Restaurant James Randall

11/13/08

FRIED CHICKEN!!!!!!!

by cockadoodledo at Citysearch

My wife and I recently ate at this small and cozy restaurant and I must say that the fried chicken was epic. The portion was huge. It was still fabulous the next day when i had it for lunch. I also enjoyed my roasted red pepper and tomato soup with some kind of creamy white cheese. Dessert was not the best I have ever had, but my wife had a very good pumpkin cheesecake. I will definitely be going back and hope the chicken is still there.

• Pros: Chicken
• Cons: Park at the B of A

04/01/08

Shame on you mgrey!

by livwylie at Citysearch

I've had the pleasure to dine at this small cozy family owned restaurant at least 20 times since it opened. I've had nothing but the best food, service and atmosphere and have brought many friends in that say the same thing. I must warn people that some of these online reviews seem to come from out of left field. The portions here are huge! The "tattoo-ed service" is one of the most friendly and humble young ladies I've had as a server. The "rich kid" is a talented and caring young man that doesn't deserve the disrespect he's received in the prior review. Shame on you mgrey200! Get a life, or get a job but either way, get off citysearch.....which I can see you have since you showed up to produce a completely false review and have never returned to discuss any other experiences, anywhere. Five stars to one of the best restaurants in the South Bay!

• Pros: Fabulous!
• Cons: Not even one!

11/28/07

Avoid the fancy title - this is an amatuer

by mgrey200 at Citysearch

Rich kid gets his mother to buy him a restaurant. Bad food ensues.

The portions are tiny for the price, and the service is tattooed and quite snobby. The restaurant is uncomfortable, with wobbly tables and chairs as previously reviewed, and almost claustrophobic because it is so tiny. Frozen peas and carrots with the lamb was unbelievable at that price. They have nice desserts. Don't stop in for more than that. A "name" and the fact that it's in Los Gatos must impress people a lot, since the food certainly doesn't.

• Pros: Good desserts
• Cons: Horrible entrees

06/10/07

What A Joke!

by ohcimoan at Citysearch

The food is nothing special and overpriced. The small portion of halibut was good but nothing exciting and the lamb was dissapointing. The decor is charming but it is so loud inside it is hard to have a conversation. Service wise, 1)we had to wait an unusually long time to place a drink order while seated on the patio waiting for our table 2)another long wait to place our dinner order 3) an even longer wait for our food to arrive 4) the girl who cleared our plates RUDELY reached over in front of us without asking if we were done or saying " excuse my reach", etc...5) she snatched my cream and sugar away while I was still drinking coffee and the french press was still half full...With entrees around $30-$35, I expected more from James Randall.

• Cons: food and service

03/06/07

Love the Friendly Atmosphere

by sblackwell at Citysearch

I don't normally write reviews I just read them but after reading the last review of james randall I had to speak up. I love how friendly and attentive the staff and owners are at this restaurant. The food is very good and I've dined there at least 10 times so when I read that someone didn't like the "touchy" owner I suddenly felt sorry for the writer of the review. This is a small intimate restaurant. Every review or article about this place discusses how charming it is and how it feels like you are dining in someone's home. I think that reviewer must have a different interpetation of cozy and intimate. What did you expect? You don't have to like a cozy, warm and friendly atmosphere, but it isn't appropriate to bash a restaurant or it's owner for trying to welcome you and make you feel at home. You should stick with institutional dining and let the rest of us enjoy this unique and relaxing restaurant.

The Trout is delicious, the sauce is subtle which I find a perfect match with the soft flavor of the trout. It's easy to overpower trout. The pork chops are amazing. The tempura roll is fabulous, I haven't had a bad meal here. The selection of salads are tasty and creative. They can be deceiving however, the Beet Salad isn't really a typical salad. The arugula is pureed.

It sounds to me like the reviewer has some "personal space" issues and then decided that because the owner invaded her space, or maybe her husbands space that she wasn't going to like anything about the restaurant. I say keep up the good work restaurant james randall.

• Pros: Friendly attentive service