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Gardens of Avila Restaurant Reviews List
Gardens of Avila Restaurant
The Gardens of Avila Restaurant at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort, a favorite spot for locals as well as travelers, is situated in a beautiful garden setting in the Avila Valley. Savor the flavors of the award-winning contemporary coastal cuisine inspired by the surrounding local wine country.
See more Gardens of Avila Restaurant details
42 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Rating Breakdown 42 reviews
5 stars
(26)
4 stars
(10)
3 stars
(2)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- special occasion(22)
- fit for foodies(18)
- romantic(17)
- neighborhood gem(9)
- great for brunch(5)
- good for groups(4)
Gardens of Avila Restaurant Reviews List
Review 1 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Good food, very bad service.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food at the restaurant was excellent, but I waited for more than an hour before my food came. The service was very slow. The restaurant was not busy, but my server forgot twice to bring me a drink that I had requested. Overall, the service was pretty horrible, and made the experience unpleasant even though the food was good."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining
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Review 2 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Chef has got the magic touch
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The new chef has got the magic touch with food. I had the "Garden Party' sampler dinner. It was a good choice- one delicious course after another. I didn't know a humble carrot could taste so amazing! You have got to try this place."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 3 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Pretty, almost provincial-French-fe
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Pretty, almost provincial-French-feeling dining room. Excellent chef, great commitment to local and organic foods.
Local wines featured, alas pretty young.
I wouldn't bet the farm he'll stick around too long."
Local wines featured, alas pretty young.
I wouldn't bet the farm he'll stick around too long."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2002
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Review 4 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great ambiance. Great place
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great ambiance. Great place for that special night with your partner or a date. Very quaint and subdued environment. The staff is very attentive, pleasant and very knowledgeable about the menu. I will definitely visit The Gardens in the near future."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 5 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fabulous friendly attentive
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Fabulous friendly attentive service! Three of us had the halibut and it was dry. The tangerine dessert was outstanding. We love being able to bring a bottle of local wine without a corkage fee!"
Dined on 04/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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Review 6 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
WOW! This was by far the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"WOW! This was by far the best meal I have had in this area. The chef makes amazing dishes that are innovative, extremely tasty and fresh from farm to table and with great presentation.
We had incredible service and the food truly was extraordinary. The crab ravioli appetizer and the beet and burrata salad are to die for. And don't miss out on the duck, sirloin and chicken entrees. Our party of 4 could have been the Cheshire Cats with grins from ear to ear. And don't miss out on the deeeeeeeeeelicious tangerine cheesecake...the presentation was over the top.
This is truly a foodie's delight."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 7 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A mixed bag
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Excellent service, excellent quality food ingredients, but uneven cooking quality. The chicken dish was too salty, overcooked and dry, and the sausage beneath is was unappetizingly dry, hard, and crumbly. The sirloin cap was very good, though some contained gristle; it seemed overpriced. Portion size for appetizers was very small, so subtle flavors were not enjoyed. The dessert menu has consistently been too narrow, so those with dairy allergies are left disappointed. Fresh fruit was graciously offered as an alternative, but this is a special restaurant...something special for dessert is expected. For another meal, in the bar, the burger was overcooked...no fries to be had, disappointing housemade soggy chips instead."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 8 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
San Luis Citizen
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Had reservations for Easter brunch, they were out of our first choice(crab legs), the Mamosa was almost entirely orange juice, and even the water at the table was luke warm. The service was horrible, friendly staff, however we never saw them. I had the french toast, it was soggy and undercooked, I did not finish it. The worst meal I have had in years...For $35 a person I expected a lot more."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 9 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Easter Brunch Experience 2013
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The restaurant is surrounded in a beautiful garden setting which feeds the visual appetite before setting foot inside. Our waitress, Emily, was great. She had energy and a passion for the food. She made each Easter brunch dish sound sooo good... it was difficult to decide. Food was delicious and properly portioned."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 10 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service was the best I have
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Service was the best I have experienced in a log time ..refreshing"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 11 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
If you want it to be perfect...
