The Lounge at Ugo 3865 Cardiff Avenue, Culver City, CA 90232

"Terrible, terrible experience. Tried to host a group networking event here. I called 1 month in advance. The "manager" was happy to accommodate our group, which I estimated to be 20 - 40 people for the full 3 hours. For the first half, the group would be small, about half that size. Afterwards, we'd have more people arriving. She said there was a happy hour food menu and discounts on cocktails. She SIMPLY REQUESTED that I call in the day of my event, just before I arrive, to tell her how many people. I send out invitations to my network, formal, nice invitations and as part of it, I'm basically promoting their restaurant for free. I call in the day of. I was told that they could not guarantee ANYTHING. I was told that I could show up but if my full party wasn't there within the first hour, there may not be room for them. I was concerned and annoyed. They completely changed what I was told the month before. I show up at the Lounge. First, I notice that there is no happy hour food menu. I'm told that the food menu can only be ordered on in the restaurant, not the lounge (Meanwhile, everyone I invited was sent info on the food menu). Then, when I ask "where" the party can be and how I can be sure to have space for everyone, the "manager" - Silvia Lopez - tells me that there is nothing she can do to reserve a spot. They expect to be very, very busy, and she will not guarantee anything. Meanwhile, the place is practically empty, and my event is about to start. I find a place outside for the initial small group. Silvia Lopez comes outside to tell me that everyone must be on the same bill. Which is insane for a networking event, and also not part of the initial conversation. I tell her that's not reasonable and a completely invented rule. She said that she emailed all of this to me after I initially called. So, I go into my email, and pull up her original email. Of course, there was zero text/writing in the email. She sent photos of the space, nothing about these ridiculous rules and restrictions. I explain that it's particularly insane to force one bill because Silvia refused to (1) take reservations beforehand (but guaranteed we could come with a large party, then last min tell us they cannot guarantee anything) then (2) tells us that they cannot promise any area - seated or standing - yet we must be on the same bill. (How could they even know who was in our group ?!?!?) They wouldn't recognize us as a group but will force people - who they allege/guess are part of our party - onto my credit card bill. Makes no sense. I insist I'm not doing a group bill. She then says that everyone will have to be on small-group bills by table (Also insane: she cannot guarantee tables for the group). I tell her none of these people know each other. Why would she force them onto the same bill? They're not even going to be congregating around singular tables the whole night. She cannot explain anything. She also says, we cannot just simply order individually from the bartender (the Lounge is just a bar with some indoor and outdoor seats - and, remember, no food) because we're a group (which, as a reminder, they won't recognize on any reservation nor provide any seating for....). She says that because I'm unwilling to follow her rules we have to leave. ?!?!?!?! She made up a bunch of crazy stuff and told us to leave. The poor waitress was caught in the middle. We left the insane asylum. And the change negatively impacted the night for a number of people who never were never able to find us at the next bar we went to. Ironically - but of no surprise to me -- people who did join us later that night told me that, when they went into Ugo Lounge, it was basically empty: 2 hours after I initially arrived. They could have handled our group and made money. But they chose instead to issue illogical threats and rules. Allegedly, she also was happy for me to meet "Ugo," the owner, who she said was fully aware of the situation and agreed with her. What insanity. I hope Silvia finds herself in a different job soon."

"Good Italian food. Homemade fresh mozzarella. Vegan minestrone. Lots of lactovetetarian food. Delicious desserts."

"Went during happy hour and I understand waiting for a drink but 30 minutes for two cocktails is next level. Food was decent but never got into ordering mains bc of the drink delay. And then the drinks weren’t great so overall a neat place aesthetic wise and probably food wise but I recommend sitting inside the restaurant and not the lounge maybe."

"Good spot for an Italian dinner. Ordered some fettuccine with chicken parm. Potatoes are over cooked and starchy but broccoli was very good. Recommend ordering an entree and upgrading the potatoes and veggies to a pasta. Bread was very good and meatballs were fantastic. Would come back."

"I was recommended and ordered the crimes of passion cocktail. My friend ordered the strawberry lychee martini. The cocktails were absolutely delicious, and the vibes were immaculate. Great music as well!"