Gardens of Avila Restaurant

Review summary

1. S

   Sandra

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This has become my favorite restaurant in the SLO area. We were there with a party of 4. We all ordered different things (chicken over risotto, Salmon over polenta with veggies, shrimp and pancetta pasta, Flatiron steak with potatoes) and each dish was beautifully prepared and so delicious! All the seasonings and sauces were spot on and the meats/fish cooked to perfection. The service was outstanding, portions were a good size, dessert was excellent (we had choc cake and tiramisu), and both the restaurant and the gardens are very charming. For this high quality food, prices were reasonable. COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF...we will be back for certain!!
   

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2. D

   David

   Central Coast

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The scallop appetizer was a bit late. They were extremely tiny. But otherwise the entire meal was fabulously done. 
   

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3. G

   GALE

   VIP

   Seattle

   83 reviews

   3.0

   83 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Delicious food, great ingredients, but the execution was off. French onion soup was lukewarm, chicken with risotto also lukewarm, carrot cake was slapped on a white plate without garnish. Our table was set in a thorough fare where staff was running back and forth. All this ruined the fine dining atmosphere.
   

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4. N

   Nancy

   VIP

   Orange County

   134 reviews

   5.0

   134 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Jessica was our server, nice, friendly and kept our water glasses filled. We had the Pre-fix dinner for January extended thru February. My husband and I both had the onion soup, I had Mary’s chicken with risotto and it was excellent. My husband had the calamari, we both ordered carrot cake for dessert and took it home. We also both had leftovers which I always love. He had two Bombay sapphire on the rocks and I had two old fashions. Both were excellently made by Jessica. Love this place as it’s only five minutes from our home.  Everyone was very friendly, including the people that sat us and I’m assuming some of the managers as they came around and talk to us. 
   

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5. S

   Shelley

   Central Coast

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 3 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I had the price fixe menu, wonderful burrita, a perfectly prepared steak and delicious carrot cake. Will definitely return!
   

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6. J

   Jane

   Central Coast

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 3 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Beautiful setting, tranquil ambiance with a large fireplace, high ceilings with large ferns dripping down. Modern woodsy with comfortable booths. Waitress that was welcoming. We enjoyed the warm spinach beet salad with the poached egg and citris dressing topped with a generous portion of perfectly cooked salmon because of her reccomendation. My mouth is watering as I think about it. Looking forward to getting it again.
   

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7. L

   Lisa

   Central Coast

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on 1 February 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Mind you our visit was peak "off season" for out of town guests. We reserved for 6pm, and was seated up arrival. We and the entire dining hall was served by one server and one hostess. They worked hard and quickly but lacked because of the server to guest ratio. I ordered a steak, medium cooked- it came out well (very tough) as well as the baked potato was over baked. My husband ordered a burger, medium rare and he too got his over cooked. Im sure we could've sent all of it back, however didn't want to do that to the already "taxed" team. We went back the next morning for breakfast and had a MUCH more positive experience.
   

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8. M

   Michelle

   VIP

   San Francisco

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 26 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lovely restaurant in Avila Beach! Food was terrific! Service wonderful. Nice selection of wines and whiskeys!
   

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9. J

   John

   Central Coast

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 25 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   If your looking for great food and a quiet atmosphere look no further ,Great place to take a date
   

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10. H

    Heather

    VIP

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 23 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    We had a wonderful meal at The Gardens of Avila. Our server was attentive and friendly. I would highly recommend this restaurant for delicious , fresh, farm to table food, excellent service, and beautiful ambience.
    

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