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Aioli Bodega Espanola
Categories: Restaurants Spanish Restaurants Tapas Bars Restaurants Basque Spanish, Tapas Bars, Basque [Edit]
1800 L StSacramento, CA 95811
Neighborhood: Midtown
(916) 447-9440
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 11 pm
Sat-Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
186 reviews for Aioli Bodega Espanola
Review Highlights
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"...marmitako de attun, ravioli de la moda and pollo andaluz." In 3 reviews -
"HOLY YUMMNESS PAELLA TO DIE FOR." In 35 reviews -
"...were the clams, chorizo and white beans, beef short ribs..." In 3 reviews
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186 reviews in English
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Review from Ken G.
5/1/2012
I'm not really a huge fan of Spanish cuisine, but I really enjoyed my experience here.
The food was very good. I had a plate of Citrus Grilled Chicken and even though it was an extremely simple dish, it had a ton of flavor and everything was cooked very well. The side of potatoes topped with aioli was also great. I had some of their sangria, which was excellent, full-flavored, without being too sweet.
They have an outdoor area where a live performer sings some amazing Spanish music....very romantic. If you get the chance to sit outside, please do.
I would definitely come back here...the service, food and ambiance were very good. -
Review from Flix N.
Sacramento, CA
3/10/2012
love this place!!!
It costs slightly more than the other tapas place in town but it's well worth it.
Nice portions, nice presentation, excellent service, cool ambiance.
Lamb skewers...yes!
Beet and arugula salad...he!! yes!!!
Marinated mushrooms...kinda' meh
Free bread with dippin' sauce...most excellent.
Raviolis as tapas? fantastic!
Mojitos...possibly the best I've ever had!
and
and
and
A great selection of wine by the glass, generously sized to boot. -
Review from Carlo S.
Sacramento, CA
3/5/2012
Every time I think about this restaurant, my mouth waters for the "rack of lamb" .
Cooked and seasoned perfectly. Tender in the melt in your mouth kind of way. This dish is by far the best "rack of lamb" I've had in town. Even compared to Plan B where theirs was voted the best, for me, I believe that Aioli's is the best.
Located in a very pleasant part of downtown on L and 18th st. Great for people-watching with a European flair.
Very highly recommended. -
Review from Ric M.
Rocklin, CA
4/21/2012
I'm not a tapas expert. These folks are very friendly, and the food is very good.
A weeeeee bit pricey for me. I've taken the family there 2 times in the past 3 years because of the cost. But since the food is always good, and the people there are very nice, it's a good treat. -
Review from Stephen R.
Sacramento, CA
5/22/2012 Seated via OpenTable
3 out of 4 dishes were terrific; service was tops. Aioli's is one of my favorite places to eat. I've been there often.
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Review from Samantha Z.
Roseville, CA
5/17/2012
Terrible terrible service, we ordered three different tapas and when my fiance asked about a 4th, our waiter actually told us we ordered alot and if were still hungry, we can order more. Really?? Who are you to tell us what we can order... And the Tapas we ordered were not good... The salmon entree I had was okay, but when I asked for two lemon slices the waiter brought me lemon slices that had already been squeezed... The only thing that was very good was the potato gratin. But after the service my fiancé and I received I would not go back. Pretty place, but I was thoroughly unimpressed.
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Review from Ruth P.
Sacramento, CA
4/20/2012
Great customers service and good lunch special:)
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Review from Susan F.
San Francisco, CA
4/8/2012
Love the service and food here. The scallops and mussels and clams arre amazing ( separate dishes) This place executues in every meal. Love it!
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Review from Adonis V.
1/25/2012 4 Check-ins Here
¿Qué es ese plato llamado, otra vez? What is that dish called, again? This question often comes to mind as I partake on some of the tastiest tapas this side of the world. Two of my favorites is a cheese filled warm pastry and spinach with sliced medium rare steak dish, both of which names have been lost in the void that is my brain but have retained its righteous flavorful memory in my tummy.
The tables are lined with white linen cloth but the ambience does not lead one to believe of pretentiousness. Au contraire, this little shining jewel in the L street mecca offers great service and friendly atmosphere without being over the top. Some yelpers have mentioned the owner...yes he seems to have this strange aura about him but he's always been cordial and friendly.
