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Bistro Elan Palo Alto Tripadvisor Reviews
Latest Reviews On Tripadvisor
9 Reviews
0 Replys |
Not worth it
I can not recommend this place. I know we are in Palo Alto but the value for price ratio just doesnโt work in this place at all. We came with a larger group of people but the dishes were quite boring and simply not what you would expect at this price level. For some of the main dishes you have to order sides separately which is fine by itself but paying $10 total ($7 + 20% gratuity + tax) for โbistro friesโ which are subpar to McDonalds fries is just bold. There is so many things you can do to fries to make it a little more exciting but nothing of that happened here - but thatโs just a site note. The same applied to other side dishes which were just unimaginative all together. We also asked for bread and were promised it for the main course (but for some reason it wasnโt possible to get it before) but it never arrived. Service was average. In all fairness: the dessert (the chocolate cake) was really good.
Be the first to ReplyQuite enjoyable
We were the first to arrive and that meant it was nice and quiet and we were well attended to, and this would change somewhat as the place filled up and got busier. We did enjoy the food all around (cast iron steak, spaghetti; salads and dessert).
Be the first to ReplyNever Got to Taste the Food as the Staff Were Astoundingly Rude
We never got a chance to experience the food but only the extraordinary -- and truly jaw-dropping-- rude service of the hostess as described in recent Yelp reviews. As a side dish we received additional hostility from her male colleague. This is what happened :
Our daughter had recently undergone brain surgery for a tumor at nearby Stanford. Family was in town to visit her in the hospital; it was also my birthday. It was the first evening we felt comfortable leaving our daughter's side to eat a meal out. She was recovering well and we were all feeling relieved and happy. Our reservation was for 7:30 p.m. The restaurant is 10 minutes from the hospital. My daughter was settled and comfortable at 7:30, and we headed out at that time. As I was googling the restaurant to call and say we would be a few minutes late, the lady in question called me at 7:40 to ask if we were still coming. I said yes, we were minutes away, and apologized for the delay.
When we arrived we were "greeted" by both the lady and her male colleague. I gave our name. The male colleague replied with instant sarcasm. "Oh, these are the people who are late." The lady stared at me and said, "I had to give your table away." She pointed to a table by the door that was indeed full. Bear in mind I'd confirmed by text the day before -- and of course had only spoken to her moments ago. She said she would try "work it out" as she led us to a bar area.
When I asked why she had given our table away, especially as we'd just re-confirmed, she re-iterated that we were late. The man meanwhile was glowering at us. Growing agitated that now we might not be seated for a long time -- my 82-year-old mother was with us, still on East Coast time -- I said quietly, "Look, we've just come from the hospital where my daughter has had brain surgery, it's my birthday, and we really just want to have a good evening." She looked straight at me and said -- wait for it! -- "Why is that my problem?" I was so astonished by her hostility and complete lack of compassion that I turned to the surly man and repeated what I had just said. He rolled his eyes and said "Long story." And the woman again said, "I don't know why you are making this my problem."
At that moment my husband entered the restaurant (he had been parking the car across the street). He saw my distressed and stricken face. I told him I thought it was best we leave. The man said, "Yes, go." My husband asked what happened. I told him. By this point the nearby diners were all watching in horror (it's a tiny place). The woman and man continued to defend their appalling behavior as we walked out the door.
Afterwards we stood outside, absolutely gobsmacked, and wondering where we might find a table on a busy Saturday night at 8 p.m. But it didn't end there: The lady FOLLOWED US OUT and continued to harangue us. By this point I was near tears and trembling, and I asked her how could she be so heartless towards someone who she knew whose child was hospitalized after brain surgery. She came up real close to my face and said, "Do you know how crazy you sound right now? You sound INSANE!!" And then she laughed.
I turned away. My husband stepped toward her angrily. As if in a bid for sympathy from him, she said: "Look I'm just trying to run a sh**y little restaurant here." He assured that her she was succeeding, that her restaurant ranked as maybe the sh**iest restaurant ever, indeed a contender for the Guinness Book of World Records for sh**y restaurants. Now I see from other reviews that our treatment was not unique; just maybe the most extreme.
Thank goodness we discovered nearby Nobu could seat us at that moment. Of course there our party was warmly welcomed, the food and service were superb, and we managed to recover our hopeful spirits. I'd much prefer to post a positive review. So many people do so much good work in a difficult industry, it's a pleasure to recognize and praise them. But this is a case where a public service warning seems necessary.
The owners of Bistro Elan really should consider taking up prefabricated food preparation - perhaps on contract for an airline or something - anything where they can put their culinary skills to work without human contact. They authentically seem to hate the people they serve, and as these reviews attest, their hatred shows.
Decent
This is a pretty small bistro, surrounded by other eating places - you wouldn't just choose it by walking on the street.
However, I would really rate it rather high(er), being a European.
Unlike many European-themed restaurants in US, this place doesn't bring the seriously enormous amounts of food on a plate, trying to please big eaters. Instead, it gives you the portions, suited for the normal person.
The menu is quite European, and the wine list has a lot of very interesting French reds.
I had a duck leg, and it was perfectly cooked. Well, in American way - they always prefer to add garlic and strange vegetables instead of mash potatoes and a bit of sweat/dried fruits. But well - it was still cooked very well.
No espresso machine, but their french press coffee was still much better, than the usual filtered "coffee" served in US.
Verdict: I would come back, if I am in the area - for the wines and interesting meals on the menu. But well - not for their coffee (European style of making coffee is the must in European places, not matter where they are).
Great dinner
We enjoyed our dinner. Small restaurant ( approx 10 table on a quiet street near California Ave). Cauliflower soup was outstanding as well as the Foie Gras ( I rarely allow myself this treat). Apple salad was very good. The steak was disappointing. Dessert were good but not outstanding ( strawberry ice cream was the highlight). Overall felt overprice but a nice spot for dinner.
Be the first to Reply$32 corkage plus a required 18% tip= $38 to bring your own wine
Seriously, this restaurant is being totally mismanaged by a new manager. They are losing long committed customers with their outrageous policies which they claim "are standard for the restaurant business". NOT around here. The food is great, very sad.
Be the first to ReplyDelicious Food - Always Fresh Exquisite Dishes
Love this small restaurant. Unpretentious and delicious. Food is "Farm to Table" style. Unique and tasty.
Be the first to ReplyIntimate with about 6-8 tables, wonderful staff, very good dinner
I love the intimacy of this location. California Street district of Palo Alto, consistently good food, VERY friendly and attentive staff which makes for the intimacy. It's a friendly, neighborhood bistro. I had a great Caesar salad and skipped the entrees, although the lobster salad and the Petrale Sole with king oyster mushrooms looked really good. Instead I had the three side dishes: sauteed spinach, broccolini and pickled beets. They were all good, none remarkable. Next time I'll get the sole. I'm going light on entrees to keep the volume down, but I'll break by pattern at this restaurant next time.
Be the first to ReplyTerrific cozy dinner
We just had a great meal here with friends. It is a tiny cozy restaurant on a side street. It was a bit hard to find because they have a tent like structure added onto the front to give them a couple of more tables. The menu is limited but everyone thoroughly enjoyed their dinners. I went for the T-bone steak special while others had the lobster special, meatballs and scallops. Everything is done to order vs 'mass produced' which really improves the taste. Its a little pricier than normal but worth it for the food and atmosphere. The staff is great!
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