La Serenata de Garibaldi

In Short – The look is pure Mexican seaside filtered through the bright pastels of SoCal. And good food knows no boundaries: Extended Mexican families and parties of gringos dine side by side, charmed by the convivial atmosphere and friendly service. Standbys like enchiladas and tamales are in abundance, but the focus is on seafood like halibut Veracruz in a tangy olive- and caper-sparked sauce or fat shrimp served with crisp cornmeal cakes. –

Editor's Tips

Save Money:: Order one of the full meals. In addition to the entree, you'll get beans, saffron-hued rice and tortillas, and a soup such as noodles in a cilantro-chicken broth.
The Extras:: The founder of the restaurant has built a reputation for his famous repertoire of 30 sauces.

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User Reviews (13)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“The margaritas are quite tasty, and I had a fine time in the lively atmosphere.”
drinks	75.0% positive	“We went in for drinks and they were superb, the bartender was friendly and efficient and the drinks were great.” “good drinks” “beautiful flavors abound and enjoy the full bar as well.” “The meals were dumped off and the waiter went back to the bar to watch whatever big soccer game was on.” “Since service was so bad at our table I decided to take myself to the bar to see if I could get a cocktail faster.” “Worth, we first stuck our heads in the corner bar north of the shopping center, asked if they had good Marguertas, waited too long for the answer and when we followed with where were the good ones - they had good martinis - were told to come here.”
food quality	81.25% positive	“am not a huge fan of their food because it always seems a little different from what I would expect, but th.” “The margaritas are quite tasty, and I had a fine time in the lively atmosphere.” “ordered fish tacos, and was underwhelmed by the blandness that even a good dose of salsa didn't remedy.” “love the food.” “One high-point was the soup of the day--a carrot soup with wonderfully deep flavor, and the grilled scallop appetizer had a nice smoky flavor.” “food is amazing, as is the service staff.” “But surprisingly, the lack of refills, slow waitstaff and relatively no attention to detail didn't matter - we still had a great time and sampled many items on the menu, which were delicious.” “First up: the carne asada - tender slices of beef served with fresh guacamole - was probably the table favorite.”
menu variety	50.0% positive	“But surprisingly, the lack of refills, slow waitstaff and relatively no attention to detail didn't matter - we still had a great time and sampled many items on the menu, which were delicious.”
overall	100.0% positive	“This is not Barney's Beanery, its supposed to be a nice restaurant.”
return potential	0.0% positive	“We used to love this place, but after our recent visit we'll never EVER go back.”
service	50.0% positive	“We went in for drinks and they were superb, the bartender was friendly and efficient and the drinks were great.” “food is amazing, as is the service staff.” “On saturday night the service was absolutly horrible at Santa Monica , they were under staffed and slow.” “We used to eat there once a week, mostly becuase of our favorite waitress Coco and her great recomendations.” “The meals were dumped off and the waiter went back to the bar to watch whatever big soccer game was on.” “Since service was so bad at our table I decided to take myself to the bar to see if I could get a cocktail faster.” “The worst service ever.” “For a Saturday night, it seemed quite slow, and the service moved at a fairly slow pace as well.”
value	0.0% positive	“am not a huge fan of their food because it always seems a little different from what I would expect, but th.”
wait time	37.5% positive	“But surprisingly, the lack of refills, slow waitstaff and relatively no attention to detail didn't matter - we still had a great time and sampled many items on the menu, which were delicious.” “For a Saturday night, it seemed quite slow, and the service moved at a fairly slow pace as well.” “On saturday night the service was absolutly horrible at Santa Monica , they were under staffed and slow.” “Worth, we first stuck our heads in the corner bar north of the shopping center, asked if they had good Marguertas, waited too long for the answer and when we followed with where were the good ones - they had good martinis - were told to come here.”

