11/23/08

Adequate Food and Service, in a nice setting

by ZipnAroundTown

My wife and I had dinner here about 10 years and loved the experience. We moved away, but we are here visiting and decided to try it again. I had to laugh when I made a reservation earlier in the week when the person said no problem for a table at 6, but we had to be out by 8 for another party. Good to his word he reminded us of the time limit when we ordered. I thought it was kind of funny, Swiss efficiency and all.

My wife ordered a bottle of still water which tasted a little flat (no pun intended) and when she asked for a sweeter wine, the waiter recommended one of the wine's of the month, a sweet German number. When he brought it out, it was one of those cheap German table wines with the screw cap; hilarious! (no, he didn't offer to let me smell the metal cap) My wife had a cheese/potato app she loved and I had a crab salad. The greens on top needed salt, but were fresh and the crab meat was from a package, (too soft) but well seasoned. Next my wife had the goat cheese salad which turned out to be blue goat chesse. She sent it back and got a pear salad she liked. I had the seafood soup which was good, but in another case of the chef not tasting the food, it was too salty and the some of the seafood was cooked too long.

My wife had the steak, which she loved and I had the swiss/german sausage plate, which I enjoyed. However, the bratwurst (I think) needed a little something. The desert was divine, a strawberry tower, and the coffee was excellent as well.

The service was adequate, but the waiter was too busy and harried to be quietly efficient, like you would expect for a $200 meal. The ambiance was nice, but the party of 8 next to us with the very loud joke-telling host was out of place for a small romantic place. The waiter was too busy to bring us our bill and ask about our experience and the other waitress did it. It struck us as kind of corporate.

Overall, this is a nice place, with above average food, but managment has become complacent. Shame.

• Pros: Intimate setting, interesting dishes, location
• Cons: Average service, average food, parking

09/28/08

Quaint French Restaurant with Delicious Food

by sbcutie01

Highly recommended! Everything was great! Reservations are advisable as there are only a few tables in the restaurant. I can't wait to go back.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: -

07/08/07

great date!!!!

by michaelgera

We created this account because of this restaurant. We loved our experience at Basilic!!!! From the very first taste of our amuse-bouche to our last bite of creme-brule we were blown away by the quality of the experience. The service was great but not pretentious. Our server attended to all of our needs without feeling overbearing. The atmosphere was romantic and very intimate. It felt as though we had fallen into some cute little bistro in france. Now for the food!!!!!!! Everything was so delightful and elegant. The duck was the best I have ever had. With a menu like this you cant go wrong. And after relishing every bite a perfect end to the evening came when the owner/chef came out to greet all of the guests. Top to bottom this was a first rate experience.

Balboa Island cafe serves Swiss-French fare in an intimate setting.

by Contributor

In Short
With just eight dimly lit tables, chalet-chic ambience and a waitstaff that caters to every whim, Basilic is tailor-made for date-night diners. The authentic Swiss-French menu begins with house-specialty appetizers such as raclette (a melted cheese and potato dish) and plates of gourmet dried meats that pair well with complimentary feta- and herb-topped crostini. Entrees include tarragon-mustard rack of lamb and veal tenderloin in a rich mushroom medley. Desserts range from light, gently sweetened sorbets to the rich tart Tatin with homemade vanilla bean ice cream.

04/11/06

The perfect meal

by peninsulagirl

Service is flawless, food is even better. Intimate, cozy, delicious. The steak au poivre is to die for and the rack of lamb is tender and flavorful.

My favorite restaurant in O.C.!

12/05/05

EXQUISITE

by twitchy_tina

I just went there last night and the food was fabulous. I started off with the raclette and it was delicious. Every first Tuesday of the month is all you can eat raclette. I had the seafood risotto and it was delicious. The veal with mushroom risotto is also good. So it the rack of lamb. The creme brulee is to die for.

• Cons: a little pricey

07/21/05

Great experience

by jodine777

I was looking for a quiet place to have a romantic dinner with my husband. After reading the previous reviews about Basilic, I was in awe. There truly is only 8 tables in this quaint little restaurant. Hidden between the shops of main street balboa, this restaurant is a little taste of heaven. The service was excellent and the humored waiter wasn't bad either. It's a place to have a gourmet intimate dinner. Parties of 5 and over were turned away to not disturb the ambience. I highly recommend this place for couples who just want to be alone and have a gourmet meal.

• Pros: tasteful meal
• Cons: parking

10/08/03

Swiss- French Food

by russkar

We tried Basilic last night and what a "golden find" for some well prepared food and great ambience. Everything was suprisingly good and we will return.