Mistral Restaurant & Bar

Mistral is one of our go-to places when we want to have a nice dinner out that is family friendly. Mistral is kind of fun because it's on one of the lagoons in Redwood Shores. They have a large patio area that is covered well populated with heat lamps. Great for the kids since they can be a bit more loud than inside. Much to our suprise the have a great deal for kids - really good chicken with fries that they bring out ASAP. Also do pasta for kids. For parents you can't go wrong with the skirt steak and they usually have a pretty solid risotto. Inside is very nice and not the best for kids. Sometimes service is a bit slow. Pros: Large, heated outdoor seating area Cons: Service sometimes slow more

We probably go to Mistral 2-3 times a years, to change, and we are never disappointed: the location is great, the service is very good, and the food is great. My wife only order their risotto. The scenery and outdoor tables are great. They probably remodeled in 2004-5, and looks very nice. Pros: Food, View, Quiet more

We went to Mistral last night for our first and likely only visit. The food wasn't bad, it just wasn't memorable. The spring rolls were just OK, the soup was bland, and the salads were acceptable. In addition, the service was spotty. My husband ordered the ahi tuna. The waiter brought out a huge steak knife saying ""I know that you are going to be brought out the wrong order."" All of us at the table looked at each other thinking, you are the waiter, you could probably fix that. Luckily, the correct order did appear. But when we got the bill, we were overcharged for our bottle of wine (what should have been a $36 bottle was charged at $45). Having said all that, the ambiance was nice. If you go to Mistral, I would recommend getting a seat in the porched off ourside next to the fireplace. more

I thought the place looked very cute, so I decided to go there for my 30th birthday. We reserved a private room, but when we got there - they couldn't seat us in it for 30 minutes. I don't recommend this place. more

My husband and I recently went to Mistral for the first time. The overstuffed chairs on the patio with fireplace looked inviting but we chose to eat indoors due to the rain. I had two wonderful Mojitos (great drink!). The warm bread with balsamic dipping sauce was excellent to much on before dinner. I had a warm spinach and mushroom salad that was great, followed by a butternut squash ravioli. I couldn't finish everything but they were both excellent. My husband had a seafood soup followed by a sesame crusted ahi tuna steak with wasabi mashed potatoes and long green beans. He loved it and wants to go back tomorrow. I would definitely recommend this place! more

Tucked away amid the Oracle Emerald City in sickeningly suburban Redwood Shores, Mistral offers patrons solid California/Mediterranean fare in pleasant surroundings. Overlooking a placid lagoon, Mistral features a cozy bar and two-tiered dining room decorated in rich earth tones. With a menu including appetizers such as spicy Duck Confit Potstickers and garlicky Roasted Mussels Provencal and entrées such as Oak Fired Paella, Penne with Roasted Chicken, and Sesame-Crusted Ahi, Mistral delivers solid, if not innovative, cuisine. Diners should not be in a hurry, as service can sometimes be slow because management spreads the otherwise polite, knowledgeable servers too thin. The fairly-priced wine list abounds with California and French selections that harmonize with the cuisine, while the bar offers a full complement of more potent libations. While not the vanguard of the Northern California food scene, Mistral offers Peninsula dwellers well-executed fare at reasonable prices (dinner for two with wine $125). Pros: Lots of parking, Solid execution Cons: Not innovative more