One Person’s Meat . . .

I hope S. Irene Virbila is happy, now that she has most likely put owner-chef David Slay of La Veranda out of business, (“Baffled in Beverly Hills,” Restaurants, March 19). Four of us went to La Veranda on a Saturday night, a few weeks after her review was published, and what had been a bustling, buzzing place had only about eight tables occupied during prime time.

I have loved La Veranda since it first opened. My family has dined there three or four times a year, usually on special occasions, and the food and service has always been exceptional.

Carla Meyer

Los Angeles

La Veranda is an abundantly friendly place that’s not merely trendy. David Slay goes out of his way to talk to every guest and determine that all are receiving what is they want, prepared the way they want it.

Every time my wife and I have dined there, we’ve been well treated.

David Lloyd

Beverly Hills

We had a bad experience at La Vernada shortly after it opened. Not only was the food bad, but the service was worse. The waiter brought the bill while we were eating our entrees and failed to asked whether we wanted dessert or coffee.

I called the owner the next day, but it seemed as though he couldn’t have cared less.

Margo Til

Los Angeles

Unlike Virbila, I enjoy having David Slay stop by the table to inquire about our meal, wine and service. Having moved here from South Florida, where owner-chefs are generally attentive to their diners, I found his attentiveness professional and comfortably familiar.

If Virbila and her guests thought that the food wasn’t prepared to their satisfaction, they should have sent it back to the kitchen, as most experienced diners do. Also, why did she not mention that La Veranda has a full-service bar and an extensive wine list?

I assume that Virbila didn’t bother to order any dessert, because she didn’t mention La Veranda’s excellent homemade desserts.

Steve Tinney

Los Angeles

I was astonished that Virbila seemed to not like the two dishes at La Veranda that my family considers to be among the tastiest dishes served anywhere: the smoked salmon quesadilla, one of the best appetizers I have ever had, and the pastina with mushrooms, shrimp and corn.

Barbara Shaw

Beverly Hills

I, too, am “baffled” by La Veranda. A friend of mine bragged about the restaurant for so long that I started to wonder whether he was an investor. So I had lunch there almost a year ago and was as disappointed as Virbila. On that occasion, Slay was in the dining room most of the time, and I, too, thought that he’d have done better being in the kitchen, overseeing what was being sent out. What we got, wasn’t very good.

Paul Goff

Los Angeles

Last year, I celebrated my birthday at La Veranda. We spent the evening trying to understand why the restaurant was full of people who appeared to be enjoying themselves. When Slay came around to our table and asked how everything was, we told him that our meals were disappointing. He didn’t offer any explanations and didn’t seem concerned with what we had to say, but he did send us a complimentary dessert.

Jill Daniel

Los Angeles

I have dined at La Veranda many times and have yet to get a meal that was less than excellent. My guests have always been impressed with both the restaurant and David Slay himself, and many have returned to the restaurant on their own.

When I got married, my choice for a dinner for 20 people was La Veranda, and I was not disappointed. My guests--from England, Alaska, Southern California and Arizona--agreed that it was the perfect place for the dinner. Unlike Virbila, they recognized fine dining, excellent service and a gracious host.

Morgan Kottlove

Los Angeles

I disagree with your analysis of La Veranda only in the following respect: This restaurant is no mystery. The owner’s attitude stinks, and the food is terrible. Some people really do get fooled some of the time.

Michael P. King

Los Angeles

If La Veranda could get awards for chutzpah, it would probably be able to adorn iys walls with quite a few. The trouble is that the cooking there is not very good, and the management seems to lack “savoir faire.” Our first visit was also our last one.

Kurt Landauer

Los Angeles

I eat at La Veranda regularly, and there is no puzzle to this restaurant. I dine out frequently, and this has become my favorite spot. The food is always of high quality and well prepared, and the service is always worthy.

We all know that chefs Wolfgang Puck and Bradley Ogden cannot themselves be cooking all that good food in their restaurants all of the time. Why does Virbila think the chef must do all the cooking. The chef’s job is to create and oversee the production, display and serving