11/23/08

The worst service ever...................HORRIBLE

by lonyklein

I would not suggest this place for diinner if you are a large dinner party or going when this place is busy as they just cannot handle it. On saturday night the service was absolutly horrible at Santa Monica , they were under staffed and slow. Our party of ten sat in the outisde down area and it Took about 45 minutes to get our first round of drinks and the waitress forgot a couple of them. Dinner was ordered about two hours into our visit only after asking the waitress to take our order. We recieved about half of our dinner entrees and the rest never came out. UNBELIEVABLE!!! Since service was so bad at our table I decided to take myself to the bar to see if I could get a cocktail faster......same story. Bar was filled with dirty glasses and empty plates....absolutly disgusting!!! I heard the bartender ask a customer to point to the bootle of booze because he did not know of it. I think what looked like the manager was behind the bar with only one other bartender. Bottle Line...this place will not survive in SM with this kind of service. How can management invest so much into a place and have service that is just a disgrace.

Pros: nothing
Cons: the service HORRIBLE

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12/21/07

Old Favorite no more

by pjorosco

We used to eat there once a week, mostly becuase of our favorite waitress Coco and her great recomendations. The owners apparently let her go, and now we are gone with here. Our latest visit was not the same, and the service seems to be declining. BIG MISTAKE.

Pros: Creative Menu
Cons: Bad Owners

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10/31/07

Underwhelming dinner experience

by chance071905

We dined here recently upon the recommendation of a friend, and were disappointed. For a Saturday night, it seemed quite slow, and the service moved at a fairly slow pace as well. The seafood focused menu had some tasty-sounding options, but some of the dishes we ordered were underseasoned. One high-point was the soup of the day--a carrot soup with wonderfully deep flavor, and the grilled scallop appetizer had a nice smoky flavor. I ordered fish tacos, and was underwhelmed by the blandness that even a good dose of salsa didn't remedy. The chile rellenos that my husband ordered were a bit more flavorful, if a little on the mushy side. We'll try La Serenata again sometime and give it a second chance, but if asked today, I probably would not recommend it to a friend.

Pros: Cute dining room; pleasant atmosphere
Cons: Unremarkable food

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10/29/07

extraordinary mexican seafood

by georgeghiz

we eat here all the time as it's a neighborhood place for us. food is amazing, as is the service staff. gormet mexican seafood is what they are known for, exotic sauces are explained by wait staff and you choose the fish you desire. all sauces do deliver flavor. saying that, don't pass up on the chicken parrilla, pork medallions or the shredded beef w/ colorado sauce. beautiful flavors abound and enjoy the full bar as well. la serenata is a local independent treasure...

Pros: local LA family shares recepies
Cons: um...

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04/20/07

Going down the tubes fast...Service is TERRIBLE

by spicyfoto

We used to love this place, but after our recent visit we'll never EVER go back. We waited 1/2 hour to flag somebody down to place our order, then our waiter finally scribbled our order hastily then ran off without asking what we wanted to drink. After finally getting our wine, we were not refilled on water, chips, or drinks throughout the meal. We sat parched and ignored. The meals were dumped off and the waiter went back to the bar to watch whatever big soccer game was on. This is not Barney's Beanery, its supposed to be a nice restaurant. We shouldn't have to jump up and down in front of the plasma tv for attention. And at $20+ per entree and $10 for a glass of wine, the service should be up to par. Absolutely horrible!! When the $80 check was dropped off (with a flounce, and without a pen to sign the bill, and then he was back to the soccer game) I felt violated. Not even an "adios" as we sulked out the door. Go elsewhere.

La Serenata de Garibaldi

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What People Are Saying About La Serenata de Garibaldi

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Editor's Tips

11/23/08

The worst service ever...................HORRIBLE

by lonyklein

12/21/07

Old Favorite no more

by pjorosco

10/31/07

Underwhelming dinner experience

by chance071905

10/29/07

extraordinary mexican seafood

by georgeghiz

04/20/07

Going down the tubes fast...Service is TERRIBLE

by spicyfoto

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