balanced, and service is friendly and knowledgeable. Naturally, I had every reason to believe that my local Hungry Cat would be just as fabulous.

Boy, was I wrong. Tonight's meal went from disappointing to truly awful pretty quickly. The cocktails were way too sugary, the oysters were only so-so (they actually tasted frozen), the scallop crudo lacked the knockout flavor of the SB location (it didn't taste like much of anything at all, really, but it had a lot of heat - heat and no flavor....not a winning combo). But the pièce de résistance was the uni. I am not exaggerating when I say that it tasted exactly like soap. I refused to eat any more of it (and I am someone who is not shy about finishing her plate of food). And the crackers that came with it actually tasted like cardboard. I literally had trouble biting through one, that's how hard and stale they were. Absolutely unacceptable.

The only positive? Service was perfectly fine, if not exactly knowledgeable.

SUCH a shame, especially considering that the Santa Barbara Hungry Cat is so fantastic (I haven't been to the Hollywood location, so can't vouch for it). Do yourself a favor and avoid this place like the plague.

We were there this past Saturday evening celebrating a birthday.  I had a bad experience at True Food Kitchen the previous weekend and had gotten very sick, so I wanted to make sure that there was NO DAIRY (including butter...some people think dairy is only milk and cheese) in what I ordered.  The waitress was very sweet and accommodating but the one at True Food was, as well.  So I was very emphatic that I had allergies and there could be no mistake.  So I guess she told the manager and he came over.  His name was Nicholas Sommers and he was so kind, sweet, warm and helpful.  He was very gracious, said we were eating "at his house" and that he would "personally make sure the chef made whatever I wanted to my exact specifications".  He was such an amazing person, and felt like an old friend.  A smart guy...because he knows the importance of treating a customer right!  He also recognized my son, who has eaten there previously.  Nicholas was amazing, my fish was cooked to perfection, the staff was sweet and helpful and everyone in our party LOVED what they ordered! As we were leaving, Nicholas came over with a little special treat with a candle in it and it was shared by the table.  He went above and beyond to make me feel taken care of and comfortable and the food was amazing!  I actually gave him a hug when we left!  Thanks, Nicholas Sommers and The Hungry Cat for a great meal and very positive experience!