Bentley’s Steak & Chop House

Got hired here on the spot by their super nice manager Brian. My first day on the job I was trained by the owner though. And let me say, I got a bad impression from this restaurant right away. I’ve had 11 jobs and I have never gotten fired or even quit without giving in my two weeks. I walk into a new job with positivity and patience but also with my mind ready to learn their system fast.
I’ve also worked at Starbucks, one where we’d get 80 ppl in an hour during morning rushes. I know I’m smart and fast paced.
Day 1) the lady owner, who’s name I won’t say because this will be the only nice thing I do for her, was training me. Within my first 3 hours she called me dumb. I played it off and thought it was a joke. She then Yelled «no» a million times to me in front of guests when I was taking away their extra table settings after seating them. Very rude, you can wait until we get in the back to tell me what you thought I did wrong. Let’s not make your guests uncomfortable. I played with the hostess computer to get familiar with it, she would tap my hand like «bad dog» while loudly saying no I’m doing it wrong. I’m a fast learner. I was actually over qualified for this job. I just thought I’d pick up a 2^nd job. I’m no idiot. Just let me get familiar with your computer system…
Day 2) worked with hostess, Andy. It was slow this day so I didn’t learn anything new.
Day 3) worked with rude owner lady again.
She tells me to replace some menu papers, I say sure, where are they? She huffs and puffs and says I don’t know, where are they? I said I don’t know. This is my third night here (in my head I’m saying, there’s several rooms here, and if you had told me where they were ONCE, I wouldn’t be asking you because my memory is great. I wouldn’t ever ask twice.)
She then says «well now I’m just being mean aren’t I?» YES. You are. You’re insane! She yells at the other hostess «SARA! Show Kayla where the replaceable menu papers are!»
Then, a lady is entering our restaurant, opening the door for no longer than 30 seconds, she’s just letting in her family into the restaurant. But yes, I will say, she was talking to them while letting them in.
Owner lady and I are at the hostess stand.
Owner lady is staring her customer down and yells, (from five feet away) «REALLY? REALLY REALLY? Ugh I mean come on REALLY? She’s letting the cold air in either in or out lady come on!» She walks up to the guest and tells them it’s in or out. Owner lady is so lucky that the guest opening the door did not hear her yelling from 5 seconds before.
She would have lost their business that night.
Another thing owner lady had told me, «okay you are the hostess that stays at the booth, you CAN NOT answer the phone. Got it? It’s Friday night and you don’t have time to answer it, let the 2^nd hostess answer it» I said okay. 2 minutes later the phone rings. I look at it but don’t answer. She stares me down and says «WELL! I mean aren’t you going to answer it?!»
I can not work with your rules lady. You make them up as you go. And I have to walk on eggshells just for a stupid hostess job. When I got off my shift I got in my car and cried. She made me feel like something was wrong with me.
This review might be a little venting from me, but I would also like people to know they should not support rich people who think they have some sort of superior power. Calling a 21 year old girl dumb her first day, like what is your problem?
All I did was put my full initials into the computer rather then my first and last initial.
YUP, I’m so dumb, sorry I gave too much info on your computer that I was trying to learn on but you wouldn’t let me!
I showed up on time and smiled all the way through my shifts,
she never got attitude from me.
I got everything down right away.
I even picked up on things even she didn’t notice.
I have completely lost my mind at this point though. I’m capable of the job but I didn’t want it anymore.
I have had crappy managers before, but none of them have ever called me dumb. And none of them have ever been so hostile in the presence of a guest.
Take that stuff to the back room AT LEAST.
My first day, the 17 year old hostesses told me that the owner lady has made them cry before but it’s okay.
NO. That is not okay. Get a better job girls because that’s not normal. She does not pay you enough for her to treat you like that.
So,
Day 4)
I was thinking so hard on wether to quit or not. I talked it over with a close friend. And I knew if I quit I’d feel weak, or maybe like I failed. But this wasn’t the case. This lady can’t even treat her own guests right. I was not going to be pleased working with this lady. The way she handles things isn’t professional. She tells me rules and then basically takes them back.
I quit through email. But what drove me to write this bad review is the fact that I described to the manager every situation I’m stating here, on Unilocal,but I still haven’t received a single apology. Or even a reply

Bentleys was okay, not what I expected in a steak house. The flavor of my steak wad mediocre at best a bit bland. I had the scalloped potatoes that had more onion than potato. My husband enjoyed his fish. The bread was fresh. Really expected more for the price.

