Yeah!; They're too dang slow. I want my food now; What's taking them so long to fill my glass; I asked for water 2 min ago, and they haven't brought it. The hostess just completely ignores us and we've been waiting here for 15 min. You know what I'd say, "You're at the wrong place buddy, there's a Cock-A-Doodle up the street or a Farmer Boys south of here."
Oh yes, Owen's Bistro; From The People That Brought You Brown Bag-It. Owen's Bistro, a little American Bistro, located right here in old town Chino, CA. Opened in 2001, discovered by my father, couple years after, and now thoroughly enjoyed by me since 2006, is a small sit-down restaurant, with a very relaxed atmosphere, located between the Chino Youth Museum, alleyway, and the downsized Foodland Market.
You enter through the back of the outdoor seating area (the patio), and the Hostess asks if you made a reservation. If you did, then she will ask, if you want indoor or outdoor seating. Me, my family, or extended family will usually choose the outdoor seating, if the weather is nice (warm). When I dine at Owen's, I'm pretty much in a rut, on what I order and it's usually, soup (all the soups are good. Doesn't matter what kind of soup, I trust the chef's judgment. Besides he usually makes soups out of vegetation that I would never eat. For example, Beet bisque with cotton candy), a beef dish (usually steak, but sometimes short ribs) and a chocolate dessert (For example, peanut chocolate mousse). The beef dishes are usually an additional 6-9 dollars, but sometimes they are worth the additional price. To drink, I usually drink tea (hot or iced) or soda, and occasionally I'll try a Riesling (a white wine with a fruity finish).
The business is slow, but that allows you to converse with the people at your table and to enjoy the wine that you are given or the wine that you ordered. As stated, it is a relaxed atmosphere, so you can just metaphorically let you hair down and just sip your wine, beer, or other beverage. Talk about current events, discuss the ridiculousness of a certain song just because you can't decide what holiday it is (That's for my sister who doesn't really like the song Saturday In The Park, by Chicago, but she does like Carole King and Janis Joplin), Entertainment, debates on certain subjects, or you can pick the brain of the Hostess or resident sommelier and ask them about the wine that you or others are drinking.
Each course comes in a nice presentation, but it can only be enjoyed for a short while, until you start mixing the pepper-crusted NY into the bleu cheese sauce, along with some rosemary red potatoes and asparagus.
The Mousse with Peanut Sauce, is presented in a martini glass with a sprig of Mint Leaf; it is a very fine presentation, but I've never actually mixed the mint into my mousse because I usually eat the mint first.
Even though I have praised Owen's, there have been some bad days where the food and/or service wasn't up to par. One dinner, I tried the chicken because it was within the price range but when I got it, I was expecting it to be moist, but it was a little dry. It was still good, but it could have been better. The fair service could be caused by what happened beforehand, but they still try to be in good spirits to make sure that you are having a good time.
I think people complain and put down Owen's for their faults because they are probably in a hurry and weren't expecting this type of service. The reason why it doesn't bother me as much, is because I'm used to it and not really in a hurry. Plus, if I want something, I can always give the wait staff a friendly reminder and they'll remember and I'll be pacified as soon as possible. It does bug me a little bit (if it's slow, and I'm not distracted, but if the place is busy, then I'll have to understand and they will apologize because, the staff are very friendly) but not enough to write scathing reviews. I mean one way to ask about the atmosphere, is to take the time and walk down to the restaurant, introduce yourself and ask about their establishment to gauge how the atmosphere is going to be, go to their website or ask frequent customers.
They also have an Italian Night, which is similar to Olive Garden's Never-Ending Pasta Bowl or Romano's Macaroni Grill, Build Your Own Pasta dish, but much better. It does end, but you get salad and a dessert, instead of more pasta. I usually get pasta with meat sauce, salad and mousse.
If you want to try this wonderful restaurant, you can find them on Facebook.com or owensbistro.com
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