"I only tend to post reviews when a place is either really good or really bad, and unfortunately this one was the latter. None of the dishes were hits for us- the bread for the whipped ricotta had a nice texture, but the honey tasted strongly of fennel. The tarragon in the grilled leeks wasn’t our favorite, and while the mussels in the mussel toast were really tender, the toast was quite oily. The short rib also had a fairly uneven cook and the potatoes that came with it were quite oily too. Bumping to 2 stars for the great service, but I’d avoid this restaurant and look elsewhere."

"Ivan’s Shakshuka reminds me of my childhood and the Persian omelette my mom would make back in Tehran … just awesome … Thank you Ivan Very well balanced lighting and friendly and soft colors and atmosphere, friendly staff, love the wooden tables and the arts on the walls are also a unique touch. Dishes are very well made, and the home made sausage sandwich is something else … try it once and you know what I am saying … Great little gem in the heart of culver Culver City downtown … Thank you Esme"

"If you’re reading this, here’s the short version: this is easily one of the best restaurants in Culver City, and you need to try it now! It’s a small spot in downtown Culver City that you could walk past without noticing. I’m glad I didn’t. There are a couple of tables outside, but most of the seating is indoors. The space is modern, clean, and relaxing. We ordered three dishes, all recommended by our waiter. The mussel toast is a must. Every bite is savory and packed with seafood flavor. For mains, we had the short rib and rainbow trout. The short rib was perfection. Cooked over fire and served with crispy potato strings. It’s something you get at high-end steakhouse but at half the price. The rainbow trout looked beautiful and tasted fresh, though the citrus was a bit stronger than I prefer. For dessert, we couldn’t resist the churro and ice cream sandwich. The ice cream (another must try), sourced from a Persian maker, was rich with rose, honey, and pistachio. The presentation was just as impressive. The churros were decent, though I wished they were crispier and the dipping sauce was thicker. Overall, I’d give this place a solid five stars. The food is close to Michelin quality without the Michelin prices. Go and you won’t be disappointed."

"It’s a cute spot, but somewhat empty on a weeknight. I didn’t like the bomba rice at all. It just didn’t taste good. And the mussel toast was just okay. Relatively on the more expensive side considering the food quality in my opinion."

"Not allowed to work on your laptop . . . at a cafe. The mussels and toast was delicious but presentation had left the chat. The oolong tea was great, I think. Hard to taste the subtle notes over the dish soap taste in the “mug.” I came in with a laptop case, planning to grab a coffee and write for a bit, but was immediately told “just so you know, you can’t work on your laptop here.” It threw me off because the place markets itself as a café, but it clearly doesn’t operate like one. I don’t mind a “no laptops” policy if that’s the vibe, but the way it was communicated felt more like exclusion than hospitality. There are plenty of ways to set boundaries while still making guests feel welcome. Instead, it felt like I was being told I didn’t belong before I even had a chance to order. From what I could tell, Esme seems to be trying to split identities—café by day, full restaurant by night—but the lines are blurry. If you’re looking for a true café where you can read, write, or work, this isn’t the place. Hospitality isn’t just about food; it’s about how guests are made to feel. In this case, the mismatch between the branding and the reality left me disappointed. Update: the snarky reply seems to confirm their sense of entitlement. Good luck with success with that attitude."