Aioli Bodega Espanola

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1800 L St
Sacramento, CA 95814

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(916) 447-9440
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Aioli Bodega Espanola - Sacramento, CA
Aioli Bodega Espanola - Sacramento, CA
Reviews
( 21 )
( 3 )
( 0 )
( 2 )
( 8 )

Best

The other day, I met a business client at Aioli?s for lunch and had their steak sandwich with a glass of exceptional red wine, which had cherry undertones. My client and I had lun...

Worst

The food is great, the bartender was friendly, but the waiter was impatient, impersonal and rushed us through dinner. Instead his focus was on the big crowds coming in for dinner...

Great food, indifferent service 3/25/2009

Camareros in Spain are models of good manners. Spanish food requires an ambience of hospitality and sociability. Aioli Bodega should change its name from ""Espanola"" to ""NewYorque"" or ""Parisiense,"" big cities where lackluster service is tolerated and customer retention is not a priority. Pros: Authentic Spanish dishes, good location Cons: Expensive prices for un-Spanish inhospitality more
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Not the best place for New Year's eve 1/2/2009

The food is great, the bartender was friendly, but the waiter was impatient, impersonal and rushed us through dinner. Instead his focus was on the big crowds coming in for dinner, the regulars, the favorites. I have been to this restaurant many times and have had some of the best romantic experiences, however this New Years in was a different experience. I feel a restaurant should spend their focus on all customers, not just on the regulars. Pros: ambience Cons: waiter staff, specially older staff. more
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Great Food, Yes, Great Place to Network, Surely 11/15/2008

The other day, I met a business client at Aioli?s for lunch and had their steak sandwich with a glass of exceptional red wine, which had cherry undertones. My client and I had lunch on the back patio, which was very enjoyable under the coliseum of trees. The deal was sealed. In general, Aioli?s is a great place to conduct business, as it is frequented by business folk and California law makers alike. It seems every time I come in here, someone is making a deal at the table beside me. Reda Bellarbi, the owner, is at the heart of all of this action, connecting the people of Sacramento with one another. He has on several occasions connected me to CEOs, other leading business figures, and business networks in Sacramento, and is also well known for his philanthropic network around town. His restaurants and wine bars support a large number faith and community charities, which have likely resulted in his extensive professional network. Yes, I recommend this place for food, service, and decor, but the networking potential of this place can not be overlooked. Pros: Live Classical Guitar Most Thurs-Sat more
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Home Away from Home 11/15/2008

I treated myself to dinner the other night and decided that downtown Sacramento was the place to be. Naturally, I came to Aioli Bodega Espanola Restaurant, a.k.a., Aioli?s, as I have come to know the owner, Reda, and many of the long-time servers by their first names, and they have always made me feel like I?m part of a big Mediterranean family. Living thousands of miles away from home, and away from your oldest and best friends, people who treat you like family tend to readily grow on you, and so I come back on a regular basis. This is a family of chefs, sommeliers, philosophers, and kings. Pros: Great Atmosphere more
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Best Paella 11/7/2008

I come here just for the Paella. I have sampled their menu extensively, and the food is great, but once I tasted the paella, I was hooked. I need my monthly (at least) paella fix now. Great atmosphere, lovely decorations. Great for large groups. Lovely wine selection. Gigi, the waiter, is very personable. Pros: Paella, the rest of the food, wine Cons: twice I had long waits for my food, but was with large groups both times more
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Perfect Date Night 10/19/2008

I took my girlfriend out here recently because I had heard about this tapa restaurant before, and I was pleasantly surprised! The restaurant had a dim-lighted romantic feel to it to help woo the date. They also included some live Spanish music to help add to the overall experience. The tapa selection was large, but our waiter helped us pick some of the favorites at the restaurant along with some great red vino. The food was tasty, I think more tasty than other tapa places I have been to in Sacramento. Afterwards, you can take your date down two streets to The Grand Wine Bar for an after minute drink and then onto the rose gardens at the Capitol for the perfect date. Overall, I recommend coming here if you get a chance, and if you live farther west than mid-town Sacramento, there is also an Aioli?s in Davis. Bon appetite! Pros: Very Romantic Experience, Live Classical Guitar more
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Excellent Service and Even Better Food 10/18/2008

