Bistro of Santa Monica
2301 Santa Monica Blvd
Cloverfield Ave.
Santa Monica, California 90404
USA
Phone: 310-453-5442
Cloverfield Ave.
Santa Monica, California 90404
USA
Phone: 310-453-5442
| Food | |
| Service | |
| Ambiance | |
| Overall: |
Location & Nearby Info
Pots & Pans Thai Food0.02 mi
Cafe L'Etolie D'Or0.03 mi
Blueberry0.03 mi
Irish Rover0.15 mi
Mc Cabes Bar & Grill0.15 mi
Quiznos0.16 mi
Starbucks0.16 mi
SanSai Japanese Grill0.17 mi
Suzie Snacks0.19 mi
Sunshine Cafe0.21 mi
Cuisine:
Bistro of Santa Monica Description:
This restaurant's called a bistro---even looks like a bistro---but is, in fact, a trattoria, with only occasional nods to French cuisine on its extensive menu. But it's a pleasant enough place, as long as you don't have your heart set on French food. The historic brick building, circa 1890, is decked out in its original stamped tin ceiling and leaded glass, and tables are nicely dressed with linen and flowers. Starters include sautéed mussels, beef carpaccio, calamari fritti, and other Italian standards. There's a long list of pasta, gnocchi and risotto dishes, and entrées include veal Marsala, cioppino, osso buco in a bordelaise sauce (one of those rare French touches), and scampi, plus specials like seared ahi in pesto sauce. For dessert, the tiramisu is quite respectable, but if you're really missing your authentic bistro experience, go for the chocolate soufflé.
Reviews of Bistro of Santa Monica
New Attitude needed. by steakluvR
2008-07-22 03:01:23.0
2008-07-22 03:01:23.0
Overall
Food
Service
Ambiance
Review :
The restaurant had an atmosphere that gave hope for a wonderful meal. Indeed that would have been the case, except for the main course steak disaster. I asked for my steak to be medium rare so as to avoid the meat being well done. Nonetheless the steak was well done when it came out as part of a surf and turf dish. I pointed it out to the manager. He took the steak and brought it to the kitchen. When he returned with a new piece of meat I cut into it, and took a bite. I WAS SHOCKED that the steak was fridge cold in the middle. I pointed out the problem with the meat to the manager. When he finally returned with the same piece of meat cooked the way I had asked, I had already finished the rest of my meal. Not only was there not so much as a gesture of complimentary coffee, there was 18% gratuity added in print at the end of the bill, with no warning prior. There were only 3 of us at the table. When we pointed out that there had been no attempt to compensate for the ruined main course, we were told that a new piece of meat was used to replace the overcooked steak... what was the alternative, un-cook the meat? ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL!
The restaurant had an atmosphere that gave hope for a wonderful meal. Indeed that would have been the case, except for the main course steak disaster. I asked for my steak to be medium rare so as to avoid the meat being well done. Nonetheless the steak was well done when it came out as part of a surf and turf dish. I pointed it out to the manager. He took the steak and brought it to the kitchen. When he returned with a new piece of meat I cut into it, and took a bite. I WAS SHOCKED that the steak was fridge cold in the middle. I pointed out the problem with the meat to the manager. When he finally returned with the same piece of meat cooked the way I had asked, I had already finished the rest of my meal. Not only was there not so much as a gesture of complimentary coffee, there was 18% gratuity added in print at the end of the bill, with no warning prior. There were only 3 of us at the table. When we pointed out that there had been no attempt to compensate for the ruined main course, we were told that a new piece of meat was used to replace the overcooked steak... what was the alternative, un-cook the meat? ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL!