Annabelle's Bar & Bistro

\r \r I've heard so much about this place so I had to check it out and stopped by for my lunch break with my boyfriend. Worst experience ever. After some time waiting by the host stand we decided to eat at the bar, which is, or suppose to be, faster. The bar was quite full and bartender seemed very busy. At that time of the day I would expect 2 bartenders. To get the drinks took about 10 minutes, while looking around on tables behind us covered by dirty dishes and upset people waiting for their bill. Nobody seemed to care about the place. I felt truly sorry for the bartender who was very nice but very slow. Servers were getting drinks by themselves having no idea how to pour a beer. Eventhough we decided to order everything at the same time, our entrees wouldn't be come out by the time I had to head back to work, so all we ate was a shrimp salad and a tomato soup in 45 minutes. We had to pack our food to go. What a disappoimtent! Pros: can't think of any. Cons: still can't think of any. more

I'm, from the south I know y'all Yankees tend to be straight forward, but having dined there last night at Annabelle's, I was so in shock! I couldn't believe how mean spirited people are there. JUST DON'T DINE HERE.! Have a quick drink and run! Hopefully you will get as nice of a bartender as we did. ETHAN, more

I went to Annabelle's based on everyone's reviews. We were looking for a casual place with medium prices, but this wasn't what we were expecting. When we first walked in, the bar area looked nice with a larger dining room. At first, we were pleasantly surprised. I think if we just stayed in the bar area, this review would be better but we didn't. We had six people in our party, but the restaurant wasn't packed. Our appetizers (battered fried anchovies and squash dishes) arrived fairly quickly. However, everything went down hill from there. Maybe part of the problem is that they automatically charge 18% service for parties of 6 or more, which may explain why the server had no incentive to serve us in a timely manner, We didn't get drink refills and our plates weren't cleared away quickly until we asked. They got one person's order incorrect and the food was so-so considering all the frustration. The final straw was when the restaurant started filling with smoke from the kitchen. They actually had a FAN BLOWING IN THE SMOKE FROM THE KITCHEN! My eyes started to water and I was coughing. Frankly, I was LESS THAN impressed with this restaurant. I would only come back for the bar and only a drink at that. If you're expecting a decent meal, I would recommend going somewhere else. The service needs to improve before I consider it again. Pros: Decor Cons: Decor more

I've heard so much about this place so I had to check it out and stopped by for my lunch break with my boyfriend. Worst experience ever. After some time waiting by the host stand we decided to eat at the bar, which is, or suppose to be, faster. The bar was quite full and bartender seemed very busy. At that time of the day I would expect 2 bartenders. To get the drinks took about 10 minutes, while looking around on tables behind us covered by dirty dishes and upset people waiting for their bill. Nobody seemed to care about the place. I felt truly sorry for the bartender who was very nice but very slow. Servers were getting drinks by themselves having no idea how to pour a beer. Eventhough we decided to order everything at the same time, our entrees wouldn't be come out by the time I had to head back to work, so all we ate was a shrimp salad and a tomato soup in 45 minutes. We had to pack our food to go. What a disappoimtent! Pros: can't think of any. Cons: still can't think of any. more

I've eaten at this restaurant several times in the past and have always been happy. The tables are a little close together (like in most bistro like establishments), but you hardly notice it, when happy. The servers were well educated on the wine list, had great recommendations, and flights of flavors for the tasting, just in case you couldn't decide. Good wine choices, although too overpriced. The food was also outstanding. BUT THAT HAS ALL CHANGED OVER THE SUMMER !!!!!!!!!!!! We went there last week and WOW.....way to make a change for the WORST! New staff, new managers, new food, and horrible experience overall! The service was AVERAGE, Hostess HORRIBLE, Management BAD, Bar BAD, and overall expercience TERRIBLE. Overall, skip Annabell's don't waste your time writtng about a bad experience like I'm having to DO!!! Cons: Hostess, Service, and lack of happiness among servers. more

I liked Annabelle's alot. Very good and knowledgable service, great wine advice from the manager, and the food was truly outstanding. My steak was superb. I really enjoyed the atmosphere as well, it added to our night out. This will be a regular spot for me whenever I come into town. Definitely recommended. more

my husband and I had dinner over the week-end and really enjoyed the food. We were on time for the reservation, but the table was going to be a few minutes late, so the manager offered to buy us drinks at the bar. He turned out to be really knowledgeable about the wine and not at all pretentious, def. inviting questions. He seemed so enthusiastic about wine and the restaurant in general. The service otherwise was good, very prompt. But, the food... it was great! I only found out after the meal that the chef was formerly of Rose Pistola, and it really shows. the ingredients were all really fresh and there was an obvious intent on making the menu as local as possible. We've really enjoyed this trend in restaurants and are looking forward to adding Annabelle's to the list despite the downtown touristy location. Overall, great job! more

I was really excited to try this place out. Getting there on a Saturday night, however, proved to be a strained experience. The host/hostess, servers and bartenders are about as rude as you can imagine. Though there were open tables, we were seated bt thr front door... meaning that People were constantly falling over us, spilling on us and thanks to the gusts of wind, we were freezing the whole time. When we asked if we could sit at a different table, they said that we could, but that ""the kichen would be closling in 10 mins). Additionally, service is incredibly slow and the servers are constantly annoyed. In all fairness, it probably isn't all their faults since there is no organization in the entire establishment. Even at the bar, you are rubbing up on strangers no matter if you are eating or at the bar. Still, expect to be despised by the waitstaff, receive your food an hour after ordering and be cramped the whole time. Sidenote - I also went on a Sunday afternoon at 2:45 for a late lunch. It was empty, but the service was still rude and painfully slow! Cons: Just pass this place by!!!! Not worth anything more

