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Paul Martin's American Bistro
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants American (Traditional) American (New), American (Traditional) [Edit]
2361 Rosecrans AveSte 180
El Segundo, CA 90245
Neighborhood: El Segundo
(310) 643-9300
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri 11 am - 11 pm
Sat 12 pm - 11 pm
Sun 12 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Validated, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
354 reviews for Paul Martin's American Bistro
Review Highlights
"I would have loved to try the banana cream pie."
(in 36 reviews)
"Petaluma Farms "Brick" Chicken, very juicy."
(in 38 reviews)
"The butternut squash soup was incredible."
(in 17 reviews)
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354 reviews in English
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Review from Richard K.
Manhattan Beach, CA
2/5/2012
Went with a small group of people for dinner. Was all quite good! Dinners included: Short ribs, brick chicken, salmon salad, etc.
Have also done happy hours - excellent! -
Review from Tracy T.
Redondo Beach, CA
2/3/2012
Haven't had dinner here; just noshed on appetizers and had yummy drinks for happy hours. This is a linger type of place, so if you don't come early it may be hard to find a place at the bar. It's also not a stand-around-and-mill type of bar, so without a seat it's super awkward. I've come here when it's empty and when it's packed; definitely much more pleasant when empty. :)
The bf likes this place for their protein selections. They have pork ribs, chicken bites, chicken skewers and steak skewers for happy hour. I'm a fan of their raspberry martini. It's sweeter than most martinis, which is probably why I like it!
On Sundays they have fried chicken and prime rib 3-course meals. Gotta try that in the future. -
Review from Shelly J.
2/1/2012 2 Check-ins Here
One of our frequent lunch spots for business meetings/occasions.
Calamari ring. I really like their house cocktail sauce.
Salmon is decent.
Mahi Mahi (their fresh fish of the day) is kind of dry. But I guess that's more the fish than their cooking.
You cannot go wrong with the MARINATED SKIRT STEAK. Highly recommend it if you're lost and don't know what to do.
Prawns & Linguini was just average.
BANANA CREAM PIE *******
CHEESECAKE ******* (Seriously has to be one of the best I've ever had)Listed in: What do people eat in El…
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Review from Qiana P.
Los Angeles, CA
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
I am a fan...I had a wide range of items on this occasion, calamari, oysters, for appetizers. I had the smoked salmon and spinach as an entree, the beau had the beef short ribs. I tasted, the beef it had a great flavor and melted in your mouth. My only gripe was that is was not hot...lukewarm.
All and all a good experience. -
Review from Guy N.
San Pedro, CA
1/27/2012 2 Check-ins Here
So my lovely wife surprised me with a nice birthday dinner and invited my good friends and family to the event. This was my first time here so it was a nice surprise.
We reserved the wine room on the immediate left as you walk in the restaurant next to the restrooms. It was a nice room with plenty of space for the 20+ people in there. The decor was a bit dark but very nice. One thing that was a bit scary was the wall of wine bottles that went from floor to ceiling. About 8 feet up were a line of wine bottles standing upright that seemed (not confirmed) to be loosely put there, ready to fall at an earthquake's call. Not sure since we couldn't reach them but didn't like the fact that we were sitting right under this hazard. Anyway...
We had a set choice of dishes to choose from that were chosen by the wifey. It was a good mix to decide from.
Calamari - Calamari seems to pop up on every menu these days, no matter what type of cuisine it is. Seems to be easy to make and something you can't really mess up. This one was well breaded, seasoned, and fried. The sauces on the side were good. I believe it was a chili aioli and a cocktail sauce. Good dish.
Spinach Dip - This was a very rustic version of spinach dip made with white cheddar and sun dried tomatoes. The toast it was served on was really good. It seemed to be a rosemary french bread or something like that and it was toasted perfectly. I wish they served more of it. We asked for more and they only gave us the standard bread that they give to everybody. The dish was very hearty and could stand on its own in any five-star restaurant IMHO.
Mixed Greens - A very basic mixed greens salad with cherry tomatoes (maybe grape) and a light vinaigrette dressing. It was good, not over dressed, and satisfying. If I had to criticize, I wish we had a smaller salad fork to eat this with because the huge dinner forks we had were too big to scoop up the micro greens and too dull to stab the leaves with. It was very comical to see people eating this salad.
Short Ribs - I really wanted the Brick Chicken but got this since the wife got the chicken so now we can share each others dishes. The ribs were obviously soft and tender with the bone pulled out after cooking. Fork tender which good braised short ribs should be. A slathering of a thicker Au Jus and a dob of creamy horseradish sauce complemented the smooth creamy potatoes. I could have used a little veggie on the dish or some type of texture change since everything was so soft but the taste and technique was definitely top-notch.
Brick Chicken - Chicken on menus is usually a cop-out for those that want to eat healthy but won't eat fish. It usually ends up being dry and boring and not worth rating on Yelp. :) This chicken is absolutely worth mentioning because of the way it was seasoned and prepared. Rosemary was definitely the theme as it was present in the potatoes as well as the chicken. The chicken was cooked with a brick on top of it to help sear the outside. The skin was crispy and the whole dish was delicious. Not a cop out chicken for sure.
