Service was impeccable. Very warm and attentive. A bit pricey but food was very enjoyable. We would go back definitely. My wife loves Salmon and she said the salmon was one of the best she ever tasted.
ALICE
Loved my meal but dessert was a bit disappointing. Otherwise it would have been a definite 5 star
Kristen
We always enjoy the food at Avant. The staff and service are spectacular! For NYE there was a Prix Fixe menu. It was wonderful. My disappointment came at the end of the evening. I had called the previous day to enquirer about options for my child that has food aversions. The host was understanding and asked management and the Chef if an accommodation could be made. It was a hard no. No other food would be prepared. Could I have food from another restaurant on property? Again, no. Ok fair enough. We left one of my children at home for the evening. As we get up to leave I see the table behind me has a child enjoying chicken strips and fries (these were not on the Prix Fixe menu). I did express my disappointment to management. I called ahead about accommodations. I respect the rules. To see that someone else gets special treatment was disheartening is the best way for me to say it.
Patricia
For the peice the food wasn't great. When we eat there on a regular night the food is excellent. The waiter forgot to bring a couple of drinks ordered. My steak I ordered M and my friend ordered MR. They were both rear. They took back but it didn't change st all. All and all we are never going back for a special event.
JJ Sullivan
Food we ordered was very good and presented nicely. Nice dinner that took some time to enjoy. The place on a Tuesday evening was quite busy, so I would recommend reservations. No more complementary bread the house bread ($10) is has two different spread and was served warm. We each ordered a salad Caesar salad ($18) and an autumn chop ; apple walnut salad ($25). They were out of the tomahawk so we went for a steak alternative, which was really good and we split this entrée. ($190). It did lose a star just because for the price the service was just decent. They did not rush us. We were able to sit and talk and just really enjoy our meal, but I had to ask for every refill on my iced tea and they forgot my husband‘s wine.. also they left the menus on the table the whole time which I thought was a little odd that they didn’t ever clear the menus for such a small table. Overall great restaurant pretty expensive, but it was a great experience and I would recommend it for a relaxing date night dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Matthew Miller
Dinner date my myself and wife, we live locally. The hotel was beautifully decorated for Christmas which was a plus. Their cocktails looked great, but we were not drinking that evening. Their food was really excellent, bold and robust flavors that really satisfied.
My wife had their lobster bisque for her main dinner, I had the pork chop which was AMAZING (salty, spicy, juicy) with roasted grapes and celery.
We will certainly be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
ashlei
Unfortunately, service was slow. We were seated in the bar area and served by the bartender, which was disappointing given the cost of the prix fixe meal and the pre-set 20% gratuity.
Teresa
Beautiful setting for our Christmas dinner. The 4-course meal was lacking for the price range and didn't feel that the total bill + 20% gratuity + Surcharge was worth it. We've eaten in many fine dining restaurants and although portions are small, they typically make up for it with their scrumptious taste. Unfortunately, I cannot say that for Avant last night.
Eric
most of the courses were served lukewarm and is clearly batched. Some dishes were incorrect and timing was off. Value for experience and food quality fell incredibly short. 3 adults were $800 for an experience you can get on a cruise ship. Ambiance was nice.
Tina Miles
On 12/13, two of my girlfriends and I were celebrating my birthday. Everything was amazing. Thank you Blaine for taking great care of us! ❤️
Our waiter was fabulous but the food was a little disappointing. Understandably it was Christmas Eve so I'm sure the kitchen was very busy. Our table was weirdly big for our party and did not feel as festive as the rest of the restaurant. The duck was over cooked and the salmon was almost raw. I will definitely give the restaurant another try but not on a holiday .
Kelly Walker
For the price, this is the worst place I have ever eaten.
Everything started off ok. Appetizers were fine and service was pretty good.
After ordering entrees, it all went downhill. It got a bit busier, and we never saw our waiter again. It took a very long time for the food to come out. We were a group of 6, 3 people ordered steak, 2 fish, and 1 the appetizer ravioli. The 3 steaks: all cooked to the wrong temperature. The 2 fish: so salty it was inedible. I could not believe at the end of the meal someone came by and asked if we were done. He picked up an almost entirely untouched plate of fish and didn’t ask if there was anything wrong or anything else they could offer. The 1 ravioli: it was literally 1 ravioli. I understand it was an appetizer, but the staff should at least let the guests know they are ordering an extremely small portion of food.
Overall, it was expensive sub par food with non-existent service. I recommend eating anywhere else.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Adam Schilling
We had an excellent experience at Avant. I booked a business dinner for 11, and the restaurant’s bar was a perfect spot for guests to gather for happy hour as they arrived. Our table was ready right on time, and the service throughout the night was prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive.
The team paid attention to every detail—serving utensils for shared dishes, crumbing between courses, and keeping drinks full without ever needing to ask. All courses for our large group were served simultaneously, and every dish was beautifully presented and cooked exactly to order.
We never felt rushed as the evening wound down, and the spacious table setup made it easy for us to move around and socialize—especially meaningful since many of us were meeting in person for the first time.
Overall, the meal was flawless. I highly recommend Avant for both a special night out and any corporate or group event.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John
Overpriced, decently prepared food, slow service, and I probably will not go back. I can get equivalent or better cuisine elsewhere.
Robert
This little gem is familiar to discerning diners from Poway to Escondido, while those from the city are definitely missing out. A fine example of California French, the quality and presentation of the food are superb, the service is attentive without hovering, and the ambience is delightful. This is not just THE place for special occasions; it is the place that will cause you to look for occasions to spend a most charming evening here.
