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Categories: Wine Bars, Italian, Mediterranean [Edit]
185 University Ave
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candle light, red wine, tapas plates. we got the bruschetta, prosciutto-wrapped dates, and grilled artichoke. no complaints - a foodie's delight.
a half-bottle of testarossa's 2007 pinot was on the expensive side for my taste. but, you don't come here to save money, and you don't just come for the wine.
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This place is terrible. Here's what I ordered..
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates - blah.. the dish came with four pieces, my date and I could only finish two of them. I lied and told the waitress I wanted them wrapped up, to take home. I end up just leaving it on the dinner table. On purpose.
Handkerchiefs with a Rabbit Ragù, White Truffle oil & Parmesan - Why the hell is there a piece of bone in my pasta? FFFFUUUUUUUUUU
I also order one other appetizer.. it was like seaweed wrapped over cheese idk? It was that day's special. Especially crappy if you ask me.
So I learned in elementary school we're suppose to give positive feedback along with negative. So here's the only thing positive thing about this place, the wine and bread were good. Which is pretty sad.. cause it's not like they made the wine and if you screw up bread..then there no hope for you at all.
There goes my theory of basing a restaurant on the amount of people dining at the time and the location. :P
Not incredibly exciting, wine flights are fun, but I wasn't digging the modern STEMLESS wine glasses, I guess I'm old fashioned in that respect.
Small plate
-Lamb spare ribs, juicy and delicious, $5
Salad
-Caesar, their awesome version, doesn't look like much, but had a wonderful mediterrean twist with feta, cucumbers & red onions, HUGE portion, $8
Pasta
-Hankerchiefs w/Rabbit Ragu White Truffle Oil & Parmesan, $18
I might sound like a snob, but if I have pasta, I like freshly grated cheese, the pasta was cooked nicely, but the ragu was TASTELESS, as in I sprinkled SALT on it, I have NEVER done this at ANY restaurant. We found a bone also, like many others who have ordered this dish.
Entrees
-Halibut w/brussel sprouts & red potatoes, $24
Not terribly fond of the cream sauce, but it wasn't too heavy. Brussel sprouts lacked flavor and were too heavily charred. Fish was alright, needed seasoning.
-NY Steak w/potatoes au gratin, $27
Had a HUGE glob of butter on top, good, generous portioning.
Warning: Avoid the bread. It's DRY and yeasty. BUTTER!?! Where's the EVOO?
The scene is a few decades before my time, but is nice for a quiet meal. I would stick w/wine flights, small plates & appetizers next time.
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I just went here last Saturday and I'm afraid that based on service and the food, I have to drop my rating to 3 stars. Anyway, I ordered from their pri fixe (which was a great value at 25 dollars) The meal starts off with the still awesome fried zucchini chips. You then get a choice of salad or soup and then a choice of fish, osso bucco and I believe a chicken dish. Dessert is sorbet or the chocolate cake.
I knew right off the bat that things were going to go slightly awry when we got the bread basked. The 1st time I went there, the bread basket had this really good, crispy bread. This time around, that bread was not part of the bread basket. "Ok, no worries" I figured the restaurant just got a different supply of bread for the week. We then waited for what seemed like an eternity to get our drink and food order. Service really seemed slow and lackluster considering that we came in early (around 6-6:30PM) and that the restaurant wasn't full yet. All through the evening, I continually had to flag down the waiter whether it was for refills, bread, fresh ground pepper (this should always be offered at the start of each course by the way) etc.. To summarize, he just didn't have a good beside manner.
As for my entree, my friend ordered the fish (which she enjoyed enough) and I ordered the osso bucco. The osso bucco was stringy, had a lot of cartilage/flap, and not very tender. The sauce on top wasn't very flavorful either. The polenta that came with the dish was also bland.
For dessert, we both had the chocolate cake and we both agreed it was "meh."
All in all, the whole evening from the server to the food was just "meh."
Maybe if I get the same dish I had the 1st time (the rabbit pasta) and the same server, maybe I can replicate the wonderful experience I had the first time.
I just want to say that the food here was top notch and very reasonable, given the location and… Read more »
I've been to this place about 3 years ago and recently went again.
I'd definitely recommend this place if you are going on a romantic date.
They had live music, the place was clean and pretty and a good choice of fine wine.
The staff could have had more experience but it wasn't that bad that I wouldn't come back.
