Lavanda Restaurant & Wine Bar

09/05/2008 Posted by annienonomus

I eat out in Palo Alto almost every night. I gave this place a couple tries late last year, because the wine list was so good. The food was not so good then, but this time, WOW. I ate there earlier this week. The bar was maybe half full, the restaurant maybe a little more so. We got fast, friendly service from Patrick the bartender. There are plenty of wines by the glass and half bottle options, and a full bar. I like a place with good champagne by the glass, and these guys have some good options (Nicholas Feullete rose, delish, not too expensive). The wine list is still great- lots of variety from quality producers, Ca, French, and elsewhere in all price ranges. If you bring your own, corkage is only $20! Used to be $30, which was a rip-off. We shared several small plates, including figs wrapped around dates (cooked perfectly!), lamb rib-lets (also perfectly done-falling off the bone and well seasoned).Fresh tomato salad was full of flavor, dusted with finely shaved parmesan, which added nice salty taste. Soup of the day was fresh tomato with bread and basil. Good but not great. The rabbit ragut with thin homemade pasta sheets was fantastic. Rich, flavorful, complex (fresh white truffle in there- not nasty truffle oil-fantastic! I was too full for dessert, but since i enjoyed it so much I'll be back soon...

Pros: FOOD, finaly! Good bartender, not too crowded on a Wed.

Cons: none recently

06/22/2008 Posted by chipoverstreet

The food is pretty good, despite the somewhat small portions. Just be prepared for a smug, indignent wait staff. Truly unbelievable. We eat out every Saturday night, and this is the second time we've encountered such poor service at Lavanda (and we've only eaten there twice). I've never berated a restaurant before in a review, but this one is deserving. If you're going out in Palo Alto, pick one of the dozens of restaurants where they value your business...it isn't this one.

02/23/2008 Posted by majoreaterouter

Went for a nice night out and picked Lavanda. Was extremely relieved to find valet parking (which became an issue, but save that for later). Had 7 pm reservations, got there around 6:45 pm, was immediately seated at the bar and was offered a view at a very variant wine list - great selections and the bartender was a very generous fellow who offered some good tastings and had some great suggestions. Bought a nice Cab, got seated around 7:15 pm and then things mostly went downhill. Service was very substandard, food apart from the small salads was disappointing to say the least. Upon our departure, we could not find the valet and after we did find him our car took about 20 minutes to come back (as the valet was busy talking on his cellphone). Even though the owner, a great guy named Bruce, was super apologetic and apathetic, I would go back for another go at their wines not at their service or food.

01/10/2008 Posted by samevents

I plan events, many in Palo Alto, and never had such a difficult time arranging a dinner. The customer service was very poor!

12/05/2006 Posted by vmebellotti

I reserved a table here last night because the reviews were on average very high. But my friend and I were shocked by the amateur standards of the food. Given the reviews, flashy interior and prices, one would have expected something around the standard of Evvia (very good). But we were sorely disappointed. We elected to try several appetizers and a side so we could sample as much as possible at one sitting. The tuna with capers was hard, overcooked and bland. The honey and vinegar dressed artichoke hearts were tough and just vinegary. The sprouts with hazelnuts were the most edible, but ordinary. The bean soup with cabbage seemed to be fresh from the can with a dollop of chili oil for flavoring. And, finally the mushroom appetizer was just mushrooms with oil on them. No subtle flavoring of anything, just salt, oil and vinegar. My friend couldn't finish her share. I can eat dull and amateurish food so I did finish mine. To sum up, the food is edible but nothing beyond that. I think they should try hiring a proper chef. This place is a waste of your dining dollar, given that there are so many other far better choices in the neighborhood.

Pros: Decor is nice

Cons: Food is extremely unappetizing

11/07/2006 Posted by karkam

Food is not good. $30 sea bass and it was dry. The presentation was horrible. Way overpriced for this kinda food. I went cuz I was deceived by the 9.2 high rating of citysearch. I would not give more than 5. There are many restaurants in Palo Alto serve much better tasting food at this price range. And I have been to a lot of other restaurants with 8-9 rating and had much much better experience than this one.

Pros: Ambience, wine list.

Cons: Food, price, presentation.

10/30/2006 Posted by kubura

We were at Lavanda for a first time and we had a great time. Had some wine at the bar, great wine list by the way. Bartender was great, made some great suggestions. Place was happening. We got seated shortly. Service was perfect, timing was good and food was pure 10. we got to meet the owners they were wery frendly. Be back soon. So happy that we discover Lavanda. You have to check it out. Ciao

Pros: ambiance, food, service

Cons: can't think of one

09/07/2006 Posted by souffle1976

I got three small plates for $5 each, not bad and very nice serving. It was delicious. Great wine and desserts. I sat at the bar on a Monday so it was not social but I still managed to dine for three hours.

Pros: Excellent wine bar

Cons: Staff is professional but NOT warm

08/18/2006 Posted by citygirl1017

We should have known that anyplace with a last minute reservation open on Mother's Day would not be too good, but everything about this place sounded great. All four of us who went are Bay Area natives, used to great restaurants. Not this time. The duck confit was soggy and the skin was thick, not crispy. The fish had no flavor and neither did the appetizers. Absolutely nothing was good about this place. The waiter was not really around and he was not helpful at all. We spent a whole lot of moolah, and got next to nothing. I will never go back to Lavanda and have told everyone I know not to as well...And now I'm advising you...Stay away, unless you like bad food and spending your entire paycheck.

Pros: pretty dining area

Cons: food, service, and value

07/27/2006 Posted by corinna_chang

Both the service and food were very good. We ordered the special pasta of the day and it was excellent. We also ordered the fish of the day, a grilled wild striped bass. The flavor was very good. The last entree ordered was the roasted sea bass on the regular menu and it had wonderful flavor and texture as well. They have an extensive wine list which is great and the best thing I liked about having wine there was that when you order by the glass, they pour a little into your glass to let you taste it first. If you don't like it, you're not committed to the glass you ordered. Typically that is only done when you order a bottle. I've encountered another place that let you sample your wine by the glass before committing to the glass, not even wine bars that I've been to do that. That shows true conviction for the enjoyment of any and all wines offered.

Pros: Wine offering