Lavanda Restaurant & Wine Bar (Reported Closed)

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corinna_chang

Joined 11 years ago

Great wine drinking experience. Both the service and food were very good. We ordered the special pasta of the day and it was excellent. We also ordered the fish of the day, a grilled wild striped bass. The flavor was very good. The last entree ordered was the roasted sea bass on the regular menu and it had wonderful flavor and texture as well. They have an extensive wine list which is great and the best thing I liked about having wine there was that when you order by the glass, they pour a little into your glass to let you taste it first. If you don't like it, you're not committed to the glass you ordered. Typically that is only done when you order a bottle. I've encountered another place that let you sample your wine by the glass before committing to the glass, not even wine bars that I've been to do that. That shows true conviction for the enjoyment of any and all wines offered.

Doesn't Recommend

khathaway

Joined 9 years ago

Very poor customer service for the price range!. A friend took me to Lavanda for dinner to celebrate a special event, and the service was horrible. The hostess was rude and uninviting. She took us to the table, did not wait until we had sat down, dropped the menus on the table and walked away without saying a word.

We wanted to start with a beer, but our waiter could name only one beer they served - listing styles rather than brands, then saying that they did not have anything good, and not even bothering to walk ten feet to the bar to get the information. He then disappeared for over ten minutes without taking our drink order.

The first impression was so bad, we left. Restaurant staff need to know that they set the tone. If I am paying high prices for food and drinks, then the service better friendly, prompt and helpful!

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jaycee71

Joined 7 years ago

A great fun place. Lavanda is a treasure. Great wine, and knwoledgable staff to help you pick the right one for you. (I love that they let you taste, and encourage you to sample). The food is terrific. The gnocchi in browned-sage butter is decadent, but a great companion to a crisp, dry white which cut through the melted butter as you eat. The desserts are fun and great to share with a dessert wine or coffee. Take some friends and enjoy Lavanda.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Decadent pasta dishes and an extensive wine list make for a tasty addition to Palo Alto's dining scene.. The Scene
With a glass chandelier in the rotunda and muted earthy colors, this restaurant sets a casually romantic mood, appropriate for anything from a second date to a big-time anniversary. A very hip reservation on the Peninsula, Lavanda features a sizable wine-tasting bar in addition to the dining room area.

The Food
A modern fusion of Italian and New American cuisines. Begin with roasted artichokes in pepper-flecked, oil-and-vinegar marinade, or roasted eggplant puree and marinated mushrooms. The pastas are the least pricey main courses and, luckily, they're also some of the best, especially rich ricotta gnocchi blanketed in brown butter-sage sauce. Roasted chicken breast is another winner, stuffed with Gorgonzola and chard and covered in a blend of white wine and tomato sauce. Desserts are excellent, such as a warm chocolate cake with caramel sauce and caramelized pear crostata with vanilla gelato and brandy sauce.

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kevin_sheehy

Joined 8 years ago

Loved it! - Definite Go Back - and Soon. A friend and I came across Lavanda on a pleasant Saturday afternoon. I'm new in the San Jose area and probably had not been in Palo Alto in at least 20 years. The meal was outstanding. Service was very good and the surroundings were excellent. It wasn't busy, so I couldn't say what a crowd might do to service or food quality. Not light on the pocketbook. Definite go back. Wish I could do it today. And yes, there are easier places to park, but it was far from being a serious challenge.

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rinah

Joined 8 years ago

Outstanding Food and Service. My husband and I went for our anniversary dinner and had such a great experience. Wonderful food and service made this restaurant one we will come back to!

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wineguru

Joined 8 years ago

Great Meal!. Went to Lavanda restaurant last weekend with friends and really had a great meal. One thing that I really liked about this restaurant is the choices that one has. You can order from pasta to entrees and most of the appetizers can be shared. I highly recommend this restaurant.

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piks

Joined 8 years ago

A very good meal!. Went last night and had a really great dinner. My dinner was the pasta that had artichoke and onions. Since I rarely eat meat this was a great dish.

Doesn't Recommend

haris

Joined 8 years ago

A waste of time and money. In a word this place was pathetic. Food very over priced, staff not giving a damn about customers and not having a clue about their own food and wine. After paying nearly $90 I was still hungry when I left and felt very cheated.

Would not recommend this place to anyone.

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gilmoore

Joined 8 years ago

Totally suprised by this downtown PA gem!. This restaurant really suprised me. They have been around for a while and flying under the radar. Went in and had such a great dinner that I have not stoped talking about it to my friends. First, a wine list that will totally blow you away. Two pages of pinot noirs when most restaurant only have 4 or 5 selections. Had the flank steak special with artichokes, aspargus & peppers and my companion had the mahi with eggplant, peppers & onions. Simply delicious!