First of all, let me say that Aioli has the best service. Their servers were friendly and attentive. Also, I was promptly seated. The wine list was extraordinary. I sat at the bar, which was well kept, lively and clean. I ate the award winning paella. It was excellent. I indulged in a chocolate soup for desert. This is one of the most incredible restaurant experiences that I have had in Sacramento (It was like dining in Spain!) I frequent 4 and 5 star restaurants, and I am so impressed with this place in comparison to the other places I've had dinner. I am recommending it to all of my friends and family. You must go. Pros: Great food, service, old world wines, and people watching...lots of people watching!!! Cons: This place is very popular on weekends (especially the patio) and so make reservations. more
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Tasty Tapas 10/18/2008

This restaurant so charmed me on a first visit with some ladies who lunch this spring, that I returned 4 more times over the next few weeks with my husband who agrees it is a great place for tapas. I'm not a big fan of paella, and previously hadn't found a tapas restaurant in Sacramento that I would return to, but this paella is great. I had grilled prime rib eye steak in a glazed sauce with anchovies and it was OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD!!!! I did, in fact, swoon an evening I ordered the grilled baby lamb chops. And then there was the lunch when I ordered the grilled double breast of chicken with red pepper flakes in a Pros: Tasty food, great service, prime location, and beautiful decor. more
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My Favorite Restaurant 10/10/2008

I love, love, LOVE this place! I probably eat here at least 5 times a month. The bartenders and waitresses are always helpful and happy! They also have subtle live Flamenco guitar. You can't beat that! The atmosphere is great, the decor is tres chic and the bar's full of people to watch!! Great place!! Pros: Superb Food, Service, and a Beautiful Outdoor Patio more
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Best Spanish restaurant in Sacramento 10/3/2008

Visited Aioli Bodega Espanola after being recommended by coworker with this exact phrase ""any dish in the menu will delight you"" and make sure you try one of their two paellas. So, we visited on Friday and i must say that the food, service and their Paella Valenciana (saffron rice with shrimp, seafood & chicken & pork sparerib) were amazing. Jason, our server, took his time to name the most popular dishes, a few of which we tried. Specifically, we tried Salmon con Accento Catalan, pan seared salmon, encrusted with hazelnuts in a fresh herb sauce Paella con Hungos, and saffron rice with truffled mushroom & dry aged Manchengo cheese. Their imported beers are also very goods. Make sure you visit this restaurant if you want to enjoy authentic Spanish food. Pros: Amazing food, service, and live music more
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Life music, warm ambience, nice outdoor patio 10/3/2008

Very good dinner choice! The menu includes among others Spanish and Mediterranean specialties. The service is great and the food is delicious. We had Zarzuela de Mariscos, a spicy opera of seafood in a garlic tomato sauce & coca bread, and Atun a las Canarias, seared ahi served rare topped with salsa fresca infused with pimento of espelette. Try to avoid showing up without a reservation, as this place is very popular, or show up early and get a table. I'd say more, but you better go and see for yourself... bon appetite!! Pros: Life music, warm ambience, nice outdoor patio more
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Great Food, Service, Atmosphere 10/3/2008

I went to Aioli?s on a first date and things couldn't have been any better. With our reservation, we were seated immediately. The bar was very crowded (where I was waiting for my date to arrive) but I still was served a drink within seconds of standing in the crowd. Impressive! After ordering, our food came quickly, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway because the atmosphere was so fun. Live Latin Jazz! Everything I tasted was exquisite including the wine. The food was very fresh. We had grilled double breast of chicken with red pepper flakes in a wild mushroom & sweet sherry sauce and garbanzo puree. When we complimented the waiter on the food, he informed us that the food comes daily, always a plus! We ended up going back to Aioli?s on our second date with friends for drinks, and danced to the great music. So much fun, a must in Sacramento. I can't wait to go back again. Pros: Great Food, Service, Atmosphere more
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never aioli to eat 9/27/2008

