This "Hollywood jaunt" is as uninspired and bland ...

This "Hollywood jaunt" is as uninspired and bland as the rest of Pond's endeavors. One can only try to emulate others so much and achieve sustainable success. The lack of authenticity is staggering. One can expect to leave Drake's with the same feeling as one leaves Pond's other counterfeit eatery The Hudson House, heisted, expecting the Upper East Side but receiving Murray Hill. The steaks were bland, the oysters stale, and the atmosphere possessed a misplaced air of pretentiousness that could be cut with one of the restaurants tacky steak knives.

1 star