I was really excited to try this place out. Getting there on a Saturday night, however, proved to be a strained experience. The host/hostess, servers and bartenders are about as rude as you can imagine. Though there were open tables, we were seated bt thr front door... meaning that People were constantly falling over us, spilling on us and thanks to the gusts of wind, we were freezing the whole time. When we asked if we could sit at a different table, they said that we could, but that "the kichen would be closling in 10 mins). Additionally, service is incredibly slow and the servers are constantly annoyed. In all fairness, it probably isn't all their faults since there is no organization in the entire establishment. Even at the bar, you are rubbing up on strangers no matter if you are eating or at the bar. Still, expect to be despised by the waitstaff, receive your food an hour after ordering and be cramped the whole time. Sidenote - I also went on a Sunday afternoon at 2:45 for a late lunch. It was empty, but the service was still rude and painfully slow! Cons: Just pass this place by!!!! Not worth anything more

I've eaten at this restaurant several times in the past and have always been happy. The tables are a little close together (like in most bistro like establishments), but you hardly notice it, when happy. The servers were well educated on the wine list, had great recommendations, and flights of flavors for the tasting, just in case you couldn't decide. Good wine choices, although too overpriced. The food was also outstanding. BUT THAT HAS ALL CHANGED OVER THE SUMMER !!!!!!!!!!!! We went there last week and WOW.....way to make a change for the WORST! New staff, new managers, new food, and horrible experience overall! The service was AVERAGE, Hostess HORRIBLE, Management BAD, Bar BAD, and overall expercience TERRIBLE. Overall, skip Annabell's don't waste your time writtng about a bad experience like I'm having to DO!!! Cons: Hostess, Service, and lack of happiness among servers. more

my husband and I had dinner over the week-end and really enjoyed the food. We were on time for the reservation, but the table was going to be a few minutes late, so the manager offered to buy us drinks at the bar. He turned out to be really knowledgeable about the wine and not at all pretentious, def. inviting questions. He seemed so enthusiastic about wine and the restaurant in general. The service otherwise was good, very prompt. But, the food... it was great! I only found out after the meal that the chef was formerly of Rose Pistola, and it really shows. the ingredients were all really fresh and there was an obvious intent on making the menu as local as possible. We've really enjoyed this trend in restaurants and are looking forward to adding Annabelle's to the list despite the downtown touristy location. Overall, great job! more

I liked Annabelle's alot. Very good and knowledgable service, great wine advice from the manager, and the food was truly outstanding. My steak was superb. I really enjoyed the atmosphere as well, it added to our night out. This will be a regular spot for me whenever I come into town. Definitely recommended. more

We had a great dinner at Annebelle's last week. I brought some restaurant friends in with me for my birthday. I had been here before but this place has changed for the better! The food was superb, one the best steaks I've had in the city. Service was top notch, especially the manager and his expert wine advice. Knowing a bit about wine myself I was very impressed with his knowledge. He seemed to have the whole service staff working cohesively and all the customers seemed to having as good a time as we were. The new renovations were well done too. It is a very pleasing dining room to be in now. Go to Annebelle's now, you won't regret it... more

We had a great dinner at Annebelle's last week. I brought some restaurant friends in with me for my birthday. I had been here before but this place has changed for the better! The food was superb, one the best steaks I've had in the city. Service was top notch, especially the manager and his expert wine advice. Knowing a bit about wine myself I was very impressed with his knowledge. He seemed to have the whole service staff working cohesively and all the customers seemed to having as good a time as we were. The new renovations were well done too. It is a very pleasing dining room to be in now. Go to Annebelle's now, you won't regret it... more

Not sure what restaurant some of the previous reviewers were at but it sure wasn't the Annabelle's on 4th St. My wife and I just got back from a fantastic dinner there. The server was very friendly and accommodating. He was also extremely knowledgeable about the menu. He suggested the skirt steak and it was out of this world! The food was outstanding. We really couldn't have asked for anything more from our dining experience. If you're looking for great food, friendly service and a nice atmosphere, you have to check out Annabelle's. more

I love the new Annabelle's! The menu is wonderful, the decor is great, and the service is top-notch. We'll definitely make it a regular spot. It seems to be a good place to take larger groups too. more

Annabelle's has great food--flavorful, nice presentation, satisfying portion sizes. The staff has always been nothing but superb, with attentive and friedly service. I would certainly recommend it, particularly for its convenient location downtown, which is close to everything but not too crazy like across Market or the Metreon. Also, its really affordable and has a delicious bar. Pros: location, hours, nice service more

Annabelle's has great food--flavorful, nice presentation, satisfying portion sizes. The staff has always been nothing but superb, with attentive and friedly service. I would certainly recommend it, particularly for its convenient location downtown, which is close to everything but not too crazy like across Market or the Metreon. Also, its really affordable and has a delicious bar. Pros: location, hours, nice service more

I love the new Annabelle's! The menu is wonderful, the decor is great, and the service is top-notch. We'll definitely make it a regular spot. It seems to be a good place to take larger groups too. more

Not sure what restaurant some of the previous reviewers were at but it sure wasn't the Annabelle's on 4th St. My wife and I just got back from a fantastic dinner there. The server was very friendly and accommodating. He was also extremely knowledgeable about the menu. He suggested the skirt steak and it was out of this world! The food was outstanding. We really couldn't have asked for anything more from our dining experience. If you're looking for great food, friendly service and a nice atmosphere, you have to check out Annabelle's. more