I take my lady friend out once a month to a new restaurant for date night and this was the date for January. We’ve been to a lot of steak restaurant but this one has a lot to offer. I had the Andrew’s Cajon Shrimp for an entire and OMFG, this was so damn good. I can’t even lie, I’d order this over and over. Hell, I’d go there just for this item.
After that, I had the Chicago Rib Eye and it was serviced with my choice of potatoes which was mashed. This was a medium rare steak and let me tell you, I’ve been to a lot of restaurants in San Diego and this was the best steak I’ve had.
My lady had the Filet Mignon and it had the same quality as the Chicago.
Bottom line, I’d go to this restaurant again because the food was so damn good and the service was one point.

We came for Thanksgiving. Waiter was OK, but seemed unhappy to be working on a holiday. Turkey was good. Prime rib was undercooked. Vegetables were decidedly uninspired and came in paltry portions. Cranberry sauce had the consistency of a thin tomato soup. Mashed potatoes were stringy. Rack of lamb was very good, but also too rare when we asked for medium rare. Prices were reasonable, but frankly, the quality of the food didn’t merit a higher price. We had a larger party, so the 20% tip was added in, but frankly, they didn’t deserve it.

We got there Sunday evening, around 4:40 it was a nice evening good enough to sit outside on the patio, all the tables were empty. We checked in with the host there was three of them. The one that spoke to us asked if wwe had reservations. When I told her we didn’t she came back with a little attitude. I told her if reservations are required we can come back. She said wait I think this table is available and had a girl take us to a table way in the back around a corner there might have been 6 people in the whole restaurant. It was empty. it was near a small exit door which we used and left immediately and won’t be back. We went to Bully’s in Del Mar, great service and probably a better Prime Rib. They also had a lot more customers.

Why do I come here? The service is not that great, we always have to sit in the crammed small tables because the larger tables are for dinner. even though it’s 3:00. We were not accommodated when asked to sit inside (in 93 degree humid weather), because they had reservations later that evening-​in 2 hours. Ten people outside sweating and not one person inside… too bad. Don’t bother unless you have a reservation FOR DINNER. Not treated the way one would expect in a upscale establishment in Encinitas.

Went there for a B-​Day dinner with a couple of friends. Located in the high end mall, huge patio (dog friendly). If you like a cocktial, prepare to spend $ 50+/ person. Our food was excellent, perfect spot for your special day.

Great food, But uninspired service. 90 minutes for meal service was a bit surprising for a restaurant that only seemed to have less than a dozen tables occupied.
Nice outdoor seating. Reasonable prices. Maybe the kitchen was having an off night?

Came here for Happy Hour last night before a fundraising event at Meritage. Got one of the last tables and the hostess was a bit frazzled and not very friendly. But I’m still giving them 4 stars for their selection of wines and food items on the Happy Hour menu.

I’m giving an overall 3. The restaurant itself had awesome ambience, but I definitely saw some dead bugs on the window sills, which I only noticed because my kids were playing by it. But the outdoor eating area looked very nice considering it was a beautiful day.
The service was subpar. The hostess was very friendly, but I felt that our server was a bit cold and rude. She didn’t even smile at us until the later part of the meal where we were wrapping up and asking for the bill.
As for the food, I tried the crab stuffed mushroom and that was cheesy and delicious! I had the Monday Special Filet $ 15. The meat was very soft and the mashed potatoes were good, but overall a bit salty.

Was visiting the area and wanted a special place for dinner with my girlfriend to celebrate her birthday. Bentley’s was wonderful. I came based on the Unilocal reviews. Setting is soft lighting, darker woods, and a mix of tables and booths. It was not crowded at all and we sat in a booth.
They have an extensive wine list, and as we are not too good with wines, Stephanie our server helped us select. They had most bottles on a half price promotion if you get an entrée. She gave us a sample first and we then switched to a different bottle.
We started with some ahi sashimi nachos served cold. Tortilla chip with cucumber, seaweed grass, and the ahi, with a great sauce. Delicious!
She got chili rib eye steak bone in which she loved. I got a large filet mignon, cooked perfectly. Loved the potatoes au gratin too.
We orders some of the most delicious steamed asparagus we have ever had as well.
Meal, service, ambiance, and food were great. Total price for all of above was $ 100 before tax and tip. Well worth it. Ask for Stephanie, a truly fantastic server who made our night more special.

