Lavanda Restaurant & Wine Bar

My order from al a carte menu was entree, one side dish and glass of wine. The skirt steak was tough (hard to imagine); the side order of green beans with prosciutto contained no prosciutto that I could detect. The side of green beans was topped with red pasta sauce, the wait-staff assuring that the sauce was flavored--NOT. They offered to and did replace side with sauteed spinach, not much better. In a location that has access to organic ingredients, this restaurant does not, in my opinion, use. The dining dollars are better spent elsewhere.

Pros: Ambience, linens, wait-staff

Cons: Poor food, even mis-represented

Posted 11/07/09

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

Posted 09/04/08

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.

Posted 06/21/08

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.

Posted 02/22/08

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

Posted 01/09/08

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

Posted 12/04/06

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.

Posted 11/06/06

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

Posted 10/29/06

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

Posted 09/06/06

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

Posted 08/17/06

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

Posted 07/26/06

A friend took me to Lavanda for dinner to celebrate a special event, and the service was horrible. The hostess was rude and uninviting. She took us to the table, did not wait until we had sat down, dropped the menus on the table and walked away without saying a word.

We wanted to start with a beer, but our waiter could name only one beer they served - listing styles rather than brands, then saying that they did not have anything good, and not even bothering to walk ten feet to the bar to get the information. He then disappeared for over ten minutes without taking our drink order.

The first impression was so bad, we left. Restaurant staff need to know that they set the tone. If I am paying high prices for food and drinks, then the service better friendly, prompt and helpful!

Pros: Nice atmosphere, Good wine list

Cons: Rude staff, slow service, unhelpful staff

Posted 02/28/06

Lavanda is a treasure. Great wine, and knwoledgable staff to help you pick the right one for you. (I love that they let you taste, and encourage you to sample). The food is terrific. The gnocchi in browned-sage butter is decadent, but a great companion to a crisp, dry white which cut through the melted butter as you eat. The desserts are fun and great to share with a dessert wine or coffee. Take some friends and enjoy Lavanda.

Pros: Wonderful wine, Great food, Great staff

Cons: Busy at time

Posted 01/14/06

A friend and I came across Lavanda on a pleasant Saturday afternoon. I'm new in the San Jose area and probably had not been in Palo Alto in at least 20 years. The meal was outstanding. Service was very good and the surroundings were excellent. It wasn't busy, so I couldn't say what a crowd might do to service or food quality. Not light on the pocketbook. Definite go back. Wish I could do it today. And yes, there are easier places to park, but it was far from being a serious challenge.

Pros: diverse menu, prepared with finesse, comfortable spaces

Posted 06/13/05

My husband and I went for our anniversary dinner and had such a great experience. Wonderful food and service made this restaurant one we will come back to!

Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance

Posted 04/24/05

Went to Lavanda restaurant last weekend with friends and really had a great meal. One thing that I really liked about this restaurant is the choices that one has. You can order from pasta to entrees and most of the appetizers can be shared. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Pros: Great wine list, Delicious food, Not noisy

Posted 04/11/05

Went last night and had a really great dinner. My dinner was the pasta that had artichoke and onions. Since I rarely eat meat this was a great dish.

Pros: Not just meat dishes, Wine flights, Nice service

Cons: Parking

Posted 04/11/05

In a word this place was pathetic. Food very over priced, staff not giving a damn about customers and not having a clue about their own food and wine. After paying nearly $90 I was still hungry when I left and felt very cheated.

Would not recommend this place to anyone.

Cons: Expensive, Bland food, Staff

Posted 04/08/05

This restaurant really suprised me. They have been around for a while and flying under the radar. Went in and had such a great dinner that I have not stoped talking about it to my friends. First, a wine list that will totally blow you away. Two pages of pinot noirs when most restaurant only have 4 or 5 selections. Had the flank steak special with artichokes, aspargus & peppers and my companion had the mahi with eggplant, peppers & onions. Simply delicious!

Pros: valet, location

Cons: parking

Posted 04/05/05

Overall we had a nice time at Lavanda. The wine list was one of the best I have ever seen on the Penisula and the food was good. The seared scallops were excellent, however our pheasant and grilled calamari were simply average. I think they would be better off serving a free-range young chicken or squab verses the "gamey and dry" pheasant that we had. The service was very average. Our waiter was not well versed in wine or the menu in general, however the busser was very attentive and friendly. All in all we will return to Lavanda for another good dinner.

Pros: Wine List, Location, Scallops

Cons: Average Service

Posted 02/17/05