"" My boyfriend and I went here and we enjoyed the atmosphere and the great wine selection. The food on the other hand was very small not testy and didnt fill us up even though we got 4 items. Some of the food had way too much dressing on it which took away from the flavor of the meet. Probably wont go back to eat but would go back for a good glass of wine. Excellent service, the staff was very helpful in showing us the different items on the menu. "" more
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Exceptional food and service 9/27/2008

Hadn't tried this palce before but heard a lot of great reviews from friends and family about the food. They were right, the food is very good, as is the service. You feel like you are eating in a really fancy restaurant somewhere along the French or Italian Riviera. The staff, who really treat you great, including the owner and chef who came by each table to make sure everything was perfect, speak a number of different languages. We heard them relay messages in Spanish, French, and English. Truly an international experience worth having!!! The coffee is also very good. Pros: Delicious food, coffee, and exceptional, personal service. Cons: I don't live close enough to eat every meal here!!! more
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Beautiful Decor, Excellent Service, and Very Yummy Food!!! 9/27/2008

Having reviewed City Search restaurant reviews, we found Aioli Bodega Espanola, a.k.a. Aioli's in downtown Sacramento. The reviews were almost all five star so we thought we'd give it a try. The inside is decorated like a fine art museum with impressionist-like paintings that probably should be in a fine art museum. There was a classical guitar player playing inside but we opted for the patio instead. We had yummy food, wine, and our waiter, ""Jiji"", was this really distinguished looking fellow who selected the perfect wine for each of our appetizers and entrees. In summary, this place is really something!!! more
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Unique Wine Selection 9/27/2008

Yesterday after work, some co-workers and I were looking to relax and found this perfect place at 1800 L street, the heart of Sacramento. We sat out on a flowery garden and had a number of assorted wines and tapas. The food was delicious and the service was prompt, but what really impressed me was their wine list, riddled with wines from old Europe, many of which I had never heard of, being from California, and being a California wine lover. They were also excellent. We stuck with mostly with Merlots and blush wines. Pros: Unique Wine List, Great Food and Service more
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Fresh Food and Superior Service 9/27/2008

Came here with some friends after work and loved the food and service. Very artistic decor. Recommended. Pros: Fresh food and freindly service. more
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Good food...until 1:00 am 9/22/2008

I thought the food tasted great. But at 1:00am, both my wife and I were sick. Both of us ""expunged"" our dinners. I guess those green ""Pass"" signs don't mean much. We had the ensalada verde mixta, salpicon de pulpo, setas con comino, mejillones ?aioli?, and merquez a la flamenca. So, if you're going to eat there, avoid those dishes. It was a finely decorated restaurant, but it wasn't worth staring at the toilet bowl 4 hours later. Pros: Nice ambiance Cons: Uh, spoiled food. more
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Rude and Inconsiderate owner! 9/22/2008

Beware, Aioli Bodega Espanola is not a community restaurant. The owner is selfish, rude, and inconsiderate. Do you really want to support a restaurant like this despite their ambiance, decor, and food? Cons: Do you want to be treated horribly, then this is the place to go. more
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Aioli's - A Great Restaurant in Midtown Sacramento! 9/4/2008

Came here with some girlfriends after hearing about what a gem this place is. A gem is an understatement! There was live classical guitar, tapas to die for, and really good wine! Later we moved the party to the otherwise hidden vine-covered patio. What a perfect place!!!! Pros: Hidden Vine-Covered Patio, Live Classical Music, and Great Food and Wine more
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Menu for Aioli Bodega Espanola


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    A huge mural decorates a wall by the bar and a few smaller ones sit high on the other walls, while tables are covered in burlap. Outdoor seating is available in warm weather, as...

  • 9/8/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm Sat 5pm-12am Sun 5pm-10pm
  • Payments: American Express, Visa, Diner's Club, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Central Sacramento, Midtown
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