Sino Restaurant

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. The ultra-chic atmosphere provides a unique experience for any occasion--casual dinner, a party or a wedding reception.

Doesn't Recommend

scoobah_blue

Joined 7 years ago

Food was yum, service was awful. Disregarded reservations, even after they were confirmed verbally and in person.. I enjoy Sino for cocktails w/ friends. Bar staff is great and the ambience is fun, non pretentious, open and airy, just a great place to hang out. I decided to book dinner for my girlfriend's birthday via "that online system", requesting a call back if possible to confirm with my request, which was simply a booth for seating of four. A lovely hostess called the morning of and confirmed we would have a booth for her celebration. We got there 45 mins early for a drink prior to dining, I checked in, and was confirmed again, we would have a booth, per my request. Time to sit, and we were placed WAY in the back, at a square table w/ chairs, next to the emergency exit, completely away from the ambience of the restaurant. It was quiet, but not a booth. I simply wanted a booth, too much to ask? I spoke to the hostess requesting why were we seated at a table, and was told that "they NEVER promised a booth and that they would do the best to their ability." This was not true, and I wasn't ready to cont. the debate with her. I simply requested a booth, was promised verbally and in person, and for some reason they didn't come through. I was then told that we could have one if we wanted to wait... we never did but ended up seating closer inside at a more intimate setting. Wait staff was changed on us (of course due to station change), menus were never replaced for order, it took forever to get our cocktails, and our bottle of wine. Our water glasses were always full though. Food was yummy, but that's it. When it came time to pay, I (a female) did with my card, and the server automatically assumed that our one guy friend at the table was paying as he put the bill in front of him, and returned it to him for gratuity, even after I signed it and gave it to him for process. The wait staff and hostesses need serious training... The bar staff rocks so go for cocktails, but not for the dining experience. Food to go, now there's a thought.

Recommends

foodie1981

Joined 7 years ago

Trendy, attractive place but food was a disappointment.... staff needs to brighten up. Went here for an early dinner so seating was quick. The place is a real looker, like a vegas style night club but it did not make up for the medicore, over priced food and snobby servers and staff. We had the kung pao chicken lollipops, spicy fried calamari, ginger beef cubes and red dragon prawns. The chicken lollipops and beef cubes were tasty but cold. The calamari was the most disappointing part of our dinner. It was cold as if prepared hours ago, perhaps at lunch. I think the portion size was just right, not too small. I dont think I will go here again. Would have been a great place for a drink at the bar but the unfriendly, snobby servers (the female servers, especially). Next time I find myself on the Row, I'll take my $92 bucks and go to Blowfish where the servers actually smile.

Doesn't Recommend

dhoffmann

Joined 7 years ago

Overcharges. Although Sino is located on one of the best dining stripes in the Bay Area, the food is mediocre. The serving sizes are especially small and not very appetizing. Apart from the food, we got overcharged with items we never ordered. I recommend that you look at the bill before placing down your credit card.

Recommends

cookiemonster408

Joined 7 years ago

Hit or miss dim sum.. Came to Sino for lunch last week and have to say it was a rather disappointing experience. My guest and I sampled a variety of dim sum dishes, of which half were good, the other half cold and unappetizing. After mentioning this to our server, she responded by giving us a patronizing lecture on dim sum preparation. The unsatisfactory dishes were comped, but our server really tainted our experience. On top of that she then presented our check without asking if we wanted dessert. (A huge pet peeve of mine.) The decor is modern and chic which fits in perfectly with the ambiance of Santana Row. One plus-the spinach and shrimp dumplings were exquisite.

Recommends

lisahazarika

Joined 8 years ago

Another feather in Santana Row's cap!. Sino had fairly opened, when I had taken my husband there on his birthday and we had a great time. The atmosphere was marvelous and the bar looked very inviting.Starting from drinks, appetizers to the main course menu- everything seemed outlandish. The serving sizes were small, unlike its sister restaurant-Strait's Cafe. However its a experience to be explored.