Left Bank Menlo Park Brasserie
| Address: | 635 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA |
| Phone: | +1 650-473-6543 |
| Site: | leftbank.com |
| Rating: | 3.8 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 10:30AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 15
RO
Royce Remer
Do not, under any circumstances, go to this restaurant. I like Left Bank, Ive been to several. This particular Left Bank suffers from several things which would plague any restaurant: 1) possibly the worst service Ive ever encountered at any restaurant. Our waiter was never there. It took about 40 minutes to get bread. I had to remind him about the drinks we ordered. When we had finally gotten our food, there was not a single check on us, my entire group had empty glasses the whole night. 2) they were out of the first two things I ordered on the menu. What I finally found I could order (a steak), I was disappointed in. Maybe it was the long anticipation for the food, but I expected something better than a barely seasoned, tough flank steak. The mushroom side was good, had I known, I mightve just had that 3) more waiting as busmen cleared our table clean. Would we get a dessert menu? A check? It took another 30 minutes to find out. The restaurant was empty at this point: just my friends, me, and an empty table. We declined the dessert menu and paid cash so as to limit any further time spent there... 2 hours gone - for a sub-par steak and a single glass of wine.
JE
Jennifer Lu Gilbert
5 woofs for being super dog-friendly!! A girlfriend and I had a Saturday brunch date with our furbabies and it was a success. We requested an outside table and it was a piece of cake getting one (they had about 10 tables total). Immediately upon arrival, the server brought out a water bowl for the dogs. At this point, anything negative that they do really couldnt be that bad. (yes, Im bias). We got a pate plate to share and it was scrumptious. My friend got the egg omelet and I got the duck hash. Both portions were large enough for us to take left-overs home. Prices are decent and they do have a good wine list. I wish they had bottomless mimosas! Minus 1 star for the slow service. Not sure if its the French way, but both Left Bank locations tend to take FOREVER to get the food, the bill, etc.
A
A Private User
Wanted to book a high end party for 10 people. Called Left Bank in Menlo Park. Phone answered by someone who could not speak English. Got hung up on while waiting to talk to someone else. Called back. Was told that a group my size should be in the private dining room, and to call Charles who coordinates group events in San Mateo. Called Charles, who told me the private dining room was not appropriate for my group because it now holds 40, and to call Menlo Park back and ask for the "booths with curtains" Call back Menlo, go through the woman who doesnt speak English (again) and get told that those booths only hold 5 people. Give up and make reservations at Evvia. Left Bank used to be a favourite destination of mine, not any more with this pathetic level of service.
A
A Private User
Pretty good French food at value prices. We go there with our kid once a week. The menu has a back bone of fish and chicken and duck dishes that frequently change sides, but stay very good. Recently that started with prefixes consisting of risotto meal and steaks, but I avoid this since I am not in love with risotto. Daily fish and meat specials would be welcome to come back. Portions are also very good, too. Its a 5 star restaurant in the world of everyday restaurants that excludes most Michelin star restaurants. Wine list is pretty basic, but we usually bring a bottle. Service is usually good, but the staff can be overwhelmed if it gets crowded, and this can happen after 7pm or even 6:30pm during December season...
RO
Robert Blasi
I dont think its fair to describe Left Banks food as "Gallic fare." Id consider it more of a French take on a contemporary menu. For example, they offer an absolutely delicious gazpacho with watermelon appetizer. That said, the Left Bank is simply wonderful. The food is delicious and pleasing to the eye. The facility itself is large, beautiful, brightly-lit, and has a small function room for private parties. Service is well dressed, well spoken, and prompt. Dinner here is certainly worth your time.
RO
Roger Knopf
Has gone downhill steadily. The kitchen really does not have high standards. Ive gotten soggy frisee and cold sauce, and food arrives in a very uneven pace. Service only a little better, sometimes requests are forgotten, or I have to flag my server down because they just do not check in very often. Nice bar, great burgers and the best fries in town though. We try it every year or so hoping the place OK improves but as of Oct 2012 still a bad restaurant at high prices.
HO
Hod Greeley
Good food, interesting selection with options from the standard (French toast for brunch), to the more unusual (steak tartare). Plenty of options for most any palate. On the pricey side. I didnt care for our particular waiter, but Id say thats more personal style than anything really off. They made minor mistakes with our order, but it was a large group (12), and issues were quickly corrected.
PE
Pepa Richardson
Mediocre food. The leeks and mushrooms topping on my tartine was tasty but half the mushrooms were hard and the bread was so hard as well it was a struggle to slice. The side salad was pretty boring just lettuce and nothing special about the dressing. Slow service to take our order bring the food and get the bill. For the price I wont be back.
DA
Daniel Koopman
The food was ok - menu was not particularly large and what was there was good but not great. Service could use some improvements - took us about 20 minutes to get our orders placed, and spent a lot of time going back and forth trying to get it right. Hopefully they can take a look at those things, and it will be a better 2nd trip!
LE
Leysi Sandoval
My boyfriend and I sat at the bar and the bartender was very respectful, detailed and thoughtful towards me being a female having dinner at the bar. He gave me water a second time without me asking right after I told my boyfriend I was thirsty. Took a moment to laugh and sincerely smile at my silliness and timed out food very well
ST
Steve Bellamy
Great Salad Nicoise, but there are lots of other good things here. Its hard to resist the French fries - they really are French! And I try to avoid the dessert, too, but sometimes I cant resist. Theres an excellent wine list and the fish is also very good. And Im told the burgers are great, too.
TY
Tyler Richendollar
Decent bites, good draft beers, and good wine selection. Definitely very French in almost every way. We had a happy hour there, and it was enjoyable. Theyre one of a few places in Menlo Park open between lunch and dinner with a 3:00-6:00pm happy hour. Would consider going back.
PE
Peter MacKenzie
Ate here once in February 2015 (on holiday in CA). Hard to recognize the place from some of the reviews. Very good service, delightful ambiance, fine wines and authentic French food (I had the cassoulet). Would certainly go back.
A
A Private User
Great Kids Menu Left Bank is a great place to go with kids for a nice meal. They have a very reasonable kids menu with healthy options. The place is loud enough that you dont feel like you are in anyones way, but not too loud or
A
A Private User
Left Bank is a great place to go with kids for a nice meal. They have a very reasonable kids menu with healthy options. The place is loud enough that you dont feel like you are in anyones way, but not too loud or overwhelming.
