Birk's Restaurant

Recommends

PL2001

Joined 2 years ago

Friendly service & Very good food. Finally tried this place! Came here for a work lunch, and had the pasta paella which was kind of bland but seafood and meat were really good and loved every bit of it. Food portions were generous. They also have great wine list and wine selection from our waiter was excellent. Not the cheapest place in Silicon valley, but it has gorgeous setting and relatively pleasant service. All in all a good experience, I will definitely go back for their steak.

Doesn't Recommend

SusieQCup

Joined 3 years ago

Flavors of a nursing home. Bland! Bland! Bland! I'm tempted to donate some salt to the "chef." And, I'm using the title chef here very loosely.

Doesn't Recommend

VictoriaS2007

Joined 4 years ago

INSENSITIVE, DISCRIMINATORY RACIAL REMARKS TOWARDS AFRICAN AMERICANS MADE BY CHEF!! DO NOT EAT HERE.. If I could give this place 0 stars on this review I WOULD. On Friday, February 27, 2009 my friend and I (both African American women) went to Birk's to celebrate an achievement my friend has been working towards for MONTHS. We had heard good things about the restaurant but neither of us are huge red meat eaters. Both of us ordered the Pan Roasted Rocky Junior Chicken entree. The meal consisted of baked chicken, broccoli, and macaroni and cheese. It was OK at best. On a scale from 1-10 I would have given it a 6.5. The food was a little bland but still well cooked and nicely presented.

After we finished our meal, the chef came over and began asking us about the food. He asked whether "the chicken was better than 'Big Mama's,'" whether "the macaroni and cheese was better than 'Big Mama's,'" and whether "the macaroni and cheese was at least better than 'that government cheese.'"

Now for those who may be unaware due to the minor subtlety of the comment, "government cheese" is what low income families on welfare are given when they redeem their food stamps. Although both my friend and I are African American, neither of us have EVER been on welfare or eaten government cheese, nor do we call anyone in our families "Big Mama." The audacity of this man to insinuate that ALL or even MOST African Americans are currently on, or have at one point been on welfare is inaccurate, offensive, and misplaced. Additionally, exploiting the poor thinking that their circumstance is something to make fun of is equally offensive, insensitive, and ignorant. Another notable point is that this chef did not address any of the other patrons (mostly White) who were dining there that night.

I WILL NOT return as long as this person is still employed at this establishment because I DO NOT intend to support such ignorance!!

Doesn't Recommend

johnreed1

Joined 6 years ago

So dissapointed. Last Visit:November 2007I arived at Birks without a reservation, I was told that I will have to leave at 7:pm or I can go somewhere else, I have never been in a place where I have to timed to eat my meal or drink my wine, This restaurant only cares about the turn of business not about taken care of the customers. will not recomend to any of my friends. find a more friendly place to host your customers/friends/family.

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dennis06

Joined 7 years ago

Avoid mixed alcoholic drinks. We were pretty amazed the bartender was clueless on how to make various drinks. Some examples were Red-headed sluts, lemon drops, Tia Maria's and various martinis. If you just want to enjoy wine, champagne or on-the-rocks drinks, you should be fine, but do not order any mixed beverages; unless you are willing to provide the ingredients and measurements. By the way, the FOOD was great:)

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mrazlee

Joined 8 years ago

fillet mignon. I had the fillet mignon this time and it was average. The outside was overchared and I ordered mine medium rare. The dish came with mashed potatoes and creamed spinich. The mashed potatoes was rather thin in the consistency. I guess I like mine a little bit thicker. The spinich was average. It wasn't excellent, but I don't really anything to complain abou it.

The highlight of this lunch was the the calamari. It was delicious.

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ummm

Joined 7 years ago

enjoyed. friend of mine and I, we had a nice experience of trying this restaurant; food was excellent , we took waiter's recommendation and try few things in there; calamari were the best I have ever had ; peppered filet was nice as well, it was tender and I liked peppered flavor; friend of mine paella was fantastic and the portions were huge; we were stuffed but the waiter said that we had to try crème burlee and he was right since that was the best I have had so far; a bit pricy but not too bad;

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

This bar and grill has Silicon Valley power lunchers in the palm of its big, bold hand.. The Scene
From contempo ambience by Bay Area designer Pat Kuleto (black-and-white tiles against dark wood) to an all-American menu, Birk's offers comfort to those seeking big-shouldered refreshment and prime people-watching.

The Food
If you're in the mood for sipping, the huge bar is a veritable shrine to fine single malts. There are also brews aplenty, perfect for washing down platters of garlicky, cornmeal-crusted fried calamari. Oak-grilled artichokes served with roasted garlic aioli will whet your appetite for the house blackened rib eye, a massive dose of certified Angus beef flavor. While Birk's is probably not the first choice of vegetarians, salads and organic seasonal vegetables are worth the stroll from the Santa Clara Convention Center. Make sure to save room for a great slab of orange-enhanced carrot cake.

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Shanster9

Joined 11 years ago

Average at Best. We went to Birk's of couple of months ago. The appetizers were very average. I ordered a cosmopolitan--disappointing. My friend had the KOBE steak, and had to send it back due to the fact is was literally inedible--too tough and overcooked. I had the filet, flavor was good and cooked perfect, but the sides were not very good. Dessert followed the same record-very mediocre. Overall, we were not pleased and will not be back...unfortunately, this was not our first experience with Birk's, we gave it three tries and it did not live up to our expectations.

Doesn't Recommend

johnebrown

Joined 9 years ago

Bummed. If this is the Premier Steakhouse in this area, then they need to visit Texas. The service made me feel like they really didn't need to bother with my date and I. The food was average at best. Clam Chowder was bland. Presentation could have been done with picture cards above the grill. No flair whatsoever. I had to light my own table candle. Menus were never taken away. Dishes were washed but spotted. Small steak for the price.