Yianni's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in California

We had a wonderful family gathering at Yianni's this week. With ten people we were in a side room but our seasoned waiter Gary opened a door so we could enjoy the Greek music by Timos. The authentic avogolemo chicken rice lemon soup was sensational. The place was packed with happy diners. The waiters ran all night to keep up. Our beet salad was delicious. I ate glutenfree with no problem, by working with the waiter. Gary gave us diagonal slices of large cucumbers instead of pita bread, for dipping into the humus, etc, and gave my vegan hubby a delicious huge tasty salad. We all loved Yianni's. You enter thru a right side door, and the front looks disarmingly quiet. Don't be fooled. It is very 'family.' Most waiters are very accommodating. I have been there 4 times. Sometimes I have had to go up to the counter for service. When things are quiet the waiter may disappear. This time, Gary showed us a small white bell button by the door, to ring and a waiter appeared instantly in the side room. Don't be shy in letting your needs be known. This has the feel of a small village tavern, and at the same time elegantly appointed with tablecloths and intimate booths and delightful Greek art and folk art. It is good to take someone along so you can sample and share more dishes. The Dalmanthes were the best I ever tasted.. the grape leaves so tender. Some devoured the lamb shanks with rice and gyros. The teens found the Caesar salad not quite to their taste. I think it had sardines or some such flavor that they were not used to. I did not taste it. But they loved their steak. All the other dishes were fabulous and disappeared...

1st time dining at this restaurant. service WAS good and food WAS good until we found blonde hair in our food. Showed the waitress and she took to the mgr. I was halfway done with my meal as was she. She said since we ate half she'll comp half. I told her I'd offered to pay for drinks and appetizers but she said there's No way the owner would allow that. If you dont pay we call the sheriff. The owner would not come out and speak with us. I even said I'd stay and buy more drinks. She said nope I'm calling sherriff.To which we then left . She had me followed out by a reg patron to physically stop be he then seen the mass of man I am n decided to go back in. She stood infront of my vehicle and took pics of my license plates. Funny she didnt take pics of our meal plates. And made false report calling it a dine n dash. With no mention of the hair. All in all great place to eat if...

3.5 out of 5. A Friday night. I will go again.

The lamb shank was a little over cooked & not real flavorful. I was served rice with the gravy on it instead of the mashed potatoes that was suppose to come with it, with no word about it. The vegetables were good, the loukaniko was great, the pastitsio was great, the iced tea is raspberry flavored & they don't warn you, & the pomegranate martini was very strong & tastes it (needed a bit of sweetness or salt).

Otherwise, the place is cute but small inside, the people are nice, the service was good, the belly dancer would only do little short bits but was good entertainment for a couple minutes, & the old man dj was cute but the music (although good!) was very loud (in the small place) & would just drop off at any moment often- leaving you yelling too loud, as well as cut abruptly in mid song to another one...