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Welcome to Left Bank - Menlo Park

At Left Bank in Menlo Park, classic French cuisine meets a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Nestled on Santa Cruz Avenue, this cocktail bar offers a delightful blend of traditional dishes and modern flavors, ensuring a memorable dining experience. Guests can savor artisanal charcuterie and exceptional cheeses, enjoy comforting soups, and indulge in vibrant salads. The menu features vegan and vegetarian options, catering to diverse tastes. With amenities like outdoor seating and happy hour specials, Left Bank is ideal for families, groups, and solo diners alike. Its commitment to sustainability through compostable containers and plastic-free packaging further reflects a dedication to both quality and the environment.

Left Bank - Menlo Park: Reviews & Ratings

Eve K.
Eve K.

Haven't been for years but had decent brunch here in a nice dining room setting. Food: 4 Service: 3 Atmosphere: 5 Cost to worth it: 2.5 prices bit high for what you get Opentableable: yes Caltrianable: yes Return worthiness: yes Highlights - Shrimp appetizer: loved these shrimp cooked just right with a great combo of lots of different flavors with capers, basil, olives, and butter. 4.5 stars - French toast: big hit being bit custardy yet crispy on outside with berries and cream. 4.5 stars - Fries: crispy, thin, and salty to appease our fry connoisseur family. 4.5 stars - French onion soup: bit sweet but packed w onions and gooey cheese. 4 stars - Steak sandwich: special that day of thinly sliced filet mignon 3.75 stars - Nice interior: huge dining room with high ceilings that felt classy yet comfortable - For brunch had lunch and brunch items which was good to please a breakfasty and non-breakfasty crowd Midlights - Prime rib dip: just ok and expensive at almost $30. 3 stars Lowlights: - Waited til end of meal for an egg I asked for twice - Omelet wasn't a French omelet which my friend expected at a French bistro but a standard omelet shell filled with few items inside Wasn't sure on the reviews, but we enjoyed a relaxing weekend brunch here.

Gina E.
Gina E.

The food was good but the service was quite slow. We got a few dishes to share, flavors and presentation was good!!

Lucy L.
Lucy L.

4 stars for food & 3.5 stars for service. Classic French food in a beautiful bistro atmosphere, with large framed prints of French artwork on the walls. Full bar here with lots of options for cocktails and wines. Fairly generous pours. Order bread & butter for about $5. Not free so don't assume. The escargot appetizer is served with toasted bread to sop us the garlicky olive oil the escargot is baked in. The French onion soup is very good, with lots of tender onion cooked in savory broth and topped with French bread and melted cheese. Our server forgot to bring a spoon with the soup so I had to wait until he came around again which was a little while even though the restaurant was not too busy or crowded on a weekday evening. The cassoulet had a good amount of meats and beans and was hearty and filling. The moules frites (mussels & fries) were alright. We had a side of grilled asparagus which was about 4 spears for $12. Desserts are very good. The lemon tart and the clafouti are decent. I had coffee with dessert and asked for cream but the server forgot that as well. So I had to wait for him to come around again to ask again.

Preet P.
Preet P.

Chose this place for lunch to celebrate co worker's retirement. It is a beautiful fine dining French restaurant. Not very crowded on a Sunday afternoon. Menu is somewhat limited. Personally I didn't like my French Toast. Bread was just dipped in syrup. Someone in our group who had tried this before said it did look different. Salmon Hash is also not the same which they use to serve few years ago. Cafe latte and Mocas were delicious. Highlights were deserts, quiche and Ahi Tuna tartare. Servers were attentive and took multiple pictures of our group which was really appreciated. Parking can be somewhat tricky but they share parking lot with Trader Joe's or you can park on the Laurel st in front of the restaurant.

Allyson R.
Allyson R.

Paid by card. Left Bank is located on the corner street and offers some street parking. I went here on a Tuesday night for a private, corporate event upstairs. The restaurant was decorated nicely for the holidays and the servers were attentive. This was great for a group event since we got our own space and bathrooms upstairs. Appetizers, drinks, main dishes, and desserts were served and the food was good. I would recommend this place and would go back again.

Jack T.
Jack T.

My office came here for their holiday dinner outing. I thought that it was a pretty good experience as they know what they are doing for corporate/office night outs. I had a cocktail -- and it was marvelous. Drinks would be 5 stars from what I have tried and recommend this restaurant for drinks. We had many appetizers and they were ok. Calamari was crispy but some of my coworkers did not care for it. We had the escargot and I thought the grilled toast that came with it was a bit burnt tasting. Oysters were very good, and presented well. My entree was the beef bourguignon. It was almost very good but it just did not reach the tenderness level I think. Perhaps it was the concept of the dish and what the side elements should have been. Overall, great for parties but I did not think this was an over-the-top fantastic restaurant. My co-workers felt about the same. We appreciated they could handle our group, had good service, but the restaurant-related stuff was just good.

Lisa T.
Lisa T.

The service is on point, and the decor is adorable. The fondue appetizer is a MUST TRY!! I think they spike it with a little roquefort... The bread is NEXT-LEVEL and I would be remiss if I overlooked the crunchy, succulent calamari. Know this, though -- it's noisy as heck in there. This morning I had laryngitis!

Location

Welcome to Left Bank - Menlo Park, where the charm of French cuisine comes alive in the heart of California. Nestled at 635 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA, this delightful French cocktail bar is your go-to destination for a culinary experience that melds casual dining with the elegance of a classic French bistro.

Left Bank enchants patrons with an extensive menu that features something for everyone, from tantalizing brunch offerings to sumptuous dinners. Highlights include their signature French Onion Soup, laden with tender onions and gooey melted cheese, and Escargot, bursting with garlicky olive oil. The shrimp appetizer, delicately cooked with a medley of flavors, is a must-try for seafood lovers, earning rave reviews for its texture and taste.

The ambiance here is equally inviting. With a spacious dining area adorned with framed French art, the atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between casual and sophisticated. It's an ideal backdrop for intimate dinners or lively gatherings with friends and family.

  • Location: Conveniently located, offering street parking and accessibility.
  • Reservations: Highly recommended, especially for busy nights, which notably include Thursdays and Fridays.
  • Outdoor Seating: Enjoy heated and covered outdoor seating, perfect for those sunny California days.
  • Vegan and Vegetarian Options: Left Bank ensures inclusivity with a variety of choices to cater to dietary needs.
  • Happy Hour Specials: Keep an eye out for drink discounts, making your evening out even more enjoyable.

Service can be a bit slow at times, yet the attentive staff remain both professional and eager to accommodate guests. Many highlight the free Wi-Fi available, which adds to the convenience, whether you're enjoying a leisurely brunch or a late-night cocktail.

In a delightful twist, guests will find their takeout options impressively eco-friendly, featuring compostable containers and plastic-free packaging, embodying Left Bank's commitment to sustainability.

Left Bank - Menlo Park promises an experience filled with delectable dishes and an engaging atmosphere, making it a cherished addition to the Menlo Park dining scene. The restaurant is perfect for family outings, private events, or simply unwinding after a long week. Indulge in French classics that will leave your palate singing, and perhaps, even plan for your next visit before you leave!