Babalu
1002 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403 (310) 395-2500
34 Reviews for Babalu
Average and over-priced (although this is Montana) food. Very good desserts, though. The service was always friendly and attentive. I've been there many times (I used to live a couple blocks away) but I honestly don't remember any meals in particular. Tells you something about the food...
i dont know why this place is categorized under carribean because it really isn't. the menu is pretty large and they offer everything from breakfast omelettes to burgers to baked goods to fish and pasta. nothing i saw really screamed carribean.
nonetheless, i came here for brunch on Sunday and it was really good. i ordered traditional eggs, bacon and toast and my friend got the veggie burger with yam fries. the fries were really good. breakfast was nothing exceptional but it wasnt bad either. the prices are a bit on the high side.
they have a bakery counter right when you walk that showcases HUGE pies, cakes and cookies. it looked amazing.
i would try this spot out if you're in the neighborhood. i live a few blocks down montana so it's a great place to go if you don't want to travel far.
Carribean? hmmm...i don't get it.
Anyhow, the food here is average. We really came here because the line for Father's Office was way too long and we were starving. So, it was between this place and the Italian restaurant across the street...we chose this because we saw people drinking wine through the windows.
I enjoyed my dish, but I think I got lucky. We started with calamari and crab cakes as apps...the calamari was a bit soggy AND salty, which seriously dissapointed me since calamari is go-to appetizer. The crab cake tasted like tuna salad...no joke. I don't even know if crab was an ingredient! This was MAJORLY horrendous..never again.
My entree dish of rack of lamb was tasty. A bit of fat on it, but I was able to peel that off. The mashed potatoes, spinich and vegi side were done well. Also tried the seabass..this was nice as well.
Ended our meal with the oreo banana brownie. AWESOME! I think this place is known for their desserts moreso than the food...because everything in the desert glass looked great...especially the strawberry shortcake. mmmm...
Service was good at first...food came out quickly and efficiently, but when we were ready to pay for the meal, the waitress took forver so we ended up walking our check up the front, only to have her say, "have a nice evening" before we told her we didn't pay. Maybe it was a long day for her...that's what I'd like to believe anyway.
I would eat here again only if Father's Office was packed.
I was so excited about cuban food in Santa Monica. No offense, but sometimes Versailles lacks a bit in ambience. Anyways, was so disappointed here. Food is flavorless, unimaginative, and poor quality. Also, the servers are SLOW and a bit clueless. The desserts are lovely - I might order one for a special occasion, as they are a tad pricey ($50 for a pie).
Another three-and-a-half star type place.
Comfortable. Menu is solid. But it gets old fast. Not a ton of variety. And the portions are somewhat small for the price. Sorta typical Santa Monica, typical Montana Avenue, I guess. Chocolate chip pancakes are good. Really really rich.
I will likely return if the opportunity presents, but not running back.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I love local hang-out's... and this is definitely one of those places where native Santa Monicans go for a chill, quality meal.
The wait-staff is nice... nothing to write home about, but they're on the ball.
The food is great. I'd call it Border Grill meets the Caribbean kinda' flare. The desserts are decadent and definitely worth sharing.
A few weeks ago my wife and I re-acquainted ourselves to Babalu, and we went twice in one weekend. Both times were great.
The seating is a bit cramped but the ambiance is nice. It's a nice place to stop into while doing some shopping on Montana.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
When we moved into the neighborhood our friend Craig said, "Oh wow, you're right around the corner from Babalu," and we said, "Babawhat?" and he said, "Babalu, home of the Banana Brownie."
Probably the best things at Babalu are the desserts such as the Banana Brownie. Also, brunch is pretty good. In particular I like the Breakfast Burrito. Actually it was Babalu that started me on my quest for the ultimate Breakfast Burrito. Subsequently I've found Breakfast Burritos at other bistros that are a bit better, but Babalu was the beginning.
But that said, many other menu items are only mediocre. I don't recommend anything they have with fish in it. For a long time I couldn't find anything on the menu that really justified having lunch or dinner there. Which was too bad, because it was right around the corner.
Then finally I had the Jerk Chicken! Which is really good. That is far and away their best dinner item.
