So I made it out to uWink finally. It’s location in Woodland Hills, while not that far, was just too much of a hassle to make it out to. I had read only a lukewarm response from the location in Woodland Hills but I wanted to check out its new location at Hollywood & Highland anyway. So I went, and even though I had low expectations, I was really let down.
In case you don’t know, uWink is a concept by Atari and Chuck E Cheese founder Nolan Bushnell. According to the web site it’s “an interactive, social restaurant where at-the-table touchscreens let you be in control of your meal and your fun.”
We roll in on a Sunday night and the place is pretty empty. The décor looks like something out of a bad early 90’s sci-fi movie. The only type of techno interactions in this place are the screens popping out of the tables. Other than that, it’s just some flashy colored lights sprayed against the walls.
We’re seated promptly by the super duper extra cheery hostess. Yay! We’re seated at the back of the restaurant (why the very back, I’m not sure) and then painstakingly instructed on how to use the ordering system.
We begin to explore the easy to use, but less then attractive interactive menu. Bright colors, with big pictures of foods and drinks, Just check out the menu on the website, it’s not much different than that. They have a few specialty cocktails, filled with booze, nothing that you haven’t seen anywhere else before. The pictures don’t do justice for what you actually get. They look like tiny, lifeless drinks, but what you get is actually a large and lip puckering concoction of booze with artificial flavors and coloring. The build your own margarita gives but a couple of choices, on the rocks or straight up (who drinks a margarita straight up?), garnish and type of tequila. Why it’s so limited I’m not sure. What if I wanted to add some muddled cucumbers, or fresh fruit juices?
The food menu is even more uninspiring. A half dozen entrees, a few pastas, a couple of sandwiches and salads, and a build your own burger with a limited number of toppings. They were out of the burger, my first choice. They were out of the pesto pasta, my second choice. I was offered sliders in their place, but I found it odd that you can bring me a few little hamburgers, but not a bid daddy one.
The whole thing was sort of lost on me. If I’m going to use an interactive menu to create my meals, why not give me more choices. There was no advantage to using the interactive menu over just giving it verbally to a server. The games weren’t enough to peak my interest, imagine cell phone games and bar trivia. The whole experience was more like 1999 interactive and not cutting edge 2008 interactive. I remember going to Chuck E Cheese as a kid and being wowed by the selection of video games and animatronic Chuck and his band of singing misfits.
Save yourself the trouble, invite your friends over, order some food from a good restaurant or fire up your grill. It’s game night without the annoying H&H parking and crowds.
9. July 2008 at 6:39 pm
thanks for the review. I was really curious about this place but it’s far from my house in Ontario.
11. August 2008 at 2:07 pm
I have only been once and had a great time….I think it may be the night of the week you go. Not that it should matter. Thursday nights are fun if you like a little friendly competition. I went with a group of friends and had a blast. Try Thursdays if you are up to it! Take care.