If a simple Brownie Sundae was this bad, then I can't even imagine what dinner would be like at Bravo Cucina.
Actually, I can guess, since Bravo Cucina is on The Promenade.
Wow.
Is...Is that...Is that prejudice?!?!
Hell, yes.
At places where the food ends up being disappointing (or a "travesty," as it were), at the very least, you can enjoy dessert. Dessert is, for fox ache, dessert. Certainly dessert has the potential to be disappointing if the expectations are high. For example, at a restaurant that has a named pastry chef, or the desserts cost as much as an entree, then you should expect a fucking flavorgasm. You might be disappointed by the Lavendar and Plum Crostata with Creme Fraiche and Black Pepper Gelato that tastes like Prune Pie a la Mode. But in most cases, dessert is still just dessert and it's going to taste good.
Not so at Bravo Cucina.
a brownie is still a brownie
Oh, alright, so Bravo Cucina's Brownie Sundae wasn't inedible (didn't I just say "dessert is still dessert?") but the service surrounding it and the surroundings surrounding it were atrocious. Service was so slow that from the drooping mess of a sundae that came to our table, it was clear that our server had just let the order sit in the kitchen for much longer than necessary before bringing it out. Had it been an obviously busy night, I would have been more forgiving, but the interior dining room was virtually empty, and the patio where we were seated was only half full. Our server was inattentive, and when she actually did pay us some face-time, she was rude and forgetful. We had to ask for napkins twice.
The surroundings were no better, though that is not necessarily the fault of the restaurant. However, it is a characteristic of the restaurant's location on 3rd Street Promenade. The clientele is sketchy, and by sketchy, I mean young, sleazy, loud, and all-around obnoxious.
I am not talking about myself. I know. I am loud and obnoxious, but that is precisely the point. Imagine. If they were louder and more obnxious than me, it was pretty bad.
I daren't do dinner at Bravo Cucina.
Bravo Cucina
1319 Third St Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.394.0374
www.bravocucinaeatlove.com
** a year ago today, peanut butter brownies made total sense **
** two years ago today, nook bistro was treasure hidden in a cranny **
tags :: food : and drink : italian : restaurants : reviews : los angeles
[email protected] says
The literal translation of 'Bravo Cucina' is 'Capable Kitchen'. Just thought you might like to know.
[email protected] says
The literal translation of 'Bravo Cucina' is 'Capable Kitchen'. Just thought you might like to know.
sarah says
[email protected]: ok. that is funny.
Anonymous says
You seem to be taking several hits for the collective team lately. It's slightly amusing in a weird Fear Factor/America's Funniest Videos way to read about disappointment after disappointment. I kind of want more. I'm sorry in advance.
--vipat
Anonymous says
That's actually pretty lame. You write off a restaurant without even trying it.
Lame.
hojo says
Wow...it's so tragic to read about all of your disappointments lately. I worked for several years just off the promenade, and you're helping me relive some horrible nightmares...sadly, the only thing I could go back to is Fatburger...
hojo says
Wow...it's so tragic to read about all of your disappointments lately. I worked for several years just off the promenade, and you're helping me relive some horrible nightmares...sadly, the only thing I could go back to is Fatburger...
Jeena says
Mmmm your recipes look delicous!
you have Great blog from Jeena :)
visit jeena's kitchen healthy recipe blog
U says
I see fake whipping cream in that brownie pic. Shame on them.
sarah says
vipat: trust me. you will get more. my work life on the promenade is having much influence over my (non)delicious life right now.
anonymous: i did try bravo cucina. the dessert was slightly below mediocre, but i wouldn't have made a decision not to go back solely on that fact. it was the service, which was below bad. when i go out to eat, i am paying for service. sure others might be paying for food, but for me, the reason i go out is so that i don't have to cook at home. if the food is only decent, even slightly below decent, i give it a second, even a third chance if the service was outstanding. then i got my money's worth.
calling me lame doesn't hurt me. you can do better than that.
hojo: fatburger! i totally forgot about fatburger! i am afraid, however, to have it for lunch, as i would very rapidly slip into a food coma at my desk. dinner though...
jeena: interesting. i haven't posted a recipe in several months. are you... *gasp!*... self-promoting on my blog? i'm flattered. unfortuantely, you should try this on larger blogs that get more traffic, 'k?
u: well, i doubt it was cool whip. but i am betting that it wasn't whipped by their kitchen. yeesh.
