Pistachio Bar & Grille

From the Key Lime pie to the Chocolate cake, the portions are huge! Enough to share with another person or to eat some there and take the rest home. I have been here a handful of times just to eat dessert and I end up getting something different each time because each option is better than the next!

Pros: Large Portions!

Cons: A little cold inside.

Posted 10/20/09

I went back to Pistachios recently and found a new watering hole. This place now has not only a happy hour everyday of the week but it now has something i have never heard of. A reverse happy hour on friday and saturday nights from 10pm till midnight. Me and my friends thought we were going out for a drink and decided to make a night out of it. These happy hours could be one of the best kept secrets in the valley.

Pros: Open space and atmosphere

Cons: Acoustics

Posted 10/02/09

Let's just say the food is good. Nice. Ok. Husband and I ordered a few Thai entrees. Drinks were nice. . BUT...

As we waited, some tables were offered artisan bread with olive oil dipping, others (read: "ours") was not. We had our drinks, our entrees. Waitress came to ask how everything was. I asked of her, "How do you, as a server, decide which tables GET bread and which do not?" (An issue my husband and I had a few times before!) She looked a bit nervous and responded, "Oh you just have to ask for some bread. Do you want some???" To which I responded, "No, we are done with our meal now!" She next said, "Sooo many people are on low carb diets and such!" I responded, "Huh!"

Not a good practice to treat different tables differently. It sets up a very bad dynamic. Our food was good, yet given the service issues, over-priced. If everything was even, table to table, we'd have left relatively happy customers.

PISTACHIO, get your act together! This is not the first time, as Allentown residents, we've felt this crazy, indiscriminate treatment. Offer ALL TABLES bread. Treat all customers exactly the same.

You're business will prosper because of it.

Pros: Food is pretty good!

Cons: Service is not consistent table to table

Posted 07/24/09

I had a great experience at Pistachio's last weekend. Took my family to celebrate our Mom's 75th birthday. Guests ranged in age from 22-75 and with the diverse selection of appetizers and entrees, everyone found something that they loved.
The appetizers were delicious and Ienjoyedd the seared scallops with smoked salmon ravioli in dill sauce. Plating was beautiful - everyone was happy.
Our server, Jessica, was attentive without being intrusive. It seemed as if our glasses were immediately refilled as we took our last sip of drinks.
Will definitely be back!

Pros: Attentive Server - Jessica, Delicious Food.

Posted 04/03/09

THE WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!!! Not only do they have POOR Service/ The manager is prejudice, inconsiderate, selfish!! I invited my daughter and a few friends for dinner there. I set the 7pm reservations.
When we arrived, I noticed that the restaurant was NOT even FULL for us to wait; so we decided to sit at the bar and have a few drinks. WE waited a good 1/2 hour, but yet we noticed that other people were getting seated before us. SHE didn't even tell us the table was ready, my daughter had to go up there and the girl/hostess was having fun on her phone/texting and not paying attention to the customer. So we finally got seated. The waitress, it took her a good 5-8 mins to come to our table and see what we wanted to drink.
After she brought us the drinks, she took our order and WE WAITING A FULL hour to get our main mea.
Technically some restaurant have our food in 15-20 mins tops, but since we had prior engagement at another location, we decided to CANCEL our order. What was that for? The manager came to our table asking "What is the problem" and as we were explaining it to him, we told him we had a party to go to and there is not reason to have us waiting for a FULL hour for dinner. You what he said, he said "DON'T COME BACK HERE ANYMORE". We were shock. Instead of saying, "We apologize for the delay OR maybe even knock off 10or 20 percent of the check, he threw us out, because we cancelled our meals. What a b......d!!
We were furious. I have a good mind to call my lawyer. I would not recomment this restaurnat to anymore. You go out to a restaurant to have a good meal and good service. Not be humiliated.
I will NEVER go to that restaurant AGAIN!! He willl end of losing that restaurant in the long run!!

Posted 08/25/08

I was in Center Valley for a team meeting (about 25 of us) and we went to dinner at Pistachio. Interestingly, the focus of our meeting was customer service and we observed the best example of POOR customer service during our dinner. Our table had 4 servers (which was great), but the food came out in such a haphazard random way that no one could enjoy their meal. There was at least 30 minutes between the time that the first person received their meal and the last two people. Then the last two people were yelled at and bullied by the manager. When they did receive their food (which was supposed to be the same dish that the 1st person served received-I have to ask why not prepare them at the same time), it was the wrong order. One of them was supposed to have lobster in their pasta. When it wasn't there, the manager gave huge attitude and basically threw a side play of lobster on the tabel for him to add to his own meal. The meals were terrible. Personally, I had two or three bites and couldn't get the lysol taste of my meal out of my mouth. For our trouble, the servers offered the last 2 people a free drink (not free meals, just drinks). Additionally, the manager was yelling so loudly at the servers that we could hear him from our table which totally ruined our meals. He came over several times to tell us basically that it was our fault that the food came out so late since we were a large group. But 1. what take the reservation if you can't handle that size party and 2. technially, we were four smaller parties, since we had 4 servers with about 6 people each. What was most infuriating was that after all was said and done, we paid about $2000 for this meal that left us all feelig extremely frustrated and hungry.