Banana Cream Pie - They sure don't skimp on the portions. It was about 1/6 of a pie served to you. Big and floppy and yet held its shape without toppling over, kinda like the muffin top that forms if your jeans are too small. Lots of cream sprinkled with a cocoa powder. When you dig in, the crust is lined with a dark chocolate ganache and a generous supply of perfectly ripe banana slices. The crust is light and crumbly (not crumby). I know there's a lot of calories in that cream but you can really eat the whole thing without blinking and you'll feel good about it.
Devil's Food Cake - It was a chocolate bomb. Period. I don't really care for this type of dessert but it was well made and presented. I only took a bite so I can't really comment too much on it. Someone with a chocolate tooth would serve a better review for this decadent dish.
As far as service went, because we were such a big party, I was pretty impressed with the level of attention we were getting. It was a little cramped of course but we managed to get everybody's food/drink to the right people. They were really nice and very prompt with our requests (water, refills, etc).
All in all, it was a great birthday and we had a lot of fun. Paul Martin's really contributed to that and for that, I'm grateful. We will come back for a normal dinner or happy hour and try more items on the menu. -
Review from Eder P.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's not that the food or service wasn't great: This is coming from my experience.
I made a reservation here for Thursday night at 7:30PM and had to change it at 8PM. It was never a hassle on the reservation-side.
The look and feel to this place is very romantic/dark/intimate.
Unfortunately the tables are pretty damn big to fit this bill. I felt like a little kid with these huge ass tables.
I would have given this place 3-4 stars but one star is being docked because I ordered the Chicken wings for an appetizer and after taking a bite and setting my wing down, I saw a very long curly hair attached to it. I didn't get mad or upset but I flagged down who seemed to be the manager and told him about it. He asked me if the hair was there before because all the chefs were bald. I thought to myself "Does it really matter?" I told him I didn't have long hair and my ex (who had joined me for dinner) has long straight hair.
So he apologized profusely and brought out another plate.
Although the waitresses/waiters were nice, the service did seem slow. My waitress apologized for the hair and I told her I didn't want her to get in trouble or anything.
I also expected to see more steak options here since it's sort of dubbed "Steakhouse" on Yelp but they had more chicken and fish than anything. I scanned the menu several times and I think they only have 3 types of steak. I tried my ex's steak and both were pretty impressive. (We both ordered different styles of steak)
I was hoping some sort of discount would have been honored after that hair fiasco but there was no pity taken on us.
I don't think I will be back again, I'd rather do some searching for another Steakhouse. -
Review from Bianca J.
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I RSVP'd a table for 11 on a Sunday, but needed a table for 14 on a Saturday, Yikes!
I called PM's two hours before arrival & my issue was quickly resolved. I was able to get two tables directly adjacent to on another so my friends & I could still communicate. Out waiter was extremely efficient, friendly, and informative. I told our waiter we had a show to catch & service was expedited without compromising quality.
I had the short rib which was extremely tender and juicy. My Bo had salmon & my friend had the chicken. The food is just average I can't really complain, but I can't brag about anything. It is above all else the service that made the difference between three & four star review.
PS
I had the banana cream pie, I felt that it lacked flavor. I tried their ice cream trio & that was good, I believe the ice cream is made there. -
Review from Alex L.
I came here to celebrate a birthday party. The private wine room was rented and there were 24 guests. This was my first time here and I had high hopes. I'm glad to say that my expectations were met.
For the private party we had a fixed menu, much like a wedding, where you can choose from a few dishes based on your likes. I sampled the calamari and spinach dip for starters. Both were very good but the spinach dip definitely stood out for it's perfectly baked cheese and spinach mix. Very yum.
I next had the roasted butternut squash soup. For me this was a little bit of a walk on the wild side. I don't particularly like squash soup but I wanted to try something different. The soup tasted well balanced and was quite tasty. Maybe I'm a fan of butternut squash soup now?
For my entree I chose the braised short ribs with mashed potatoes. The short ribs were incredibly soft and succulent. The au jus sauce was tasty too and added a bit of flavor to the dish. I was very happy with it.
For dessert I chose the much talked about banana cream pie. Wow! Very good! The portion was quite large and yum. The cream was oh so good and the bananas nice and fresh. Overall I very much enjoyed the food.
The service was also very good and the staff was very friendly. The wine room was nice and cozy and perfect for your private event. Valet parking was $5.
The restaurant is nicely decorated and comfortable. But not all is perfect in Paul Martin's. If I had to nit pick I would say that the lighting was WAY too low and dim. I was not the only one complaining about this. It was funny to see most in our party using their cells phone's ambient light to see the menu. I like mood lighting but this took it to another level. I noticed the same problem in the rest of the restaurant, save the bar which had table lamps. What's the use if you can't see your food or your date's face for that matter?
I'd return to try something else on the menu...with flashlight in hand. -
Review from Antho L.
This was my first time to Paul Martin's as it came up on Yelp when I was searching for places that had gluten-free meals and free wifi. Yelp really comes in handy when looking for specifics!
A colleague and I were having a Christian ministry meeting and we were planning to discuss a website which we would be launching in the next few months which is why we needed to have internet access.
Much to my amazement, the place was packed at a little after 7:00 pm and the hostess said the wait would be about 30 minutes. Fortunately, it only turned into a 10 minute wait and we were promptly whisked away to a table. There actually was even an outlet nearby too so it worked out well for us and we were able to get a lot of work done.