I have been eating here for years, and give this place 5 stars for a combination of overall consistency, variety of flavors, and a few particular menu items.
Never seen a Veal Chop anywhere else...it is to DIE FOR. If you like Steaks, you will love this. The kitchen tends to undercook a little, so if you like Medium Rare, I would probably order Medium. The beauty of Veal is that it is still tasty and tender even when cooked on the heavier side, so its a foolproof, hearty meal with a unique flare.
The Handkerchiefs with Rabbit Ragu is probably the only pasta I will pay for anywhere. Out of this world, and I typically don't care for meals that are not meat-heavy. This is a fairly meaty pasta dish with some very unique pasta, clean and well developed flavors, and very satisfying.
Like anything, nothing is always perfect, though you can count on the staff to care about your experience, and the owners to value your patronage always.
I love this restuarant! They have a great wine list with wines from all over the world. I especially appreciate the super tuscans, and cru classe burgandys. I had the Tuscanello which is a piece of pecorino sheeps milk cheese wrapped in chard and grilled. Me and my wife shared that and then she had the whole branzino which she thought was great. I had the ny steak with anchovie butter. so sinfully rich! I havent been for lunch but i have heard great things. OHh and dont forget dessert, Creme brulee is great and my favorite is the trio of house made ice creams. Bourbon , Amaretto, and Chocolate! SErvice was much better then i expected and very friendly and well knowledged on their Stuff.
I went here for a business meeting and came away totally impressed... I had the turkey club sandwich... which was to dies for! Lots of turkey and melted cheese , avocado and bacon... ... it was pretty huge tho, I couldnt finish all of it. My coworker got the pasta and another got the steak flank.
Seemed a little pricey but I think they make up for it with the ambiance.
Would love to go back for dinner/drinks.
I've eaten here many times. I have had some absolutely incredible meals and also some disappointing ones. This week was disappointing. The wine flights are always great. The service this week was not so good. The small plates were good - beets and okra. The rabbit ragout was disappointing - the pasta wasn't well drained so it was watery and the sauce was bland. We also had the veal chop. I've had this before and thought it was the best i've ever eaten. Yesterday it was tough and chewy.
It's also very loud and warm in the restaurant.
I've eaten here a few times, so I won't bore you with the details of my meals, but the food is usually good, although a little variable. The specials can be great, and sometimes not so great. I love the little plates that you can try and share. I'm not a big fan of their deserts.
The service is friendly and attentive. Interesting range of wines.
I'll keep going back.
Lavanda gets my vote for one of the higher-end places to eat in downtown Palo Alto. The smoked trout appetizer alone was enough to win me over. Extremely well prepared and presented. The chefs here pay attention to details and serve dishes with flair. They patronize local vendors and farmers, which is pretty essential for me. The menu reflects this and is actually seasonal. Another essential ingredient for a good place to dine. If a menu seems oblivious to the seasons, go somewhere else. It means that they aren't buying what grows nearby. And in the Bay area, there is always something good growing.
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I ate here Sunday evening with a special male friend of mine. The wait staff here are very welcoming and accommodating. There was a live music ensemble playing soft jazz music, and the place glowed from the candlelight (romantic setting, anyone?). The tables were set up simply with a quaint centerpiece and the tables were spaced out just enough to give you and your party some privacy while conversing. Just from looking at the restaurant, you could tell that you'll have an awesome experience. Lavanda had a special 4 course meal on their menu for $25 that night. You'll get a small taste (appetizer), choice of soup or salad, choice of an entree (3 to choose from: sole, flank steak, and penne pasta), and your choice of a flourless cake or apple strudel (but they ran out of this so they substituted with puff pastries). My date and I ordered one of each so we can get a taste of everything. =) Overall, the food was delicious. Light flavors, not too overpowering on the palate. You could tell the chefs put in some thought while prepping and making the food. My flank steak was a little too salty for my taste, however, so they get minus 1 star for that. Their wine selection was really good. They offer a flight special so you can sample up to 3 wines of your choice for only $12.
Overall, if you're looking for a place to take someone to impress, Lavanda is the place to go.
The food I ordered was interesting. I ordered the handkerchiefs with a rabbit ragù, white truffle oil & parmesan. It had a funny smell to it, but that's probably what rabbit smells like (kind of like how lamb has a very distinctive smell). What stands out most was the dessert. Lavender creme brulee. The lavender wasn't too overpowering to the point where you feel like you're eating hand soap. It was subtle, but you could still sense it. It was perfect, and delicious.
