Kimera (Irvine), Crow Bar (CDM)

Danielle:

I’ve been to Kimera several times in the past and have enjoyed a crowd of people. So, we decided that this should be a stop along our happy hour tour since many know about this happy hour. Keep in mind: we did go the Friday after the Wednesday 4^th of July so some people may have still been “drying out.” Kimera can be hard to spot as it is nestled among office buildings and a business park off Jamboree.

I got there first and sidled up to the bar next to this couple. Any cost of this happy hour was worth it JUST to be privy to their toasty, I mean toasted, afternoon. I didn’t even need to put a quarter in her for her to play songs. She sang very loudly along with the pop music being played in the bar area the entire time. Clearly, they had had some shots before my arrival and then I witnessed a couple more unnecessary ones. It was one of the most entertaining couples I’ve seen in a while. What was going on other than them? Nothing. There were a few groups of 3-4 people here and there but overall the scene was dead. We did order the pita + hummus, which was fair. There was a spice on there that my palate does not appreciate. I will say that they have a great selection of food choices for happy hour as well as some interesting drink mixes.

We decided to just opt for the standard, Crow Bar, for a burger before calling it a night. We found two spots at the bar. This night made me scared to date. Very scared. First, there was a couple next to me along with their friend (male). He was loud and his volume was up so that the entire restaurant could hear his broadcasted stupidity. I was shocked at some of the things he said, but I was shocked, saddened, and horrified when I heard him loudly ask “What state is Pennsylvania in anyway?” Oh dear, no wonder the studies just published indicated women’s IQs are now higher than men’s. Sorry men, I know this is a poor representation of you, but hey, we’ve had to hear “dumb blonde” jokes for years so…..eat crow. (Haphazardly used but fitting for the location) Finally, he left. A couple of other guys, one of which was decent, stopped in and seemed “normal.” They chatted with “regular” girls and seemed nice. They left then later returned to pick up on the hooches that came in. How funny to see the difference in them before and after. Where did they go in the middle to gain such confidence?!? Why come back?

The most unfortunate part of the night was the burger. My favorite favorite favorite burger was just mediocre. The menu changed and I didn’t see my “usual” so I ordered another. It was just “eh.” Oh, sadness. The service was, as usual, impeccable. The bartenders were very attentive, friendly, and eager to help.

The scene was not the usual assortment of young men and women. It was fairly empty upon arrival (rare) and then crowded with a young 20s crowd that had just finished up some magazine party. They took over the bar and to prevent a beer spilling down my back and a subsequent scene along with busted eardrums from the decibel level of the gals who were chatting behind me, we left while we were ahead and could laugh about it.

All in all, it was an off night for both places perhaps a result of the holiday being that week.

Food:★☆☆☆☆
Service: ★★★★☆
Price: ★★★☆☆
Ambiance: ★★☆☆☆

Overall: ★★★☆☆
S Factor: -10

Candice :

I try my best to give people the benefit of the doubt, which includes giving second chances if a first impression was unfavorable.  Kimera in Irvine is one such place that fell short the first time, but I was up for a second visit and tried to go on what I would consider a busier night of the week (Friday).  Apparently there was entertainment, but not of the nature I was hoping.   I was witness to a comical scene of two overly affectionate and highly inebriated individuals of which the lady failed to recall she was not at a Karaoke bar and overlooked the fact that she was likely tone deaf.  As ridiculous as this scene may appear, if it were not for this laughable occurrence, this second-chance establishment would have been an utter waste of my time and energy.  My appetite was not inspired when glancing at the food selection ordered by other patrons, so I opted for tasting Danielle’s choice of flatbread with hummus.  The bread was stale at best and the flavors (of both the bread and hummus) an odd and rather unpleasant combination of ethnic spices.  We were hoping the crowd would begin to pick up and although this was slowly achieved to about 20 people, there was most definitely nothing remarkable to share about the experience.  The service was equally unexceptional, by all parties including the bartender and wait staff.  I deem it considerate to greet guests with a smile especially when asking for drink or food orders thus I was already initially disconcerted when confronted with an attitude of indifference by our bartender.  I suppose I do not really blame her, especially if what we experienced was the typical Friday night crowd.  Needless to say, Danielle and I consumed our beverages as quickly as possible, did not bother to give a final look, and swiftly dashed to one of our favorite locales – the Crow Bar. 

The Crow Bar yet again did not fail to deliver another evening of delightful distractions to pass the time.  Although we were disappointed from the get-go with the change in menu and our usual favorite meal choice of one of the two Crow Bar Burgers being replaced, we at least made it to happy hour. The flavor of the replacement burger had an unrecognizable and peculiar flavor so I devoured my side of sweet potato fries, which although perfectly salted to my taste, was unfortunately crispy throughout and burned at the ends.  I topped off my meal with a “pot-au-cream” which happened to be a rich, custard texture deep dish of buttery, butterscotch pudding – delicious! The service by the bartenders – both females I might add – was simply fabulous.  It is one of the few establishments who deserve such a high level of praise for service because every time I have sat at the bar, I am always welcomed with not only a smile, but positive energy and very consistent attentiveness.  Kudos to both those ladies who seem to not only prepare all the orders for the entire restaurant but also handle all the patrons at the bar with respect and courtesy.  Aside from the food, the crowd rolled in by the evening and rolled in hard and fast.  Apparently there was an event across the street hosted by a health magazine, so there was a mass influx of 20 year olds to maybe very early 30’s representative of OC.  The noise level rapidly shot up and unfortunately the level of intelligence based on overhearing conversations (or rather conversation being shouted in my ear) shot way down.  Although we originally thought we scored prime seats right at the bar, we realized there are still plenty of people who seem to lack sensory perception of bodily contact or should consider themselves hard-of-hearing. We became progressively overstimulated and overwhelmed by the scenes unfolding before our eyes which happened to include intoxicated youth trying to seduce each other, overhearing dim conversation, and overall observing immature conduct of behavior.  The crowd this evening was unusually juvenile for a Friday evening because of the event, so there was less interacting this time but more opportunity to appraise our surroundings and snicker, chuckle, and chortle shamelessly.  It was definitely good harmless fun for a Friday night.

Food: ★★★☆☆

Service: ★★★★★

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

SFactor:★★☆☆☆

Overall: ★★★★☆