The menu had a lot of great items and they had a variety of plates that would satisfy the most discriminating palate. My colleague is gluten-intolerant and the menu conveniently marked the dishes that were gluten-free as well as heart healthy.
To start our meal, we both ordered a side salad which was a basic plate of greens dressed with a light vinaigrette. I had to add a dash of salt to my salad to give it a little more of the flavoring I prefer which then made it enjoyable to eat for me. Otherwise it was a little too vinegary for me.
For my main dish, I settled on the Cedar Plank Salmon which came topped with roasted shallots and maple bacon so there was a subtle sweetness to each bite of the very tender and flaky roasted salmon. This dish was a winner! The salmon was placed on top of steamed spinach and had a crimini mushroom jus which was light and not overpowering. I was wishing there were just a little bit more crimini mushroom on the plate as there were only about 3 of them. Notwithstanding, the overall flavor of this dish was outstanding. I definitely recommend this plate.
For dessert, I was torn between the Banana Cream Pie and the Devil's Foodcake. I asked our server for his recommendation and he said that the Banana Cream Pie was their signature dessert so I decided to go with that. Good recommendation on our server's part because the dessert was excellent. There were generous sized bits of banana which I noticed on my first bite into this delectable dessert and the cream was light and not overly sweet. The pie crust was flaky and there was a thin layer of chocolate between the pie crust and the filling. The pie was covered with a nice whipped cream topping and dusted with milk chocolate flakes. I was in dessert heaven and was literally letting out mild exclamations of oohs and aahs at each bite LOL!
We were very pleased with the meal and the ambiance of Paul Martin's. Our main waiter was very attentive and accommodating as were the rest of the wait staff. I would say that this will not be my last time to dine here as I look forward to enjoying many more meals here in the near future.
Note: There is ample parking in the structure adjacent to the restaurant where you can get it validated for 3 hours. -
Review from Carey I.
Canoga Park, CA
1/16/2012
I've patronizing this place foe the last 3 years and I'm guilty of not writing a positive review. But be honestly, this is more than my first bad experience here. They are flooded with positive reviews. And from the last 3 years the food and service was always top notch. And, of course, you pay for it. However, last nights experience was a culmination of decline that I have been witnessing over the years. Maybe it is the change in management. Perhaps it's the new E-Verify immigration law that California has begun enforcing. Some will say that it is because of Obama and health care. All in all, there is no excuse for poor management of a mid - up scale eating establishment like this.
I come for the happy hour and stay for a post happy hour good time. I've always ordered 1 of everything for happy hour food deals totaling $44 dollars and a few drinks. So off the bat the bill is never less that $100 with tip for 3-4 of us.
The waitress told us that now you can not order happy hour from the dining area, even though we were sitting in a booth in the bar. We called over the manager and complained and his reason was some what of too many people take up his space and only spend 10 bucks. I've never heard of such a thing coming from a manager. Being treated as a revenue stream and not a customer is appalling to me. We had to promise that we would order from the regular menu and he eventually said he would let us order from the happy hour menu "just this time". It'll be the last.
The service was horribly slow, it took 20 minutes to get the RIGHT drinks and 40 minutes to get the first serving. Maybe the manager doesn't realize that it isn't his patrons sucking his space and time, but the lack of his skills to run a stream line service team.
We ended up staying for a few hours after and the same happy hour food and drinks where different then the regular hour drinks. I guess now they water down and half ass the happy hour to chase out that crowd and serve the real deal to regular paying patrons.
But don't get me wrong, we did end up sending regular menu items back and refused to pay. The manager came by an we explained how the beer was poured with a nasty head, the martini was dirty, and the cocktails too sweet. He apologized and said he would take them off the bill because we sent them back. WOW, what a favor.
My complaints on the food: fries over salted, fried chicken spongy, ribs burnt, fish tacos wet, and skewers bland.
With competition like Il Fornio and Mc Commicks near by, you should have no problem getting table. This doesn't deserve a second chance, I'll won't be back. -
Review from joan h.
1/16/2012
After Yelping for good grub near the Marriott, we settled on Paul Martin. First, let's give this place some credit for impressing some out of town friends.
Valet parking at $5 was easily accessible. We were greeted by friendly staff and promptly seated. The ambiance is casual, dark, comfortable. Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu - it seemed as though he'd eaten his way through the kitchen!
I had the bistro burger, my companions had the brick chicken, chimi chicken, and the cedar plank salmon. My burger was well prepared and my fries were crispy - there was plenty left over. Everyone else enjoyed their meals - I think the brick chicken was the big winner, though.
We finished dessert at the bar so we could watch some football. Bartender was cool and was watching the game with us -- supplying some cheeky commentary to go with our banana cream pie, pistachio home-made ice cream, and apple tart. Pistachio took the win in this quarter.
Bill was insane at the end of the night, but it was good food and good fun. A win-win place to hang with your buddies. -
Review from Peter N.
Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, CA
1/27/2012
It can't get much worse.
My friends and I decided to shake it up and try out a different happy hour, why not Paul Martin's?
The mojito's were fine. I prefer the mint to be muddled, which wasn't the case.
The appetizers is where the whole thing fell apart.
- The ribs were burnt.
- The steak skewers were burnt, and the arugula was old and limp.
- The fried chicken was severely overcooked, and the fries were only a small notch above McDonalds. (I think it's because they used a better fat / oil in the deep fryer.)
