With our time on the “left coast” quickly winding down, we wanted to make our last few days count. Roberto suggested a final dinner at Bistro Vida in downtown Menlo Park. Having enjoyed it previously, he made a 5:30 PM reservation for us and Lynn. Given the ticking clock on our visit, we were happy to accept.
A Cold Welcome in Menlo Park
We arrived to find a chilly evening and a line already snaking out the door. While the restaurant bills itself as a neighborhood staple inspired by “the great Parisian bistro culture,” the logistics of the evening made it feel a bit less than grand. We were seated at a table far too close to the front door, meaning every new arrival brought a fresh blast of cold air and a crowd of patrons brushing past us.
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Service Without the Smile
Our server, sporting a thick French accent and a notably “short-on-manners” attitude, did little to warm the atmosphere. His demeanor leaned a bit toward the arrogant—a trait I’ve occasionally encountered with “genuine” French service, but one that rarely makes a guest feel welcome.
The service took a turn for the worse when my drink order arrived. Despite the simplicity of a vodka and soda, the server delivered something entirely different. Even after I personally returned the incorrect drink to the host, the error was met with silence rather than an apology from him. The server never returned to check on us or question the returned beverage. There never was an apology from him, either.
A Culinary Mixed Bag
We ordered a wide spread to share, including the Escargots à la Bourguignonne ($20), Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée ($11), Coquilles ($17), and Tartare de Thon ($16). Unfortunately, the execution was inconsistent:
- The Hits: The Onion Soup was “pretty good,” though fairly standard for a bistro. The Sautéed Mushrooms were exactly as described, if a bit uninspired.
- The Misses: Roberto’s Caesar Salad arrived without the requested anchovies (he never did get them). The Chèvre Chaud featured beets that didn’t quite seem roasted. Sautéed Sea Scallops— there were three, smallish morsels—at the least, lacked proper herbs; the plating and presentation were a disappointment.
- The Oddities: The Tuna Tartare was served with wavy potato chips—a tacky addition that felt more like a snack bar than a French bistro. (The chips were not even house-made.) Furthermore, the menu itself suffered from a lack of polish, misspelling “Parmigiano” as “parmegiano.”
The Final Verdict
I don’t mean to be overly harsh; perhaps we simply caught the staff on an “off” night. However, for a restaurant with a line trailing out the front door, I expected a much higher level of attention to detail. The four categories that define a great dining experience:
- Food Quality: Average to inconsistent.
- Plating: The potato chips were a definitive low point.
- Service: Absentee and unapologetic.
- Atmosphere: Excessive noise and a constant cold draft.
In those categories, the restaurant fell well short. This performance earns Bistro Vida 2 ½ Zins.
Your Table is Waiting,
Ralph Pancetta
Bistro Vida is located at 641 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park, California.
Lauren’s Links
- Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Make at Home by Ina Garten (Author), Quentin Bacon (Photographer)
- Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set) by Julia Child (Author), Louisette Bertholle (Author), Simone Beck (Author)
- Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Techniques of Classic Bistro Cooking by Anthony Bourdain (Author)