I am worried about Lavanda's future. It used to be a great place with a great wine list, but alas... both are in jeopardy. Dining there last night was a disappointment. Most dishes we ordered were mediocre... each dish just felt like it was missing something/not completely constructed. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. I had high hopes for the rabbit dish, but it was served with a very heavy sauce that overpowered the rabbit. It wasn't bad, but I would never over it again.
The real shame is the wine list which has gone considerably downhill over the past six months. Lavanda used to be the place to go when you wanted a good California Pinot or red Burgundy... but not anymore. The first thing you notice is that the wine list has been pared down substantially. What used to be six pages of CA Pinots are now two... and of those, the first FOUR bottles I ordered were out of stock. I suspect the restaurant is not doing well and they must be selling down their wine list in order to make up for it. What a shame.
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We have been back to Lavanda a few times since our last review....its become one our faves in PA.
The service is always consistent, imho, very good, attentive, but leisurely, as the pace is meant to be. Pretend you are in Europe and stop acting like a damn American. :)
This Sunday it was completely jammed pack at 7 pm for the Prix Fix. The bar (which for once had space) is very friendly - they gladly offer tastes of something, and when we said we'd share a glass of Pinot while we waited, without asking she was nice enough to split it into two very nice Pinot glasses....mucho points.
For $25 the Prix Fix is an amazing amount of quality food...small artichoke starter was yummy. I had the salad with blood orange, fennel and mache - was awesome. Angie had a rich asapargus/something soup that was very good. In an usual night we both had meat, though the halibut was very tempting....the short ribs were good (tad fatty even for short ribs) and the French style Pot roast was yummy.
They had had a massive run on the bread pudding and were out :( So we had the flourless chocolate cake....
They also had a good cab for 7/glass 28/bottle. We had a great 4 course meal and wine, and for once, well under $100....bravo Lavanda.
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Angie and I had a great dinner here, after 2x rescheduling our Prix Fixe dindin reservations.
This…
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Maybe the best service and versatile place in Palo Atlo.
You can discover very good boutique wines and the food in fantastic!
I have been here many times and so far I have no complaints!
The place is comfortable with out being snooty or stuffy!
Try the wine flights! Always fun to have apps and wine at the bar as well!
A few weeks ago, four of us went late to Lavanda, hungry after a sad but uplifting memorial service. The kitchen was almost closed but our server promised to get us whatever we wanted. We opted for a smorgasbord of salads and appetizers (rather than heavy entrees owing to the late hour), mostly cold ones. We like anything with beets and I like anything with fennel bulb, so we focused on those things. They threw in a variety of greens, beans, and citrus, and we felt like we had eaten cleanly. (I don't recall exactly what the dishes were called.) For wine we chose something on the lighter side (especially for us), a medium red from Portugal. It was full of vibrant fruit and, like the food, felt clean and refreshing. And the price was in the $30s - what a bargain.
Tonight I went alone, sat at the bar, and made do with three small plates and a three-wine flight of my design. First the food: The chilled crudo of California sea bass with a gaspacho salsa was milder than I anticipated. The texture of the fish slices matched that of the avocado. Then I had the simple grilled artichokes with house-made aioli. The four quarters could be eaten by fingers and not much aioli was needed to provide a little tang. Frankly, the artichoke alone was fine. Finally, for $6 I had a dish that could have been a meal: grilled beef tongue with fried tripe, a watercress-like green, and mustard vinaigrette. I had never tried tripe before so this seemed like a good opportunity to do so. I love tongue but try to find it anywhere outside of the occasional taqueria or Cuban restaurant. The mustard reminded me of the tongue sandwiches I used to get at delicatessens in Miami, and I really, really enjoyed this dish. I expected the tripe to be thin, but the pieces had some thickness to them and were succulent. (Then again, I like just about anything fried, not that it's good for me.) I had way too much food in these three "small" plates; the artichokes and tongue/tripe would have been enough.
For $12 you can now choose any three of the wines by the glass to make up your own flight. I chose a white (from Bosnia Herzegovina), a rosé (a Côtes de Ventoux from France), and a red (Rosso di Montalcino from Italy). I was also offered a taste of a vinho verde from Portugal to go with the artichoke (a food reputedly matched by no wine). The Bosnian white went with nothing, the rosé fairly well with everything, the red with the artichokes (especially the charred edges from the grill) and the tongue, and the the vinho verde with the fish and artichokes and by itself. The vinho verde had excellent acid and was fresh and crisp. The Bosnian white was fatter and had a strong taste that reminded me of a (non-marine) Muscadet. The Rosso di Montalcino was fairly light in color and made in a traditional European style without exuberant fruit but it fit the meal.
