Bistro of Santa Monica

11/08/09

ABSOLUTE GARBAGE...AVOID

by bluesky12 at Citysearch

I went there on a saturday night with a few friends after passing by a few times and thinking that maybe this might be a decent restaurant...BOY WAS I WRONG!! I should have known right away when I entered and saw that only two other tables were occupied on what should be the busiest night of the week. Let's have a run-through of my experiences... we were seated almost immediately by what looked like an agreeable middle-aged man (the owner) who proceeded to run through the menu. I was in the mood for a tomato basil soup, which should be a staple item at ANY "ristorante" but I was immediately told that they didn't have it.. instead, the owner suggested a minestrone, which I ordered in its stead... Now im no expert on soups, but that minestrone was the NASTIEST soup I have ever had the displeasure of consuming... Minestrone is an absolute misnomer for that soup, because it tasted TERRIBLE (very sweet taste, not right for minestrone).

Next, we our group of 4 decided to order a bruschetta for $7.95. Lo and behold, we are given a tiny bowl of tomatoes and FOUR TINY MORSELS OF BREAD. When we asked the moron owner why we received so little bread, he indifferently responded that this is a standard portion. ABSOLUTE NONSENSE AND RIPOFF.

Next came the entrees. We all decided to order the $14 ravioli, for which we had high hopes, only to be disappointed. We were each given 7 of the SMALLEST PIECES OF RAVIOLI I have ever seen. A two year old could barely even call that an appetizer!!! As a result, we all ended up hungry and frustrated. TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. When we called over the manager to ask him why the servings are so small, he replied "I have been in this business for 23 years and during those years, nothing has changed about the serving size". He then tells us "I dont know why you guys complain. I make 2-3 million dollars a year..."... YA WHY DONT YOU SUCK MY ****. Absolute garbage. He cant even get three tables filled on the busiest night of the week and he's trying to convince us he makes 2-3 million dollars? oh really...

Honestly, the waiter was great overall. The manager is a dou*he bag who doesnt give a sh*t about the customer.

MY RECOMMENDATION: AVOID THIS PLACE!!

• Pros: Waiter
• Cons: OWNER is a moron

05/26/07

Didn't even make it to the entree

by dolce_vita_733 at Citysearch

My friend and I wanted to have a nice, quiet dinner, and based on the city search reviews, SM Bistro sounded like a great place for a long dinner. Little did we know, we were in for the worst dining experience of our lives. Here's what happened:

We ordered martinis, which were awful. By the time we got them, it had been established that the meal would have poor, slow service, so we decide to order a bottle of wine and not make a big deal out of the martinis.

However, our waiter never once looks at our full glasses at the edge of the table and asks if there is something wrong with the drinks as we order the bottle. He brings the wine and pours it for me to taste. Unfortunately, the bottle had oxygenated.

I told the waiter, I?m sorry but this is not a good bottle. He doesn't believe me and gets the owner, who tastes the wine. He says: You?re right, this isn?t a good bottle of wine, this is an EXCELLENT bottle of wine. Let me give you a lesson: you have to let it airate and then it will get better. Trust me, give it a few minutes and you?ll love it. Apparently the owner enjoys drinking vinegar. He LEAVES HIS GLASS ON THE TABLE and walks away.

I was shocked at his response and patronizing attitude, so my friend and I decide to ask for the check. We tell the manager: "We are very unhappy with the service and would like our check."

Then, he starts arguing with us and telling us we don't know anything about wine or service. I?ve traveled all over the world eating at fine dining restaurants, and never have been treated this way. The manager continues arguing with us, and finally, the waiter drops our check... which had the bottle of wine on it.

We were never offered a replacement bottle, paid for the bad wine, and the owner kept coming back to our table to explain that we didn't know anything about wine or service while in the process of paying.

If only he knew how many customers he would loose from this one little dining experience.

• Pros: Live Music
• Cons: Service, Owner/Manager's Attitude, Bartender's Skills

04/08/07

Most wonderful dining experience and makes eating out a separate pleasure by itself,

by aliveandokay at Citysearch

Friendliest, most accommodating owner-host that you will find anywhere in the world. Food is very good to excellent. Seafood specials are simple, fresh, and perfectly presented. Pasta is gormet, homemade. Prices are low for the quality ($13 for house favorite pasta dish). Our children are always welcome and we arrive 5:30-6:30 hour to family atmosphere with live music. The decor is European and expensive. Atmosphere is sophisicated and older crowd and dating couples arrive later. Linens on table every night and spotless clean bathrooms. This place sets he highest standard on every level.

• Pros: you can easily make-do with food for kids from selections from the standard menu.
• Cons: no drawbacks to this place