Aioli Bodega Espanola

03/25/09

Great food, indifferent service

by FlorestanXXIV at Citysearch

Camareros in Spain are models of good manners. Spanish food requires an ambience of hospitality and sociability. Aioli Bodega should change its name from "Espanola" to "NewYorque" or "Parisiense," big cities where lackluster service is tolerated and customer retention is not a priority.

• Pros: Authentic Spanish dishes, good location
• Cons: Expensive prices for un-Spanish inhospitality

01/02/09

Not the best place for New Year's eve

by RLandHat95818 at Citysearch

The food is great, the bartender was friendly, but the waiter was impatient, impersonal and rushed us through dinner. Instead his focus was on the big crowds coming in for dinner, the regulars, the favorites. I have been to this restaurant many times and have had some of the best romantic experiences, however this New Years in was a different experience. I feel a restaurant should spend their focus on all customers, not just on the regulars.

• Pros: ambience
• Cons: waiter staff, specially older staff.

11/15/08

Great Food, Yes, Great Place to Network, Surely

by mandythompson at Citysearch

The other day, I met a business client at Aioli?s for lunch and had their steak sandwich with a glass of exceptional red wine, which had cherry undertones. My client and I had lunch on the back patio, which was very enjoyable under the coliseum of trees. The deal was sealed. In general, Aioli?s is a great place to conduct business, as it is frequented by business folk and California law makers alike. It seems every time I come in here, someone is making a deal at the table beside me. Reda Bellarbi, the owner, is at the heart of all of this action, connecting the people of Sacramento with one another. He has on several occasions connected me to CEOs, other leading business figures, and business networks in Sacramento, and is also well known for his philanthropic network around town. His restaurants and wine bars support a large number faith and community charities, which have likely resulted in his extensive professional network. Yes, I recommend this place for food, service, and decor, but the networking potential of this place can not be overlooked.

• Pros: Live Classical Guitar Most Thurs-Sat

11/15/08

Home Away from Home

by christinede at Citysearch

I treated myself to dinner the other night and decided that downtown Sacramento was the place to be. Naturally, I came to Aioli Bodega Espanola Restaurant, a.k.a., Aioli?s, as I have come to know the owner, Reda, and many of the long-time servers by their first names, and they have always made me feel like I?m part of a big Mediterranean family. Living thousands of miles away from home, and away from your oldest and best friends, people who treat you like family tend to readily grow on you, and so I come back on a regular basis. This is a family of chefs, sommeliers, philosophers, and kings.

Much of this big family comes from Algeria, France, Morocco, Spain, and Mexico, bringing forth a great number of otherwise hard to find fresh and delicious recipes. On this particular visit, I thought I?d try the lamb shank, which prompted me to write this review, as I have only had such a well prepared lamb one other time. The other time was at the base of Franz Joseph Glacier in New Zealand, commonly known as the home of the best lamb in the world. In both cases, the lamb was cooked to perfection, falling off the bone, as if it was cooked in a stew marinade for hours, despite being prepared in less than 20 minutes during peak hour. It was accompanied by tender vegetables and complimentary bread and hummus, and of course several Heineken beers.

Some other perks include live classical guitar music towards the weekend, a discrete outdoor garden patio, changing and permanent art, including a hand-pounded copper bar, artistic copper lighting, murals, large impressionist paintings, and photography. And just when you think it couldn?t get any better, there is also Aioli?s at The Grand Wine Bar, two blocks towards the Capitol rose gardens, and Aioli?s in Davis.

• Pros: Great Atmosphere

11/07/08

Best Paella

by JohnnieAppleSeed at Citysearch

I come here just for the Paella. I have sampled their menu extensively, and the food is great, but once I tasted the paella, I was hooked. I need my monthly (at least) paella fix now. Great atmosphere, lovely decorations. Great for large groups. Lovely wine selection. Gigi, the waiter, is very personable.

• Pros: Paella, the rest of the food, wine
• Cons: twice I had long waits for my food, but was with large groups both times