The wine selection has a few good vintages from Rioja Spain - my favorite. I knocked one star off the rating from the otherwise massive celestial body that is Aioli Bodega Española because of the otherwise celestial pricing - it is fairly expensive for tapas. -
Review from Kelley M.
Sacramento, CA
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great place. I had never eaten there before. Just had lunch there recently with work mates. I had one of the three special offerings that they have ever day for lunch. Not sure if they offer the same deal for dinners but it was a steal and soooooooooo very delicious.
Service was slow even though we told our waitress (who was amazing) that we were in a hurry. Otherwise I would have given them 5 stars. -
Review from Tram T.
Sacramento, CA
1/24/2012 Seated via OpenTable
They close at 11pm but considering we arrived a little early for our 10:45pm reservation, our water was definitely in a rush to get our order in to the kitchen for them to start cooking.
Slightly over-priced...4 pc garlic/wine shrimp appetizer for $10?
The atmosphere was nice, meal was nice, wine was nice, coffee was good.
Waiter didnt ask us if we wanted dessert though. I guess he needed to leave.
It was "Meh. I've experienced better." like the star rating suggests. -
Review from Dominique M.
Beverly Hills, CA
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Where do I start.....
The atmosphere here is so nice and calm the decor, just lovely!!! Just the perfect addition to mid-town SAC. Great for a date night :)
Aioli Bodega Espanola is without a doubt pricey, but also very well presented and the quality is so fresh and delicious. I did feel as though the tapas were a complete tease though and I don't like to be teased at all.
Mushrooms and mussels YUM!!! I had the Salmon for dinner and it was very good slightly undercooked. My friend had the steak and short ribs and said the short ribs were the best ever, so he order another order of short ribs...
Service was above average and I am all about service.
Overall we were both extremely delighted with the entire experience we had at Aioli Bodega Espanola. -
Review from Dave G.
1/3/2012
Excellent cuisine, accommodating service, and romantic atmosphere! My wife and I arrived at Aioli's for New Year's Day dinner and they did not disappoint.
My wife has several food allergies and the chef and wait staff were able to work with her to come up with some delicious options that she loved. I have no such restrictions and really enjoyed the white bean soup and lamb skewers.
This is a great place when you're able to leave the kids at home and enjoy an evening out. Definitely will be returning.
Great value for the price, as well. -
Review from Jeremy W.
12/12/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The short ribs are the bomb!
I liked this place, but I wasn't able to win my friends over. I think their palates just might not be ready for Aioli!
Until I can find some unsuspecting victim to come in with me, I guess I'll just have to day dream about those short ribs! -
Review from Josh A.
Sacramento, CA
4/26/2012
If I hadn't lived in Spain I would like this place more. Does the paella taste like paella? Yes, it does. Albeit the paella is lighter on saffron and heavier on oil than I care for. I was left wondering why isn't there cochinillo or empanadas gallegas or countless other more traditional dishes.
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Review from Melanie H.
Sacramento, CA
3/11/2012
A neighborhood gem.
I have never had a bad experience at this restaurant! It's cozy, tasty, not too loud, and the food is always great. The mushroom raviolis are my favorite, but everything is always thoughtfully prepared and the service is never intrusive. Great for special occasions or romantic meals. -
Review from Peter L.
Sacramento, CA
9/20/2011
I have lived in Sacramento for over 10 years and I have always heard about Aioli ... all my friends say it was good to check it out but let me tell you i was VERY upset
Not only did they ruin my birthday dinner but they were extremely rude about it, we didnt even get passed the first course of tapas, we ordered the mussels and let me tell you, they had a weird smell and taste but we tried to get over it but my buddy ate a mussel that was just down right nasty! it was black in the middle and smelled like it was rotten, he even put it in his mouth and almost threw up then and there!!
We told the little red head waiter what the problem was and all he had to say was "I will show Chef" and then didnt say a darn thing, they practically rushed us off to go somewhere else. Ridiculous! They didnt even attempt to make the situation better ... this place may be good but they need a huge lesson in customer service .... will never go this place again .... -
Review from Jeff P.