In the meantime Lavanda is now offering an unusual wine bargain. On Friday and Saturday nights (no less) you can bring your own wine and pay a corkage fee of $.25. Yes, twenty-five cents (!). Now, as great a bargain as this is, I'm not encouraging you to take unfair advantage of it. So here's my recommendation. Sure, if you haven't been to Lavanda, go once with your own wine and try the food, which I continue to think is outstanding. The next time, when you bring a bottle and pay 25 cents corkage, also order a bottle off the wine list. Lavanda's wine list is full of bargains, surprises, and treasures. You will find gems you never would have known to buy but will love, as has happened to me numerous times there. If you're thinking "But there's only two of us" be not deterred. Bring one and buy one. You don't have to finish all the wine you open; take the rest home. If you're bringing a bottle of aged red, start with a bottle of white off the wine list, or a rosé (yes - it's summer - drink rosé). Or complement your red with one that provides an opportunity to compare and contrast. That's a really great way to calibrate your tastes.
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Tried something new at Lavanda last Thursday night: an all-fish menu. Not only that, but a bottle of… Read more »
The food is wonderful! I will say it again, but when they give you salt and pepper and you don't need it, I know it's going to be good.
We had a bunch of items, the procuitto app, lamb spare ribs, rabbit hankercheifs, and the artichoke with gruyere side. Everything was beautifully seasoned and prepared, especially the rabbit, wow was it tasty! I wasn't too fond of the artichoke with gruyere, it looks as if it was an afterthought. They should consider taking it off the menu.
We also had the wine pairing from Skylark, which went very well with the dishes we chose. I also have to say it's a great deal at $15, especially when a glass of one of the wines was $17.
I highly recommend and the waiter (young German guy) was so fantastic! He was very attentive and not overbearing. Will definitely come back!
My Australian friend loves this place so much, she went three nights in a row last time she was here. I was there for drinks on night #2 and dinner on night #3.
Great wine and ambiance, especially for Palo Alto. You can sit at the bar for a nice glass of wine and snacks or wonderful sit down dinner. Mine was a 'catch up with friend' and 'dinner with four', but I think I could do a work dinner, dinner with parents, or date here.
Rabbit ragu is wonderful, as is their gnocchi. Brussel sprouts are supposed to be signature but unfortunately they had run out. Waitress was friendly and helpful with both the wine and food selection (I appreciate honesty and she steered us away from a dish).
I've been getting emails for their Sunday $25 4-course prix fixe which I am very excited to go try!
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Me and two of my friends went here before going out for drinks on a Friday night. We were all dissapointed in our main dishes. They were overpriced, and frankly not that good!
The appaetizers (bacon wrapped dates) were YUM, and the desser was good. The wine was good, but the markup was more than usual.
Overall, this was a dissapointing experience. I would consider going here again for appetizers and a drink, but not for a full meal.
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I love places with great service. Great service can often make up for bad food, but of course the food here was delicious as well. The waiters, the manager, and the bussers were all meticulous and friendly in their service to our 11 person table.
The pork loin appetizer melted off the bone- amazing.
Dates with manchego-- two of my favorite foods! Small portion size (four dates and two slices of manchego)
Pasta with Traditional Ragu-- simple yet delicious! Sauce wasn't too heavy, and the pasta was in neat triangle shapes.
creme brulee is one of my favorite desserts-- this one was tasty but the slight lavender flavor made me feel like I was eating an air freshener.
If I could afford it, I would definitely be back!
HATED this place.
We had an early dinner reservation on a Sunday night and was seated promptly next to the window. What attracted us here was the "wine bar", which to our dismay, quite frankly SUCKED.
What $100 apparently got us:
3 glasses of mediocre wine
Tenne with a rabbit ragu
Fettucine with mushrooms in a cream sauce
Carpaccio
The carpaccio was not good at all, in fact, came with some tempura styled bitter cabbage on top. Our server said it was "really good" -- yea. To someone who had their taste buds burned off. Thanks for the tip, lady.
Our pasta dishes came out and I tried the mushroom cream fettucine - good, but nothing to rave about, especially when the portions were DINKY and the prices were NOT.
