Lavender Bistro — Restaurant in La Quinta

I will start off by saying the initial service was extremely fast. Although objectively, our reservation was at opening time and we did not wait long to order unlike most tables starting with drinks. The atmosphere was nice, dim Christmas-like lighting wrapping the trees was not overwhelming, and volume was fairly decent for the amount of full tables present. The live music simply seemed off. The songs that were being sung just sounded irrelevant and random. It was just odd in general to say the least. Fernando, the bus man/waiter, was excellent, and my table wishes he was with us the entirety of our visit. He was very attentive, offered to take a photo of us once he saw us struggling to take one alone, was quick with drink refills, and was generally very friendly adding to our visit good small-talk and conversation. I am in the service and even would say his outfit was very presentable and it was noticeable he took the time to actually iron parts of his uniform others did not such as our actual waiter's vest in the back. As for David, our waiter, he was quick to initial service as stated before. Recommended us two different wines based on our initial preference. My date did not particularly enjoy it and after our 90 minute stay or so, was still over half way full. He also recommended house specials (of course), and my date obliged opting for the lobster ravioli, I chose the half baked chicken with greens and potato gnocchi. The lobster ravioli was average and slightly bland. The lobster tail itself had no aiding elements to support it even in the base sauce yet was cooked nice. The potato gnocchi was the better part of both of our meals, but still nothing to rant about being that I only finished my portions of greens which were very fresh. The chicken was laid in a thin layer of sauce that helped it none whatsoever. I had three bites, one going to my date for confirmation, and that was it. It did not even seem as if a speck of sodium or pepper was added for taste. It simply tasted like plain chicken. The upsetting part is that after the food was brought to us, the waiter, David, never came to check on our liking of what was given. We sat there with nearly a full glass of wine, and entire half baked chicken, half a mini cast-iron full of gnocchi, and a full plate of ravioli and was not asked how we were enjoying it, not once after we took our first bites. Didn't even bother taking the chicken or gnocchi home. Additionally, mid-way through our meal, a couple joined the restaurant nearby and requested a heater be turned on. David obliged without considering the positioning of the heater at all, and was full blast overhead near my date who had to move her chair towards my side of the table to escape. If it weren't for Fernando, I would have nothing positive to say about the place other than it being fresh. Considering the full amount was paid for the meal and drink, we definitely won't be returning here or recommending a trip here to anyone. Highly disappointing for the prices...

After hearing great reviews on this place from the concierge of our hotel and reading all the amazing reviews online, we booked Lavender Bistro for our final night in town. Boy was that a mistake! We didn’t eat lunch so we arrived hungry and thats the only thing that got us through the terrible food.

I have never had to ask for the check after 5 minutes of the main course arriving. I had to go to the bathroom where i got sick after my first bite of filet and fondant potatoes. I had just said to my boyfriend (who got the same entree) that something tasted funky and off. I wouldn’t be shocked if we found out that the food was made a week ago and heated up in a microwave.

You’d think that the manager would want to come speak to us, but the waiter passed us the check and said he just took my entree off. My boyfriend clearly did not eat his either due to the funky taste, but I just wanted to get out of there. We paid the $200 + check for some of the worst food we’ve ever had and went to the nearest grocery store for ginger ale and pepto.

FOOD: Bland and mushy. old school fine dining without the execution. Lacks consistency and their food standards (of what they put out) DO NOT come close to justifying the crazy high prices NOR the reviews.

AMBIANCE: we were about 30 years younger than the rest of the patrons. Lights on the trees outside were pretty, but the live (again old school) music being sung and played by a single guy and his keyboard PLUS the bland, generic food reminded me of being at a bad wedding!

SERVICE: I liked our waiter for sure! He was the best part of the restaurant—attentive and answered questions well. I knew he cared about his job from his efforts, which is why I tipped out 20% even after our terrible meal. I could tell it was the standards set forth by management, or lack of management that had me questioning overall service.

OVERALL: DO NOT waste your time or money on a night at Lavender Bistro. I would have rather eaten at the Ritz Carlton again where we spent $100 more for twice the amount of food, and a million times better everything. Lavender Bistro may have been good at some point, but it misses the mark on all levels. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

I don’t typically write the bad reviews, but this was so far wrong...

I was in the restaurant in Late November. The food was amazing and the service impeccable. I had the pear salad and Lobster Ravioli. It was an 80th Birthday. I drove a guest and friend in from Los Angeles, and she took me to the patio and said that I needed to bring my Husband. We ask the person at the front desk if we could bring our small dogs and she said yes. We made reservations for Christmas for 2 plus the pups. We decided to change the reservation until Monday. He forgot what time he changed the reservation, and when I called today, and said we thought it was at 7:45. She responded we don’t have it. I replied what about 5:45, 6:00. The Women on the phone replied well do you want 5:45 or 7:45. I said 7:45, and the patio. She said well I have a table but can’t guarantee the patio. I explained that we have our two dogs. Come to find out it was Rene the General Manager. I explained that we had a reservation yesterday and it was with our dogs. She went on to say that yes the Owner Michele’ does not allow dogs, and there is miscommunication through the restaurant. I figured as the General Manager operator Rene would be able to execute policy that either her as the GM or her Boss the owner would require. Through our conversation she said we would not allow 2 dogs on the patio. Now is that 2 dogs or 1. I believe in equality, if you allow dogs that you allow any dogs. I understand that not every restaurant caters to furry critters; however, create a policy and stick to it. My interpretation was a sense of discrimination. My last name is usually identified with a specific religion. I share my concerns as I feel as if we were not allowed a bite of the forbidden fruit. I’m not sure how long Rene has been your G.M. Her management skills lack professionalism. As for the food and staff I can only offer kudos. As per management, and her representation for the owners. This is a place I will never attend again. My dollars and the food are not worth the time to write this, and they succeeded making a special weekend poor. Please think twice before you decide...