- The salmon in lettuce cups were only just passable, but maybe that's just because they weren't burnt. Wouldn't that have been bad?
For the serving size, the price was high.
You will be much better served skipping this place and hitting up either McCormick and Schmick's or Fleming's. -
Review from Lawrence Y.
Chicago, IL
One of my good friends and I stopped on it for happy hour on a Wednesday night. The bar area is dimly lit and there is one main community table at the bar that you may or may not be comfortable at.
From their happy hour menu, I started off with the Shenandoah Zin (which was okay, eventually switched over to a white (Parducci White). We had the salmon lettuce cups (kind of amazing - first time trying it with salmon), St Louis pork ribs (pretty good), chicken skewers (also good but was the last place for us to touch and we didn't finish it all), tacos (decent), also had steak skewers (loved, but also had a spicy mango salsa to it). We saved room for the raspberry creme brulee - pretty good (not the best I've had) but it sure did hit the sweet spot that night.
Our server was pretty nice, attentive when needed to be. All in all a nice place to come by to relax and unwind. -
Review from Rob S.
Manhattan Beach, CA
1/28/2012
My wife and I went there for dinner last night - Friday night. I had the hanger steak and she had the Mahi Mahi (daily fish). The service was awful. We waited about 10 minutes after being seated before the server showed up. It took forever to get our drinks (another 15 minutes), food (45 minutes after seating). I asked 3 different people for a glass of water before I finally received one, about 20 minutes later. The "marinated" hanger steak was completely tasteless, fatty, and not cut thin like it should be. The mac-n-cheese was OK. The mahi mahi and the rice dish it came with were actually really good. We rated this a solid 2.5 stars. One bad dish, one good dish, and a lot of really bad service. Probably won't be back - too bad because the vibe is really good and the menu looks like it could be very good.
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Review from Gilbert P.
Torrance, CA
1/23/2012
Paul Martin's is incredibly unique in a similar way that my '92 Ford Explorer is the best, most luxurious ride you'll experience. It's hard to describe, but it's easy to pinpoint the greatness of Paul Martin's charm (though I can tell you now: the best thing about the restaurant isn't the food.) I don't frequent Paul Martin's by any means but from my previous experiences, I have decided that I will be returning more often. The ribs and banana cream pie are good, and the happy hour is a steal, but what has me hooked is the unparalleled service and overall experience. (Right?? The SERVICE of all things is what gets me. Like, how?)
Getting reservations over the phone is no problem. Harry, the man on the other line, was obliged to take my reservation quickly, albeit thoroughly. At the restaurant, I was greeted by three hosts. One of them immediately escorted my party of three to a table despite our 15 minute late arrival. We sat down and my old high school friends, who had never been to Paul Martin's before, were so amazed that they could not stop commenting about the décor, space, and general feel of the restaurant. I was pleased to have recommended the restaurant to my friends since it'd seemed to already be a big hit. We were fortunate to have a fabulous server, Julie, who took great time and detail providing food/wine recommendations and made sure that our glasses were never empty. My friends and I marveled over the delicious morsels Julie described and we were impressed by her unwavering knowledge of the extensive menu. We must have asked about every dish and every wine where she, very coolly, recommended only her favorites! With our jaws dropped to the floor, my friends and I were all sold on the same or ununiquely similar 3-for-$30 dinner: Caesar salad, ribs, banana cream pie and a glass of wine. Strangely, the food itself was merely "good" (as if by praising a high school student for passing the 10th grade). But the good food in conjunction with the outstanding ambiance and remarkable service iterated a crescendo of exquisite fine dining. For me, catching up with old high school friends had never been so classy! It was really weird that I wasn't red-faced, beneath a shot of pretentious and expensive tequila, but our experience at Paul Martin's that evening was truly amazing and, okay, it was worth it.
Regardless if you are or are not into the whole organic trend, you should visit Paul Martin's because it's such an outstanding experience. Because I don't have the culinary prowess to cook up what they serve, I'd say it's worth it to give them a visit! Prices are a bit hefty, so go during happy hour and save yourself a few bucks. The charm behind Paul Martin's -- the essence beyond glamour and "good" food - lies in their family of excellent service and the idea that when you eat out, the food is only one part of the dining experience. -
Review from Maria F.
Carson, CA
1/28/2012
This was the second time I've been here, but the first time for lunch. I had the french dip. I was a bit disappointed as the roast beef lacked flavor and the fries were a bit on the salty side. I should have stuck with the braised short ribs I thoroughly enjoyed the first go around at dinner. The meat was so tender it melted in your mouth, alas this rating is based on my latest visit.
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Review from Dave P.
Naperville, IL
1/28/2012
I had heard prior to ging there it was a great place. I think I downgraded it to an OK place. Food was OK, service was OK, the seating was OK. They had things listed on the menu like Fried Chicken and Mashed potato's, whoops that is Sunday only. Anyway, go there if you like, but don't have high expectations.
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Review from Mimi d.
Los Angeles, CA
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
food and wine were good but the scrumptious crowd earned it 5 stars! ;)
Will be back for many more happy hours! -
Review from dave d.
Marina del Rey, CA
1/28/2012
Beautiful expirence. Hot walnut and spinich salad out of this world!
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Review from Ami F.
