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  • Paul Martin's American Grill - San Mateo

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Reserve at Paul Martin's American Grill - San Mateo

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Paul Martin's American Grill - San Mateo

Paul Martin's American Grill - San Mateo Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.paulmartinsamericangrill.com
  • Phone: (650) 212-7400
  • Hours of Operation:

    Lunch: M-F 11:00am-3:00pm

    Dinner: M-Th 3:00pm-10:00pm

    Dinner: F-Sa 3:00pm-11:00pm

    Dinner: Su 3:00pm-9:00pm

    Happy Hour: Su-Sa 3:00pm-7:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: American, Contemporary American, Steakhouse
  • Executive Chef: Vincent Castillo
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Smoking Area, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Getting there

  • Cross Street: 31st ave/El Camino Real
  • Parking: Public Lot
A word from Paul Martin's American Grill - San Mateo
Seasonal & Delicious.

With Paul Martin's American Grill, Brian Bennett and restaurateur Paul Fleming have realized a long-nurtured dream to create the restaurant "we've always wished was in our neighborhood."

At the heart of all great food is fresh, local, peak of the season… ingredients. Paul Martin's aims to serve diners the best ingredients with meat raised in a humane and wholesome way, locally sourced produce, the best of both wild and farmed fish, artisan cheeses and cured meats from small local purveyors. The deep California-centric wine list twists and turns, by glass or bottle, through the Golden State's vineyards, with an occasional stop for an Oregon Pinot Gris or a Washington dry Riesling. Behind Paul Martin's elegantly rustic bar is an interesting array of craft beer and spirited cocktails with fresh garnishes. Good times and thoughtful food are a way of life at Paul Martin's American Grill.Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerVibrant Bar Scene
  • Diners' Choice WinnerMost Booked
Diner Reviews
  • "Jenny was our server and she was awesome. I have 2 small kids n a baby, she was wonderful with them. Made the dinner experience very easy n went smoothly which can be difficult with kids. The food was ok a little bland. My pasta was dry had to ask for more sauce n a lil to much basil. Dessert was really good had the chocolate cake. My mother loved her chicken so maybe the pasta is just not the way to go. I would come back again n try something."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "Our dinner Saturday, while early, wasn't all that. My party's table had some missing items on the plate. The chimichurri steak didn't have the dressing. The salmon plate didn't have dressing on the whatever it was "salad". My tablemates plates looked sloppy. The waiter was fetching the drinks and bussing some of the table. The hostess looked like she was doing a spreadsheet when we checked in. Overall, not the together lovely place we had come to see."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "I enjoyed the food and our waiter, Marcus was great!"
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "On this visit, the hostess appeared very ambivalent when we arrived on time for our reservation. Not welcoming in any respect, minimal eye contact, not smiling. Our waiter was fine, but service from the kitchen was quite slow. My soup arrived quickly, but every other dish in our meal took 30mins. My daughter's sweet potato fries arrived at the table cold."
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "We had a reservation for 2 for 7pm. The restaurant was very busy. I checked in with the hostess and she said it would just be a minute to be seated. We waiting for about 15 minutes, I then asked when our table would be ready. She asked my name again and then said oh we can seat you now. I think she forgot we were waiting even though we were standing in front of her the whole time. Once we were seated, we then waited about 15-20 minutes before a waiter came to our table to take a drink a order. We waiting another 15 minutes to get our drinks. The place seems under staffed and totally disorganized. Its a shame, I've eaten at the West Lake Village location and had a great experience."
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "My friends and I enjoyed various salads and Devil's Food Cake. I had the butter lettuce salad with grilled prawns. The best looking salad was the cobb with hanger steak."
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "My wife and I just ate at Paul Martin's in San Mateo for the 2nd time in a little over a month. This visit was just as good as the first, with the food, service, and atmosphere all exceeding our expectations. I really like that the menu one page, and some items change monthly with many things sourced locally. I have grown tired of some restaurants that throw a 32 page book at you for a menu, and 85% of the items aren't good anyway. Paul Martin's does a great job of keeping the choices small but offering a great variety at the same time. Prices are fair; service is excellent; food is outstanding; atmosphere/vibe is really spot on. I think they will do very well if they continue doing what they are doing right now. Keep it up!"
    Dined on 7/16/2014
  • "Food was very good. This was my 3rd time eating here and the food is very consistent. The service was a bit slow but the waitress was nice, albeit forgetful. Banana cream pie was excellent!"
    Dined on 7/14/2014