Again, if you are looking for "training" on how NOT to make your customers happy, then this is your place. If not, stay away. There are other restaurants in the area that have better food, better managers...well, better everything.

Pros: none

Cons: Bad food, rude manager

Posted 08/12/08

Our lunch party of 10 visited for a business lunch and unfortunately we
were all quite disappointed not only with our meals but the overall
restaurant's experience.

First issue, even though the restaurant was practically empty, our business luncheon took a very long time to be prepared and served,(over 30 minutes!). While other tables around us were offered different varieties of freshly baked multi grain breads and rolls , our larger table , on the
other hand, was only given a few tiny ,(and rock hard), crustini croutons with a tad of hummus, one of which almost damaged my colleague's dental work.

The overall quality of the meals were also lacking given the highly priced
selections offered. We also felt the menu lacked a reasonable amount of
more appropriate lunch type portion selections.Actually there was NO LUNCH MENU.

Finally either a waiter or "manager" was yelling loudly at one of the cooks about an order. Highly unprofessional conduct given it happened on the restaurant floor, and not to mention, right next to our table. It was extremely embarrassing to all of us.

I have been to Pistachio's many times in the past and have never had this
sort of unexcusablly poor experience for any meal before in the past. So
you can imagine my complete and utter disappointment and embarrassment
as I had actually highly recommended this restaurant to all my business
associates. My huge mistake.

Pros: Large menu selections

Cons: Service, long wait for meals, overpriced and ala carte everything

Posted 07/27/08

Believe what you read on here. i was personally touched by the "prince" on Friday night. Call him Syd, Sid, Psycho, Satan, Creep, Mentally Ill, whatever you want........he will always have a place in my heart. For in this down-turned economy, he let me know how much my business doesnt matter to him and saved me from spending money at his establishment. Thank you, sir,keep going this way...you'll end up alone and penniless.

After dinner on Friday night, my par amour and I wanted a night-cap and he suggested Pistachio's. I happily jumped at the chance. Something I regret now and consider sending a bill for my wasted time.

Now let me mention that this boy is a very rich and famous man from DC. Well dressed, great manners and used to getting treated like a human. I mention this not because my boy and I are 'better' than any other patron but the fact that we were treated so badly and Mr. Syd is quite the name-dropper/fame-whore type.....I found it ironic how we were treated.

in short: we arrive for drinks, but the bell in the meat market bar area had rung and the dogs were salivating, loud and taking up all of the seat. I asked the 'hostess' if we could have a table (the place was mostly empty). They said NO. This was not their policy. If we wanted to drink we had to do it in the bar. The well-heeled man on my arm offered to buy desserts, tho we didnt want any, just so that we could have a table. The hostess was beside herself at this point and went back to check with the "prince". After a few minutes she came back and gave us massive attitude as she walked us back to a booth and threw 2 menus on the table. At this time, she said that we had to order two drinks. The man I was with does not drink, living off of Diet Coke, but offered to buy me at least two drinks, if not a whole bottle of anything I wanted. Again this was greeted with attitude and indifference...at the same time.

Pros: The Staff, parking, location

Cons: The SYD, noise, big-time attitudes in a Pennsyltucky area

Posted 06/17/08

We sit and wait for a 'while' at least 10 minutes as wait staff whiz by. We had already eaten, so we werent in a hurry to order and chatted happily. We both made eye-contact with servers and the owners. My companions family owned restaurants in Manhattan, so he is versed in handling this situation politely and compassionately. With the guest to server ratio, there is no way they could be that busy and most poeple were finishing their meals. It became apparent that the owner, The SYD, had been telling them to not wait on us. After 25 minutes past, I yanked up out of the booth and headed for the door. The hostesses were engaged in gossip and texting and didnt even notice us. The owner, on the other hand, walked briskly over to the door and gave us a huge "GOOD NIGHT! HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT" . He had a grotesque smile on his face like he won this battle of wills. He won, He won? He lost two customers at least, wait until i start telling everyone I know. I found out from a former employee that Mr SYD really has no self-confidence and loves to hang on the big name of others. huh. Makes sense for his 'lacking' personality and tremendous people skills, doesnt it? And I said earlier, if he had any clue who me and mystery boy are....he'd be you-know-whating-himself right now. But let me say: NOBODY deserves his treatment: from famous person to homless person.....staff or customer. This guy is an idiot. Please spend your money somewhere else. Most of the staff is superb and Im sure you will see them waiting table at another fine (finer) establishment shortly. The food is close to what a good cook could make at home for 1/20th the cost without the attitude or childish behavior. Do yourself a favor and explore some of the lesser known haunts of the area, ask friends about established places that they go for fun or just good food.... this place is an over-rated hang-out for pretentious people that need to feel important by throwing money away.