Long Beach, CA
12/8/2011
I am giving only 4 stars because there is not clear signage about parking, which lead to confusion and extra expense paying for the valet. If you park in the right parking garage they validate, but it's a little confusing as to WHICH parking garage to use.
I am gluten sensitive in addition to having some other food allergies. Their website encourages people to contact them about special diets by e-mail and so I did. I got an e-mail from the manager first thing the next day informing me that I'd be hearing from the chef and he wrote to me promptly after that. When I replied he got back to me quickly with a very helpful and informative e-mail. He responded to my thank-you reply and offered to make a reservation for me. I felt like a valued customer already.
As I was advised by the chef I let the server know about my diet restrictions. Not only did the manager stop by our table but the Chef came out from the kitchen to talk to us. He also stopped by our table a second time as he was leaving for the evening.
The dinner was fabulous. If you like mushrooms do NOT miss the wild mushroom soup. There were a few bits of gravel in my soup, but it was forgivable because of the sheer volume of mushrooms. It was mushrooms with soup rather than soup with a few mushrooms. I loved it, and wild mushrooms are a chore to clean and they must add them to this soup by the metric ton.
They currently have a dinner special that includes soup or salad, about 4 choices of entree and dessert for $30. Three of us ordered from that and one of us ordered an entree not part of the special. Everyone thought it was wonderful and we all felt it was worth a repeat trip. My brick chicken was delicious (and just as fabulous the next day too). The soup was so filling that I had enough leftovers for lunch. My husband had the cedar plank salmon which he said was amazing. For dessert I had the creme brulee (a favorite of my husband) and it was probably among the best I've ever had... so of course I let him eat most of it.
It was really nice to dine somewhere slightly upscale (we don't do it often) and not have to worry that I was gonna be sick later because of cross contamination with gluten or failure to check ingredients on something. Not only that, but they made me feel like they were really delighted to be able to accommodate me.
Their menus have gluten free items clearly marked and there are a few things (like soup) that are gluten free if they leave off croutons or whatever. They also will prepare things to accommodate other restricted diets, there's a .pdf on their website about it.
It's a smallish space, so it could feel a little crowded. I felt our waiter was attentive enough (then again, I didn't need a drink refill and I don't remember if anyone else did). We went for dinner at 7, and had a reservation, but we also didn't see anyone waiting. Still, reservations are probably advisable. -
Review from Tim M.
Updated - 12/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Been a year since my last visit but I was excited and ready to be back.
Waitress informed us that there were a few seasonal items on the menu - I've been so use to the salmon and brick chicken that I don't usually pay attention to such things... but I had an OpenTable gift certificate to splurge and try something new.
Started with the salmon spread. Wish they provided a few more crackers and apples to go with it but this is definitely pretty good. I enjoyed it quite a bit that my friend and I discussed who would get the last one.
Next - had skirt steak and substituted mashed potatoes for sweet potatoes. I've always enjoyed mashed potatoes here - little buttery and just something that has a unique state.
Friend had the meatball with beans - this was a seasonal item. Lamb meatballs gives me a new appreciation for meatballs in general. The garlic added good flavor in the bean sauce that the meatballs rested on top of.
Dessert - oh geez - trouble for someone watching their weight. I had apple cinnamon crisps which was warm with ice cream on top. Not sure if this is worth the $8 ticket but good. Instead, definitely go for the DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE. Definitely worth its $8.
Service - she joked with us. She had quite a number of tables to serve so my sodas were not always filled but then again - I do consume beverages (soda or water) faster than most people (I normally go through 5-6 glasses during a meal).
Ready for my next visit.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/22/2010
Walked in on Friday night with a short 20 minute wait. Sat at same table as previous table but… Read more »
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Review from Diana I.
A friend of mine told me I would really like this place, and she was right!
My bf and I came here for dinner one weekend night (free parking in the garage!) and good thing we made reservations beforehand because the place was packed! Our hostess seated us right away in the middle of the dining room. They sat us at a 4-seater table which was a little less than ideal but we went with it. Next time, I'll remember to ask for a private booth which is in a more dim-lit romantic slightly elevated area of the restaurant.
We started off with some cocktails. I got the champagne lemonade which was tart but yummy. They're known to have pretty good lemon drops so maybe I'll try that next time.
Appetizer: we tried 4 oysters (we let the waitress decide which kind after we told her we wanted medium size ones). They were fresh and delicious! We wished we got more! We also tried the BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP which was AMAZING! I think it's one of the best soups I've ever had. I reallyyyy enjoyed it! It was even better because it came with these super crunchy mini crouton-like things on top. I'm salivating thinking about that soup right now. I definitely recommend it!
Entree: My bf got the Brick Chicken with comes with a huge dollop of creamy mashed potatoes. I tried a piece of his chicken and it was juicy and tasty, and not too fatty. He really liked his dish. I got the Skirt Steak medium, which came with arugula and sweet potatoes. The steak was chewy in the right ways like a skirt steak should be but also really moist and juicy! I was pleasantly surprised by how well it turned out! And the bitterness of the arugula and the sweetness of the sweet potatoes were so perfect in combination! I thought my entree was way better than my bf's but he reallyyy liked his too.
We decided to skip the dessert since we were way too full but supposedly they have a good banana cream pie here!
Our server, Julie was very friendly and overall great!
