The Counter, Studio City -- a reason to be less cheerful

A note: The Counter is having a "soft opening" in Studio City this week. For those of you that don't live in LA, The Counter is a popular burger joint which bills itself thusly:

Step into The Counter® and you’re greeted with a clipboard and an extensive list of fresh mouth-watering ingredients that allow you to build your own gourmet burger. Our 312,120+ different burger combinations make every burger as unique as each customer. Rarely is the same burger made twice in one day.

Our friends went there last night on the advice of another friend, for an early dinner with their children. Apparently Steve Carrell had also eaten there very happily. Mr & Mrs L's experience was not a good one. Mrs L posted this on LA Eater:

Steve Carrell may have enjoyed himself at The Counter but they snubbed us at the door even after explaining we were neighbors who would spread the good word and that we had friends who had eaten there earlier and others inside at the time we arrived. The Maitre D' or manager or whatever he is was snooty and rude and does not understand the power of a neighborhood endorsement (or in this case, a neighborhood boycott). I will never return and will go out of my way to encourage others to avoid it as well. Too bad. I was looking forward to a new place in the 'hood.

The modern Spanish bistro Bokado, just down the street from The Counter saved the day, however. Mrs L loved her beet salad. Another reason to go: they have baked goods from Porto's, the amazing Cuban bakery in Glendale.