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Lion and Compass Reviews List
Lion and Compass
For over a quarter of a century, the Lion & Compass has maintained a special status in the Silicon Valley. Opening in 1982, the Lion & Compass quickly established its reputation as the premiere dining spot for the high-tec cognescenti. Combining sophisticated urban cuisine with a tropical English environment, a New York Times article from the 1980's noted, "the Lion & Compass is to the Silicon Valley what Sardi's was to the theater district."
From business dining and banquets, private corporate events, wedding receptions, to a fine dining experience for two, the Lion & Compass is a culinary oasis in the Silicon Valley.
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87 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 87 reviews
5 stars
(30)
4 stars
(43)
3 stars
(11)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- great for lunch(37)
- fit for foodies(35)
- good for groups(31)
- special occasion(24)
- neighborhood gem(20)
- romantic(10)
Lion and Compass Reviews List
Review 1 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Venison in plum wine sauce
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. It was ridiculously delicious."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very good food with good service."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 3 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I had the skirt steak salad. My friends had Chinese Chicken Salad and Nicoise. All three were very good!
Service was good but our particular waitress was a little forgetful."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 4 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Fine Food in Casual Elegance
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Lion and Compass continues to show a nice mix of class with a relaxed dining atmosphere. We had a group of 6, two were late due to being stuck in traffic while the other 4 hung out in the bar, they held our table for 30 minutes, it might have helped that I called with the update. We had a tasty dinner with appetizers, the food was top notch, friendly wait staff, nobody had to send anything back. The shrimp cocktail was scrumptous with cold, big prawns and flavorful sauce. Solid, reasonably priced wine list. Nice to know when I pick this place for my colleagues to get together for a dinner they will not be disappointed, but rather they can talk and dine and enjoy each others company and are impressed with the choice of restaurants."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2003
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 5 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Solid business dinner/ lunch
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Solid business dinner/ lunch location in San Jose."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups
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Review 6 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
While Lion and Compass does
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"While Lion and Compass does not have spectacular ambience, it has a diverse menu selection, and reliably good food. We work in the area, and often bring groups of travelers here. Service is good."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2007
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Review 7 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Quiet,tasty,with old-fashion decor
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food here was quite good -- honestly, I was quite surprised how empty the place was given the quality of the food. It was Friday at 8pm, and there were only two other parties in the main dining room.
The prices and food selection say that this place is upscale dining, but the decor is a little dated -- feel like they're trying to be the Hotel del Coronado of the 40s. But they cooked the food decently (my dad's steak was a little more cooked than he'd like it, but still within the description of medium rare). I had lamb chops, and they were cooked just right.
The restaurant is quiet, so if you are looking to get away from the noise, this is a good option!"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 8 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Reserved a section for 12.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Reserved a section for 12. Great food and environment."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 9 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great Restaurant!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had not gone to Lion and Compass for many years and was concerned that it was no longer the great restaurant I had frequented many times years ago! What a glorious surprise! Although a different menu, the food was contemporary, innovative, creative, and outstanding! I had the delicious artichoke soup and the Asian seafood "pot de feur". Friends enjoyed their choices, too, raviolis, salmon, seabass! Lots of good choices including beef. We were pampered by the servers and manager! Highly recommend it!"
Dined on 03/21/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 10 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good Food - Good Service - Great St
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good Food - Good Service - Great Staff"
Dined on 03/07/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 11 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I bring clients here often
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I bring clients here often for business dinners. The menu never fails to deliver and the service is always great."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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Review 12 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
L&C is the place to go for
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"L&C is the place to go for very good service, very good food, excellent Brazilian daiquiris, and to observe Silicon Valley networking at its finest. It's business through and through, interspersed with a few locals out for a nice meal; it always appears that the majority of patrons are on someone's expense account. A great blend of pacific fusion, and elegant preparations of 'surf and/or turf', and very popular daily changing dessert selections."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
My husband and I went for
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My husband and I went for dinner. Maybe their lunch is better. Everything was seasoned very well, but the halibut was tough instead of flaky. The shrimp on top was tough as well. I expected better for the price and for an item that was the special of the day. The vegetables were nice and crisp, though."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2008
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Review 14 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Always busy, but amazing food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Always busy, but amazing food and experience is why...Everything is great and Lion and Compass is well worth it!"
Dined on 02/27/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 15 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great place for business dinners!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Lion and Compass is a great restaurant if you have a business dinner that you want to impress your out of town guests with. Not only is there a full bar, great service, and great food, but if you want a private room, L&C has their library room available, which can hold up to maybe a dozen or so people for dinner -
The recommended wine (2007 Storrs,Santa Cruz) was very good, and the service, as always, was professional and spot on.
