Small Barn Old Town

Review summary

1. j

   jim

   San Diego

   5 reviews

   4.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Had another great dinner at Small Barn. I would have given a 5 star rating but our service was disappointing. Personality was lacking. Felt rushed to place our entire order. Always had to flag server for utensils and additional drinks (did not offer if we wanted more drinks or even dessert). When we were done with our meal, server was in a hurry to run our card on the machine and say goodbye. Not even a thank you for dining with us. Left the card machine on our table and bolted to another table. Servers need to be trained as they represent the business especially if you are paying $$$$ the expectation is high. The food and drinks are always great here, the service was just not up to par this time around. Will we back? Perhaps especially if they offer a new menu.
   

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2. G

   Gail

   San Diego

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   My husband and I have dined at Small Barn several times since its timely opening, in 2020, just as other restaurants were forced to close, lacking an outdoor venue. The food, the menu was novel, the food very good, and the presentation was beautiful. Since that time, though, our subsequent visits were less inspiring. Costs for restauranteurs have risen, dramatically, and quality has been sacrificed at many of the better restaurants in the area. I had the short ribs, grilled artichokes, (a definite mistake on my part as they were undercooked and difficult to eat), and my husband had the fries (which were cold despite we were dining inside for the first time), the soup, then the scallops. The highlight of the night was the soup. While my husband enjoyed the scallops, he didn’t find them better than average. My short ribs were disappointing, in that the gochuchang flavor was so subtle as to seem non-existent, leaving me with a piece of meat I could easily have made at home in my slow cooker. The polenta was plentiful but grainy and not great. We had a 6:30 Reservation for dinner, and though it was not, yet, late, by the time we ordered it, the dessert (corn brûlée), we had chosen, was no longer available. The overall service we received from our waitperson, Martin, was very good, and friendly. The ambience outdoors was nicer than indoors, in my opinion, despite being the holidays providing a good opportunity. I understand that food and labor costs have risen dramatically, and I expect we all will be paying more. I don’t mind paying a bit more IF THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD IS NOT COMPROMISED. While nothing at all was wrong with the food (apart from cold fries and undercooked artichokes), I found it to be somewhat disappointing.
   

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3. R

   RHETT

   VIP

   San Diego

   26 reviews

   5.0

   26 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   New Years Eve - we were seated in the covered patio, but with heaters and it was 6pm - so comfortable. Waitress was busy so started a bit slow but she was then attentive and knew the menu very well. Appetizer of carrot curry soup with apple and braised short rib main course was incredible. My husband’s artichoke was good and his pumpkin agnolotti was excellent. Wine list quite interesting. An excellent last dinner of the year! Always a great place to dine.
   

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4. D

   Diane

   San Diego

   5 reviews

   2.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

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

   Waiter was super, the food meh and pricey, cold, good drinks tho.
   

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5. K

   Kevin

   VIP

   Chicago

   11 reviews

   5.0

   11 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

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

   Our waitress Liv was fantastic. The Sea Bass was to die for along with the rest of our entires. We been here many times before and it never disappoints.
   

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6. M

   Malia

   Los Angeles

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

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

   great food! great vibes! definitely a good spot for date night and a good night out.
   

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7. M

   Mandy

   VIP

   Palm Springs

   37 reviews

   4.0

   37 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

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

   Fabulous place. Highly recommend. The appetizers are amazing. The entre les were very good and my butter cake was perfect
   

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8. R

   Rochelle

   Orange County

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

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

   We enjoyed our anniversary dinner more than we can explain. Everything was so good! Service was amazing. Ambience was great! Highly recommend!!!
   

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9. L

   Luna

   VIP

   Philadelphia

   24 reviews

   4.0

   24 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

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

   We had a good time but unfortunately the waitress was very rushed and irritable. She rushed us out with the check without even asking if we were done, she brought the check and once we paid she took my sons food away without asking and he was not done, when I asked her to come back she had taken only 5 steps away from the table but she was irritated by it. She also showed clear signs of irritation when I said we would split the check which was an easy thing since she does it all on her tablet. I would still go back, the food was great and ambience too but they should watch their service a little better
   

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10. T

    Todd

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

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

    Beautiful and cozy! Food and Service was perfect!
    

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