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Bernard'O Restaurant Reviews List
Bernard'O Restaurant
Since 1992, Bernard'O Restaurant has offered award winning California French cuisine in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Your hosts, Bernard and Diana Mougel, along with executive chef Vincent Viale invite you to join them in their quarters in Rancho Bernardo.
The Restaurant is a study in quiet elegance. From the tastefully murals walls to the vase of fresh flowers that adorns each table, the attention to detail is striking.
The restaurant has been awarded the "Award of Excellence" by the Wine Spectator from 2001-2010as well as "Best Gourmet Cuisine" and "Favorite Restaurant" from 2001-2010 by Rancho Magazine's Dining Survey.
2008 San Diego Zagat Guide: "For sophisticated, sheer delicious cooking, it's worth the trip to Rancho Bernardo for talented chef William Geiger French cuisine with Californian accents, which reaches gourmet heights and knocks your socks off in the process....Elegant presentation, outstanding service and a wonderful, extensive, wine list
See more Bernard'O Restaurant details
55 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 55 reviews
5 stars
(23)
4 stars
(20)
3 stars
(7)
2 stars
(5)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(28)
- special occasion(25)
- fit for foodies(20)
- romantic(15)
- notable wine list(13)
- good for groups(3)
Bernard'O Restaurant Reviews List
Review 1 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice place for a very good meal
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We had a friend in town for the evening and French sounded good to all of us, so we took him here. We all thought the food was delicious. My spouse started with the seared ahi, while I had the onion soup. Both were very good. For entrees, we had the Scottish salmon, the halibut, and the braised short ribs. The server was very good about our friend's requested modifications. We thought the total bill for our meal was quite reasonable considering the quality of both the service and the food itself. We will definitely keep Bernard'O in mind for future dining."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 2 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We love to come here when we're celebrating a special occasion ... or not so special. The food and service is all you would expect from a "Best Of San Diego" restaurant. Kudos to all who made our birthday dinner memorable. Thank you."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 3 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A Great Anniversary Dinner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We were greeted with well-wishes for our anniversary. Our server provided useful information about our choices. We loved our yellow and red beet salad with goat cheese appetizer. I would definitely return for the Scottish salmon and broccolli accompaniment (great preparation!) and my husband was pleased with his fish as well.. We want to come back to try more of the menu and would reccomend BernardO's without hesitation (unless you are between 18 and 25)."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 4 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very nice experience with good food and un rushed quality service."
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 5 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
NOT QUITE
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Service was a little slow-but they were crowded. But way too noisy for my taste. Could hardly hear each other across a small table."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2013
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Review 6 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Not at all worth the price
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The quality of the food betrayed the prices on the menu. My filet mignon was stringy, undercooked, and did not have the flavor you would expect from a $32 steak. The dinner salad appeared to have been marinated in vinaigrette and was barely edible. Dessert was no better - the creme brulee was weak (my favorite part is of course cracking the surface and it was disappointingly mushy) and had a grainy consistency.
The staff was very friendly but not as professional as you would expect at this price point. It took much longer to receive our meal than it should have. A family of four who were seated 20 minutes after me and my date received their dinners before us.
It was the first time I can recall grimacing at a $150 dinner check. Avoid."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2012
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Review 7 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great brunch! Food is amazing!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great brunch! Food is amazing! Will be going the distance again to come here. Service was perfect"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch, special occasion
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Review 8 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Eggs Benedict to die for!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The service was very good and the food spectacular - best Eggs Benedict I ever tasted! I loved the outside seating area."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
Special Features: great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, special occasion
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Review 9 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
It was nice place and the
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
"It was nice place and the food was great. The only thing that we were not happy about was the service that day. It took us forever to get our appetizer and the rest of our food. We have to ask to refill our drinks. Table were too close together. Overall, it was ok. Are we going back again? Maybe."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2009
Special Features: kid-friendly, great for lunch
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Review 10 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Great choice weekdays, not weekends
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were seated on a Saturday night at 6:30 for a table for four. The dinner was wonderful, service courteous and the appetizers and entrees fabulous. I had two negatives. I ordered wine by the glass, a merlot, one of my favorites, their most expensive by the glass, and it tasted like vinegar. The bartender swore it was a new bottle, so I give him the benefit of the doubt and believe the wine had turned in the unopened bottle. All was great until we ordered one desert and sat for 40 minutes with no desert service. We finally told the server to take the desert off the bill as we were leaving. The bill still reflected the sour glass of Merlot and had to be adjusted, the waiter adjusted the bill but forgot to return our credit card."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 11 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The John Dory entree was excellent!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The John Dory entree was excellent! Food taste and presentation is 5 stars - something you would find in La Jolla or RSF. I am glad they are located here in north county inland!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 12 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was amazing!
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was absolutely amazing. Wait staff was good and knowledgeable."
Special Features: romantic, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 13 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Pleasantly Surprised
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"First time we had been back since a VERY BAD experience on Valentines Day about 6 years ago. It was a slow night, which might have helped; but the service was very good and the food and presentation were excellent."
Dined on 03/12/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 14 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Our first visit to Bernard O.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food and service was excellent with great presentation and attention to detail! Easy to access off Interstate 15; great find and centrally located in Rancho Bernardo. The staff was very friendly from the time we walked into the restaurant. I would definitely return and sample other items on their menu. The reservation process was very easy and I would recommend them on a Friday night.
Definitely a restaurant I would recommend to others."
Definitely a restaurant I would recommend to others."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 15 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointing!
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Had thought of Bernardo's as "try" after our favorite restauant, Cavaillon, closed last Fall. Disappointing experience! Though reservation was made requesting a quiet table we were seated close to doorway to the smaller dining roomroom where a birthday party for 17 was behind held. Noisy would be an understatement. Duck breast overseasoned (salty), half the mussels in wife's California Bouillabaisse "empty." Overpriced for what was offered. We are writing this restaurant off our list."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2005
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Review 16 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
First time for me to have
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"First time for me to have dinner at Bernard'O Restaurant. I was very pleased and will definitely come back again. Good moderate wine list. Food was very good and portions were just right. I always prefer a hot plate served with dinner entree and they did a great job on that preference. Owner helped with a French wine selection and he was very pleasant and helpful. Service was very good. Restaurant was full and bar was active. Nice bar. I will definitely return again."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2012
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 17 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We dine here often as it is
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We dine here often as it is in our neighborhood. Food is consistently good but the service could use some tweaking."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 18 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
During restaurant week, they
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"During restaurant week, they had a wonderful Price fixed menu that could be embellished for extra $5 and the entire experience was wonderful....great presentation, perfect timing- hot delivery and great table near the fireplace."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 19 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice local restaurant. Menu
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Nice local restaurant. Menu good but not inventive. Consistant but average service."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Select Special Features (above)-
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Select Special Features (above)- none apply. The service was very slow. From sitting at our table to being served dinner was over one hour. My fillet was overcooked. My wife's beef bourgingnon was bland. For what it costs the food is over-rated."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2010
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Review 21 for Bernard'O Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Another disappointing meal
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Another disappointing meal at Brrnardo's. It is such a lovely place and such a shame that the food is not great. I had the duck, which was tough and pretty tasteless. The duck is infinitly better at Vincent's in Escondido. Even the chocolate dessert was sub par. How does one mess up chocolate?"
Dined on 01/19/2013
2006
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Bernard'O Restaurant
Based on the average of (34) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
5 out of 5 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate