One Pico

09/23/08

Coast Cafe and Bar at Shutters Hotel

by team_venture at Citysearch

I'm not opposed to spending money on a nice meal. I am opposed, however to spending money on mediocre (I'm being generous) food and slow service. My boyfriend's father took us here for a birthday dinner and I was really disappointed.

For dinner, I ordered the portabello mushroom steak and barley risotto. Well, the mushroom was over cooked, it seemed like they had warmed it up in the microwave (it had sort of a rubbery consistency) and the risotto was BARELY risotto. It was oily and chewy and didn't resemble risotto in the least bit.

We ordered coffee and dessert which took forever to come to the table and once it was there, I was disappointed again. We asked for the fruit cobbler and what they brought us was a hot mixed berry compote with what appeared to be granola on top. NOT COBBLER PEOPLE!

I thought it was sort of funny that they had chips and guacamole listed for an appetizer, but I'm glad that they did because that was the only part of the meal that was decent.

Like I said before, I don't mind shelling out the money for a really good meal, but this place is ridiculous. If the service had been really great, it would have taken some of the sting out of feeling ripped off, but the wait staff was pretty inattentive (my water didn't get refilled once and we were there for 3 hours).

If you're looking for a romantic place to sit and have a drink while you watch the sunset, this place would probably work perfectly. But if you're looking to have a nice, flavorful meal that is worth what you are going to pay for it, then I suggest you go some where else.

• Pros: Nice ocean view
• Cons: food, service, prices only because the food and service is sub par

09/03/08

High end hotel prices and ball park quality food

by FoodFoodFoodFood at Citysearch

Beautiful setting and so I guess little effort is made to make food worth eating. Soups are on the menu but no bread is provided. When I asked for bread, I was told I could order garlic bread. I would stay away from the seafood platter, mine tasted like everything was just defrosted in the microwave. They spent money on designers not chefs. There are better places that provide food with a ocean side experience.

• Pros: Views
• Cons: Food quality

08/23/08

The best of two coasts

by frankatthebeach at Citysearch

One Pico is an incredible blend of the finest of the West Coast and the best of the East Coast. Great food, terrific service, and such a PRETTY place. Dinner on the beach - what could be better? Try the caesar salad, it was so delicious, and they have real Coke in bottles!

• Pros: Location, service and food
• Cons: semi-yucky parking