I’ve been to Bentley’s numerous times and it is always a very satisfying event. Whether dining on the candlelit veranda, within the comfortable steakhouse dining room or at the bar the environment is perfect for a excellent time. The food has never failed and the petite filet, prime rib or roast beef sandwhich should satisfy any meat eater. Try the «real horseradish «with any of those and on the vegetables for a great immune system boost. The wine selection Is excellent and the specialty martinis can’t be beat. Bentleys always delivers.

The Mexican Martini is amazing. It is actually made with Patron and not vodka. Lime and lemon juice and a splash of Grand Marnier to top it off.
No HH on Sundays and Mondays I guess. We tried the calamari and I can say they were very smart at creating «fillers». Part calamari, part fried onions and some red peppers. I enjoyed the onions that were barely dusted but that isn’t what we ordered. Strips of calamari and no tentacles which are my favorite if I am to splurge on something fried.
We enjoyed the salmon covered in herbs, cooked nicely. Pink inside and flavorful. The veggies they toss on the plate my 9 year old could cook better and present more beautifully. They were chunky, not soft as we asked for, and weren’t seasoned at all. The presentation was awful I must say.
The filet was tiny, smaller than my small palm, the lobster tail was ok, flavor was good but again pretty small but larger than the steak.
Not my fav meal. Pretty old school. I think I’d rather drink there and maybe have a snack. Then do dinner elsewhere.

Went to Bentley’s for dinner tonight after having been to several mediocre restaurants over the last couple of weeks. We absolutely loved the place. Portions were ample, many house wines, clean and not crowded environment, reasonable prices and Jennifer our waitress was fantastic and attentive. The other waiters even worked together busing tables and running the check so it was a smooth experience. Highly recommend and looking forward to going back!
The grilled Brie was wonderful!

The BF took me out here for a congratulatory dinner recently as it’s been on our list to try. (What a peach he is hu?) All the steaks in San Diego will be ours sooner or later: Resistance is futile.
It’s nestled in a boarder shopping center on the edge of Encinitas and Rancho Santa Fe. There is relaxing courtyard outdoor seating, as well as the typical indoor steakhouse vibe with dark wood and intimate tables.
At steakhouses we like to take our time and try at least 3 courses and a glass of wine or two. We started with some nice glasses of wine and the Paper Wrapped Shrimp. They were served with a nice presentation and crispy hot, wonton wrapped and fried with a sweet Thai dipping sauce. The shrimp were cooked perfectly.
I went for the NY Strip, 12 ounces, cooked medium with sides of baked potato withall the fixings and veggies: Delicious and juicy! About 30 dollars for the plate. The BF picked the Whiskey Peppercorn New York Strip, also 12 oz. and imbedded with cracked peppercorns and whiskey peppercorn sauce. He went for the scalloped potatoes and veggies and enjoyed both. About 32.00 for his selection-​and both were cooked as we ordered.
For dessert we had coffee (A bit delayed as they had to brew a pot, but fresh coffee was much appreciated!) and shared a Meyer Lemon Posset. It was a creamy lemon tart like concoction served in a martini glass with graham cracker crust.
Service was very nice and all in all-​we really liked the place. On my sliding scale of steak houses it’s not quite a 5 for me as nothing blew me away: But pleasant and we’ll go again and bring family + Friends I’m sure!

Came here for the special Monday prices. We started off with the crab stuffed mushrooms appetizer, which was pretty good. It had a pretty strong crab taste. For entrees, my boyfriend got the $ 15 prime rib while I got the $ 15 filet mignon. Both were good for the discounted price, but at full price, it’s totally not worth it. I’ve tasted similar if not better meats at more reasonable prices elsewhere.
Service was also a major issue. Our waitress seemed inexperienced and very inefficient. She hardly gave us service the entire night. Our orders were taken and our food was delivered by other people. When we asked our waitress for the dessert menu, we waited for what seemed like an eternity and she never came back. Instead, we see her spending way too much time at other tables. How hard is it to drop off a menu before you go off and serve other tables? We didn’t want to wait anymore because the restaurant was closing soon, so we had to wave down another server to get her to bring the check for us.
Food is way overpriced at regular prices and our waitress was inefficient and inattentive. It did not make for a good impression by the end of the night.

