Bittersweet Bistro

It's been a long time since I have dined at the Bittersweet Bistro. On this visit, my Company held their annual dinner. They held it in a private back room with a full bar setup with wine service too. Three course dinner featuring a Garden Salad, filet mignon and crème brûlée. The service was impeccable and friendly.

food is good, but upscale pricing leaves a bad taste in your mouth. We've lived in the area for years, and remember fondly when Bittersweet Bistro was a goto restaurant. It was never cheap/affordable, but it was excellent food at appropriate/expected pricing for that level of meal. Post pandemic they lost our business due to low food quality and we stopped going. Well we thought we'd give them another chance since it's been several months, and we will again wait several months/years until we return. The food was "good" and nothing wrong, but the pricing was Napa/SF 5* level pricing for food quality and quantity was was only "regular nothing special" quality. Food = good (not great)Service = good (not great)Ambience = goodPrice/Value = I'm not that price sensitive and I was shocked/appalled at what this meal cost - and we eat out oftenThe medium quality vs. "excellence" level pricing makes bittersweet a no-go for myself and my wife.it saddens me greatly.

Bittersweet Bistro Aptos CA Fri 12/27/24On Rio Del Mar Blvd!One very bright Friday in December!Sunny & warm at the coast!Several of us stopped by for drinks!©Here with friends after taking care of some business in the area! You can't help it but feel celebratory in the beautiful Santa Cruz area, Capitola, Aptos, coastal Rio Del Mar, where ocean proximity offers the best of the sea-meets-relaxed-lifestyle! In comparison to Silicon Valley's stresses, it feels almost remote here, yet it's only a hillside away from the valley's intensity! In a beautiful koi pond, just outside of your stone and stucco building, the happiest vibrant fishes sparkle & dance in the water, displaying bright red and yellow! You wanna join the human size teddy bear Santa by the bar? You can do it here! Straight to the bar counter we go, spacious and inviting to relax and quench that thirst! Classy Mahogany bar is hard to pass by. Let's go! My rye whiskey, but of course! We ordered several cocktails, one of those was French Lemon Drop! Chitchat with the bartender Cliff! Excellent service! Bittersweet Bistro is a staple recognized by locals, one of top spots in Santa Cruz County & in Aptos's Rio Del Mar enclave. It's a New American classic with Mediterranean twist!I savored my rye! Overall the WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye 6 Years has a nice sweet profile! It complements the dominant rustic and spicey notes. Good all around, it's a versatile whiskey! Works equally well in cocktails or in a glass by itself, just like I have enjoyed it! It features a 100% rye mashbill, a solid 96.56 proof.Delicious Lemon Drop, made to order, I carry a recipe given to me years ago, by a true professional. It comes out strong & citrusy refreshing! Very good. Time flew fast with a great conversation! On to the next stop! Arrivederci Bittersweet! Until we meet again!* Cocktails and dreams give them to meI said, oh, oh, oh I'm begging you pleaseGive them to meCocktails and dreamsCocktails and dreams give them to me[ Review #817 w 4 pics Jan 21, 2025 ]Vibrant fishes in the pond outside!Santa's waiting to make U company!My WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye 6 Years! Exceptional French Lemon Drop!@Bittersweet Bistro Aptos CA Fri 12/27/24

First time dining at Bittersweet Bistro! The Bistro has a gorgeous and welcoming ambiance, with a variety of seating areas, including a spacious dining room, exterior dining area, and a bar/lounge. All of which are pretty and comfortable. The menu was diverse and interesting. I was thrilled with my food choices. Everything was well-prepared and presented. Oh, and don't skip dessert! There were also fantastic. Last, but not least, the service was outstanding! Everyone we encountered (even if they weren't directly involved in our visit,)!was friendly and helpful. Can't wait to return.

My bittersweet bill.The place had a nice ambiance, but they seem to be aiming for an upscale vibe with upscale prices, yet they have plastic chairs outside, which felt out of place. When we walked in, one waitress was arguing with another, saying, "Well, I have the most tables right now," which created a contentious environment.We ordered two appetizers, including a Burrata salad that was essentially just a whole Burrata with a bit of cucumber and lettuce underneath. For $20, the four of us each got barely a bite. The clams were okay, but nothing to write home about. My husband got an $11 mocktail, which was pricier than the $8.50 beer.For the main course, my friend ordered the piccata, and another friend had the short rib. Both dishes had the same sauce, which was basically a pool of sauce with a side of meat. It was unappetizing. My husband and I both ordered a $40 entrée, which consisted of three small scallops and a tiny portion of potatoes and spinach. We finished our meal in maybe five bites. The portion sizes were tiny for the high prices. Our total bill was $240.Next time, I'm going to Shadowbrook, where I can pay the same prices but actually have an upscale experience. Overall, I was extremely unimpressed with this place and won't be coming back.

This was the worst dining experience I've ever had. The owners treated us terribly. We took 9 family members for our holiday meal. The noise from another party was unbarable in that none of us could hear a word each other said, the wait staff couldnt hear us, making the meal a disaster. When we asked for accommodations the wait staff had attitude and when the managers finally came out, they told us several times "we don't care" When I got up to leave a large male manager boxed me in and threatened to call thePolice. Then threatened my 81 year old parents that they would call the police. It was really odd at best and an absolutely horrible experience. None of us will ever go any where near that restaurant again.

Had dinner at the Bittersweet Bistro on Valentines Day. The only reservation we could get was for 7:45pm. We were quite surprised that when we arrived half the restaurant was empty. Our server came to the table and asked what we wanted. No hello. No specials No niceties. My husband ordered Knob Creek bouben and I ordered a cocktail. The waitress returned to the table and said "we don't have Knob Hill". My husband pointed out that it was on the menu and it's actually NOB CREEK. She said "well we don't have it". My drink, a pomegranate margarita, tasted like koolade. I got my drink first and then she came 10 minutes later with his drink. She took our order. I got the short ribs and my husband got the sesame seared ahi and a caesar salad. For an appetizer we got the clams. The clams came first in a pool of broth. There were about 20 clam shells and maybe 8 actual clams. No bread. I had to ask for it and it came on a plate looking quite dry and unappetizing. Then we got our entrees. Where is the salad? "Oh sorry...". It came about halfway through our main dishes. My ribs tasted like pot roast with a sauce that consumed it. My husbands fish was good, he said, but the dish was unappetizing looking. When asked if we wanted dessert we promptly said no and paid the bill. On the way out my husband went to the bathroom and I took the opportunity to tell the hostess that our experience was terrible and we wouldn't be back. Also the service was quite rude. All of this for over $300. NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE!!!

Outstanding to be seated comfortably and courteously be served. Sweet to the 3rd power. May the 4th be with you. ;)Temperature is great with non temperamental individuals. Space and lightning is a great comfort zone to enjoy a quick dinner. Thank you.

We had our holiday Xmas dinner. The place was decorations were very festive. The service was top notch. The food was very delicious. We had a choice of chicken, steak or fish. I had the blackened fish, it was moist, delicious and very tasty! I loved it. Everyone loved their meal. Happy Holidays to you and your wonderful staff.

Have been going here for years! Always great food and ambience. Recently went with my husband and son. The food was awful. Very disappointed. Won't be going back. The service was good.