Elk Grove, CA
10/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food here is outstanding. The service was great and ambiance is fitting for its location.
We had the mussels, short ribs, chicken, and mushrooms. The flavors of the food were so savory. The quality and presentation of our meal was great. I was extremely pleased with the entire experience.
I do find Aioli Bodega Espanola a little pricey. It is tapas, so they are small plates made to share. I find that if you had a party of more than 4 it would get really expensive. Overall it is a great place for a dinner for 2 and love that it is in an alive part of mid-town Sacramento. -
Review from Sus R.
Sacramento, CA
2/17/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Food was really good and also the service. Love the ambiance and the live music. Definitely coming back
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Review from Blake J.
Sacramento, CA
11/5/2011
I liked the atmosphere here a lot. The patrons all seemed happy, and they had live Spanish guitar. The waitstaff was all very helpful and upbeat as well.
Didn't do tapas except for the cheese filled pastries. Those were good. I ordered the salmon for dinner. Again good. The potatoes were good as well. I don't like spinach, but I ate all of it on my plate and it too was good.
My girlfriend ordered the the skirt steak. I had one bite but it was delicious.
The only snag in the night was the waiter mixed up our order. My food came out a good 10 minutes before my girlfriends so when I finally got to eat it the food wasn't as warm as what's normally desirable. Our waiter was very apologetic and comped us some port wine and chocolate mouse. A very nice gesture, but still left with the feeling of a less than smooth experience. Not his fault though, that happens.
Overall, I enjoyed the place but nothing on the menu truly jumped out as something I'd have to come back and try another time. While I don't doubt it's all tasty, it's a little pricey to not be blown away. -
Review from Chantal F.
Sacramento, CA
2/19/2012
The waiters are awesome, delicious food & wine, and great atmosphere!
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Review from Anh N.
El Cerrito, CA
8/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
We ordered the Paella and it wasn't that good here. The socarrat was very disappointingly missing from this dish. Don't think you can consider it Paella without the socarrat; the signature trait of the dish.
The steam mussels had a foul smell coming from it; like sweaty gym underwear.
Perhaps the other dishes are better, but I'd stay away from the Paella and mussels until they can cook it right. -
Review from Miki S.
Sacramento, CA
9/8/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Great Spanish food and service!
Try the gambas and ravioli -
Review from Savannah H.
Sacramento, CA
1/30/2012
Hands down, the atmosphere is the best thing about this place. Its intimate, the outside patio is enchanting and it all seams to have a sort of candlelit glow. Perfect place for a date night, which is how I got there for the first time. As far as the food goes, I ordered the paella, which was good, but I thought it tasted a bit unauthentic. The tapas plate was yummy and the service was great. I look forward to going back and trying a different dish, so I can fill in that last star.
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Review from Mali T.
Sacramento, CA
8/9/2011
4.8 Aioli's serves some of the best Spanish Tapas in Sacramento! Oh Yes! Authentic in taste and great selections to choose from! I'm in love hehe! They have varieties of small plates too! Order away =)
The service here was also amazing! Nice decor and great atmosphere!
Need to head back here and try out their other dishes hehe! Totally recommend! -
Review from Marina C.
Sacramento, CA
5/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Aioli and I have a long and sordid history. And I admit, there was a time a while ago when I knew most of the staff by name. Our relationship was young and fresh and idealistic then. I was charmed by the bodega atmosphere and the hospitality, the tasty tapas, the fantastic wine list, the Spanish guitar player, and (dare I say it?) the rather hot waiters. (I dare.)
Years passed and my head was turned by newer, shinier, hipper restaurants. I too suffered a few evenings of the gruff nonservice of the older guy (Dude! Drink some prune juice!). The final straw came when I took a good friend here against her protests and had a truly one-star experience. I sighed and shook my head and moved on with my life, with occasional wistful glances at the corner of 18th & L.
Aioli and I, we're no spring chickens now. But you know when a restaurant sticks around for as many years, they are doing something right. And there's something to be said for that tried and true, faithful friend--when you call, you know they'll be there with arms wide open.
