I found La Fontaine and thought this might be my new go-to. It was a cute restaurant had decent ratings. I usually try not to look at reviews so I can get an idea for myself but given almost a good majority of people have the same to say ... I should've so I could've given my business elsewhere.
We came in at 9pm on a Friday (they close at 10), excited to try it out. The restaurant was calm, cozy, and nearly empty only a couple of tables lingering.
Food:
The food was good. The bruschetta (unpictured) was flavorful and fresh, bread was warm. The pistachio-crusted lamb chops were tender and nicely seasoned, though a not enough lamb for $46 you get more bites of vegetables than you do meat. The beef Wellington was hearty and good had a delicious mushroom sauce, and the brussels sprouts (no bacon) were fine nothing exceptional or even roasted, but they got the job done as a side.
The Caesar salad (also unpictured) was seasoned, but came out as four whole romaine "boats" on a plate. It was laughable. Having cut into a salad yourself honestly the strangest "Caesar salad" I've ever been served. And 4 boats when we cut it up to turn it into an actual salad it was about 2-3 bites each for its price that's .. yeah.
Service (the real reason for 1 star):
Our waitress was the most monotoned person, she looked annoyed the entire time, and lacked basic customer service skills. She rarely checked in, left us without water for long periods of time, we at one point were looking everywhere to find a single person to fill our water and practically went our whole dinner without it ... we didn't order any other drinks either because we prefer water, water shouldn't have to repeatedly be asked for,
This is what really irritated us. She never gave a single warning about the kitchen closing. At about 9:50, she came over and asked if we wanted anything else.. why even ask truly ??? I excitedly said "dessert menu" not realizing the time, we already knew we wanted the crème brûlée and tiramisu. Instead of a simple, "Just a heads up, the kitchen is closed," we got an attitude and a look that made us feel like a burden.
Had we been told or were given a warning that the kitchen is closing, we would've ordered dessert immediately as we ordered our appetizers, entrees, and sides within 5 minutes of being seated. I mean come on .. even Cheesecake Factory gives guests a last call so there's no confusion. Here, we got stared at blankly, then an odd chuckle, a check dropped on the table, and she walked away without another word.
What made it worse was what we watched unfold. Between 9:50-10, staff were being served fresh entrees at the bar. Of course, staff deserve to eat, but to deny paying customers dessert or not ask at one point during the meal if you can get them anything or that you're taking last call or if we'd like dessert before the kitchen closes ... while serving your own team right in front is kind of unacceptable. Even more off-putting, a woman who seemed like a manager walked over, to ask a staff member what he wanted from the kitchen, giggled with him, and never acknowledged us despite me smiling at her. For such an empty dining room, the lack of basic hospitality was shocking given it was only one table to serve. There were a few maybe 2-3 tables sat that were there before we walked in and even lingered after we left .. Had it been busy or there was one person waiting multiple tables we'd be pretty understanding but given I've sat at the busiest restaurant during peak hours and have been provided better service is disappointing.
The food deserves 5 stars. But without service to match, the experience falls flat and that's a shame, because this place had a lot of potential.
First impressions matter. Maybe this was just our waitress and our experience, but with how empty the restaurant was, there wasn't much excuse for the lack of basic hospitality. If 9pm is too late for full service, then be upfront about it refuse service, give a kitchen cut-off, anything to set expectations. Instead, we were left feeling like an inconvenience in a half-empty dining room while staff enjoyed fresh entrees with smiles and laughs.
Are you there to serve customers or your own staff ?? Is your staff the one paying and tipping or your customers?? This place seems to have it backwards.
Do yourself a favor. If you enjoy good food, fair prices, and great service. Head over to Bella Sienna in Benicia. read more