I would definitely come here again! It's a good place for a casual date, but it can get a little loud in the dining room. Reminds me of Houston's, but I think the food here is actually better! -
Review from anna c.
Covina, CA
12/25/2011
A very nice restaurant for business lunches!
We tried going to Flemming first and thank goodness they were closed for lunch! We shared the Salmon spread and both ordered the skirt steak and sweet potatoes. WOW, it was the most flavorful experience I had in a while. The savory steak along side the sweet potato was balanced perfectly. The staff was on the ball and being that it was in the middle of the lunch our it seemed as thought they were falling over themselves to help us. I very much appreciate good service and this was GREAT!
I look forward to trying out the rest of the menu! Im going to have to see this client more often! hehe -
Review from CARmEn H.
Updated - 11/29/2011
Co workers and I had lunch here today.
Service was much better than before. Lunch crowd was trickling in as we were leaving at 12:30pm.
I had the seared ahi tuna and it was very good.
Besides the Raspberry infused Vodka, Salmon dinner and Banana Cream Pie being my favorite(s) here - the Spinach dip is the best by far!!! Best Spinach dip ever!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/31/2011
I would have loved to give them 4 stars - just for the dessert but the service was mediocre ...Took… Read more »
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Review from Gail K.
11/28/2011
Great service and AMAZING food!!! First off our server Darren was super attentive and full of suggestions since we had never been there before. As for the food...the short-ribs appetizer was fall off of the bone good and the cartilage was to die for... I wanted to order more when they were gone! The waiter recommended the New York which was one of the best steaks I have had at a restaurant in a long while!
This is one of my new favorites... especially after the waiter's speech about only using organic/free range/humane meats as well as him hooking up the wife with a dessert for her birthday! Can't wait to go back and try the absinthe martini! -
Review from Rebecca M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great decor & amazing service! The calamari was especially good. I ordered the braised short ribs and it was delicious :)
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Review from Michael C.
Long Beach, CA
12/30/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Great Place! Love the Atmosphere!
So, there aren't many choices in El Segundo. Paul Martin's is definitely one of the better Happy Hour places out there for food and a quick drink in an upscale environment. Don't go dressing in your Pj's, Sandals, or looking like you just came from the beach. This isn't your everyday restaurant.
This establishment is one of a kind. Review of some food from Happy Hour (HH) :
+ Maple Cider Chicken Skewers (HH) are delish. You can't go wrong.
+ Mesquite Grilled Steak (HH) is also AMAZING! Sooo Good.
+ Marinated Skirt Steak. WOW. Comes with potatoes that melt in your mouth.
+ Sweet Potato Fries is a MUST!
Love the place. Good Work PAUL MARTINS! -
Review from Monica S.
Alhambra, CA
1/25/2012
Food is great and the services is great too
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Review from Aileen C.
Updated - 1/27/2012 2 Check-ins Here
So I returned to this restaurant, this time with mom in tow. If you know Filipino mother's they're picky as hell and are hardly ever satisfied. No joke. If they don't like your bf they probably don't like much else. Ha! Jokes aside... Mother ordered the St Louis Style Pork Ribs. "Ay, naman. It's burnt! I do not like burnt... [takes a bite]... oy talaga, it's salty! I don't like this." Our server returned to ask how it was and mother gave her honest opinion. The dish went back and the manager came out to see if there was something else she wanted. The second dish (my favorite), Braised Short Ribs. To this, mother was satisfied (finally). The manager was awesome and patient with the picky Filipino mother. He even joked with her (my bf and I laughing while mother looking all too serious in her Filipino glare) and he made sure that everyone at the table was happy enough. Now, if only I can convince mother that my bf is "the one".
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/30/2011
K. So, I'm not a fan of big chain restaurants but there aren't many choices when you're out visiting… Read more »
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Review from Jeanine V.
Santa Monica, CA
12/20/2011
Decent American fare well suited for business lunches.
+ Good ambiance and convenient location right on Rosecrans; also looks like it would be perfect for happy hour.
+ Delicious soups, desserts, and lemonade.
+ Attentive and friendly service
- The entrees were underwhelming; I went with a party of 8 and we all agreed that each of our dishes were just ok.
Good, but not great. -
Review from Tom Z.
Anaheim, CA
11/7/2011
Saturday night and this place was busy. Would have been best had I planned ahead and made a reservation, but we waited in the bar for awhile and then decided to eat on their patio which had tables available. While it was a bit chilly outside with no heat lamps, I was dressed pretty warmly so it was ok.
Parking is available via valet or in the parking garage right nearby. The restaurant has a good menu, and it's nice that their food is made using fine organic ingredients.
I had the Saturday night special-- a three course Prime Rib dinner. This included a salad (very tasty), succulent prime rib with au jus, garlic mashed potatoes (fluffy and delicious) AND a choice of dessert. For that I got the creme brûlée. It was also outstanding. All of this was just $30!
In the end, my plate was cleaned and I was ready to tell more of my friends about this great deal at this great restaurant.
Well by the following weekend when I was making my invites, I found out the prime rib special was gone! Apparently they took it off the menu on Saturday and now it's only available on Sunday and they lowered the price by $1. The big draw I had to come back suddenly disappeared.
Sure I'll try to make it on a Sunday some time, but that's not a normal eating out day for me, so it will likely be months between visits rather than weeks because of this change.
