Madera

Reviews 6

NA

Nathan Yang

Unlike many of the other fancy dinners Ive recently enjoyed, this one doesnt use a prix fixe menu. I remember seeing a choice of ~10 appetizers and ~10 entrees. None of them looked particularly exotic. It was all food easily-found at most classy American restaurants. The average diner was around 40-60 yo, so the crowd was a bit older than I expected. There were enough people without jackets or dress shirts that its pretty safe to say that the dress code is more relaxed here. The younger and livelier crowd was at the bar next door, and they were all dressed in stunning outfits. The four appetizers we shared (Poached Wild Mexican Prawns, Grilled Octopus, Potato Gnocchi + Poached Egg, Hawaiian Heart of Palm) were all surprisingly good. They were both delicious and visually-appealing. I usually dislike gnocchi because theyre plain, but these ones were easily the best Ive eaten. Unfortunately, the entrees we ordered were all disappointing. We ordered the lamb saddle, seared sole, pan-roasted red snapper, and sturgeon. They were all too well-done. Its like the chefs that night didnt know how to prepare medium-rare meat. In particular, the sturgeon was very tough and thick. I was hoping to recreate the experience I had at One Market Restaurant in SF where the sturgeon tasted like an amazing giant scallop. In contrast, the one at Madera had the texture of rubber and the taste like fried calamari. Lastly, the crispy Brussels sprouts sides we ordered were burnt crisp. If you want good Brussels sprouts, you need to try the heavenly ones at Lexington House in Los Gatos. I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. I really like the venue and the appetizers, but the entrees ruined the experience.

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AB

Abbey Taylor

I really dont like to give bad reviews, but Ive had it with this place. Now, this review is solely for the bar/ outdoor area thats adjacent to the fine dining restaurant. Ive been to both and while the food in the restaurant is subpar, the service is great. Ive been to the patio for cocktails and appetizers a few times and every time I go I tell myself Im not coming back. Of course at the first sign of nice weather, I cant think of another place to go so, reluctantly I go back thinking maybe itll be cleaned up. This recent visit was by far the worst. Now, Im all for being "dog friendly," but if youre going to allow dogs then please take a lint roller or vacuum the seat cushions after the pets leave. There is always so much hair/fur on all the seats, its disgusting. Also, please clean up the cushions already! There is always food crumbs and stuff smeared into the seats. The pillows are all dirty. I saw the servers put the pillows that fell on the dirty floors right back on the seat cushions. After youve seen how dirty the floors are, youll understand. Im posting 3 photos along with this review to show the mess. If youre going to charge astronomical amounts for glasses of wine, at least try to make an attempt to clean up the place for your guests. With the amounts they charge, they can surely afford a cleaning service or extra resources to clean up during busy times. Not sure why this place is so consistently disappointing.

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JO

Joanne Liu

I was disappointed to eating there last night. I brought my uncle and my aunt whom from Boston there for dinner because I remember the dinner I had there in 2009. It was fabulous. This time was different. My Aunt ordered Duck, the potatoes were under cooked, the duck meat cooked like medium rare was tough. My uncle ordered Steak, the sauce did not really compliment the steak, it was sticky and strange flavor. The meat is also tough although it was cooked in perfection. The problem is probably the beef itself. I ordered Red Snapper which was well cooked. My uncle has reordered a different dish "Cod Fish" which was Okay, but the sauce came with it was not good. Luckily we had the sauce on the side. The sauce was a dark clear broth really does not go with the crispy Cod; however, the sauce that came with the fish was good. I had high hope to show off the quality food Bay Area has to offer and was very disappointed. A note for the chef: please pay attention to the side vegetables that suppose to compliment the main course, they should be cooked through with flavors in addition for presentations purposes. The service was good.

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A

A Private User

They are trying *way* to hard with the menu . . . it contradicts the warm and well thought out facility. Finally after how long? 8-9 months, they discover the freshest and most sustainable local ingredient, Sand Dabs. Available fresh everyday all year. As usual they take it too far with a "Prosciutto Jus". Give me a break. Alaskan halibut? Whats wrong with local halibut? Nothing, even sounds good with the "Ragout of Fresh Italian Butter Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Marinated Beets" accompaniment but again they cross the line with the addition of "Gypsy Peppers, Zucchini Stuffed Calamari" KISS The oil candles on the tables give off an offensive kerosene aroma, the perfect assault pairing for the "Seared Day Boat Scallops, Roasted Chanterelle Mushrooms, Rapini Shoots, Apple Turnip Puree Huckleberry Jus" I have tried it twice as have many other people I know and the second experience confirmed our suspicions that there is no need for us to return. Rather spend the money at Bentleys, The Village Pub, Flea Street, Marche . . . oh . . . its a hotel? guess Ill have to open my own shop, show you how NorCal does it.

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BO

Bob Yau

Ah Madera, this place reminds me of sunsets, puppy dogs, motherhood and apple pie. The first time I ate at Madera, it was a lazy Saturday evening in the fall. We arrived early and strolled into the bar to wait for our friends. To my surprise, there was a beautiful outdoor patio facing west. While waiting for our server, it gave us the opportunity to soak in the view and relax to the damped sounded of the outside world. It was a good 10 minutes or so before someone acknowledged our existence, but we didnt mind. Once our friends arrived, we went into the dinning room. It reminds me of modernized lodge, large fireplace, barn style ceilings, with white table cloth. The food was average, but the views were exceptional. The wine list is very good and has a few of my favorites. I appreciate the Madera like a outdoor get away, one that possess a formal yet quaint charm, the feeling of being away, and a cozy atmosphere despite the sea of suits. Id recommend anyone to give this place a try, sometime near sunset, when there are few suits around. Youll feel relaxed and refreshed at the end of the night.

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LE

Leslie Liu

Brunch at Madera: We tried the eggs benedict with smoked salmon ($18) and the lump crab meat frittata ($21), along with a champagne mojito ($13). We asked for bread, which was a delicious, soft focaccia served with butter. The eggs benedict dish was overall excellent, but the eggs were poached a bit more than they should have been. The frittata was a disappointment, the crab meat was not very discernible and the dish just wasnt tasty, except for the tomato marmalade that came with it. The mojito was perfect. On this visit the wait staff could have been better; we had empty water and coffee ($5) cups for too long, and the restaurant wasnt full. Madera Lounge: Complimentary bar snacks (olives, nuts, popcorn) are better than average, a nice touch. Good views, when its not so much of a scene you cant see it. Excellent Asian pear vodka cocktail. The burger is fine, while the accompanying fries were really good. On a separate visit, the fries ordered alone were a tad too crisp. The tuna tartare is a generous portion (though inexplicably few wonton chips come with it) and worth ordering.

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