On a recent visit with a large party (I admit, my fingers were crossed behind my back), the service was impeccable. Our waiter, whose name I've forgotten (tall guy, red hair--I hope my pals left you a great tip), provided stellar, friendly, totally-on-it service. The patio was, as always, a divine little midtown oasis. And the menu (and several updated offerings), rivaled any of the new midtown Yelp darlings.
Say what you will, but Aioli has regained its rightful place on my restaurant rotation. Ole! -
Review from Tuyet N.
Frustration. Starvation. Temptation. Ingestion. Digestion. Relaxation.
Went here with a group of 9 for a birthday dinner with reservations at 8 on a Saturday night.
Frustration: Had reservations and wasn't seated until about 40 minutes after. What's the point of having reservations when we still had to wait for our table just as other walk in customers do? Yes, I was frustrated and starving!
Starvation:I saved my stomach for this dinner, I was excited to try new things but I was starving waiting for my table to finally free up! I was waiting by the kitchen and saw and smelled the aroma of the foods that came out. What a tease! They all looked delicious! When was I going to get to eat? When will it be my turn?
Temptation: Our table finally frees up! OMG I finally got to sit down and look at the menu! I was so hungry at this point, I could eat a horse! I was tempted to order everything on the menu and then some! So instead, our group ordered some tapas and main entrees. The tapas were: Ravioli, Mussels, Calamari and Spareribs.
Ingestion: The Ravioli was soo delicious! Definitely one of the best tapas there. The mussels and spare ribs were good and the calamari was nothing to brag about. For entrees I ordered the Salmon and the boyfriend had the baked chicken. His baked chicken was delicious! My salmon was good but after tasting his plate, I wished I ordered his instead.
Digestion: Okay so I won't get into the nitty gritty here BUT I do have to comment on the restroom! Its super cute and clean! I love the character it had. I have a thing about clean restrooms ;)
Relaxation: After eating, there were no one waiting left to be seated so we mingled and chit chatted while some in our group had sangrias, beer and mojitos. It was quieter now and the light was dimmed. Nice relaxing atmosphere.
I'd just like to point out something to other patrons. Please try to be considerate. Maybe because I had to wait for so long for a table I became a little anal but seriously though...the table we were waiting on had already paid their bill and instead of gathering up their things and moving the party along, they sat and talked for another 30 minutes! I peaked over to see if they were drinking or having dessert but they were doing neither...Just taking up needed space. This restaurant is pretty small and tons of people were waiting, so I wish they would have been more considerate of others. I will not knock down a star because of the wait because it wasn't something that the manager could do at that point anyhow. -
Review from John C.
Rocklin, CA
1/23/2012
We had a large party for dinner and had one the worst meals ever. The restaurant was loud, the tables too close, and the food was bland and over-priced!! However, the worst part of the meal was our waiter Joseph (he said he was French). He was pushy, rude, and non-attentive. A waiter plays a crucial role in your overall dining experience-he made it a nightmare. He refused to take our drink order until we ordered our food, he told us he would have made up his mind much sooner, he never asked us how our meal was.....and I could go on and on.
Everyone in our party said after the meal we would not return to the restaurant again-there are too many good choices in the area. The owners need to focus more on good service and treating customers properly. Find another place to eat and avoid a bad dining experience. -
Review from TJ D.
Sacramento, CA
6/14/2011
This is probably the hardest review I've ever had to write. I've been going to Aioli since 1997, and I've never written a review until today. Ordinarily, Ailio would get 5 stars from me. But not today.
It's been 5 years since I've been to Aioli. I moved to Orangevale and haven't had the time to spend in midtown like I did when I lived there (duh). Every time we have tried to go to Aioli it was closed. But last night we managed to be in the area during dinner, and decided it would be a good treat.
We were seated promptly in the courtyard, which is where I prefer to be. We promptly ordered our traditional pitcher of sangria, and some tapas. I eagerly awaited the delicious bread with the bean spread, as it is one of my personal favorites.
The bread and bean spread came, and we quickly discovered the bread was burnt. We are talking black crust. We mentioned it to Jacob, our server, and he apologized and said he would fix it. When he returned, it was the same break WITH THE CRUST SCRAPED OFF. The only reaction a person can have to this is "OMG, WTF! ARE YOU SERIOUS?". And that is exactly the reaction I had. Fortunately, I didn't get a chance to say anything before they brought us a fresh batch of bread.
