Has anyone here ever stayed at the Magic Castle Hotel? And who has gone to the Magic Castle?

I am taking my boyfriend for his birthday as a surprise. If you stay at the hotel, you are given admittance to the Castle. I am wondering if it is worth it to eat dinner at the Castle, eat at the hotel or if we should grab dinner somewhere else.

Any opinions?

I've never stayed at the hotel, so can't help you there. We have eaten at the Magic Castle, with friends that were members. It was several years ago, but I remember that the food was nothing special --kind of banquet-hall-ish.

If you want something closeby, Yamashiro is another option. If you can get reservations, I highly recommend Osteria Mozza on Melrose.

Thanks, lvk. I was afraid the food at the Castle would be banquet-hallish. I forgot about Yamashiro's. Do you know if they have a bar where we could just get appetizers? And can we walk from the Castle?

I have stayed at the Magic Castle Hotel three times, and gone to the Magic Castle once. The hotel has gotten a bit nicer, and more expensive, but I think it's a good value.

The Magic Castle is an over-the-top experience. I think it's amazing, but may be a bit bizarre for some. Even if you stay at the hotel, there is an admission fee.

I thought the food was better than banquet hallish, but maybe not much.

Yamashiro's is just up the hill, practically on the same property. I'm pretty sure you can just get appetizers at a bar.

I actually like the area the Magic Castle is in. You're walking distance to Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Blvd. scene, and the Hollywood Bowl.

My experience is from about 5 years ago, but I think it will be a lot of fun.

Yes, you can get just appetizers and cocktails at Yamashiro. We did just that before a Stones concert at the Hollywood Bowl a few years back.

Enjoy!

Thanks for your responses. It's my SO's 50th so I really want to make it special, and he is cool enough to like the Hollywood aspect of where we are staying but geeky enough to really like the Castle. Does that makes sense?

I am snagging him from work at lunch so we can just hang out by the pool until check-in time, and I know we won't want to even get in a car until we have to leave so I think I am leaning towards Yamashiro's.

Can you think of any other cool places to walk to to eat? I sort of like the idea of staying in the "bubble" of the Castle and Yamashiro's would do that.

Musso & Frank's Grill is nearby, and is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. I've never eaten there, but it might be fun to check out.

The Magic Castle Hotel and Yamashiro's grounds are fun to explore. We found a hidden away swimming pool, and there is an old pagoda somewhere. You can check it out on Google satellite view.

There is a place close by for live music called the "Knitting Factory Club". I've never been there either, but I like the name.

The hotel had good quality coffee, fruit, pastries and bread which you can take back to your room or eat by the pool for a leisurely morning.

The Magic Castle itself will have a schedule of shows, which repeat, so you can try to catch them all for a full evening. There are lots of different rooms to explore, and many have magicians performing casually for a group standing by.

Have you seen the website? http://www.magiccastle.com/about/index.cfm

I'm not sure, but you might have to get a meal at the Magic Castle. (Brunch is also available on Saturdays & Sundays, but I imagine the crowd would be less entertaining at that hour.)

The food at Yamashiro has become really, really good in the last few years, imo. And the bar, with the view, is fantastic!

I personally love the Magic Castle. I grew up in it, my dad was a member and played there a few times. It's a curious and fun experience, exploring, watching the shows, especially the parlor prestidigitation. It's all good. Food is decent, not outstanding. Dress code (gone a little more casual over the years, but not much).

Surfergirl, thanks for your input. It has been such a long time since I was there, I really don't remember much, except the magic piano! Is there anything we should know before we get there? Anything that we should look for in particular?

I'm pretty sold on skipping dinner there and just sitting at the bar at Yamashiro's. Anything else?

Hi cat-Sounds like a great surprise for your boyfriend's birthday. I hope you both have a great time.

I was actually looking at threads because I was looking for a restaurant in Hollywood for next Sat. Six of us are going to see Wicked at the matinee and then wanted to go eat afterwards. Yamishiro's looks good and having the view would be nice. Any other recommendations? Kinda of ruled out Musso & Frank's but are open to just about anything. It doesn't have to be right around Hollywood Blvd-could also be West Hollywood or another part of Hollywood.

Wicked is fantastic!!! You'll love it!!!

When I went with my daughter, we ate at Hollywood and Highland, but just a hot dog place, though there are nicer places. And they can shuttle you to the theatre, tough trying to get back was a bit of a goat rodeo.

http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/...estaurants.php

When I went with SO and all of our kids, we just grabbed mexican somewhere down Hollywood Blvd and it was good but nothing spectacular.

Last time, with a friend, we ate at a small Chinese place around the corner that looked pretty cool but was terrible. Sorry I can't remember the name.

Have fun! It's a great show!

cat - that all looks like a lot of fun! Sounds like a nice way to spend the weekend; enjoy!

Deb

Thanks, Deb. The hotel website looks great, and the Castle will be fun no matter what. I'll report back and give a review!

cat-Your dining experience around the Pantages sounds like most of mine. We usually just grab something close by. But this time it's a group and we want to go to a nice dinner afterwards. There are so many places in LA, it's hard to know where to start.

There's this newer Japanese restaurant with rather huge sushi bar right at Hollywood & Vine, I think -- well right around the corner from the Pantages. We ate there about a month ago after trying to "win" front row tickets at the Wicked Lottery (if you don't win, you can still get the good orchestra $98/seat tickets for $40).

Anyway, the food at this restaurant was pretty good, but it was awfully pretentious and the cost pretty steep. I forgot the name. Notwithstanding the 30-something wanna be actors turned hostesses/waiters, really nice bathrooms!

surfergirl-Thanks. Will check that restaurant out. We all like Sushi except for one person in the group.