Want to time travel to a place where movie stars and move industry people from the 1920’s on hung out? Movie stars like Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard next to “The Lot” (Samuel Goldwyn Studio), Formosa Café doesn’t look like much from the outside. When you get to the entrance, you even wonder if the venue is open to the public. As you step inside, you understand why. This place has maintained its past and continues to celebrate the old Hollywood. The restaurant is dimly lit as if to keep itself a secret from the world, protecting itself from the modern world of high technology and a world of constant change. The furnishings also seem as if they have never been changed. This was made obvious to me as soon as I sat at our booth – the leather seat almost gave way into a deep unseen hole below the leather cover. The leather wasn’t worn out; I assumed that perhaps the seat was reupholstered but the main parts of the seat were kept in its original form. Oh, and get this, the waitress asked if we wanted to sit at the bar area or the trolley. The back end of the venue resembled that of a trolley! It was too cool!
The food menu was very simple – one side featured appetizers while the other the main dishes. The Lobster Truffle Mac & Cheese is the best I’ve ever had. I also tried the Shrimp Stir Fry – it was nothing to write home about, but it was decent. The first time I ate at this venue, I tried the Truffle French Fries…my taste buds screamed, “Wow! Keep them coming!” There are definitely some unique dishes that are featured on the menu…as unique as the venue.
The walls were covered with black and white photos (or headshots, as those in the entertainment industry would call them). While you sit and wait for your meal to arrive, you can play a game of “guess who that is?” and “what movie or TV show where they from?” And, if you are lucky, you’ll get a heads up about a comedy show at the other side of the restaurant - we had a blast laughing our heads off.

Kitchy and 40s- that's how we like it! Fun dive spot to have cocktails with our gals!

Saturday nights can be packed inside and out. The patio area and roof get very crowded. Last weekend we left the roof as there were far too many people for safety. Parking, try valet if they are available. Otherwise, get there early or you will be very frustrated in finding parking. Do NOT attempt to walk alone to and from car in this area. Food has improved. Drinks always strong and service excellent. Fun place when not so crowded. Great atmosphere.

This place was probably awesome in 1950. Now it is seedy. That's exactly what I was looking for - a little cheesy, a little run down, but mostly fun. Drinks are decently priced. Food is edible. Staff is nice enough. A good place to go to when you want to go out but don't want to deal with typical Hollywood BS.

Check out the review of this and many other happy hours at: happiest hours(dot)blog spot(dot)com - no spaces between words, but City Search won't allow it any other way. I've been to this Happy Hour twice now and I have to say, the first time, I was so pleasantly surprised by the food not sucking (as it has at Formosa in the past) that I viewed it with rosier memories than it merited. That said, the food doesn't stink. It's tasty and very cheap. All appetizers are $4 during Happy Hour, except the shrimp tempura, which is $5. Both times I've had the sesame fries and the ribs and both have been very good, although the sesame oil in the fries tends to give them a bitter aftertaste.

On the most recent trip, we also has the chicken satay and chicken shu-mai. These were not good. The peanut sauce on the overcooked satay was bland and the shu-mai was like a processed chicken meatball. Gratefully, our very good waitress told us that the shrimp tempura and veggie eggrolls tended to be VERY greasy, so we didn't order those.. However, the $5 mai-tai was great. My companion just drank water, and the glass never went empty, so that's nice.

Two of us ate well, one drank, and we got out of there for $28 (after tax and big tip). For Happy Hour, this is serviceable, but not compelling. Still, if you have folks in from out of town, and want them to get a true Hollywood experience, why not. It's a cheap thrill.