  • "Wait for our tabe was long but not PM fault, good food, nice cocktails, huge portions."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "We like coming here. For some reason, my husband's chimichurri steak was a little tough but we've had the other steaks before and they are good. Can't wait until the mushroom soup is back on the menu. The strawberry and coffee ice creams were excellent but they are seasonal flavors, therefore not always available. In the past, they've had some wait staff issues but they are working on it. The different people helping us seemed less overwhelmed so were more available to us at our last visit."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "Made 5pm Reservations for 4 on a Saturday night. Sat on the patio. The wait staff was polite, knowledgeable and prompt. Great variety in both drinks and food. My friend loves their Mojito, I prefer the beer and wine. Food choices from small appetizers to large entrees. Perfect choices for children too. Have had the burgers, chicken and rib happy hour meals, as well as the salmon tacos. All were cooked to perfection and very tasty. Even the children's cheese burger was happily and completely consumed."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "We had a wonderful experience for our first dinner at PM's. It happened to be our anniversary dinner too so we were taking a chance by going somewhere I hadn't been before! I had been wanting to try this place since it opened but it would be hard to get reservations in advance as they were always booked. I'm glad I finally got a chance to go and will surely be back. Service was great, the food was amazing and cooked well as well as dessert and the wines! Service couldn't be better. Our waitress was amazing. I can't wait to go back!"
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "First time for everyone in our party of five....but won't be the last. Good menu, excellent food and service. Only complaint is even with 7:15 reservations, we were not seated until 7:45."
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "Great dining experience! Wait staff was very attentive and front desk hosts were able to get us to our table promptly."
    Dined on 7/10/2014
  • "heirloom tomato salad was great, hangar steak above average, grilled salmon OK. get a booth to reduce noise, they have high backs. corkage fee $10."
    Dined on 7/10/2014
  • "This is a high end mall chain. Not a place I would return too. Very loud. No real vegetarian options. Portions were ample but there was alot of butter on everything. Good service - Cheryl was a great server."
    Dined on 7/10/2014
  • "Hamburger cooked Medium the way I asked and the fries were fresh and with a lite crunchiness. Was hoping to have the flat bread appetizer but heard that its only served at dinner time,will be back for dinner."
    Dined on 7/10/2014
  • "The Tuesday fried chicken dinner was light and crispy with an organic greens huge salad followed with ice cream and home made shortbread cookies. The bistro burger , as always, was excellent. Our server, Devon, was attentive to our every possible need and very available."
    Dined on 7/8/2014
  • "We had a group of 9 and got a small room off the main floor. The setting was great and the service excellent. We'll be back again!"
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "was perfect. Not hovering but there if we needed."
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "We had a new server who turned out to be fantastic! Meghan was attentive, and did a great job. The food is always good, and we enjoyed sharing our experience with friends from out of town. The manager came over to check in with us to see how things were, which it done every time we dine there, and I think is a great added touch."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "Food was excellent. Friendly & attentative staff. Decor elegant. My 2nd time here."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "Took a friend here for dinner after having many wonderful lunches and dinners here and raving about it to all my friends but was embarrassed and shocked by the lack of good service from our waiter - never got bread, waiter never came by after the order and we needed to get things which were not provided, food wasn't very warm and never got the dessert menu. When I got up to go to the front desk to get the dessert menu myself - they suggested I talk with the manager who profusely apologized and proceeded to turn it into a great dining experience - just like what I was used to. This is THE way all restaurants should handle problems - the manager was amazing and so very professional. I will be returning very soon!"
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • " the food and service was great, their salmon was delicious with a very nice smokey flavor, great atmosphere, the server was very nice and friendly as well!"
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "This was my 6th time to Paul Martin's at Hillsdale. I have never been disappointed by this place until last night. We had a part of 7, so we had to sit outside. It was OK at 5:30, but by 7:30 it was cold. >>>> OUR FOOD TOOK ALMOST ONE HOUR TO ARRIVE. <<<< Our waitress, who was missing in action, never came out to explain why there was a delay, we were just left sitting there. I had to go up to the bar to get a soft drink because our water was not refilled and my wine glass was empty. One member or party went up to find a manager, who then came back and explained there had been a mishap in the kitchen. Okay, but why no one could stop by and explain that before everyone's glass was (not kidding) EMPTY. That's how long we waited."
    Dined on 7/1/2014
  • "Service was slow. We ordered before the table next to us but got our food 10 minutes later and it was cold when we received it."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "Food, great. Wait staff, wonderful and warm. However, almost didn't give the restaurant the benefit of the doubt because of the rude hostess. We had a 12:30 reservation and arrived at 12:25. She told me in a condescending tone she just couldn't seat me and that I'd have to wait until 12:30. You can't see into the restaurant when you're checking in so I thought it might be busy so fine, except why give me an attitude from the start? Well, when we finally got seated, we saw the restaurant was only 1/3 full. Ridiculous. Even if it's restaurant policy to seat parties at the EXACT time of their reservation, don't cop an attitude about it. Be nice...you are in hospitality."
