La Sardine: User Reviews

good food but service with an attitude
By James David from edgebrook, July 2, 2008

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I have been to LaSardine a couple of times once with a group and this week with just my wife for the $25 - 3 course menu. We started with the crab cake and a salad; both were good. I tried the boulibasse which was good, but some of the fish items were a bit over cooked and rubbery. My wife had the salmon which was excellent. We liked both desserts of the chocolate souffle and apple tartin. Both desserts were classic french preparations.

The one thing that really bothers me about this place is the staff. This is fine dining food preparation with diner level trained staff- think Denny's watresses with Sepia like food. I do not want an attitude from a waitress and the brunette serving us had it by the boat load. Our waitress removed herself from serving us when we kept going around and around about the wine. They have this great wine list and we asked for her recommendation based on what were ordering to match the food to the wine. Her only recommendation to match the wine to the food was do you like white or red. When I asked what wine would match the food, she repeated her question of what was our color of wine preference.

The staff is simply not trained in the art and science of knowing what they are serving and knowing how to match wine to the food coming out of the kitchen It should have been a simple answer if they had been trained, but all I got was this lady screaming across the floor this guy wants help I cannot give him with the wines. I guided the replacement waiter to two half bottles one of red for the entrees and one of white for the appetizers. This was after he tried the sell me a $100 bottle of white wine that is a great bottle and about 6yrs too early to drink. So we were also disappointed that we got lost as our server never came back to pour our glasses of wine for the entree. We waited to eat the entree until he returned to ask how was everything. We pointed out the wine needed to be poured. He was like, oh okay. No apology or sorry my mistake.

This could be a great place but they consistently miss the mark on service. Since they keep filling seats, the attitude and lack of training will continue. It is too bad as the kitchen is doing great food. I will not be back as I cannot tolerate the service and lack of staff training. The attitiude makes the experience unpleasant.

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Flawless food, average service
By T.G. from West Loop, March 14, 2008

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Loved the food and the space. The waiter seemed bothered with questionsand not at all pleasant. Still, I would return to la sardine.

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$25 Pre-Fixe
By T.C. from Andersonville, March 4, 2008

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I went on a Tuesday when they have a 3-course deal for $25. I was extremely surprised that you could pick from any of the regular menu items and the portion sizes were not cut down which was great. The food was nothing that blew me away and I'm not sure it would have been worth it for regular prices but for the $25 deal it is not bad.

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Delicious food, distasteful service
By MiaLu from MiaLu, March 2, 2008

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We enjoyed both the food and ambiance at La Sardine. Our service, however, was frustrating. This may not be a reflection on the server's skill but rather an indication the restaurant is way too crowded. There are too many tables and it is a tight squeeze. As a result, our server worked the full restaurant and had little attention for each table. When he broke a half-full wine glass, he took close to 15 minutes to bring a fresh glass. And it wasn't just the server. The full service team is lacking, from the valet to the hostess. Disappointing, these high prices demand better service.

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