Next came our tapas.
The Ahi and Spinach salad was excellent. However, I did notice they used canned beets. For the price, one would expect all the ingredients to be fresh. Even so, we both enjoyed it as a light starter.
Next up was the fig and goat cheese bruschetta. It looked very appealing and was well presented. However, the bread itself was burnt. There were large black spots over the crust and the body of the bread. We mentioned this to our server and he brought us a fresh plate within 5 minutes. He was, however, sure to point out that the black spots were grills marks, which I took as an insinuation that I do not know the difference between toast and burnt toast.
By this point we realized we were in for a different Aioli's experience. What the heck, the sangria is excellent (the touch of mint is the defining taste of Ailoi's sangria). Love the courtyard. Another pitcher of sangria please!
Next up was the lamb and pepper skewers. My wife commented on how dry and overcooked the lamb was, and I at first thought she was just being over-reactive since the experience thus far had not been good. Not so. Not only was she right, she was understating it. The lamb was dry and CHEWY, as if it had sat under a heat lamp for hours. The sauce and peppers were actually delicious, and I am certain this would have been a 5 star dish had the lamb been cooked properly.
Finally, the scallops and risotto. Very nicely done. Perfectly cooked, tender and delicious. The risotto was creamy and well flavored. Unfortunately the previous 3 dishes ruined the experience a bit.
It's a bit difficult to explain the service. The best word I can use to describe it is "WEIRD".
Jacob, if you read this,we gave you a 20% tip (20% of the pre-discounted bill) because we both appreciate that you do this for living. In truth, that sort of service was not worth 20%. Inferring that the customer doesn't know the difference between well toasted toast and burnt toast is silly. Scraping burnt off the food and returning it to the customer as if they won't notice or won't care is just plain rude.
Jacob also brought us someone else's dish. Ordinarily we wouldn't even see this as a problem, but it was another little thing to further irritate us.
The bus boy was devoid of any personality. No big deal. It just added to the negative experience.
The owner came to our table. I assume this was a move to try to make amends, but it came off very weird, with the owner asking us if all the food was bad. It was very odd and uncomfortable, and he never really offered an apology for the bad experience. He seemed more shocked that we didn't appreciate his restaurant.
Jacob did offer us free dessert as compensation,but we really weren't hungry for dessert. Jacob then told us he would remove the two overcooked dishes from our bill. It was a nice gesture I guess, but it really didn't change our perspective
The couple behind us also complained that they received the wrong dish. They did not realize it until they had started eating it. They said it was good, but pointed out to Jacob that they had expected their original order. They clearly sounded irritated. Instead of asking if they wished him to bring the dish they were supposed to get, his reply was "It was good though, wasn't it?" Not even an apology!
These last 30 minutes of our visit (while trying to enjoy our pitcher of sangria) was just weird. I finally suggested to my wife that we leave
before things got even more weird.
I am not sure I can go back. -
Review from Summer D.
Sacramento, CA
3/20/2012
This restaurant is one of my absolute favorites. As soon as you walk through the door you are greeted by one of the owner's, usually with a "Hello Bella". I recommend sitting outside if it is a nice evening; my preference is near the fountain as it drowns out the surrounding noise. I always stick with ordering tapas rather than a main dish, then you get to try a little bit of everything. I highly recommend the skirt steak, rabbit and chicken tapas ... and the lamb. Actually, I do not believe there is an item I wouldn't recommend at least trying. 5 stars!
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Review from Duane H.
Chico, CA
6/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I like genuine authentic (kinda redundant, huh?) Spanish food. This is not a Mexican joint. This is what food tastes like in Spain. We came here just before our last trip to Barcelona and got tips from the staff on where to visit in the area. Their recommendations were spot on. These folks definitely are NOT pretenders.
Aioli has a really nice wine selection... actually better than what we could find ourselves when we were in Spain (but that is another story...). Definitely go out on the patio in the summer. Sacramento cools down on summer evenings and the combination of food and patio are magic.
