I dropped in here with a friend having not seen an Elephant Bar since the Ventura, CA location closed. Overall the prices are acceptable but the menu is loaded with add-ons for an additional cost. Our waitress seemed determined to try and sell us on every one of them, without telling us of the additional cost unless asked. We ordered a $10 appetizer, "would you like avocado with that?", "is there an additional cost?", "yes.", "no thank you." "Would you like garlic bread?", "Is it complementary?", "no.", "no thank you." (Apparently Elephant Bar does not provide complementary bread.)
Nearly every trip to our table was accompanied with an attempt to up-sell additional items, with a visible irritation by the waitress at our lack of acceptance. When our food arrived it included an over-boiled cut of ribs significantly smaller than what would be expected, but not so much so as to send back. As we finished our food the dessert menu was left at our table followed by a lengthy period in which our waitress disappeared. It appeared the waitress understood we were not adding much on to our meal and deemed the passive-aggressive approach to make us wait appropriate. The check arrived in much the same way, she appeared and left the check at the table as I reached for my wallet, and she disappeared again without taking the card. An equally extended wait later our bill was finally run and we escaped, happy to be free.
Elephant Bar in and of itself has wonderful food and drinks. This particular location may be questionable however, at the very least I would request a different server if presented with an excessive up-sell situation. They will not tell you in advance if add-ons cost extra. If the server suggests add-ons, assume they're trying to inflate your bill. My experience happened in an evening where I was out with a friend looking for a quick meal. I definitely won't be returning to this location in a date situation where I would be more willing to be extravagant.
The service breaks it here.
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