Other than this special, the rest of the menu is kinda pricey. My friend had a steak, some soup, a non alcoholic drink and a dessert and his portion of the bill was like almost $50 with tax and tip. You can see how attractive the $30 special now was!
So great marks for the food and service here, but I'm just bummed that they changed their special. I will be back though! -
Review from Jennifer S.
Huntington Beach, CA
1/4/2012
This place is fantastic. Yummmmmmmmy spinach and cheese dip. The service is always fantastic and the atmosphere is very nice. It is a great date spot or even a classier place to watch a basketball game. Very versatile.
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Review from Anna B.
Los Angeles, CA
11/22/2011
I went here on a Friday night to catch dinner before we watched a movie at the Arclight down the street.
We didn't have reservations but was able to get a seating in the patio area. They had heaters but to be honest it was still cold.
The food was ok. The best thing on the menu is the salmon lettuce cups. I also ordered the australian sea bass which was mediocre. My friend ordered the tacos and he said they were just ok.
The service also that night was horrible! The server only came around to check on us twice. Didn't refill our water and the food took over to come.
Eat with caution. -
Review from Diane G.
Redondo Beach, CA
1/9/2012
This is a nice upscale restaurant with a New York-ish ambiance. Great happy hour with special drinks and appetizers featured. Good mix of young and "mature" professionals. Walked in and was lucky to get two seats at the bar. Had great service from our bartender/server, and we enjoyed 3 drinks and two appetizers between us for only around $25 !!
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Review from Rebecca S.
Redondo Beach, CA
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow, Paul Martins what a pleasant surprise! Didn't know what to expect, but you totally impressed me.
You want a packed (hold the stuffy and annoyingly trendy behind) restaurant at 8pm on a Friday night that has great ambiance and delicious food? Check out Paul Martins on Rosecrans. It'll fill your belly and make you forget the economy sucks. Can you think of a better way to spend a Friday evening? (Im sure you can, but just humor me here).
Anyways, first of all can I just say that I love seeing a bustling restaurant? Its so reassuring and really adds to the whole dining experience. Paul Martins had great energy for a friday night that was both sophisticated, trendy, and a bit sexy. I loved the decor, the lighting, and the overall layout of the space. The bar was packed and every table was full making for great people watching. Service was superb; very kind and attentive. Food was timed perfectly and allowed us to relax and take a breather between courses. I am so grateful that we never once felt rushed and were actually left alone and able to enjoy our evening.
Oh right, this is a restaurant...hah enough with all that; on to the food!
Fri, Sat night they offer a 3 course prime rib dinner for $30. With entrees running in the $20 range, you'd be a fool not to take advantage of this one, guys. Bf ordered it and loved every bite. Comes with soup or salad and a gigantic humongous portion of mashed potatoes. Yum. They're whipped buttered and salted perfectly and complimented his hefty meaty slab of meat like it was nobody's business. Two thumbs up for well executed meat and potatoes.
Now on to my dish! cedar plank salmon served a top of some tasty spinach and mushroom saute ($24). To be frank, it was damn good and with 8oz of it I was happy to have some for the next day.
Dessert (which comes with the prime rib dinner) - everything on the dessert menu looks sinfully good, but I was craving banana cream pie, so the bf gave in and ordered it to appease me (he's a keeper). Once again, I'm just going to throw it out there: get it. Seriously, forget the damn cheesecake and the creme brulee and order the banana cream pie. Its SO good. Seriously. Get the freaking banana cream pie. Trust me. Theres no way you're going to be disappointed, plus its bananas, so at least you can feel a little better about it... well maybe. Who cares, just order it and be happy.
Oh and did I mention theres happy hour? I'm SO there.
Solid 5 stars. -
Review from Kent H.
11/3/2011
The ambiance, albeit dark, wasn't too bad and the noise level was not bad at all either. Overall pretty good for a lunch.
I ordered the fresh fish tacos, which came in a pair. On the tortilla was a filet fish cut into 2 pieces, one for each taco. Below the fish was essentially a salad with a tortilla foundation. Cherry tomatoes and others making it very moist. The lime gave it a great citrus twist.
The bread on the other hand was dry, so there wasn't much to say about it. -
Review from Waelm m.
Los Angeles, CA
12/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's ok, It's just over priced American Food! That is All, Nothing special about the food at all. The Decor is nice and the seating is kind of nice. It's ok if you just going to have business lunch here but that's about it! I had the Steak Sandwich with Ajus, it was pretty good. They have ok happy hour specials, I much prefer Flemings Steak House which is two doors over! The only reason I went there because Flemmings was not open at 4pm and my hungry ass couldn't wait! So I gave it try! Oh Well At Least I can say I tried, Don't think I will be going there again.
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Review from Michael M.
Marina del Rey, CA
10/22/2011
I wrote a detailed review and then my battery died and I lost my review.
To sum up.
Rude servers
Overpriced poorly thought out tasting food.
just a very unfriendly vibe.
This is one example of the oddities.
We were giving our order to the bartender and another waiter who was consistently rude we notice came up to the drink service station and interrupted my wife while she was mid order to tell the bartender he needs to take a table off him because they didn't know what they wanted and were to slow ordering and then made fun of the fact that one of them wanted a virgin daquari. It was just weird but what topped it was the bartender then just walked away and didn't finish taking our order.