Can you tell I love this place and don't hesitate to make the two hour trek to dine here?
Recommended. -
Review from Jacks S.
Los Angeles, CA
3/20/2011
Let me just say, I have never liked Spanish food very much, not even while I was in Spain...maybe I was just a naive colleges student on a budget who didnt know how to order, but it seemed like everything I tried was overly salty or consisted entirely of dry ham and olives...well NOT anymore thanks to Aioli!
I was lucky enough to visit Aioli in Midtown with my awesome boss who knows a thing or two about real Spanish cuisine and this place was great! I tried half of their tapas- I recommend the portobellos al jerez and their tortilla espanola, the patatas bravas...their sangria is pretty good (although I wish I had tried their wine) - Lets just say the food was so good, I came home and tried to recreate their dishes the next day! -
Review from J P.
Sacramento, CA
3/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
These guys have 2 entrances but apparently only one is monitored. Walk in the wrong one and you'll be standing around for 15 minutes while being ignored by the numerous employees who see you standing there. Walk in the right one and the robots might promptly seat you to a bad meal.
Once we were actually seated, the service we got from the blond guy was pretty good. No faults there.
The food, on the other hand, was mediocre, bland and what little taste it did have was a bit awkward. Everything was just a bit off.. either not fresh or poorly prepared.. I couldn't tell. The server asked if everything was ok when we opted not to pack up the $40 worth of food that was still sitting on the table. What do you say when everything is bad?
For the money, Aioli should be doing a much better job. I hate to mention other restaurants in a review but Tapa the World is cheaper, has better food, and better ambiance. If you want Tapas late at night, go there. We won't be going back to Aioli. -
Review from vince v.
Sacramento, CA
2/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I will admit up front that I was somewhat reticent coming here having read the very mixed reviews about the service given to younger patrons, but it was my lady friends birthday and she really wanted to go here ssoooooo yyyeeeaaahhhh....we went.
We ordered a series of small plates and each of them were very delicious in their own ways. Moreover, they were brought out in the correct tasting order which made them even more delectable. We had the following: ahi ceviche, the prawns, duck hearts, beef tartare, beef short ribs, and for dessert the drunken lady fingers and truffles in white chocolate. Of the above choices I would recommend the short ribs and duck hearts in addition to the drunken lady fingers, all three of which were unbelievably unique in their flavor composition.
Our server, Azziz I believe his name was, and the support staff were spot-on and struck a perfect balance of efficiency, friendliness, and leaving us alone that an evening such as this needed. To top it off when they found out about the birthday the entire wait staff came out at the end and sang happy birthday with a lit candle in one of the desserts for her to blow out. While this kind of thing can run the risk of being "chain restaurant" cliche the staff at Aioli put their own unique Spanish touch on it and in the words of a wise, allegedly sober, and completely coherent Paula Abdul circa 2007 "made it their own".
Overall, we had an extremely good dinner which was made even better by an efficient and friendly wait staff. It's too bad that some reviewers have had bad experiences here in terms of the service and I can only hope that Aioli has worked these kinks out because I would recommend going there. -
Review from David C.
El Dorado Hills, CA
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Aioli's serves some of the best Spanish tapas in Sacramento. There is a nice European feel to the place, intimately lit and a patio area in back. On some nights they also have a live guitarist strumming flaminco music.
My wife and I eat here almost every year for our anniversary and they always deliver. Every time we go, we order 1-2 small plates dishes that we know we love and then we let the waiter/waitress order everything else based on what he/she thinks looks good for the night. We have yet to be disappointed with this approach.
A few personal favorites:
Bruschetta with garbonzo puree and carmelized black figs (We thought it sounded odd but it tasted wonderful!)
Mussels in garlic sauce
Stuffed tomato
Beef short ribs
With 3 kids of my own, we have never taken them to Aioli's. It's probaly not the best place to go with little kids as it's often crowded with small dining tables.
In Spanish tradition, the dining experience at Aioli's is just that, an experience. Don't go to Aioli's if you are trying to make it to a show/performance in 45-60 minutes. The food delivery can be slow at times but they have a great wine selection to make up for it. Go to Aioli's for the tapas/wine, to catch up with an old friend or for a romantic dinner.