Pros: Parking, Wait staff

Cons: The SYD, noise, big-time attitudes in a Pennsyltucky area

Posted 06/17/08

Alright, i worked at Pistacho for a while and i agree with what everyone else has to say. Sid is psycho and really is a horrible person. His wife Lynn is just as bad shes nice to your face and then goes and tells Sid if youre not doing what he asks you to. The one day he yelled at the hostess for not asking everyone who walked through the door for their email address. He said to one of the other servers "if she didnt ask one more person that "she was out of there"...sorry but people dont want to be annoyed like that. Although all the servers, hostesses, and managers are cool it the atmosphere is completely ruined by the owner and his wife. If they would sell the restaurant it would be a much better place. Oh and for that comment about the "sleezy manager" who was doing shots, those were his friends and he was not hitting on them. so all in all id say dont go here unless you want to pay an overpriced amount for food and hear the owner yell at his employees over nothing when without them he would make NO money due to the fact that he is not an appealing person.

Pros: food, servers

Cons: price, SID, LYNN

Posted 04/24/08

We arrived at this restaurant excited, not having been here for about a year or so, there were three of us - we were told the wait would be about 40-50 minutes. About an hour and 15 minutes later, we were seated at a table that had been vacant since the moment we walked in the door. At least we had the bar to hang out at, except that the bartenders hardly acknowledged our presence and in that hour and 15 minutes we each had only one drink...
After being seated, our waitress told us, "the kitchen is backed up tonight...i wanted to warn you..." we ordered immediately, ANOTHER hour later, our food finally arrived - MINE CAME SPECIAL WITH LONG HAIR LACED THROUGH THE VEGGIES....
We did not receive any apologies, no complimentary items, barely a "THANKS! Come again" (Which we will NOT anyway, thank you very much)....AND to top all of this, the sleazy manager was hitting on 50something has beens less than three feet from our table the whole time (doing shots and everything), and did not once acknowledge that anything was wrong with our service or our overall dining experience.
I am sorry we opted to return to Pistachios, and we certainly WILL NOT make that mistake again....

Pros: vast menu

Cons: service, food, cleanliness

Posted 01/26/08

As in the previous reviews, the owner kills this place. As a former employee, he used to tell us to post on city search and dine dot com to up the overall rating because they were so bad. His own secretary told us to keep our slips everyday because he shaved hours. SHAVED HOURS!!!! Just to save him money as if he needed it. He would come in and complain to all the employees because he wanted everything to be "perfect". He really did mess with his employees whole mood. His wife was a complete mess, and walked around like she knew what was going on as well. The food was bad, it was overpriced, and just a terrible place to eat. It looked nice, the other employees were cool, but once that guy walked in, it was all over for everyone. I don't even want to know what he paid the Spanish employees in the back that worked all day. I hope one of the employees catches him with proof of shaving hours so they can shut that place down or kick him out. Don't go!

Pros: The servers

Cons: Everything else

Posted 01/09/08

I used to work at this dump, and honestly, if mediocre, overpriced food, a psychologically toxic atmosphere, and abusive and uncaring customer service are your bag, you've found your own personal purgatory for masochists. i have witnessed incredibly abusive treatment of fellow waitstaff as well as customers; woe to the poor soul who complains about one of their hastily thrown together faux-gourmet disasters, the wait time, or the seating, for you will be ignored. no refunds, no amenities. they simply don't care. i have seen many of my colleagues dissolve into tears after a particularly nasty diatribe delivered by the owner, who regularly insults his staff and customers (obscenities and inappropriate comments at no extra charge). i truly have never worked in a more psychologically unhealthy environment, and even with the employee discount the menu items weren't worth it--always a disappointment, sounded better than they tasted. the place is shoddily run with no efficiency or rationality, and believe me when i say that will be reflected in the quality of your experience. they have lost many customers and will continue to lose more because they don't put the customer first, they don't care, they treat you like you should kiss butt to be allwoed to eat at such a glorious establishment. the owner walks around yelling at everyone so often that they become so frazzled and upset they are incapable of doing their jobs, and no cooks ever stick around long enough to be able to learn how to prepare the dishes. so don't say i didn't warn you--pistachio is a fashionable disaster and it completely style over substance, with even the style being quite lacking. avoid like the plague!!!!!!!!!!!! take it from one who knows on all kinds of levels.