Now the only problem is that they are often packed with a 30 minute wait.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I'll be quick about it: the line at Father's Office was too much for my date and I, and we were hungry.
Service was mediocre (but to their credit, it was relatively busy in there), and they didn't have a drink menu. When I asked (we were sitting outside) for a drink menu, the waiter (who - despite wearing dressy clothes, was sagging his SLACKS low enough to be laughable) came back after 5 minutes to say, "we don't serve alcoholic drinks outside." To which I responded, "...but...you serve DRINK's, correct?" I am a bit of a smart-ass, but he totally deserved it.
The food was tolerable if it weren't overpriced. Very overpriced. Typical Santa Monica tourist trap. Won't go back there of my own free will, ever.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I had passed it a couple hundred times and never had any interest in trying it. Maybe it was the name. I dont know.
BUT THEN a friend of mine said that they have the best veggie burger in the city. So obviously I was there the next day. DELICIOUS. It is like a hummus burger sent from heaven. Since then, I have tried the turkey burger and the pasta bolognese. I have not been disappointed.
Desserts look good too, however I have not yet tried them because I am usually too stuffed full of hummus burger goodness. Maybe soon.
i have a love hate relationship with this place.... i love the desserts, i hate the long waiting time, i love the vegiburger (best one ive ever had), i hate the parking.
best items: vegiburger with side sweet potato fries and chocolate caramel fudge cake.
worst items: shrimp lumbego is really really aweful. the shrimp have this super tough dried up overcooked texture. yuck, yuck, yuck!
They have it all!
You want a ceasar salad chicken wrap? Done.
How about rigatoni bolognese? Here you are.
Fish tacos? UHUH.
Banana chocolate chip pancakes with a side of turkey sausage? Can we say coming right up!!
This is a great, brunch, lunch or dinner spot as far as I'm concerned. They have a couple outdoor tables and a medium sized dining room indoors. I'm into the "Tommy Bahama" interior. And I can't get over their assortment of delectable desserts-- mile high cakes, merengues and cream pies and cookies the size frizbees- all of which are on display behind the counter.
Despite the size of the desserts and the breadth of their menu, this is not a denny's diner kinda place. Its fun and laid back yet still classy-- after all it is on Montana.
I'll be there on Sunday enjoying eggs benedict and a mimosa. Where will you be?
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (3)
The price is probably what you'd expect from a restaurant on Montana Ave., but the food is shrugworthy. Tacos paired with a side of what seemed to be a thai rice dish (am I seriously tasting coconut?), slightly chewy fries, adequate burgers. I get the feeling Moms might like this place.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This place might happen to be on Montana, but its one of the best you'll find in that trendy neighborhood full of richies. They have a wide selection of food choices, a good wine list, awesome deserts and a nice staff. My girlfriend and I have never had a problem at this place, and we have brought parents, friends and co-workers here. All have loved it.
Only gripe is that they don't accept reservations, and on the weekends it can be a long wait for a table.
They seem like they've declined in quality quite a lot since last year. I ordered the eggs benedict for breakfast. The potatoes were quite dry and the eggs were forgettable. But was was really appalling was the service. The waitresses seemed to be running around frantically but not getting much done, and they avoided us altogether when we were waiting for our change. Sneakily trying to cadge a higher tip by waiting for us to get disgusted and leave, perhaps? Not cool. Maybe they should hire thier staff on the basis of competence instead of looks.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I like this place. The first time I came here, I ordered pasta with leeks and peppercini and my friend had risotto special with scallops. We both LOVED our first course dinners. We also shared a babaganoush type eggplant dip with pita for appetizer which was above the mark.
We returned a second time, unfortunately the second time was not a charm. She ordered some sort of turkey meatloaf, which was generic at best, and dry. I ordered chicken kabobs, which were only so so. WE also ordered dessert, which I will give a 3 out of 5 stars.
+ The pasta, risotto and specials.
This place is a friendly, neighborhood kinda joint. The service is personal, but I have to say a little inexperienced at times. Why do I say that...? Well, Sanaz and I went one week night. I ordered a pretty good risotto. But it was hella salty.