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "Dinner was very good. This restaurant is in a shopping mall but is more upscale than your typical mall fare. I've been coming here since it opened, typically for happy hour but it is usually too crowded to find a seat during happy hour. The food is always very good at Paul Martin, especially the short ribs. Ask for a table in Will's section."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "This was our first time to celebrate a family birthday. Very noisy and loud (specially at the bar & outdoor areas), crowded space between adjoining tables, menu choice is very limited, not worth the price."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "Terrible service, meat was well done when I asked for rare, waiter looked put out when I cancelled the glass of wine I hoped to have with dinner but had not seen. This is a mall resturaunt that is way too expensive for the quality. Never going here again."
    Dined on 6/26/2014
  • "Lovely meal, wonderful server, and though a bit expensive, worth another visit!"
    Dined on 6/25/2014
  • "The food was outstanding but the service was not that good. It took 2 hrs to have dinner on a Monday because the waiter was so slow. It took over 20 mins to get a bottle of wine and had to ask for things. Other tables were served faster and meals came sooner. Not all happy but the food was so good I will come back. I am not sure if her first day but the manager had to help her alot. Glad I went will go there again. Had the grilled salmon which was very good and we had the salt and pepper shrimp was so good that I would go back just for that and have a drink. Good wine list. Overall I would say a good choice and worth it. Thanks"
    Dined on 6/23/2014
  • "I have only had lunch there and enjoyed it very much. Anxious to visit in the evening for dinner"
    Dined on 6/23/2014
  • "Had planned a special family lunch. The server, William was excellent & very polite. When the manager realized we were there for a special event she came over to make sure everything was ok & to see if we had any special requests. That was such a nice touch for our first family meal at Paul Martins. We will definitely go back, excellent quality food, great service & very reasonable prices. I chose to sit outside, but it was just a little too windy for my parents, but they turned on the heaters & all was good!"
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "I took my husband here for his birthday. Upon arriving (on time!) we were not seated until almost 15 minutes later. The restaurant was not crowded at all at this point. The hostess was on the phone taking a reservation, which seemed to be lengthy at best. We and 2 other couples were standing there waiting. When it was our time to be "helped", I was asked if I had a reservation...I showed my OpenTable printout. I was told it would be 5 minutes more because "all the servers had not arrived". This was an 11:30 a.m. brunch reservation. Good food and price for the brunch menu, but the management needs to firm up situations such as these, and work with the hostesses."
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "We went here for our anniversary, with our 3.5 yo daughter. This was our 4th visit her. There were about 5-6 booths available, so I asked for a booth, and got a flat-out no, they are reserved. I replied that we had reservations too, and it's easier for us with our child. After giving me a blank look, the hostess, said, "well, you had to specify that I wanted a booth". I felt her response was wimpy and I was frustrated and almost asked to my husband if we could go someplace else. The food was good this time, but has not always been consistent. Our server was great, which is usually the case, but they must be understaffed, because the service is always in the weeds. Not sure when we'll be going back here. Go to Town instead."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "My friend and Iboth had the short ribs, they we way too SALTY! service and everthhing else was wondrful."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "After waiting more than 15 minutes our waiter came & said, "you just got here, right?" I said, No, we had been here a while. She replied, "no you haven't". I was shocked! We ordered our drinks & waited for another 15 minutes, and received them switched around. Shouldn't she remember who ordered what drink?! No customary check to see if we were happy & we even had to ask for bread! It was almost an hour & we hadn’t seen our waiter to order dinner. I asked for the Manager to complain & we were assigned the waiter next to us. The Manager offered to buy us our next round of drinks, I mentioned that it was my girlfriend’s birthday and had hoped he would have offered dessert, but no such hospitality! Can't spend that much money for such service!"
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "Nice place and good food. relaxing to meet with friends for get together lunch."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "Rock Stars!!! The Hostess were very competent and did not worry if our party was complete or not at the time of check-in. Daniel our Super Hero Foodie was very knowledgable about the menus. For example, one my girlfriends had ordered a Negroni and I had ordered a Whiskey Sour. He did not recognize these drinks and had asked the bartender. The bartender had recognized both of these Oldie But Goodie cocktails. They were the best we've ever had living in San a Francisco and abroad. Overall, Daniel had made our Ladies Night unforgettable. The staff with there lovely smiles and friendless makes you want to return and tell all of your friends and our patients."
    Dined on 6/20/2014
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Peninsula Winners
  • Vibrant Bar Scene
  • Most Booked
Learn more ›