The rabbit tenne was just alright, somewhat tasteless. It needed salt which I hardly ever add but this dish, although sounded really tasty, fell short.
What's worse than average food at inflated prices is horrible service.
Right away we were approached by a busty, full figured blonde. Although she was pleasant when we ordered, her service went downhill right after. She came off as a total SNOB, especially when she didn't say a word to us after we ordered. Did she think we wouldn't order that much to up her tip?
A couple right behind us was also served by her and she was their best friend all night, talking about puppies and rainbows. Was it just us who got horrible service?
Apparently not because the group in front of us had some drama with her. You could hear her snap back in a VERY condescending and impatient way, all the way from our table, basically exchanging a few words with some old man.
All in all, I did not enjoy the food and do not know what some of the reviews were raving about.
+1 star for having awesome rock salt.
+1 star for having an awesome decor.
That's pretty much it.
Minus points for having a total B as a server.
Even more minus points for not having an updated menu on their site!
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I see a lot of folks saying they experienced superior service at Lavanda. I wish I could say the same. I cannot tell you about the wine or the food, because I had none. Me, my wife, and some of her science companions came here for a drink of wine. What we got was nothing. We sat for over twenty minutes and did not even have an acknowledgment. A simple hello would have helped. We got up and left the restaurant. We will not be going back. First impressions are substantial, and this one was abysmal.
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Came here for dinner with my friend on Saturday night. It was obvious that the economy is having an affect on people dining out... the place was less than 50 percent filled all night. Despite that, service was very slow (which didn't bother me TOO much, since I hate being rushed.) The wine was pretty good, even though my server didn't let me taste the first glass i purchased (even though she let me taste the 2nd glass.)
the small plates were good. the server made it sound like they were way too small to just get one (which is definitely not the case). The cheese and date plate we got was definitely enough for the two of us... the olives were WAY too oily for my taste.
I had the artichoke raviolis which were phenomenal. just ate the leftovers for lunch today :) One thing i didn't like was the olives on the pasta still had pits in them... even though the server assured me they wouldn't. good thing i didn't bite into one!
Overall its a beautiful spot with great food. Would come again.
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We try to come here every Sunday night for the excellent and surprisingly affordable $25 prix fixe 4 course dinners. Some very interesting and imaginative dishes. One of my favorites was a peach salad with honey, pistachios and feta. Unbelievable.
Five of us went here for Father's Day. It was also my youngest son's nineteenth birthday. I had lunch here a couple of times and thought the food was excellent although the portions seemed small.
But that was last year and I've been getting emails from Lavanda for months since then about their $25 Prix Fixe menu on Sundays. That seems like a real deal. And we were not disappointed!
There was a choice of four main courses: Chuck Roast with mashed potatoes which was excellent. Several of us had the grilled fresh Salmon which was pretty good too. There was a lamb main course and a pasta with Porcini mushrooms. My descriptions don't do them justice. The appetizers and desserts were also excellent and the live singing by Pasquale Esposito was at just the right level to enjoy without killing our conversation.
Finally, along with the fixed price menu were two wine specials: 2007 Goss Creek Chardonnay and 2007 Rive Sud Pinot Noir from Limoux, France. Each were $28 and we started with the Chardonnay and finished with the Pinot. I think that's a heck of a deal for dinner and some great wines.
We left a good tip for the excellent service too!
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I really wanted to like Lavanda - beautiful restaurant, wonderful wine, but food is really just meh. My sole fillet was bland... and with the blood oranges, mushy leeks, and potatoes - it was just an odd combination that didn't taste good or right. The bf's salmon looked okay but it was over a complete mass of artichokes that didn't look all that appealing.
The thing that really saves Lavanda is the wine selection here. Our waitress recommended this wonderful Syrah (and I'm normally not a Syrah person) that was super yummy as well as a great crisp Pinot Grigio to finish off the meal.
I would come back for the bar and maybe give the food a second chance... perhaps the small plates.
Random note - The soap and lotion that they offer has a really overwhelming scent - not offensive but just really STRONG.
This review is actually only for the burger, which is what both of us ate the other day for lunch. The burger was SO sub-par for a nice place like this... our hopes definitely came crashing down... so disappointing :-(
I really hope the other stuff is better, and can justify the prices in this economy.
However, it does look like the kind of place that deserves a second chance... so I think I will give it that if I'm in the area (and will NOT order the burger with the bread swimming in garlic butter (wtf??) next time).