I personally had the Smoked Salmon Salad, which was very good, and the Grilled New Zealand Rack of Lamb with pesto marinade, sauteed kale, fresh mild goat cheese polenta, sherry wine glaze -"
Dined on 02/13/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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Review 16 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good food but a bit pricey
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good food but a bit pricey for the quality."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2010
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Review 17 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
This restaurant came with
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This restaurant came with good reviews so we thought it would be nice to treat ourselves to a place with high ratings on Vaentines Day.
When re arrived I was surprised by the tile floors and the wide open feel. It definitely did not have a cozy feel.
We ordered and the shrimp appetizer was very good, but our dinners were just okay. Nothing to really rave about. One of us had the steak and the other a fish.
I had a glass of wine. The waiter asked me if I would like another glass of wine about 45 min. later. I sad "Sure. That would be nice." About an 1/2 hr. later just as we were tired of waiting and decided it was time for us to leave the waiter came and put the wine in front of me. I told him I am so sorry, but we are leavi"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
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Review 18 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Amazing Food, Service needs work
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food here was amazing, as were the drinks we had at the bar beforehand. I had a drink made of wasabi vodka, ginger, and cucumber, and my husband had a Pisco Sour, which while not traditional (no egg white) was still tasty. For dinner, I had the rack of lamb and my husband had the venison. Both were very tender and perfectly done. We started w/ chili prawns; excellent! The problem was the service. We went on Valentine's Day, and it was clear the restaurant cannot handle being near capacity. It took me about 15 minutes, and asking 3 different people, to finally get a water refill. One woman running around with a water jug said I wasn't her table and she couldn't help me! We waited close to 30 minutes for our check."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 19 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very Nice Restaurant. I had
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Very Nice Restaurant. I had their rib-eye steak which had a great flavor, and was done medium as requested, however the outside was somewhat burned which reduced the pressure."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
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Review 20 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Maybe decent on a non-special day?
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Going to Lion and Compass on Valentines day was a disaster, the table bread was slightly undercooked (brings new meaning to sourdough), the appetizers had either no flavor (shrimp bisque) or too sharp of a flavor (sauce for mushroom risotto had a bitter aftertaste, probably rushed). Service was *extremely* poor, to the point that one couple in our area left after not getting any attention after drinks. It took almost 20 minutes to get a dessert menu, and another 8 to get the check. In their defense, I left a message for the manager and they did call back, apologized for the poor service and asked us to give them another try (haven't done so yet), but this review is specific to the experience we had on that day."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
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Review 21 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was very good, though
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was very good, though they ran out of sea bass by 7:00pm on a Saturday night."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 22 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Waitress charged us 3 sodas
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Waitress charged us 3 sodas which we didn't order, good thing we caught it. Also parking is a hassel, good to know there is valet parking. The valet person will tell you valet is free but he'll take tip...but I already gave 25% tip at the restaurant, should the waitor/waitress share part of that since I didn't carry any cash with me :-(
Other than that, I love the food."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 23 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great for a business lunch
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great for a business lunch or dinner."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, great for lunch
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Review 24 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We were seated in the library
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were seated in the library with a candle and a rose on the table. I tasted my husband's filet and it was the best tasting beef I can remember eating. I had perfectly cooked swordfish. Our server divided the salad and gave me the anchovies. Lovely romantic dinner."
Dined on 02/01/2013
1999
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 25 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I have had multiple dinners
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I have had multiple dinners here with no complaints from my guests or me. Very good food and quiet enough to have a pleasant conversation."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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Review 26 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We had sea bass with mushroom
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had sea bass with mushroom special & grill chicken with stir fry kale. Both entrees taste good except they were a bit too grasy. We felt rushed by the waitress who was serving us. No smile on her! Personally I don't think is worth of paying the mandatory 18% tips to her because we used the passport card offer!"
Dined on 01/31/2013
2005
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 27 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good location and atmosphere
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good location and atmosphere for a business dinner. Selection and quality of food could be a bit better given the high prices. Staff was very attentive and helpful."
Dined on 01/28/2013
2002
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Review 28 for Lion and Compass
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Is it a pub or a fine restaurant?
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"A nice restaurant, but pricey, and perhaps not quite up to the standard for their price range."
Dined on 01/21/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Lion and Compass
Based on the average of (59) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
8 out of 8 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic