Zinfandel California Cuisine — Restaurant in California

'22-2 review, but customer handful of times over past 7 years: -- 1st off, congratulations on surviving the '20 COVID-closure crush. -- Still 5-star: dish styles/ingredients/presentation, and classy elegance, yet low-key vibe in window-lit daylight setting, full bar, & outdoor dining. -- That said, in the past, the wait staff was consistently high quality, & price point matched dining experience. Today's Tuesday noon lunch visit (party of 4 adults) with 50% tables full garners 3-star: The single, young, presentable waiter was nice, but not aware enough of table needs and cadence that come to expect from this restaurant (and dish prices). . Issues overall (today's visit garnering 3-star overall lackluster service experience and bill tightwad feel): Uninformed out of pizza dough and crab until went to order (ironically 2 of the 4 main dishes went to order). Side of sweet potato fries (w/ side of catsup only) for one guest came out immediately; but, waiter didn't circle around or make eye contact until much later in order to beckon for a side of ranch dressing). The two appetizer dishes ordered arrived SIMULTANEOUSLY with the 4 main dishes ordered. WAY too many plates for two small tables pushed together. Not to mention, too much food all at one time, making for no time to enjoy (or let settle) the appetizers with the main dish plonked in front of each of us. Empty 1st course plates were awkwardly stacked around table without being removed once all six dishes did arrive. We finally just put onto empty table next to us. At this point, waiter asked if we wanted to include that table as part of our party. We agreed, but he only pushed table half way to us, so still felt awkward--like a side table...where the empty 1st course plates remained throughout the entire meal. While the chefs entertained making the California Crab Salad for us anyway by substituting chicken (as out of crab), we were still charged FULL price for the salad ($19) and an additional $7 for the chicken. That was in NO form a $26 value, single entree salad. Not cool. Hubby ordered soda water with a lemon plus one slow-to-happen refill @$3.25 ea, which appears pricey ($6.50 total)...and petty on the refill as not notified. My lemonade glass remained empty the last fourth of the meal with no offer to refill. No dessert was offered. . Bottom line: $125 total due (before tip) for lunch that included no alcohol orders works out to $31/person ($36/person at 15% tip). That lunch price-point for salads and sandwiches requires an establishment nailing service and billing to garner a 5-star.

. ['20/8 1st...

I really liked the overall ambiance of this restaurant. I initially wanted to give this restaurant a 3 halfway through dinner but they ended up really making up for lots in the end. The food wasn't bad. We started with the Carpaccio. We both agreed it was good, maybe just a few less capers. I had the Filet Mignon and the fiancé had the rack of lamb. The proteins were flavorful but my mash lacked flavor and so did the fiancé's rice pilaf. Overall we were both happy with our choices. The waiter made sure our waters and wine were filled which was nice. They have a nice full bar with a tv near by. Kind of unique setting. The outdoor patio was nice for the more casual. The bar area was almost separated from the main dining area which is cool in case someone gets over excited about the games. They also have booth and table options as well. At the end of dinner the waiter asked if we wanted dessert, we asked what they had and he said, 'I'm not sure'. We chuckled but he came back with a complete memorIzed list. We were both in agreement that the restaurant was a 3 star until the desert came. We chose the chocolate lava cake. Even though there wasn't any lava it was delicious! To our surprise our waiter came with a small sample sized glass of red wine to pair with it. We loved it! Not sure what exactly it was but it's rare where an employee goes above and beyond to make sure your enjoying your experience! We will be back for sure!

PROS -Great variety on the menu -Plenty of parking -Nice sized patio -Full bar -Attentive staff

CONS -Lighting is almost too dim -Gives off an Italian feel but playing Spanish music (although I love Spanish music it just didn't mesh) -No one really greets you when you walk in -The sign outside advertisers half off appetizers (but doesn't state from 2pm-6pm) -The...

Such promise. Sadly poor service, Was intrigued by the menu and the wine list. But we’re fully underwhelmed by the experience.

Friday evening. Medium crowd. Tables available. Arrived with a reservation and seated promptly. Told the bread was “in the oven.” Ten minutes passes before they take our drink order. Order a specific bottle of wine from the menu. Served a different bottle of the same varietal but that was not called out. Ten minutes later bread is served. Boring white bread - nothing special.

Ten more minutes (30 minutes since seating), they take food order — One appetizer (Carpaccio) and two entrees (Meatloaf and Filet Mignon). Ten more minutes passes before and we are told they are out of meatloaf. Order pork chop instead.

Ten minutes afterward Carpaccio arrives. Is delicious. 5 stars. More bread brought. 75 minutes afterward Carpaccio arrives being seated and 45 minutes after initially ordering, entrees are served. They tell us hot plate but this is ridiculous. Need to let food and plates sit for another ten minutes to make food cool enough to digest without scalding the esophagus.

The food is delicious, though. One of the staff recognizes our ordeal and tries to make up for it with a free desert and port. The effort is appreciated. Both desert and port are good.

So much potential. They just need a front of house manager to keep the great food flowing.

Hoping it was just a bad night. We will try again, but probably not...