Service was impeccable. Very warm and attentive. A bit pricey but food was very enjoyable. We would go back definitely. My wife loves Salmon and she said the salmon was one of the best she ever tasted.
Loved my meal but dessert was a bit disappointing. Otherwise it would have been a definite 5 star
We always enjoy the food at Avant. The staff and service are spectacular! For NYE there was a Prix Fixe menu. It was wonderful. My disappointment came at the end of the evening. I had called the previous day to enquirer about options for my child that has food aversions. The host was understanding and asked management and the Chef if an accommodation could be made. It was a hard no. No other food would be prepared. Could I have food from another restaurant on property? Again, no. Ok fair enough. We left one of my children at home for the evening. As we get up to leave I see the table behind me has a child enjoying chicken strips and fries (these were not on the Prix Fixe menu). I did express my disappointment to management. I called ahead about accommodations. I respect the rules. To see that someone else gets special treatment was disheartening is the best way for me to say it.
For the peice the food wasn't great. When we eat there on a regular night the food is excellent. The waiter forgot to bring a couple of drinks ordered. My steak I ordered M and my friend ordered MR. They were both rear. They took back but it didn't change st all. All and all we are never going back for a special event.
Food we ordered was very good and presented nicely. Nice dinner that took some time to enjoy. The place on a Tuesday evening was quite busy, so I would recommend reservations.
No more complementary bread the house bread ($10) is has two different spread and was served warm. We each ordered a salad Caesar salad ($18) and an autumn chop ; apple walnut salad ($25). They were out of the tomahawk so we went for a steak alternative, which was really good and we split this entrée. ($190).
It did lose a star just because for the price the service was just decent. They did not rush us. We were able to sit and talk and just really enjoy our meal, but I had to ask for every refill on my iced tea and they forgot my husband‘s wine.. also they left the menus on the table the whole time which I thought was a little odd that they didn’t ever clear the menus for such a small table.
Overall great restaurant pretty expensive, but it was a great experience and I would recommend it for a relaxing date night dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Dinner date my myself and wife, we live locally. The hotel was beautifully decorated for Christmas which was a plus. Their cocktails looked great, but we were not drinking that evening. Their food was really excellent, bold and robust flavors that really satisfied.
My wife had their lobster bisque for her main dinner, I had the pork chop which was AMAZING (salty, spicy, juicy) with roasted grapes and celery.
We will certainly be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Unfortunately, service was slow. We were seated in the bar area and served by the bartender, which was disappointing given the cost of the prix fixe meal and the pre-set 20% gratuity.
Beautiful setting for our Christmas dinner. The 4-course meal was lacking for the price range and didn't feel that the total bill + 20% gratuity + Surcharge was worth it. We've eaten in many fine dining restaurants and although portions are small, they typically make up for it with their scrumptious taste. Unfortunately, I cannot say that for Avant last night.
most of the courses were served lukewarm and is clearly batched. Some dishes were incorrect and timing was off. Value for experience and food quality fell incredibly short. 3 adults were $800 for an experience you can get on a cruise ship. Ambiance was nice.
On 12/13, two of my girlfriends and I were celebrating my birthday. Everything was amazing. Thank you Blaine for taking great care of us! ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Our waiter was fabulous but the food was a little disappointing. Understandably it was Christmas Eve so I'm sure the kitchen was very busy. Our table was weirdly big for our party and did not feel as festive as the rest of the restaurant. The duck was over cooked and the salmon was almost raw. I will definitely give the restaurant another try but not on a holiday .
For the price, this is the worst place I have ever eaten.
Everything started off ok. Appetizers were fine and service was pretty good.
After ordering entrees, it all went downhill. It got a bit busier, and we never saw our waiter again. It took a very long time for the food to come out. We were a group of 6, 3 people ordered steak, 2 fish, and 1 the appetizer ravioli.
The 3 steaks: all cooked to the wrong temperature.
The 2 fish: so salty it was inedible. I could not believe at the end of the meal someone came by and asked if we were done. He picked up an almost entirely untouched plate of fish and didn’t ask if there was anything wrong or anything else they could offer.
The 1 ravioli: it was literally 1 ravioli. I understand it was an appetizer, but the staff should at least let the guests know they are ordering an extremely small portion of food.
Overall, it was expensive sub par food with non-existent service. I recommend eating anywhere else.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
We had an excellent experience at Avant. I booked a business dinner for 11, and the restaurant’s bar was a perfect spot for guests to gather for happy hour as they arrived. Our table was ready right on time, and the service throughout the night was prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive.
The team paid attention to every detail—serving utensils for shared dishes, crumbing between courses, and keeping drinks full without ever needing to ask. All courses for our large group were served simultaneously, and every dish was beautifully presented and cooked exactly to order.
We never felt rushed as the evening wound down, and the spacious table setup made it easy for us to move around and socialize—especially meaningful since many of us were meeting in person for the first time.
Overall, the meal was flawless. I highly recommend Avant for both a special night out and any corporate or group event.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Overpriced, decently prepared food, slow service, and I probably will not go back. I can get equivalent or better cuisine elsewhere.
This little gem is familiar to discerning diners from Poway to Escondido, while those from the city are definitely missing out. A fine example of California French, the quality and presentation of the food are superb, the service is attentive without hovering, and the ambience is delightful. This is not just THE place for special occasions; it is the place that will cause you to look for occasions to spend a most charming evening here.
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