Posted 10/28/07

There when it opened...
I have been visting this place since its inception and I have noticed constant trends. While the menu changed throughout the years, the overall direction has never improved. It wasn't until I noticed these reviews, when I decided to vent. The food has not lived up to the quality consistent with the prices. When you pay for a $20.00 plate of pasta, your expectations should be greater than what is served. Above all, while dining, you should not be subject to listening to a foul-mouth, obnoxious owner. If I treated my employees and customers with such little respect, I would expect to be out of business. When considering a place to eat in Allentown, I would pass by Pistachios and visit the better-run establishments in the area.

Pros: location

Cons: ownership, price

Posted 10/19/07

i work at pistashios. i love the people i work with, the food is generally amazing( when the chefs are in charge of doing it themselves) and its a great place to hang out. the managers, ALL of them, are out for the best interests of the restaurant. that said, it should be the best place in the valley, agree?

(it would be 4 or 5 stars if not for one element...) but. the owner... ahh, the guy who watches Food Network for a few hours a week and feels like he knows more than Flay or Batali... i have seen personally where he belittled the employees in front of customers. guys, its an EVERY DAY OCCURANCE. he has no place having any say in running any business, let alone a restaurant. i challange Sid to work on the line, deal with what they have to deal with, lets say on a saturday night.. i would love to see him squirm. would he finally have respect for what those chefs go through? probably not. but it would put him in his place a little, and that place is a lazy, fat, no good, know it all hothead who knows ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about food. its not the way YOU love food, Sid, that makes it a great dish. its the way the people PAYING YOUR SALARY like their food that you should have your chefs prepare it. replace chicken livers with say, lemon rosemary blue fish or something. just because everyone knows you love to eat food ( for free, ALL THE TIME) doesn't mean you know anything about it. please please sell Pistachios to soomeone who has a knowledge about food. maybe George, the manager who you talk down on all the time.

and leave your wife at home. she brings NOTHING to the restaurant ( except, your condescending attitude toward employees, and her hunger for free food)

sincerely,
pistachios employee.

Pros: great food, great servers, great staff, great ambience

Cons: SID AND HIS WIFE

Posted 10/02/07

I agree with the other two people who commented about the owner. I have been there several times and witnessed him acting completly nuts! He should be banned from the resturant. With out him the experience would have been much better. The service was good and the food and drinks were great. I like the place alot ,but when there are so many other resurants to choose from why put up with the owner. I don't know if I will be going back there.

Pros: outside seating

Cons: owner

Posted 08/22/07

This is the worst place to go. I have been in there several times and everytime I have been there the owner has been there either cursing at someone or throwing things around. I mean, please, this is not how you treat your staff or customers. I have heard him refer to a customer as an "a"hole and then even told a female server that she was an a**. Last week was a real wake up to me. I have decided to stop going there. Anyone that treats people the way he does, does not deserve my business. I have started telling all my friends and relatives how bad it is here. To come to found out my mother was there the night he cursed at a server right in front of her table. She even told the server she should quit and she would support her in court if she wanted to press charges. That is what he needs, someone to finally put him in his place.

Cons: the owner

Posted 08/21/07

I agree with the person who wrote the Owner Needs Manners. I have been going off and on to Pistachios ever since they opened about 11 years ago. When they first opened the food and service was really good. But since then it has majorly gone down hill. I was also there on the night that the person mentioned. There was some major issue with the computer system and rumor had it that the owner was the one who messed up the computer system. Well we waited about an hour for our food and it wasn't that busy but due to the mess up by the owner it took forever for our food to come out. There was a male manager on and a female manager. The male was up at the line expediting the food and I heard him tell the servers to start handwriting tickets since the owner was telling the other manager to reboot the system every 10mins. With that happening how could the servers put any orders in? He was yelling and screaming at all the staff including the managers and acting like a child when it was HIS FAULT that the system crashed. My friends and I heard him start yelling at the male manager cause orders weren't being rung in but made by the cooks. He was cursing at the manager and throwing a temper tantrum like a 3 year old child! He told the manager that he did not know what he was doing and to get away from the line. But then he just screwed things up when he took over. If I was that manager I would have walked out right then and there. He was doing his best to get orders out under the circumstances on a saturday night. The female manager was also getting cursed at by the owner and she was doing her best to get the computer system back up and running. I think the owner should not be allowed in the restaurant if he does not know how to behave himself and let the managers run the restaurant. For a restaurant owner to act that way it is uncalled for!! YOU DON"T YELL AT YOUR EMPLOYEES FOR SOMETHING THAT IS YOUR FAULT TO BEGIN WITH !! He needs to be banned from there.

