Ashtoreth5 "Reliable Reviews!"

LOCATION:
The Bella Vista restaurant is truly in the middle of nowhere and can be a daunting drive when there is bad weather/fog but the drive is well worth it!
AMBIANCE:
The restaurant itself is a little dated. It is dark inside and has an old European feel to it. It is much more romantic feeling than anything else and I was not bothered in the least in fact it really added to the charm.
MENU:
This is a classic place for a great fillet minion and I would also strongly recommend the grand Marnier soufflé but everything on the menu that I have tried has been wonderful.
SERVICE:
Classic European style service, fast, attentive and exactly what you would expect for the price.
PRICE:
Not cheap, it is a special occasion restaurant but well worth it!
OVERALL:
I had a great time. I came here for my birthday after someone recommended it to me, everyone in my party had a wonderful time!

LOCATION:
In down town Palo Alto, CA. There is a parking structure in the same block, with optional street parking. Please note, there is a curtain (much like an upscale bar or club would have) that you must go through in order to reach the front door. The first time I went to Tamarine this confused me and took me a while to realize where the entrance was.
AMBIANCE:
Upscale bar type of feel. They are always crowded and if you sit at the bar or at the bar table be prepared to rub elbows with the people sitting next to you. Away from the bar it is quiet and provides a very intimate feel (low lighting, soft music etc).
MENU:
The menu is very diverse and always changing. Nothing is bad. Food is served family style so be prepared to share!
SERVICE:
Top notch service. I have never had any problems.
OVERALL:
Great place for families but also for couples or people who are looking to have a great night out with friends.

LOCATION:
Down town Carmel, CA street parking.
AMBIANCE:
Very small but very charming. I felt like I was dining in someone’s home. The owner is also so nice and welcoming.
MENU:
All the classic German dishes. You can’t go wrong. Everything is authentic and very good. It is exactly like what you would be served in Germany.
SERVICE:
The hostess is also the waitress and has a busboy/waiter that helps out. We enjoyed the family atmosphere.
OVERALL:
Every time I visit Carmel I make a visit to see this restaurant! Every time I am surprised that it is still in business. There are always only a handful of people eating purely because only the locals and a few curious tourists know it exists. If you love German food I highly recommend this restaurant! 5 stars for the excellent food and atmosphere.

LOCATION:
Down town Carmel, look for the lavender that they sell outside! Street parking only so plan to make many circle in finding a spot!
AMBIANCE:
Romantic, intimate, and elegant. The ambiance is perfect. There is room enough for people to have their own space (especially for large groups) but intimate enough to feel cozy.
MENU:
Italian cuisine, there is not a bad dish!
SERVICE:
Friendly knowledgeable staff, the food has always come in a timely manor and waiters/waitresses are attentive.
OVERALL:
I love this restaurant and give it 5 stars for it’s cuisine, ambiance and service!

LOCATION:
Very close to the circle. There is limited parking in the lot in the back (it’s often very full).
AMBIANCE:
Very cute! Like a very upscale, European deli. I love everything about this place. It’s clean, well decorated and everything is brand new.
MENU:
Any sandwich you want they will make. I also love their cream of tomato soup! I also think their salads look great but I have yet to try them.
SERVICE:
Very fast! The cashiers were nice and the owner has always been there when I’ve been. They even have servers bring you, your meal/silverware etc.
PRICE:
Not the cheapest deli I’ve been too but it’s worth the extra money. They use really high quality ingredients and you get what you pay for!
OVERALL:
I love coming here! It’s perfect for any occasion!

LOCATION:
Very accessible. Parking can be a problem because it has a small lot in the back which it shares with the movie theater and street parking is only a few spaces and usually taken.
AMBIANCE:
Very small! The tables are very close together. Other that, the building itself is new and decorated very nicely. It is well lit and they play rock in roll classics.
MENU:
All the sushi I have tried is really good for the price! A word of caution when something includes “spicy tuna” it’s really spicy! The tempura is only okay, a little too oily for me and I would recommend the sushi over anything else. You receive soy beans and miso soup right when you sit down and Mochi ice cream at the end of your meal which is a really nice touch.
SERVICE:
Excellent. Aside from the 10-20 minute wait (they have limited space and are very popular) the servers are really nice. They recognize their usual customers and work really well together. The food comes out fast and they are really attentive to all their customers even when they are busy.
PRICE:
Very reasonable, about $15- $20 a person.
OVERALL:
I really like Ocean Blue. They have done really well for being such a new restaurant. They really are the best sushi in Redlands which isn’t saying much, but the fact that you can get sushi in a place like Redlands that’s good is pretty impressive.