Service was impeccable.
Lavanda is by far my favorite restaurant on the Peninsula. My husband and I are regulars. We come for the great food, the terrific wines, and the outstanding service.
I thought the previous chef was good, but Chef Tiny has really given the restaurant a lift. Love the specials (bring back the skirt steak with the breadcrumbs and salsa verde, or the Croation specials!). On the regular items, the handkerchief pasta with the rabbit ragu and truffles is awesome -- as good as anything in the city. I also love the roasted octopus with potatoes. Alan likes the beef tartare. It's not as good as the truffled version when Tiny first came onboard, but still very good. Any veal has also been wonderful (need the veal piccata and milanese back).
I really don't understand the people who complain about the service, since Bruce, Luca and the rest of the staff are the warmest, most wonderful restauranteurs in the area. They always have a smile, and are really passionate and knowledgeable about the food and the wine. We don't even pick our own wines any more, we just tell the guys how much we want to spend, and let them chooses. We've gotten to know so many terrific wines this way. So, it's not just an enjoyable dinner, but an education as well! Perhaps those of you who are not getting good service should just say hello and get to know the guys? They are really wonderful people. I'm sure if you tell them you felt the service was subpar, they would bend over backwards to make your evening special.
The Sunday Supper is a great deal, $25 for a 3 course meal. I recently had my birthday dinner on a Sunday with the whole family (12 strong), and it was wonderful. Make sure you get on the email list and visit when the Italian singer is there. So very happy and romantic.
So, my husband and I love this place. I'm sorry to see the one-star reviews, especially when it's due to service, b/c I know Bruce and Luca would want you to go back and have a good time. Give it another chance!
In March of 2007, I had a dinner to remember at Lavanda. I love their choice of 3-appetizers. The olives were memorable. I had a steak for dinner, which melted in my mouth; and had their three-custards for dessert, along w/ a nicely brewed & steamed cappuccino. The atmosphere is nice, the service is good, and the whole place just feels well run.
I recently returned for a lunch in June '07, and didn't have quite the same stellar experience, but it was still a solid meal w/ no real complaints. It just wasn't as good as the dinner I'd had previously. This is a good restaurant for a romantic dinner, a family dinner, or really, just about any meal for any occasion. The dress code is somewhere between casual & dressy. Although, they're not going to kick you out for jeans and sandals.
If you're going to Palo Alto, and are looking for a great place to host a fine meal, I highly recommend Lavanda.
If you read any of the one or two star reviews here, you might notice that they consistently go over ridiculously minuscule details in one-time experiences.
I've been coming to Lavanda for YEARS and I feel confident in saying that it is one of the best restaurants in the Bay Area. The food is fantastic, and the dessert is unbelievable. Try the lavender crème brûlée!
The service is great, the staff is always up for a conversation or a joke and they always love to give recommendations. The wine list is wonderful; it is clear that they really know their stuff.
Give this place a shot! You won't regret it.
Had a great dinner here last Saturday night. I've passed by this restaurant for years but never gone in -- this was the first time.
* APPETIZER: collard greens with black eyed peas and bacon -- really tasty. I'd have preferred a higher ratio of collard greens, but it was still delicious.
* ENTREE: Medium-rare New York steak with artichoke -- The steak was not as rare as I'd like it, but still really juicy and flavorful. I usually prefer ribeye and prime rib over New York, but this one was really good. The artichoke side dish thing with crusted bead and cheese was way too salty, so I only had a couple bites of it. I generally like really salty food, so if I say something is "too salty" you really ought to believe me. My boyfriend and I both ordered the same entree, and we both share the same opinion on both the steak and the side.
* DESSERT: Huckleberry & pear cobbler with ginger ice cream -- Delicious! My boyfriend was in heaven with the huckleberries and we both really enjoyed the ginger kick in the ice cream.
I would definitely come here again, possibly even just to have the dessert.
3.5 stars would be just right.
they currently have a delicious prosciutto with nectarines, plums, and cherries. it was strange though to have the cherries arrive with stems and pits.
the quality and freshness of the heirloom tomatoes in the appetizer with cheese was excellent
pacific oysters were small and ok
service was great and atmosphere is nice. if the plates themselves were upgraded, i think the food would have a classier feel to it. but most important to me is the taste.
Eh...
I tend to write lengthy reviews... I guess I write like I talk - I have a hard time stopping.