Pros: Parking

Cons: Owner

Posted 08/21/07

My husband and I visited Pistachios this past week. Not only was the food great, but the service amazing. We were greeted with the hostesses and smiles on their faces, and when asked if we could sit at a booth they did everything they could to make us comfortable. The waiter we had was funny, clean, and fast. He was so efficient in getting our drinks and deliverin our food while it was still hot. The dessert was nothing short of delicious, and we will without a doubt be returning to Pistachios. It was such a great atmosphere with the great food and service to back it up.

Pros: friendly, sophisticated, fun, clean

Posted 07/15/07

I visited Pistachios last Thursday night with some girlfriends of mine and was pleasantly surprised when arriving. We were seated promptly on their outside patio, and greeted with a complementary appetizer sampler. Their menu varies from multiple gourmet pastas, salads, and great seafood dishes. Their specials were also impressive as I ordered the Stacey's Signature... a mix seafood grill. Our food arrived shortly and was hot and delicious. The atmosphere is NY chic and the service was wonderful and always with a smile. I highly reccomend Pistachios to anyone looking for a great upscale meal.

P.S. their creme brulee was wonderful as well.

Pros: Atmosphere, Extensive Specials, vast martinis

Posted 07/15/07

I VISITED THIS RESTUARANT ABOUT TWO DAYS AGO. THE EXPERIENCE STARTED OFF REAL NICE UNTIL THE OWNER/MANAGER MADE HIMSELF KNOWN. THERE WAS A COMPUTER PROBLEM APPARENTLY AND HE WAS LOUD AND RUDE TO HIS EMPLOYEES. I WITNESS HIM BELITTLE THEM, CALL THEM NAMES, AND CURSING AT THEM. HE EVEN TOLD ONE EMPLOYEE "THE WORLD DOESN'T EVOLVE AROUND HER." FOR ANYONE TO SPEAK TO THEIR EMPLOYEES THIS WAY NEEDS TO GET SOME MANNERS. WE WILL NO LONGER EAT THERE OR GIVE OUR MONEY TO A BUSINESS THAT ENCOURAGES THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR. AND I BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW WHAT TYPE OF PERSON IS RUNNING THIS BUSINESS.

Posted 07/13/07

I have just recently been introduced to this restaurant. I have nothing but positive things to say. I enjoy the food here, especially their salads. The staff always has a smile on their face and willing to greet you. They try and get you seated as soon as possible. And the servers are willing to please. Everything I have ordered has been served quickly, correctly, and at the right temperature. It is a great place to bring children, thus having four myself. The environment is relaxing and I have always enjoyed myself. I eat here about 1-2 times per week.

Pros: easy parking and great staffing service

Posted 07/10/07

This place has gone way down hill over the last few years. We stopped eating there a year ago but went tonight when someone gave us a gift certificate. We ordered our food to go, and ate it about 10 minutes after picking it, as we live close by.

When we arrived the teenaged hostess was eating at her desk, literally stuffing her face out of a styrofoam container while chatting with two waiters. Anyway, we ordered a variety of things .. the cheese on the pizza was cold and congealed when we got home. The sausage pasta was hot but sausage was bland and dried out.. The calamari was like rubber ... you get the picture. Nothing we ordered was worth paying for (thankfully we didn't have to) and the whole experience was consistent with the last visit we made (when we did eat in).

Oh, and its overpriced.

Pros: Parking

Cons: Food

Posted 05/20/07

Call ahead to get your name on the list for seating, especially on weekends. The basic menu is very good, but the specials are usually amazing. Martini list and ice cream drinks are great! Salads are big and can fill you up. Pasta and pizza is always flavorful and piping hot! Great menu for sharing. Price is very reasonable.

Pros: Menu Variety, Excellent Specials, Good Bread

Cons: Waiting Time, Reservations for >4, Slow Bar Service

Posted 09/20/05

Not the great, but OK. If you want to make a reservation for less than four, tough luck. You are put on a prefered waiting list. Food is so so. Lots to choose from, but none great. If you don't want to go to Fridays or eat at Carraba's, then this would be an good alternate.

Pros: Many menu choices, Good drinks, hip decor

Cons: LOUD, so so food

Posted 10/26/02