"How is everything?" the waitress asked. "Ok, but a little too salty..." I'm English, so that really means "can I have a pint of water to save me from saline poisioning". "A little salty" the waitress echoed and walked away. no suggestions, apologies, remedies. As you all know risotto takes 20 mins to cook so I was really reluctant to send my supper back to the kitchen. I just ate it. But I'm sharing with you now.
If the risotto was better or rather the service better I think this would be a 4-star spot.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Bummer.
Perhaps this isn't fair, because it WAS the morning of New Year's Eve, and it's possible the kitchen didn't have it's A-game on, but you know, when it costs over $40 for breakfast for three people (two adults and a petite 15 year old), then it better be really good, and this was a total bummer.
My Southwestern Benedict: I know you should probably avoid things with cute names, but this really sounded good: A poached egg, turkey sausage, and some kind of "southwestern" sauce, all perched on a corn muffin. Mmmm. Except not. It was cold.
My wife's Spanish Omelette. Again, a good idea, and again, perhaps the name alone should have been a warning, but: Overcooked eggs, and really bland for something called "Spanish."
My daughter's Pasta Bolognese: "Al dente" was never quite so chewy.
Bummer.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (7)
Cool (2)
Awesome place to eat. Service is impeccable. Its not snooty or pretentious. The decor is kept to a minimum, which is nice, because the restaurant itself is pretty tiny.
We started off with some fried plantains that were so good, but were so hot, so we had to drool and stare at them for a few minutes before eating - torture.
I got somekind of roasted eggplant hummus with walnuts that was rich and amazing. My boyfriend got the ahi tuna which he said he liked.
Suggestion: call ahead with a resrevation - the place is tiny and lots of people go there, because the food is so good.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
We went to Babalu for brunch this Saturday, I have to admit, I never thought of it as a brunch place, but it was pretty good! I didn't order it, but my friend said the French Toast was to die for. I got the Rancheros Omelette, is was tasty, but unfortunately, they don't have sour cream!! I enjoy a bit of extra fat after a night of drinking. C'est la vie. We had bloody mary's instead of extra fat and they were very spicy and delicious. Best one I've had in a while. I really like the atmosphere there and although this time we sat inside with a large party, I often enjoy eating outside and people watching.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Yum! This place was packed, but well worth the wait. It is pretty standard, but they do a great job with everything. I split the yam fries with my friend and followed with the Mediterranean salad. Very fresh and tasty. Looking around the place all the food looked excellent and I was salivating over the display of deserts. Great service and no attitude...I like it.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I havent been here for brunch yet, but I hear its good times.
I live a few blocks away and one night while at Fathers office my friend Josh insisted that we get some of their chocolate banana cream pie to take home with us.
SOOooooo good. Sooo worth all the calories.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I am very surprised to see such low reviews for Babalu. I've been there twice and both times had really delicious food. Last night I went with a friend and we ordered the most heavenly appetizer: "cashkabud um june". I don't know if this is a real dish in other restaurants or they made it up. Either way, it was pure eggplant love.
We shared a bottle of wine and the cashkabud appetizer. I had the Ahi salad and my friend had the crab enchiladas. My salad had a healthy portion of fresh tuna on top of fresh fancy lettuce and strips of mango.
The crab enchilada was equally as pretty and quite tasty too.
We sat there for a while after dinner and eventually they asked us, very apologetically, if we could leave since they had a wait list. I was sufficiently buzzed so I didn't take offense. I was chatting for a long time after dinner. But they get knocked one point for that.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Its weird to see all these horrible reviews here about cockroaches and horrendous service. I've been here a couple times and it is in general, a cute and tasty place to have lunch. Their Sunday brunches are especially good and its always really busy. The waitresses are all really cute, so that helps, and its not the best service, but its a really casual place to just relax and enjoy some good looking Montana people and some sun. I usually get a breakfast burrito on the weekends or the chicken tostada at lunch. Both are above average. My only concern was that last time I was there, there were a bunch of flies hovering on the window while we were sitting, but i took care of them with the menu. no problem anymore. The cookies are pretty good, but can be stale at times (4 bucks for a cookie? see my Sprinkles review). This isnt the best restaurant in the world, but it cant be as bad as alot of people here are making it out to be.... is it????