BUT... I don't have much to say here.
Food was mediocre.
Service was good - but very scattered - must have been waited on by 6 different people.
Wine selection was nice.
Bottom line, nothing about the place had the POW! factor. I like a fire lit under my ass... i didn't get that here. sorry.
Like my steak.overpriced and overdone.
Went there for a small birthday dinner on a Monday.
The service was so so and the food was just barely edible.
A $40 dollar steak should be tender and moist.Theirs' was 1/3 gristle and fat.
I've had better at Sizzler.
They forgot the birthday dessert and my side order.
There were maybe 12 people in the entire restaurant and the service just sucked!
$300 bucks for 3 people was pretty much a waste.
Not much in Palo Alto has impressed me.
This just adds to the perception.
Look elsewhere. for decent food.
People thought this was:
I admit there was a lapse in my regular patronage here, but Chef TIny, the new chef has reconverted me. He uses farm-fresh, mostly local ingredients. His specials are exciting and there are some really unique items on the menu, which I appreciate. Right now, I am loving (off the menu, but ask if still in season) his english pea, snow pea salad with red onion, feta and dill. Also, Farinata which is a chickpea crepe with onion and potato. Excellente.
I highly recommend sitting at the bar (on second thought, I shouldn't give all my secrets away;) and trying small plates, the wine tastings on Thursday are usually excellent, bar service is outstanding, and must have bacon wrapped dates with an Oregon Pinot such as Retour or Raptor Ridge. Chef Tiny has a very good assortment of homemade ice creams. I like the cocoa nib, but after a filling meal I really like the kumquat (tastes like a 50/50 bar) with yogurt sorbet. Nice combination.
People thought this was:
I should say that I've been here many times before, and have always had a good experience and great food. I'd say just avoid Lavanda on holidays? In this case it was Valentine's Day, so I'll cut them some slack. There was a special menu that day, so it may be that they had the 'B' team cooking all new food.
The carpaccio appetizer was good, but the deep-fried fare heaped on top of it was... well, weird. Greasy on the level of a greasy spoon's onion rings.
My salmon was underdone (you'd think I ordered sashimi), so I sent it back asking for it to be done 'just a tad more', and it came back thoroughly overcooked.
The wine selection used to be better (or more familiar anyway) as well...
This place has great food and wine. Very cute atmosphere for business or pleasure.
The lamb shanks just fall off the bone for an Appetizer.
The T-Bone steak with smashed potatoes is fantastic. The steak was seasoned and cooked perfectly!
We also got the Veal bolognese pasta which was good- probably would try the gnocchi next time.
Too full for dessert...
I had dinner at Lavanda twice. Each time I ate there I loved it. The waiter was very nice and attentive. I believe his name was Lorenzo. Both times I had the grilled octopus salad as an appetizer and it was phenomenal. As for the main course, I once had the salmon and once had the sea bass. The sea bass was ok, but the salmon was very delicious.
They have an extensive wine list and I would suggest to try their wines. I was very impressed with their fine selection.
A reservation is best when you want to have dinner on a week-end evening. One time I had dinner on a Friday night and the other on a Saturday night and both nights the place was packed. Therefore, a reservation would really help.
Overall, a great place for a nice evening. Fine gourmet food at a reasonable price. I will come back for sure.
Me and a few friends wanted a quiet little Fri night for drinks and conversations. We stumbled upon this cute wine bar and ordered a bottle of their cheapest merlot, $32 and the cheese plate. The wine was good and the cheese plate was even better! The cheese plate came with 5 different cheeses and honey. Wished they had fruits with the cheese though!
We ordered another bottle, Fritz $40. Wine was good, better than the merlot.
What made this place freaking AMAZING is our waiter, Lorenzo. He not only provided us with excellent service, he shared his life stories with us, and was absolutely charming. As we were walking to Nolas, we were down the street and around the corner from Lavanda by now, we hear someone yelling out, "your phone!!!" It was Lorenzo with my friend Ang's phone in hand who have tracked us down, now almost a block away from the restaurant. Talk about going above and beyond!
If you come here, ask to be seated in Lorenzo's area, he'll definitely take care of you.
5 for 6 'til 7
Palo Alto, CA
Wine and Happy Hour Specials
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA
Category: Mediterranean
Palo Alto, CA
Category: Latin American
Palo Alto, CA
Category: Hotels
Palo Alto, CA
Category: Greek
Palo Alto, CA
Category: Italian
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