The service is awful, unprofessional, and rather obnoxious and odd. The owner is strange, somewhat confrontational and inappropriate. I've eaten at Mustard Seed 4-5 times in the last year and the ambience is unbeatable. The food is good, too. But, my wife and I have finally had enough of the obtrusive service and the snobby owner. The owner is under the misimpression Mustard Seed is Chez Panisse, which it is not. My sister is a chef at Chez Panisse and we've eaten there many times. There's no comparison. Every time we eat at Mustard Seed one waiter in particular fancies himself a comedian and constantly tries to make his ""routine"" part of your dining ""entertainment."" It's very annoying. One time after one of our dinner party said he wanted his steak well done on the outside this waiter remarked ""well, once you go black you never go back."" We were shocked. Another time much younger friends ate there using a gift certificate and the owner remarked, ""Oh, what DID you do to deserve THIS!?"" (It wasn't an attempt at humor). She acted as if the honor to eat at Mustard Seed was a gift far out of any young couple's grasp or wildest dreams. At one point when I ate there last the owner saw us milling around after finishing and screamed at her staff in the kitchen (without shutting the door), ""Why is that table looking at me!!?"" The owner is just an odd, highly pretentous bird. Unfortunately, some of the staff must share the same genes. All of this detracts from the comfort and enjoyment of a good meal and wonderful atmosphere. However, we're done with the staff/owner's tired routine. People go out to dinner to relax and enjoy conversation, not to endure forced banter from waiters, and the intrusions and pretentiousness of an irascible, mercurial owner. I would like to recommend Mustard Seed, but my suggestion is to go somewhere where the food is as good and the service/owner more professionals. Davis doesn't lack for other options. Go elsewhere.
Pros: Good food and great ambience
Cons: Obnoxious, snooty service. Pretentious, odd, rude owner
more