I have visited Rock Sugar several times in the past year and plan to do so again in early Dec., when back in SoCal.

What a great concept/environment/experience.

It's always crowded when I go and the Santa Monica Blvd tables are always taken. A great feeling out there.

Food is cool. Service has always been of the expected high quality. Drinks are standard, but a bit on the expensive side, like the regular CAKE stores (although I've generally received a pretty generous pour in free pour states).

From info provided on past conf calls, I infer the reason they have not expanded the number of locations is becasue they haven't figured out how to bring food and service costs to a sufficiently profitable level. I'd also guess the fit out is more expensive than a standard CAKE store. High build out costs and high direct operating costs would result in a problematic margin pinch. I don't know this is true, just guessing.

Still, whatever the reason it's too bad, 'cause it's a great concept.

When I visit other stores, I have a bunch of different questions I try to casually ask and one is about Rock Sugar. When I was in SLC recently, I asked someone there about it and they told me they thought the next one was planned for Las Vegas. A good idea, I thought, since there are two Grand Lux stores there, But at the store in Annapolis, I heard it was Chicago. At another store, I heard FL.

Which brings me to the employees. Almost all are personable, dedicated and very loyal -- even though many believe the company is privately owned by the Overton Family (I do not correct them since I think it's a good thing that they think they work for a family owned biz). They try to help in any and every way and will ask the manager or chef or bartender or the guy at the next table for information to answer questons or get the oprder right or whatever. Amazing.

Remarkably capable and creative people at this company. I hope they figure out how to make RS profitabloe enough to expand beyond Century City.

One last comment on Rock Sugar, specifically. The garage under the mall is astonishing. I can never figure out where to park that's close to the restaurant entrance, so it's always an expidition to find the restaurant and then successfully return to the car. Worth every second of the effort though.

Finally, I almost never understand YELP comments on restaurants. I sure don't get those posted on YEPP for Rock Sugar.

Any others been there with simolar or different experiences??