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were celebrating a special moment in our relationship and having been to many different local restaurants, I wanted to convey how important this wonderful news meant to me, so Gardens of Avila was the only choice. The drive, the seclusion, the ambiance, the service, the food, was the exact impression I wanted my partner to experience. We had a wonderful time and our waitress happily educated us in gourmet terminology and made recommendations which proved perfect for our occasion. If you want to impress your date, don't go anywhere else."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 12 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Very disappointing
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Gardens of Avila. The first clue should have been that the restaurant and bar looked like a ghost town at 7 PM on a Saturday night.
We were extremely disappointed with our experience. The menu they have now is totally different than the one posted here, which is the reason we decided to go to that restaurant in the first place. The menu online shows a lovely preparation of duck breast, which they no longer offer. First that, then the portion sizes of what they did offer were tiny - ridiculously tiny, and not cheap. Overall, a real sad dinner on what was a very special occasion. We had a bad experience there many years ago and were hoping that would not happen again, but low and behold, it did. I will never go back."
We were extremely disappointed with our experience. The menu they have now is totally different than the one posted here, which is the reason we decided to go to that restaurant in the first place. The menu online shows a lovely preparation of duck breast, which they no longer offer. First that, then the portion sizes of what they did offer were tiny - ridiculously tiny, and not cheap. Overall, a real sad dinner on what was a very special occasion. We had a bad experience there many years ago and were hoping that would not happen again, but low and behold, it did. I will never go back."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
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Review 13 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food is wonderful and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food is wonderful and makes an effort to support local farms and wineries. Unfortuately the chef is hamstrung with average wait service and a tired setting. There is a high vaulted ceiling which makes reading the menu difficult and there was no additional lighting on the tables. We were seated near a very drafty door that would not close properly and had to ask to be moved. Within minutes of moving, the hostess seated another couple at the same table even though there were other options available.
Fianlly, I added a note with my open table reservation that this was my husband's 70th birthday which obviously noone read. I mentioned to the waiter that it was my husband's birthday but he seemed oblivious,very spacey service support"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
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Review 14 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I had a lovely evening, everyone
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I had a lovely evening, everyone was very pleasant. It seems the menu and the wait staff are not a good match. The menu has whiffs of pretension which a knowledgeable wait staff could help pull off. Our waiter seemed like a very warm and friendly college kid who knew the menu, but doesn't really know food. Everything we had was good, but I would have preferred mashed potatoes to a potato emulsion with the short ribs, and better balance to the plates. I prefer the flavors speaking for themselves and the nuance of the chef tasted in the subtlety of the meal rather than the pretension of the menu."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 15 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Our dining experience on Sunday
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Our dining experience on Sunday night was absolutely outstanding. Great food and excellent service. This is definitely a local gem."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 16 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Extraordinary!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was a totally unexpected delight. We were vacationing in Avila Beach and saw an advertisement for their chef's tasting menu with matching wines. The food was extraordinary and the wine pairings delightful. Our server, Jorge, while discreet and unobtrusive, went the extra mile to be sure we were pleased with each offering. I highly recommend this restaurant for a great dining experience."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 17 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The menu changes - wow what concept
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"My husband and I tried this restaurant the first time the other night. The draw for me was the website stated that they have seasonal menus.
This is unheard of in San Luis Obispo. The restaurants here never change their menus.
Emily was our server and she was delightful! Very upbeat and energetic person.
I had the little gem Caesar which was very good and the crab ravioli which were excellent.
My husband had the cocoa pasta with duck. He was not crazy about this dish.
His beet salad was very good.
The menu is small which is fine because it does change often.
Big emphasis on local sourcing. Thumbs up to that too!"
This is unheard of in San Luis Obispo. The restaurants here never change their menus.
Emily was our server and she was delightful! Very upbeat and energetic person.
I had the little gem Caesar which was very good and the crab ravioli which were excellent.
My husband had the cocoa pasta with duck. He was not crazy about this dish.
His beet salad was very good.
The menu is small which is fine because it does change often.
Big emphasis on local sourcing. Thumbs up to that too!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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Review 18 for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food was wonderful and ended
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food was wonderful and ended my night with a proposal and she said yes :)"
Dined on 01/17/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Gardens of Avila Restaurant
Based on the average of (24) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate