Snooty Front Desk Service, I Left Embarrassed and Furious
I reserved a table on a Saturday night.

I arrived early, the restaurant was empty, and was told - not asked, but told - to wait until my reservation time to sit at a table. Unbelievably rude treatment! The restaurant was empty. If not for the becalming manner of my dinner guests, I would have surely demanded an immediate reprimand for the front desk hostess.

I can never forget or forgive this terrible experience. Later, I tried to contact the restaurant management, but received no reply.    [26 Feb 2001 12:39:55]

Food: -   Service:    Ambiance: -   Overall: 

     ­Eric Tetangco, Irvine, CA   

Not A Fair Notice...This Is a Good Restaurant
Bistango is on the ground floor of a dull office building, in a nondescript area of a beige city. But its food is very good. Very good! Help is fine, music is sometimes committed (soft jazz) and the wine list is better than passable. Impressed with itself? Perhaps, but still a very good kitchen and a nice room, though like most restaurants it is a little noisy.    [08 Dec 2003 21:08:36]

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     ­R. McDonough, Irvine CA   

Front Desk Is Really Bad
We were actually ignored, even with reservations, because we weren't properly dressed. After a day at Disneyland, we just didn't have time to drive 60 miles to change.

After an hour of BS from the front desk, our party of 6 had to leave for less snooty surroundings. Even after all that, we are going there tonight, again.    [15 Feb 2004 16:59:46]

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Recommended Dishes: truffle cappuccino

     ­Dennis D. Paul   

Hostile Hostess?
Didn't appreciate the impolite and pushy attitude of the front desk. That girl should be fired. I don't mind paying a premium for so-so food, as long as the service is great, but the service wasn't great. Front desk hostess had a demeaning, almost abrasive, attitude. Geeze, bad day?    [06 Jul 2004 12:36:09]

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     ­Anonymous   

I went to Bistango last night (Valentine's day) for dinner.

I asked the waitress if my girlfriend and I could just share a 3-course meal since I wasn't very hungry at all and my girlfriend doesn't eat that much. She told us no, so I had to order another $47 meal that I had no desire to eat at all.

During the meal, the plates were never cleared, I didn't get a refill on my drink until we had received dessert, and the drinks were not even what we had ordered to boot! We both ordered Fillet Mignon and didn't receive steak knives.

I left a 7.5% tip for the bad service, and to top it all off, they charged my credit card for a 15% tip - more than I signed my name to!

I will never step foot in that restaurant again unless the manager decides to comp us for the entire meal.    [15 Feb 2005 19:20:45]

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     ­Anonymous   

Valentine's Day 2005
I had a similar experience to the other poor St. Valentine's diner. I ordered the chocolate dessert up-front, as you had to order your entire meal up-front. My boyfriend and I had finished eating our main course for about 35 minutes and were nuzzled close and chatting, when the waitress (we had two men and one women throughout the course of our meal), approached our table and said "hate to break up a moment" but I need to inform you that the chocolate dessert you ordered is no longer available. She then asked if I would be having the tiramisu or some tart thing. I said neither and she walked away unimpressed. We waited another 18 minutes for her to return with the bill, during which time I saw the chocolate dessert I ordered being delivered to two different tables to people whose reservations were later than mine. When she returned with the bill she said I'll leave this with you and before I could even sigh she flung around (her hair flying over our table) and marched off. We left a 15% tip and paid in cash. In hindsight, I wish we had only left a 7.5% tip as the other St. Valentine's victim as they would not have been able to charge a credit card! I called the next day to no avail. The manager never returned my call. This was not my first visit to Bistango. It will however be my last.    [28 Mar 2005 21:12:24]

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     ­Liz   

Bistango - Excellent Food and Service
Had a great dinner with my daughter and granddaughter. Can't believe the bad reviews I've read since our experience was excellent. Perhaps things have changed since the old reviews. I've had lunch at Bistango a couple of times after visiting a near-by art museum. Good salads and drinks. But dinner is special - delicious fish, and very special desserts. The restaurant was full (on a Saturday eve.) Was inviting and comfortable.    [15 Jan 2006 14:15:17]

Food:    Service: -   Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: artichoke or asparagus appetizers, orange roughy, swordfish, tiramisu

     ­Anonymous   

Go to Bistango for the Food
I've read all the prior reviews, so I was loaded for bear, but had nothing but a pleasant experience. A week later I took my daughter and her fiancé, again I felt I received above average service, but listen I went back for the food, and food presentation.

The Garlic soup sounds dreadful, but is wonderful. Our entrees (fish) were as good as I had. As far as dress code, I would just say nice business casual, evenings dress up a bit more - it's not Coco's.

Regarding manners, it's a two way street, yes we are the customer, and should get extra consideration. I tried their other restaurant in Newport, The Bayside, and it is also excellent, particularly their Sunday brunch - honestly it's one of my favorite brunch places now.    [29 Mar 2006 14:46:19]

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     ­Robert   

Bad Service, Even Worse Food
Snotty front desk, snotty waiters, poor service, bad food. Would not recommend.    [05 Aug 2006 21:04:53]

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     ­Anonymous   

I Love This Place!!!
This is my favorite restaurant and has been for years! Their food is the best!

The grilled rare ahi is superb and their soufflés are delicious! Most of the time I bypass the hostess and sit in the bar area to listen to the music while eating my dinner. Like I said, my favorite restaurant!    [01 Nov 2007 18:30:19]

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Recommended Dishes: Grilled rare ahi

     ­Anonymous