LOCATION:
Located in Old Town Orange. Parking is on the street and in the back.
AMBIANCE:
Very charming! Newly renovated building (it use to be an old antique shop). It has a very quaint, European feel to it. The outside tables are really nice to sit at on a nice day or if you have brought your k9 companion.
MENU:
I had a Panini here and it was good! It was right after it opened so I don’t know if the quality has slacked since then. I also had some of their tea which was loose leaf brewed which was really good. Also, their gelato is superb! It is the best I have had other than in Italy. I have had the pistachio and lemon sorbet. Both were excellent I can’t wait to try their new flavors!
SERVICE:
Typical for a coffee/pasty shop; rather slow.
PRICE:
I don’t exactly remember but I know it wasn’t too expensive. The gelato is well worth it whatever the price!
OVERALL:
Very cute, and clearly the gelato is a big hit! If you are looking for a great sandwich place I would suggest going to Mustard’s Cafe just on the other side of the circle they have a bigger selection and higher quality ingredients for about the same price.

LOCATION:
There is parking on the street and in the back. Walking distance to everything in the circle and from Chapman U.
AMBIANCE:
Very college town, classic pizza parlor, usually crowded at dinner and on weekends. They have TV screens with sports games always turned on. They have outside seating and this place is great for large groups!
MENU:
The pizza is great. Salads are okay. Garlic knots and cinnamon knots are really good!! They have take out and delivery. You can’t really go wrong.
SERVICE:
Pay/order at the counter. Self seating but they bring everything but your drinks to your table. I would also say this place is great for groups!
PRICE:
It’s very reasonable I can’t remember the exact prices but I would expect to pay around $5- $10 per person (average) depending on what you order.
OVERALL:
I love this place; it’s a great lunch/dinner when you want something quick and easy.

My family and I went to Cetrella for their Easter 3 course brunch. It was my first time visiting this restaurant however; my family had been two or three times prior and had, had a good experience.
LOCATION:
Half Moon bay is beautiful and although this restaurant does not have a view of the ocean it is located in a beautiful building. It looks newly constructed/remodeled, has a beautiful fireplace.
AMBIANCE:
Very nice, this restaurant was not too loud, was decorated simply but elegantly and has a very relaxed atmosphere.
MENU:
The 3 course meal on Easter was only okay. For my first course I had a soup which was way over salted (I almost sent it back) but had good flavor. My second course was a poached egg dish which also had good flavors but had too many components and was not plated well. My family all liked their dishes except two members in my party had the duck dish and said it was too sweet and nothing was outstanding. For desert there were two options, both less than marginal. One was a “molten cake” that looked like it had been in the freezer and was extremely dry. The other was better but also looked like it had been bought in a store not home made. I heard the normal menu is much better. I’d like to come back on a normal day when they aren’t flooded with people.
SERVICE:
The service was pretty marginal as well. Not only did the waitress take forever to take our order, bring our drinks etc. she also said something was a vegetarian dish when it said on the menu that prosciutto was in it (minor mistake but still). Refills were also a problem. Our glasses remained empty on multiple occasions. Otherwise everything seemed fine.
PRICE:
$50 per person w/o drinks for the Easter brunch.
OVERALL:
I’d like to try this restaurant on a non-prefixed menu. I doubt we will return for a holiday brunch or any pre-fixed menu. We only came to Cetrella on this occasion because the brunch at the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay (amazing ocean views) was already booked. Overall the meal was not memorable and the service was slow but the atmosphere was great.

LOCATION:
Right next to the cal train stop, very easy to get to however parking can be a hassle. Leave an extra few minutes to find street parking in Menlo Park.
AMBIANCE:
Very charming, what you would expect, cozy and crowded. Each room is decorated with various tea-themed items. Each table has a bell which you ring for service. They have a small gift store in the front of the restaurant. It is a group/ kid friendly environment which can be hard to find at other tea houses.
MENU:
Lisa’s Tea Treasures is nothing special. It’s exactly what you would expect from a tea place. It’s a California version of afternoon tea on the east-coast. They tea cakes and cookies are good but nothing to write home about. You will also get the same experience every time, they seem to be very consistent.
SERVICE:
Fine, I’ve never had a problem. The girls are usually very friendly and eager to assist you.
PRICE:
About $20 per person.
OVERALL:
Cute place to take young girls or to have a birthday party. I usually come here with my girlfriend I haven’t seen in a long time (so we have time to catch up). 3 stars for the food, 4 for the service, 4 for the consistency.