Ate at Lustig last night for the first time and we loved the food, drinks, service, and ambiance. While the food is better than my other favorite schnitzel spot, Rasselbock, the price would keep me away from eating here regularly. $34 for a schniztel with no sides vs. $23 for a schniztel with two sides. Not overpriced for LA though. I would come back for dinners with friends.
Their new cocktails menu is a bit too weird for me, so I stuck to classic old-fashioneds, which were made well with large pours. Wife liked the Gartenparty.
I’m really pulling for Lustig. Big fan of the food. I just think more people need to go and try it. Hopefully there’s a long runway because quality should win out in the end.
I got an email from them a couple of days ago to join their whisky club, its an annual fee of $1567 and gets you:
Reserved Bar Seating:
allows you to keep an eye on your treasure at your visit
(bar seating upon availability – we do have 18 chairs plus, 2 high tops with 4 seats each.)
Welcome Gift:
Receive a tasty gift upon joining. Founding members will also receive a $100 Food & Beverage Credit for Lustig.
Complimentary Whisky Locker:
Personalized for those with more than 3 bottles.
Complimentary Valet Parking:
Available once implemented at Helms Bakery Complex.
Discounted Whisky & Scotch Purchases:
Access to purchase rare and unique whiskies and scotches with a first round on us discount
Anytime Access:
Savor your collection during our restaurant operating hours - served over ice or as a cocktail at no charge.
Monthly Tastings:
Attend complimentary, members-only tastings. Members can invitenon-members for a discounted ticket price (if capacity allows).
Exclusive Barrel Access:
Get yourhands on handpicked barrels selected by our whisky club management team. And in our yearly raffle we select a winner that will join our whisky club management team to pick a barrel at a distillery of our choosing.
Your Designated Taster:
Once a week you can have a designated taster – which allows your friend to access your collection during his visit at Lustig
Cash Back Rewards:
Earn Lustig Credits on your annual F&B purchases at Lustig:
I’d imagine the only people considering doing it are affluent locals that love the place, who also happen to love whisky. I actually like the concept. Say, if Hayato or Kato had a regulars program that gives people a bunch of perks (Free Jikon anyone?) for essentially spending a lot of money that makes them regulars anyways. If you’re already blowing $400 a meal there 10x-30x a year and you know it, why not join something like this. Easy decision. The fact that Lustig is offering it is a bit strange, but I would love it if other restaurants I frequent offer something similar.
The bar manager who runs it likely has a good handle on his target market. If the included monthly tastings would otherwise cost $75 (not an unusual price for expensive / rare stuff), that’s $900 right there. Might appeal to people who spend a lot on expensive allocated whiskys, especially if they eat at Lustig often and would benefit from the cash back ($150 on $5000, $500 on $10,000) and free valet parking.
Yes I understand all the things you’re saying, but how many people tick all those boxes AND know about this program AND decide it’s worth it AND sign up for it? 5? 10? It’s not like this place is a hot spot that’s fully booked 7 nights a week. Just seems like a lot of effort for something that a handful of people - if even that - will sign up for.
Other whiskey/bourbon clubs at restaurants give members a bottle every month or quarter in addition to the benefits listed here. Some are yearly fees while others are pay per month per bottle. This seems like an exclusive club.