Eddie Lin says
hey lame-o,
don't you know never to go into a restaurant where they need employees (usually cute girls) standing outside with menus begging, flirting or bribing (with samples) for business? haven't you ever been to any other tourist district anywhere in the world where the same m.o. is taking place? avoid at all cost! especially your own cost!
btw, anony, i've eaten there...twice! it sucked the first time and it swallowed the next! who are you anyway? john bae? get the f*@k outta here!!
i heart sarah.
Eddie Lin says
hey lame-o,
don't you know never to go into a restaurant where they need employees (usually cute girls) standing outside with menus begging, flirting or bribing (with samples) for business? haven't you ever been to any other tourist district anywhere in the world where the same m.o. is taking place? avoid at all cost! especially your own cost!
btw, anony, i've eaten there...twice! it sucked the first time and it swallowed the next! who are you anyway? john bae? get the f*@k outta here!!
i heart sarah.
hojo says
re: fatburger...nothing to fear, ha! how much damage can a turkey burger +egg do?
off2cdwzrd says
you've got to give up the faux-italian, Sarah, it's just not working on the promenade. save your italian craving for Angelini Osteria or maybe even Matteos, if you choose one of Don Dickman's dishes. or better still, go to Vincenti but beware the $35 corkage...
off2cdwzrd says
you've got to give up the faux-italian, Sarah, it's just not working on the promenade. save your italian craving for Angelini Osteria or maybe even Matteos, if you choose one of Don Dickman's dishes. or better still, go to Vincenti but beware the $35 corkage...
sarah says
eddie: awww...eddie, i {heart} you too! (and miss you ;) )
hojo: with avocado? and fries? i mean come on. i doubt i could make the walk back from the restaurant to my office!
off2cdwzrd: i have yet to try BOTH matteo's and vincenti! and to think i live so close to the unofficial little italy...*sigh* soon. i hope.
Anonymous says
thought you might find this article from the SF chronicle interesting!
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/25/MNGV9ORDSH1.DTL
Anonymous says
yikes, the whole link didnt show up. here's the rest of it: ORDSH1.DTL
THE HOLE THING ® says
Thanks for the comical head ups Sarah. I think that this is one hole I can stay out of ! Louise
THE HOLE THING ® says
Thanks for the comical head ups Sarah. I think that this is one hole I can stay out of ! Louise
Baisy Mama says
Have you ever gone to La Serenata di Garabaldi? It's right off 3rd st, and i think its pretty good!
sarah says
anonymous: thanks for the info! when will they write something in the Times, starring....me?!?! :)
louise: oh, honey, as long as you stay away from the promenade overall, you are saving yourself.
steph: i do like la serenata! the only thing is (and this is so lame) - i hate having to ask for tortilla chips like 14 times because i plow through them in one breath ;)
joanh says
yeah, i'm not impressed w/ the eateries on the promenade either.. not that i've eaten here.
but if the service totally affects the taste of your food
joanh says
yeah, i'm not impressed w/ the eateries on the promenade either.. not that i've eaten here.
but if the service totally affects the taste of your food
Dave C. says
OMFG, that looks damn good. I'm in the LBC, but I'm driving my ass up there right now! Ok, maybe not, but I thought about it.
Dave C. says
OMFG, that looks damn good. I'm in the LBC, but I'm driving my ass up there right now! Ok, maybe not, but I thought about it.
Patty Ramos says
I'd like to try it out soon.
Thanks
Patty Ramos
sarah says
joanh: sadly, i have come to accept that eateries in tourist destinations will more than likely be overpriced *eh*. even a few steps off the promenade, and it's hit or miss.
dave c: ya think? i don't know - it looked a little too sloppy to me, and besides, the service tainted it for me. but if you DO drive up to the Westside, there are plenty of good things to eat!
patty ramos: good luck ;)