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A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

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David M. Bueker

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A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by David M. Bueker » Mon May 12, 2008 10:17 pm

I cannot ignore it. I just had one of the worst meaqls of my life. If I wasn't 3 hours from my usual time zone (and thus not exhausted) I would have made a scene and walked out.

The Pierre Lafond Bistro in Santa Barbara, CA was the scene of the culinary crime. Mango/shrimp summer rolls with each end ofthe two rolls hard as rock (clearly pre-made hours or days before). The filet and shrimp started promisingly with some flavorful (if dominated by celery) veggies, but the potatoes were lukewarm & pasty, and my rare/medium rare filet was the "tail end" and thus thick in one section and woefully thin in another. But the whole thing was well done. I sent it back.

A few minutes later a new steak appears with THE SAME accompaniments, now cold.The new steak was rare on the top and well cone on the bottom, unseasoned and flavorless.

Ugh. The wait staff was also incredibly inattentive, with my water glass dry within minutes (I had been on a plane all day) and refilled once after I vigorously waved it in the air. I was not even offered dessert (not that I would have chanced it), nor any accomidation for a terrible meal. No meaningful management was in evidence.

Ghastly - just ghastly.
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by Jeff Grossman » Tue May 13, 2008 12:10 am

Condolences, Dave. I suggest writing a letter to the management... they should appreciate the feedback and, maybe, offer some compensation.

if not, post your experiences on the internet and let 'em have all hell. :D
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John Tomasso

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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by John Tomasso » Tue May 13, 2008 7:59 am

Consider it the price you have to pay for not asking the locals for dining advice. :mrgreen:
"I say: find cheap wines you like, and never underestimate their considerable charms." - David Rosengarten, "Taste"
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by David M. Bueker » Tue May 13, 2008 9:36 am

John Tomasso wrote:Consider it the price you have to pay for not asking the locals for dining advice. :mrgreen:


Believe me I thought about that more than once. Where should I go tonight?
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by John Tomasso » Tue May 13, 2008 10:18 am

Where are you staying?

Try:
Square One
Opal
Ca Dario
Via Maestro 42

You like seafood, right? Try the Hungry Cat on Chapala Street - if you're dining alone they have a bar where dinner is served.
Last edited by John Tomasso on Tue May 13, 2008 10:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by David M. Bueker » Tue May 13, 2008 10:20 am

John Tomasso wrote:Where are you staying?


The Holiday Inn on West Haley. I would prefer to walk to dinner if possible (but it's not a deal breaker). So Square One is a good place to start. :D
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by John Tomasso » Tue May 13, 2008 10:22 am

check my edit.
The HC would be a walk, but it's certainly doable, even pleasant.
"I say: find cheap wines you like, and never underestimate their considerable charms." - David Rosengarten, "Taste"
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by David M. Bueker » Tue May 13, 2008 10:25 am

That's not far at all (for me at least - anything less than 2 miles is barely moving). Thanks!
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by Bernard Roth » Tue May 13, 2008 3:01 pm

Ditto what Tomasso said. You should have called or emailed. So you take your lumps. Now go to Square One!
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by David M. Bueker » Tue May 13, 2008 10:41 pm

Just got back from Square One - outstanding!
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by John Tomasso » Wed May 14, 2008 8:31 am

It is far better to light a candle than to curse the darkness, isn't it?

There's no excuse for anyone to eat poorly in the Santa Barbara area - I consider it my personal mission to provide all visitors with informed choices for their stays here.

Try the Hungry Cat tonight.
"I say: find cheap wines you like, and never underestimate their considerable charms." - David Rosengarten, "Taste"
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Re: A meal so bad (Pierre Lafond Bistro)

by David M. Bueker » Wed May 14, 2008 10:08 am

Fortunately or unfortunately I will be in the Woodland Hills area tonight. I know I am going to be well fed.
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