Cafe Montana

03/22/10

Great place to get yelled at...

by CohenMke

I made it in to Cafe Montana with a few friends and some family. The waitress was incredibly nice. She did a great job getting the food quickly to the table and making sure we were all good to go. The food was great and our drinks stayed full and we enjoyed ourselves. The "fishbowl" surrounding was perfect for us observers. We had a great time until the end of our meal...we paid our waitress, which by the way she still took care of us after we paid...usually they forget about the tables who have already paid and push to get you out....not this one, she was great! However on our way out I noticed the "owner" or who was said to be the owner yelling at the hostess up front.. I couldn't not believe it, she was basically calling her an Idiot for not doing something right. I'm pretty sure she was making a latte or something to that effect. It made me and everyone I was with incredibly uncomfortable...I knew working in the food industry was tough, but I thought it was because of the customers not the "owners!" As we walked out she immediately changed her tone and said "goodbye, thank you so much!" Like we hadn't just seen her yelling at that poor hostess. Grow up lady, teach them how to do something you want them to do, don't tell them how stupid they are and yell at them for not doing something right!

Anyway, needless to say I don't think we'll be going back, which is a shame because everything else was so pleasant...

• Pros: The Food Was Good, but...
• Cons: Yelling owner,

11/18/08

Great place for lunch! AMAZING place for dinner!!

by JonVegas

Having recently moved into the Santa Monica area, I have found myself at Cafe Montana with increasing frequency. I met a friend for lunch there at her suggestion, and was quite pleasently surprised. I'm a big guy and a salad isn't usually enough for me, but when their Grilled Vegetable Salad came out I was sure that I would be ok. I had it with the chicken added, and could not finish it. Unbelievably good, and not something that equals three hours on the treadmill to get rid of. My friend also had a salad, the Chicken Bella if I'm not mistaken. This salad is the reason she lunches there, she informed me. I tasted the pesto dressing and was quite impressed.

I asked the waiter, who was quite a character ;-), if salads were all that they did well. He assured me that the fish speacials at dinner would, and I quote, "Knock my socks off!"

About a week later, I decided to test his recommendation. To preface, I am a salmon lover, and have had amazing peices of it from NYC to Seattle. The grilled salmon that they prepared for me equaled any fish that I have eaten at any five star restaurant, anywhere. The suace that came with my dish was a lovely tomato basil salsa, with a citrus butter (that I requested on the side), but I'm told that the sauces are changed nightly. The sides were completely delicious, and ample to satisfy my appetite, including both potatoes and vegetables. They even have a pretty fun selection of wines to pair dinner with.

For a place that I can walk to, I guess it does knock my socks off. Congrats to the brains behind this little gem in a glass box!

And with the extensive menu, you better believe that I'll be back to try each and every item. Next time, I'm having the risotto with blackened prawns and saffron sauce that the couple next to me was devouring! ;-)

• Pros: Location. Great food. Easy!
• Cons: No full bar. No abundance of single women.

11/12/08

My FAVORITE resturant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by shacajuncooking

I can't think of a place that has won me over time and time again like Cafe Montana. My wife and I had dinner there on Saturday night and I was BLOWN away. They have this prawn and mango salad that I can't stop thinking about and now they have perfected a filet! The owner came to our table and chatted for a few minuets and the service was top notch. I miss places like this in Santa Monica and can't recomend it enough. Save room for the mixed berry crumble!!!!!

07/15/08

A good brunch or lunch stop

by kiercemartin

This is a pretty popular place, and chances are you'll have to wait for a table if you try to go for a weekend brunch, but there's a reason it's popular. They serve up pretty consistent food, and the staff is super friendly. It's definitely not life-changing, but certainly good enough for a stop through. My favorite are the chicken enchiladas. They are a for sure can't miss.

06/29/08

Over Priced and Not the Good

by cbsallee

I have never had a "great" experirnce at Cafe Montana, but since it serves brunch lat on Sundays and it is near my house, I once again gave it another try. I got the Chicken Hash--which was greasy and bland and sparce portion wise. The hollandaise sauce wa barely drizzled on the poached eggs- and of course you have to pay for more- then when the waitress asked me if I wanted an english muffin or wheat toast- I asked for sourdogh--she never told me just to get that kind of bread they were going to charge me an entire dollar for one measly slice. And my "side" of fruit was one bite size piece of hard honeydew and an unripe piece of cantalopue. Don't be fooled- this place robs you blind and then the food hurts your stomache.