Bon Vivant - Palo Alto Restaurant - Palo Alto, CA

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Bon Vivant - Palo Alto
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Bon Vivant - Palo Alto

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Address:
535 Bryant Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301

Neighborhood:
Palo Alto

Getting there ›
Cuisine:
Contemporary European

Price: $31 to $50

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Bon Vivant - Palo Alto Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://bonvivantcafe.net
Email: cafebonvivant@gmail.com
Phone: (650) 485-3228
Hours of Operation: Bon Vivant is open for lunch and dinner
Tuesday - Saturday 11:00am to 3pm (lunch)
Tuesday - Saturday 5:00pm to 10pm (dinner)
Closed Sunday and Monday
Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Contemporary European, Contemporary American, French
Dress Code: Business Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Wheelchair Access, Wine
Entertainment: Live music Thursdays & Saturdays. Check FB for upcoming events: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-Bon-Vivant-Palo-Alto-CA/156252334390713

Getting there

Cross Street: University Ave
Parking: Street Parking

A word from Bon Vivant - Palo Alto

At Bon Vivant, guests will be offered fine wines, tasty treats and music in an elegant setting. Inside, the warm ambiance is enhanced with original and unique art works. The service is enthusiastic and spirited, while gracious and unassuming. Outside, sidewalk tables on Bryant Street make people-wat…ching becomes an agreeable pastime.Continued

Bon Vivant - Palo Alto

3.4

67 $31 to $50 restaurant

Featured Reviews

More Reviews ›

Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

63 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

Food

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

63 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

Food

(Very Good) 3.7 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

fit for foodies(32)
neighborhood gem(20)
special occasion(20)

romantic(16)
great for lunch(6)
notable wine list(5)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (63)

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

The service was great, helpful

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/14/2012

2011

Dined on 04/14/2012

2011

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"The service was great, helpful and enthusiastic. However, the food was a problem. They were out of many items and we weren't told until after we ordered. My friend ordered the foie gras. The waiter came back from the kitchen to say that the foie gras was "not prepared." I ordered the filet mignon, medium rare, and it came well cooked, not a hint of pink. When I showed the waiter he immediately took it back and brought a new one. The restaurant was almost empty (on a Sat night)so it couldn't have been due to a rush in the kitchen. When it came time to order dessert the waiter told us several things were not available (out of a very short menu) so we ordered the chocolate duo. Again, he came back from the kitchen to say that the item had"

Dined on 04/14/2012

2011

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

We had a leisurely Easter

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/08/2012

2011

Dined on 04/08/2012

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We had a leisurely Easter lunch at Bon Vivant. The food was outstanding, the service friendly. The looks of the restaurant is very appealing, full of light, great artwork, tasteful flower arrangements, good music. We loved it and will eat there soon again."

Dined on 04/08/2012

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

The steak tartar appetizer

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"The steak tartar appetizer was delicious - it was presented well. I also recommend the white chocolate bread pudding for dessert. I also appreciated how the portion sizes were appropriate for a 3 course meal - large enough to get full, but not too large to have dessert. The interior is stylish and the restaurant is small and cozy. The piano player made for a good ambience."

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

New French Restaurant in town

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/07/2012

2003

Dined on 04/07/2012

2003

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"For a nice, but not ridiculously $$$ French restaurant.. we found it in Bon Vivant. Not cheap, but a better value than others in Palo Alto/Mt View area.

I asked for a good table for my wife's birthday celebration, and they put us in the far corner. Wasn't my 1st choice, & they were willing to move us, but wife would rather not sit near open door. The owner brought us 2 glasses of champagne in any case. Turned out better to be further from the loud main room.

The main dining area is open & more crowded + loud w/ hard surfaces. We enjoyed the jazz sax player, but it probably would have been annoying if we were sitting closer.

Food? Mussels appetizer - awesome! Duck breast & Sea Bass also. Service - perfect! Exceptional wine by glass"

Dined on 04/07/2012

2003

Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

I was very pleasantly surprised

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/07/2012

2006

Dined on 04/07/2012

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"I was very pleasantly surprised by Bon Vivant. It's a very chic cafe w/hardwood floors and lovely furnishings. There are fresh flowers everywhere -- orchids, roses, etc. Lovely art work on the walls & a very elegant overall appearance. I had the Croque Madame which was very good & came with nicely dressed greens. For dessert, I highly recommend the white chocolate bread pudding which was outstanding. I almost went with the Boite de Baies which is a chocolate box filled w/custard topped w/fresh berries. It was described in the PA Weekly's review of the cafe & I had planned to try it. My outstanding server recommended the bread pudding & I'm so glad he did. I plan to go back and try one of their savory crepes & then I'll have the Boite."

Dined on 04/07/2012

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

A gem on a side street in

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/05/2012

2006

Dined on 04/05/2012

2006

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"A gem on a side street in Palo Alto. We went on a Thursday evening and the restaurant was quiet. Chris, our waiter was great, but he was over worked. He was the only server and had one guy helping him for one large party and 6 small tables. He was attentive, knowledgeable and was able to speak to the chef about my dietary restrictions. When we had his attention, he was excellent, but he was scarce...
The food was very good. We tried the scallops-cooked to perfection! the beet salad was light and fresh, we each had duck, prepared differently and each dish was delicious. For dessert, he brought 2 kinds of fresh sorbet and a large bowl of raspberries. That was outstanding for someone who is gluten and dairy intolerant."

Dined on 04/05/2012

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Bad Choice

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2012

2005

Dined on 04/06/2012

2005

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

"The food was very good indeed. The service was so unbelievably terrible that it spoiled the evening.

And the noise level was really high - very hard to talk."

Dined on 04/06/2012

2005

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Would NOT recommend Bon Vivant.

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2012

2012

Dined on 03/24/2012

2012

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Would not recommend. It took 1hr & 30 min to receive an appetizer of cheese & bread! How long does it take them to cut a couple pieces of cheese? We then had to wait another 1hr & 30 min for our entrees to arrive. When our entrees finally got to the table, it was clear that the dishes were grossly overpriced. $23 salmon was the width of my thumb! placed on some brussels sprout leaves. We made the reservation for a special occasion and asked if something something extra could be done for the occasion & were re-assured of this, but when we arrived all we received was a long night of waiting & overpriced food - no offer to 'comp' our appetizer or entree after waiting for 3.5 hrs - nor any extra effort assured for the special occasion. Horrible"

Dined on 03/24/2012

2012

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

A big disappointment!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2012

2003

Dined on 03/24/2012

2003

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"This could be a nice restaurant , but there are many problems to be corrected . service was spotty, the young server had not been well trained, portions were very small. Our beet salad contained two very small pieces of goat cheese, a rip off at $13. They do not have a full liqueur license yet, but promised by Sept. My steak was good, but my three dining companions complained that their meals were way too small. We won't be back."

Dined on 03/24/2012

2003

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Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Everything was good, better

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/23/2012

2012

Dined on 03/23/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Everything was good, better than we hope for except the service was exceptionally slow. Perhaps there was a problem in the kitchen but I believe we waited for at least an hour or delivery of our entrée. Taking into account the restaurant has been open now for several months, the management problems of promptness, charging our credit card, in dealing with a very successful evening,(I believe every table was full), should be behind you. It is the promptness of service that makes it hard to imagine recommending your restaurant and its present level."