Aioli's is a Spanish dining experience. Enjoy! -
Review from Rainnie Y.
Elk Grove, CA
3/12/2012
May be I didn't order their signature dishes, the dishes I ordered is just okay. The $40 saffron seafood rice is not worth the money. I had better else where for about half the price. Service is okay with degrees of arrogant.
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Review from Scott I.
Roseville, CA
5/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Full disclosure... I love this place. I have been frequenting Aioli for about two years now and all I can say is, they make you feel like family. If you are looking for a fine dining experience, a place where you can meet with a client or simply relax with a loved one, Aioli will take great care of you.
The food is fantastic and the selection of wine is superb but best of all, fall in love with the atmosphere. -
Review from Emily S.
Sacramento, CA
6/2/2011
Went for dinner last night for the first time and it was delicious!! Our waiter pretty much ordered for us, nixing our wine suggestion and supplementing his own, making food recommendations, etc. And, of course, everything turned out to be absolutely DELICIOUS.
I would highly recommend the portobella and goat cheese tapa and whatever red wine we had...although I'm not sure, because the waiter didn't like our selection and substituted his own. I am so glad he did! -
Review from Derek B.
Sacramento, CA
1/1/2012
My wife and I have been going here for over 7 years. We even chose this as the place to dine when we got the offer accepted on our house we bought, and the night I asked her to marry me. I don't want to bury the lead. I will NEVER spend money there again. Why? The owner. Read some of the other reviews. You will see similar stories. The food? I have always enjoyed it. The staff? They have always been wonderful to us. The atmosphere? We have almost always found ourselves amongst interesting people.
You know that "Saturday Night Live" sketch about the Italian waiters who molest the female customer at the table? Could have been based on the owner of Aioli. It can be endearing at first. Then after several visits, it just borders on creepy. He has also had a habit of "offering" wines for us to try, under the guise that he may be just letting us sample them. Then, they show up on the bill. As though we should have to ask, "Well, are YOU buying this, or are WE buying this?"
We only went back for New Year's Eve because a good friend was there. We went there in spite of our feelings about the owner. As usual, a "groping" greeting was in order. The owner was nice about getting us a table together for 6 people. Things were going fine until the owner decided he wanted to start popping balloons. One after another, after another. Right next to our table. A woman in our party was sensitive to the noise, so we asked him if he could stop, or do it in some other part of the restaurant. After popping a couple more, he relented and went off to another part of the restaurant. Of course after awhile, he had to come back and do it some more. Again, we conveyed our wishes. Yes, it was NYE, and there should be revelry. We weren't requesting "no noise." Simply, don't pop balloons two feet from our ears. No exaggeration. When midnight hit, he went all out, popping several in a row, and seemingly choosing our table to do so, just because he wanted to prove a point. One couple decided to leave because of this. When the man of the couple expressed to the owner why we were leaving, his attitude to paraphrase was, "This is my place. I do what I want." This, to a party of 6 who had bought about $200 worth of wine and champagne. Nice way to treat your customers on NYE. The owner is a petulant man-child.
You may be able to go there and have a very nice meal. But, if something goes wrong for you, and the owner gets involved, it will likely not be resolved to your liking. Again, look at some of the other reviews. There are too many good places to eat and spend money in this city to be treated this way. I am much younger than the owner and will be returning someday, when he has sold it to someone who cares about their customers. I shouldn't have to wait too long. Happy New Year to all. -
Review from Eastsac G.
Sacramento, CA
3/29/2011
Haven't been here in years so thought we'd give it a try again. Hubbie had steak bistecca which comes thinly sliced with some arugala on the plate. Steak was pretty yummy but would have been nice to have a more substantial side. I had the sea bass w/au gratin potatoes and veggies. Fish was a tad overcooked but good flavor and a good portion. Potato also had good flavor but was watery. Sangria was the bomb though. Not overly sweet. Kinda peppery.
Really wanted the paella but only can get if 2 people order. Bummer. I'd go back to try that. Oh, bread was VERY dry. Hummus dip was OK
Waitstaff was nice and attentive.
