Babalu
(310) 395-2500
1002 Montana Ave
Santa Monica,
CA
90403
34.0292
-118.499
Neighborhoods: West LA, North of Montana
Reviews & Ratings for Babalu
37 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 37 reviews
Hair in pasta
by calalak
June 11, 2009
Friend found a very long hair (she has short hair) mixed into her pasta. When presented to the manager, her response was not to take any responsibility. She claimed it 'flew in from the air'. This hair was NOT laying on top of the dish, it was well mixed in. She said all her cooks have short hair. Offered no compensation, free dessert nothing.
- Pros: mostly good food
- Cons: Poor customer service
Great Food, Service by Satan
by FoodLoverinLosAngeles
April 12, 2009
How is it possible that the owners of Babalu consistently produce some of the best food in Santa Monica and yet insist on hiring careless, self-absorbed, narcissistic waiters? Yes, this is Los Angeles, but the heights of inconsiderate behavior reached by the wait staff make Steve Martin's Absent-Minded Waiter look like the paragon of service. Don't ever sit at a table outside; you will be left to molder until the restaurant shuts down. Don't ever wait to ask for a refill of your drink; you are better off quenching your thirst at your neighbor's table, assuming they still have something in their glass. Don't ever worry about forgetting the name of your waiter; they will never volunteer the information in the first place for fear of future reprisals. And if your waiter should happen to look you in the eye when asking you for your order, know that this is a nervous tick and to never expect eye-contact again.
For the owners: I don't know the name of my waiter on my last visit, but it was a dark-haired woman and the time of my visit was 5:00 April 12th. I have come to expect terrible service at Babalu's, but this last experience was one for the books.
Unbelievable Desserts!
by sandrastar
February 06, 2009
My boyfriend recently had dinner with a friend at Babalu and had the amazing Turkey Meatloaf. He was dying for me to try it. It was great! But the big satisfying surprise was one of the best desserts I've ever had! I love coconut and their Coconut Praline Cream pie is out of this world. I want to tell everyone to go and have dinner but don't leave until you've had dessert! The service is excellent and the atmosphere is very cozy. I live in the mid-Wilshire area so it is a trek but so worth it! A new favorite on our list!
Slow and Steady
by kiercemartin
July 17, 2008
This is one of my favorite places on Montana, and while it's true that you are almost assuredly going to wait. Let me just say that it is worth it. The unusual menu offers up all kinds of weird Cuban/American fusions that are pretty incredible. The inside of the restaurant has some really cool decor, and the paintings on the walls are always changing. Or if people watching is your thing, take a seat outside and enjoy the yuppies strolling down Montana. Either way this is a great little Montana spot, and yeah it's pricey, but you're on Montana what do you expect? I'd say it's definitely worth the price and the usual wait.
Worthwhile
by barefield
July 16, 2008
Above average food, slightly overpriced and a manager with bipolar. It's worth visiting when the angry blonde behind the counter has the day off. Coconut shrimp, chicken tacos, vegetable stir-fry, and all of the desserts are tasty.
Not worth the wait OR the price
by billg985
June 23, 2008
Went to Bablu last night. We waited about 25 minutes, which I was totally ok with. It was, after all, 730pm in Santa Monica. The room has a good atmosphere, nice and airy.
When we were seated, the server was frantic. It's not a big place, but it was full... with a wait, and they had two servers and one busser working. She was nice, and the service was adequate. It was not reflection on the quality of the service staff, more about the management understaffing and not doing there job.
Now the food.....Disapointing at best. I had a chicken chopped salad. It was a Denny's quality mix of lettuce and vegetables, all diced up into neat little cubes. Decent dressing. I paid an extra $3 for chicken, which was also diced into cubes. The total amount of chicken was probably about a quarter of a chicken breast, with little flavor. Price = $20. Are you kidding me? I also got their version of Baba ghanoush (that's how they describe it. I can't remember the exact name). The pita was ok...obviously store bought and cut into triangles. No oil, no lemon, just cut up bread. The "Baba ghanoush" itself had a werd sweetness (maybe figs?) to it. Very dark, like refried beans. Very "fibery"; I could see strings of whatever it's made out of at the bottom. I didn't like it too much. I knew it was a little different, but I thought I'd take a shot.
My friends ordered :
1) Hamburger with sweet potato fries
2) Chicken Enchiladas (3 to an order) with rice and beans
3) Chicken tacos (2 to an order) with rice and beans
4) two ice waters, two iced teas.
Price .... you ready for this.... $90.
NOT Reccomended at all.
- Pros: Ambience, location, service (friendly, not fast)
- Cons: Everything else
Delicious! by Amira S. at InsiderPages
Contributor
June 02, 2008
Babalu is a wonderful place to dine. Located on Montana Ave in Santa Monica, this little locals spot is truly delicious. The atmosphere is always friendly and I've yet to be disappointed by the food. Everything is good. You must save room for dessert!!
Get the fish tacos by Carlos K. at InsiderPages
Contributor
May 10, 2008
You'll be glad you did. And the pot stickers are good. And so are the yam fries. Everything is here. It's a fun, loud (esp for dinner) yet intimate place to have a meal with a friendly staff and a lot of variety on the menu.
Make like Ricky Ricardo at this Cal-Caribbean favorite for a jumbled menu of delights and a colorful, relaxed beachside atmosphere.
by Contributor
May 08, 2008
In Short
The sarong-clad waitstaff glides from table to table, casually serving stylish Montana Avenue shoppers and neighborhood families. Brunch favorites include pancake and omelette specials, as well as a creative eggs Benedict on corn cakes with chipotle hollandaise. Light lunches feature dishes like a blackened chicken tostada salad, while dinner picks include chicken with ancho chilies and sweet potato tamale. Homemade gooey desserts are favorites.
Eclectic Menu by Joann S. at InsiderPages
Contributor
May 05, 2008
This American, Asian and Caribbean restaurant has a Mediterranean feel with a brightly-colored decor and outside seating under colorful umbrellas. The menu is extra-spicy and extra-delicious. I have had the crab cakes and they are great! Beer and wine are available and the prices are reasonable.