I'm over it. -
Review from Grace K.
Updated - 9/24/2011
I came for happy hour and it was very crowded-understatement. We were fighting our way just to get a drink. I felt like we were in a tapas bar in Spain. It took us a very long time to get our first drink and an even longer time to find a spot to stand at.
My first mojito from their happy hour was salty, weird. The second was much better. We got their beef and pork tacos. The pork tacos were delicious- soft, tender, and very flavorful. Their maple chicken skewer was big, thick, and juicy. The chicken was a little bland tasting.
A table opened up as we were finishing up our last round of drinks and food- success! We were high fiving and very happy that we could sit. I'm used to this kind of environment in Spain, but it was a little annoying for Manhattan. They should extend their happy hour to the patio for two reasons. One to make their guests happy and the second to make more sales per hour= bigger profit.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/21/2011
3.5 stars
"Brick" Chicken- the name was deceiving because my chicken's breading was light and not too… Read more »
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Review from Dawn G.
Irvine, CA
12/11/2011
Recently, Paul Martin's American Bistro opened a new location at the Irvine Spectrum in Southern California. I was invited by the wonderful and kind, Lee Healy who does Marketing for the restaurant, along with several other Food Writers and Bloggers to attend the "Soft Open" and test out their "Taste of Paul Martin's Happy Hour" menu. I arrived with 30 minutes to spare but what I found has since kept me coming back for more.
When you see the restaurant on the outside, you would never know that you were about to enter a very open, Zen-like, environment that houses a wine room, one of the best patios for dining and drinking I've come across in Orange County, a bar with high-top raw wood tables, random seating throughout, and a dining room that is flowing instead of congested. Paul Martin's is not the run of the mill stop. While yes, it is part of the Fleming's family, it is nothing short of "pop-culture" worthy. The restaurant itself is abundant in great lines and fun decor, right down to the over-sized lampshades hanging from above.
First Impression: The "Soft Open" Happy Hour.
The Raspberry Martini and Carne Asada Street Tacos.
The martini was (and is) beyond pretty - a bright fuschia pink liquid (in-house raspberry infused vodka) with an icy rim and a stick of fresh raspberries. The taste, well, it's playful and delicious! The carne asada, tender and flavorful.
After a great First Impression, I returned the following week for a meeting. A meeting that lasted 5 hours so the menu was crucial.
Now onto the Second Impression: 5 Hours of Satisfying Fare
I chose Paul Martin's for a business lunch that extended into a 5-hour conversation. Ordering menu items that were going to hold us over, keep us happy, AND tempt our taste buds was key. I start with the Raspberry Martini because, well, it's already won me over. It arrives, along with homemade bread, and I sip in every berry-licious bit. About an hour later, we move to another table just because the sun was coming down with brute force, blinding me. Without a single bit of hesitation, our server Julie, moved us to a less "blinding" booth and there we decided to order. And by order I mean try a plethora of sharable plates. After ordering, I decide it's time for a glass of wine. I'm torn between three selections and our server comes by and suggests I give each one a taste before committing. I'm in! The wine arrives. Each a Pinot Noir; each with its own distinct aroma. On a side note, the most beautiful aspect of wine is that no one bottle or grape produces the same taste. Every varietal has a quality that appeals to someone. I think that is why I will always have a deep seeded love for wine. There is a story in every glass. On to the 3 I tasted:
Santa Barbara Winery, 2009, Central Coast g. 12 b. 39
My take: definitely earthy, bursting with that recognizable Santa Barbara soil - berry is there but the earthiness overpowers it.
Eric K James, 2006, North Coast g. 13 b. 45
My take: This is my pick. This is such a beautiful wine, especially for the price. It is easy and smooth. No flavor overpowers another and that subtle hint of vanilla is what creates a creamy finish.
Rodney Strong, Estate, 2009, Russian River Valley g. 11 b. 38
My take: a clear sense of fruit and spice. While easy, the finish was a bit too strong for this particular meal.
So now onto the meal:
Oysters
today's fresh selection with mignonette and cocktail sauce - $3 each
My take: Serving oysters from Santa Barbara and Carlsbad, this was an interesting dish. One massive meaty oyster, paired with two rather small sized little ones. The oysters themselves were good but the sauce, well, I'm still not quite sure about the cocktail sauce and mignonette. Personally, it would have been better served with a lightly infused citrus base but that's just me.
Spinach Dip
grafton farms white cheddar, bloomsdale spinach, sundried tomatoes -$14
My take: Oh so good. The dip, not the crunchy brioche served beside it. The Spinach dip is bursting with flavor and isn't overly oily (which tends to happen with spinach dips). The subtle flavors of sundried tomato adds that wonderful undertone to cut the strength of the spinach itself and the white cheddar is a perfect compliment. As for the toast - while really good, it is really crispy and messy. We opted for the in-house bread instead.
Roasted Butternut Squash
garnished with sonoma sage pesto -$9
My take: This is a slam dunk. I would come on any given cold day for a bowl of this soup. The soup is so incredibly good and the garnish of Sonoma sage pesto is the crème de la crème. Such a simple addition and yet it allows this seemingly streamlined soup to pop with unforgettable quality.
Dessert...
(Yelp! cut me off - I Ran out of room!)
To read the FULL Review: http://www.atasteofdaw...