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
If you read my reviews back-to-back you may come to the conclusion that, like a grandparent, I'm always saying things were better back in the day. Piss off (bet your grandpa wouldn't tell you that), but seriously, I can appreciate change when it's for the better, like the Aero Theater, but in the case of Babalu, like Father's Office, the change isn't good. Well, it's not bad per se, it's just away from what you fell in love with it for in the first place.
I feel like Babalu used to have a more pronounced Caribbean inspired menu as the majority of entrees and specials took advantage of liberal usage of Island spices and preparation styles. Almost all were garnished with plantains, black beans, rice, and red cabbage. This was totally unique for the choices on Montana and so it was a favorite, but since the long renovation (it was forced to closed by fire damage), loss of wonderful staff, and more mainstream menu additions, the place has lost its appeal for me.
Still, the dinner and brunch menu are good, albeit pricey, and it is one of the few eateries on Montana offering outdoor seating, no alcohol served on the patio though, but with only 12 tables inside and the no reservations policy, you will most likely be waiting awhile for a table and things may very well go downhill from there - unless you order dessert.
Their one saving grace is still one of the best-kept secrets in LA, and that is the desserts they offer created by pastry chef Vladas Ceika. You can also find his addiction inducing pastry Prozac (believe me one bite and you forget all your troubles) at Cafe Montana. You can also just buy the deserts to go, which I highly recommend.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
When I travel, I'd like to check out the local hang-outs. Located on Montana, just north of Santa Monica and Wilshire Blvd., this is a great place and is less touristy than the Third Street Promenade.
My friend and I had brunch here. The waitress told us that we had to wait for 20-30 min , so you can judge how popular this place is. But the waitress said we could sit at the bar counter right away if we didn't mind. So it wasn't bad at all.
The price was reasonable. Check out the huge cookies here!
Stereotypical LA place... Yam fries, chicken bolognese, turkey meatloaf... please give me some real food.
Chicken bolognese??? Please stop this now.
I was born and raised in LA and I will never get use to this.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
cute spot for a sunny breakfast with more than just eggs on the menu. Typically there's a wait but the food is decent and the paintings are fun to look at (and theyre all for sale).
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Went here for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. The place was packed and people were streaming in and out the entire time we ate. We were lucky enough to score a table outside which was quite nice.
The service was pretty terrible. It was hard to get someone to take our order and then when we got our appetizer they gave us no plates! We asked for some from a woman rushing around and she proceeded to take them to the wrong table and I had to go inside and request some from the counter.
The food was pretty tasty. Started with fried plantaines which were nice. I like them both with salt or sugar.
I had a pretty basic grilled chicken sandwich with mozzarella and tomato. It was enjoyable but nothing exciting. My friend had an ahi tuna salad which looked pretty healthy and the tuna was fresh. I hear the breakfast is good.
I did see the desserts inside which looked really tasty and HUGE but didnt have any.
Pretty pricey for a casual lunch.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
The food here wasn't horrible, but it was really, really mediocre. I got a $17 shrimp dish - it came with rice and cucumber salad. The rice was bland and watery and tasted like it was boil-in-a-bag. The cucumber salad was better but I could have made it at home with $2 worth of ingredients. And the shrimp was overcooked, the sauce was cloying and too sticky, and all together the entree and side pairings were weird. Not enough food, either. My boyfriend got the chicken farfalle with pesto - it ran about $15 and was drowned in gloopy, overly heavy sauce. The atmosphere is cute I guess, but not overly so. There really isn't anything special about this place and it is really overpriced for what you get. I won't come back.
tasty, creative brunch menu, and cozy, in a good way!
a big fat "oh hellllllllllz no" on my list ... at first, their name striked me ...
ok.. let's say it out loud together .. babalu.. BABA LU.. babalu..;)
it's cute and has a ring to it, so go figure... a name can only do so much.
management, customer service = absolutely horrible ... Yes, even the damn manager...
food is ok, i give it a 2/5, and i think i'm being nice that i gave it a 2. but when you want to try creole/caribbean food, prado (i've written a review about it, look for it) is great! i'm really surprised how ppl gave this shit hole place great reviews, but of course everyone's experience is different.
