10/13/09

Don't Even Think About It...Not Worth It!

by Tobuk

I have eaten many times at Bambara, but it has been about one to two years since I have been back. Typically, I would have vendors stay at Hotel Monaco and we would eat at Bambara. I have had dinner and breakfast and it was always very good. Tonight I took 5 people to dinner there and the entire night was a disaster. First, the valet drives my car around the block and as he entered back into the Monaco parking lot he hit my skid plate on the driveway – awesome. The host is a male that was not very friendly with no real greeting or welcome at all. We are taken to our table by a waiter, which was a great table by the window. We order three appetizers and they were very good. I and one of my guests ordered the 12oz Dry Aged New York Steak. A couple ordered the Filet Mignon and the others the Halibut. Many of us ordered the Roasted Corn Bisque – which was ordinary at best. The reviews on the Halibut were good. Filet Mignon was good. Our New York Steak had been pre-sliced with a Béarnaise sauce and French fries. The fries looked straight out of Sysco Foods…nothing special at all. I cut into my steak and it was cold! The other steak was cold as well. I try cutting a piece and it tastes ok. I try to cut another piece and it was straight sinew. So much so, that I couldn’t cut through it. The other steak was exactly the same. Needless to say, we both sent back our steak and ordered the Filet Mignon. The Filet was adequate. Nothing special as to the price you are paying, however, but at least I could cut it!

We finish our meal and everyone is thinking about desert. After 10 minutes, the waiter finally brings a desert menu. Everyone picks what they would like and it took another 10-15 minutes before the waiter showed to take our desert order. Several had the White Chocolate Mousse and the waiter recommended the Blueberry Napoleon, which is what I chose. No kidding, we waited almost 20 minutes for the desert. He brought out two White Chocolate Mousses and one of them was clearly smaller than the other. After all of us looking at it, we noticed one didn’t have the graham cracker crust! Another person in our party ordered coffee and he tasted it and it was cold as well. So the waiter shows up to drop off the rest of the deserts and we send back the one mousse with no crust and the cold coffee. He brings out the new orders and the desert has crust and the coffee had been warmed. The White Mousse feedback was “ok”. I bite into my Napolean and it is completely bland. It has blueberry jam on the top that looks like somebody literally spooned out some jelly and put it on top. My Crème Fraiche ice cream has absolutely no taste. The blandest desert I have ever had. It was becoming comical at this point and we are laughing about how we have already sent 4 things back – what’s one more. I just chose not to eat it.

Net – I will not go back. Dinner was $400 and I tipped 20% to the waiter. I’m not going to take it out on him, but I will never come back at this point. Don’t tell me this is 5 star, when it barely makes a 2 star presence. The waiters were under-staffed, too laid back and the food was so ordinary – it isn’t worth the money. Save it for somewhere else, whatever you do. Don’t get sucked into the reviews all over the place. It used to be a great dining experience.

• Pros: Used to be really good
• Cons: Service not good, food over-priced and not good..

04/30/09

Best birthday dinner!

by suzeequ

My boyfriend and I went to Bambara for my birthday celebration and I was more than impressed. The service was above and beyond top notch and the food was delicious!!!! I came here to write an awesome review since people are very careful who they give their money to these days, but Bambara obviously doesn't need the extra attention. Proof by all the other posts, this restaurant is a gem in SLC. I will definitely be going back! PS...although the featured wine wasn't my fav choice, the option for a $20 bottle when everything else is $40+ is awesome in this economy!

• Pros: AMAZING SERVICE!!! And the food was good too!
• Cons: Wine prices

02/04/09

Great service, nice atmosphere, tasty food

by misskimberly

I visit this restaurant every time I travel to Salt Lake for business. It's always a great meal and the service is very attentive. Highly recommended!