the crowd is quite kick back (i've only went during lunch hours), i went once, and i plan to never go again... my friend and i were ordering food, we asked for h20 twice, and got it pretty much after we finished our meals, which left me in hiccups (pardon me) while the next table over was an old man, where you see OUR waitress kissing his toes.
at one point when we asked to see the menu, she brought it over late, so i ended up getting my ass up, and getting the menu. later, she comes over and says, "do you want anyhting?" (well, she probably wanted us to order, so she could get a bigger tip) my friend and i politely asked what was good, she gave this face, and yanked the menus and left.
i swear, she looked like one of those ppl who was going to spit on your plates so of course we didn't make a fuss until our meals were finished. i did, of course complain to the manager, AFTERWARDS, but she was just the same.
food is not the best, not the worst, but we all know that customer service can seriously tick ppl off, so pretty much, left with a gross meal and a half, oh not to mention, the waitress received ZERO tip.. my friend insisted giving her tip, so she deserved a penny. my friend agrees that the service was horrible, but because she works in the restaurant industry, she felt a bit of karma and said, we should give her something, so yah, she def did get something.
a big fat penny...
that's what you get. you treat us like shit, we treat you back with shit x2 in return. she should be GRATEFUL she even got something.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
i am totally a dessert person so when m girl susan o. told me she stumbled across this gem of a cafe i was UBER excited to try out the monstrous cakes they serve.
now, i KNOW quantity does NOT equal quality, but hey...a BIG cake is a BIG cake... right??
as soon as we stepped in we were informed that the inside seating was reserved for actual "meals"...no dessert people allowed. HMPFH...well considering we spent well over $40 on cake and coffee i thought we were well deserved for inside seating..i guess not.
anyways, we ordered the banana coconut cake which is AMazing...the key lime pie which has WAY too much meringue on it and is way too tart, and a blueberry apple crumble which was GROSS. the coffee was eh, i've had better at 7-11 and the hot chocolate i ordered was basically luke warm milk with a squirt of hersheys syrup.
i am very disappointed in this place but i guess i'll come back and try the actual menu (breakfast, lunch, dinner) then maybe i can sit inside and not freeze my patoosh off on the patio.
sadsad cake day indeed.....
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Sorry, rare case where I have to considerably edit a previous review. The Babalu I used to go back years ago is a different one from the place I just went to. I recall scrumptious breakfasts, friendly service, and a light atmosphere. Maybe the breakfasts are still good.
Bookmark Send to a Friend Link to This Review
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
During breakfast at Babalu, my friend lifted up a pancake and found a dead cockroach.
We called for the waitress. She was surprisingly apathetic to the situation, offering us a free cookie.
After receiving the bill, in which I was still charged for both breakfasts, I went to the manager. "Listen," I said, "I really think we should get the pancakes on the house, since there was, you know, a dead cockroach and all."
"Weren't you offered a free cookie?" she responded.
"Yeah, I don't want a free cookie. I want the pancakes removed from the biil."
"I think you're making a bigger deal out of this than needs to be."
"A bigger deal...what? I JUST FOUND A DEAD COCKROACH IN A PANCAKE."
"Fine, fine," she said, waving me off like I was the dead cockroach. "Forget the bill. Just go."
I'm certain you'll understand that I will never, ever, EVER go near Babalu again, I don't care how many new managers they have or how much reconstruction they've done.
If you're looking for great breakfast in Santa Monica, I recommend Snug Harbor on 23rd and Wilshire. For a casual dinner, try Rosti, which is caddy corner to Babalu on Montana and 10th.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
SH1T LIST (BETA VERSION,…
please note that my SHIT LIST WILL BE UPDATED ON A… -
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
Hot and New
- Park's BBQ
89 reviews
Los Angeles, CA
- Pacifico's Mariscos
36 reviews
Neighborhood: Culver City
- Sunset Ranch Hollywood Stables
19 reviews
Neighborhood: Griffith Park/Los Feliz
- Sol Salon
41 reviews
Neighborhood: Culver City
- The Nook Bistro
124 reviews
Los Angeles, CA