Came here for a friend’s birthday dinner for a group of 7 and had a great experience!
We went with the patio seating option and the view was beautiful with the green scenery surrounding us. Since it was Monday, the majority of our party opted for the $ 15 prime rib special. I ordered the soup of the day, cream mushroom, and for dessert we savored the Ghirardelli Chocolate Fudge Brownie & Crème Brule.
For starter, this placed served the best cream mushroom soup I’ve ever had. The soup has a perfect blend of creamy and savory texture, a bargain at only $ 5. For the entrée, the prime rib was cooked nicely at medium rare, red and juicy. The side dishes that accompanied it were mashed potatoes and vegetables. The vegetables were okay but the mashed potatoes stole the show with its creaminess and seasonings. I do however want to mention that even though the prime ribs were cooked nicely, our friend who requested the steak to be cooked medium rare ended up with a medium one. I’ve tried the stuffed mushroom that my colleague ordered and was not a fan at all; it felt too bland and the flavor did not mix well.
The dessert from here was amazing. The Ghirardelli chocolate fudge brownie satisfied my chocolate craving and the Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream added the chilly goodness. Crème Brule looked gorgeous with blueberries and strawberries on top and tasted delicious. It had the right amount of sweetness and fluffiness.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal here. Soup was great, prime rib nicely cooked and seasoned and the dessert was amazing. Highly recommended!

I’m writing this review with another review in my memory that I plan on writing right after. But, both of these places (Bentley’s Steak & Chop House and the soon to be written about China Wok) have kind of molded what many future review criteria will be built upon. So, with that in mind, here are my thoughts on Bentley’s…
Its good.
Whenever you go to any place to eat, you go with expectations. This doesn’t mean I expected this place to be brilliant and I was disappointed, just that I expected Bentley’s to be an upscale steak house. And it is, for the most part.
I’m not much of a steak eater, but my girlfriend can’t survive unless she enjoys 10 oz. of rare meat each week. Normally I’ll cook it to her liking at home, but every once in a while I like to treat her to something more professional.
When we walked through the front door, she found the décor to be dated. My girlfriend noted that if this were the 80’s, it would be a prime destination for all. But, 30 years later, it was a bit dark and overly wooded; a bit boring to her liking.
We started with stuffed mushrooms, filled with a mixture of shallots, red peppers, crab meat, and covered with jack cheese. These were alright, though there didn’t seem to be much red pepper and I would have preferred a saltier cheese on top in a bigger selection of mushroom. The shallots, however, were delicious and I found myself scooping as much broth as I could atop each mushroom to enjoy it all.
Downside, they only served us 5 mushrooms. May not seem strange, but we found it weird they would serve 2 people an odd number of bites. This is especially true if you factor in that any group of less than 5 (and how often do you have a group outside of 2 or 4 people?) will leave someone with more or less than everyone else. True, it may not seem like a real problem, its just … weird.
She had the filet, wanted it rare, it came closer to medium. This came as the next of just a few mild disappointments and she told me that if you come to what presents itself and advertises as a steak house of higher quality than Outback, than they should pride themselves on being perfect every time. For her, it has to be rested, pink and passed that gel consistency, with juices flowing freely.
So to have her steak come done 30 seconds too well on each side was a bit of a shrug. She still loved the flavor, no over preparation or seasoning to drown the taste of the meat. It was also served with broccoli that was steamed perfectly, soft, but still retaining it’s shape; not leaving any green bits when picked up.
I chose the Braised Short Ribs. They served it as a trio of three on top of garlic mashed potatoes. One of them was slightly undercooked, making it chewy as the tendons hadn’t broken down and melted properly, but the flavors were still there as the wine sauce was nice and rich.
I don’t fault Bentley’s messing one up slightly, especially since the other two were damn near perfect. This is a dish that takes 3+ hours to make and they can’t do it to order, especially when the fine line is between «slightly too chewy» and «falls apart into unappealing slop.» But, if you make something and then store it until someone orders it, it has the danger of coming with dried and stiff tips. This isn’t heresy, just something you note when you eat out and order certain dishes. The fact that Bentley’s doesn’t do something more to protect their food from getting to that point was another mild disappointment.
Our server was great, very nice, knowledgeable, and forthcoming, meaning she put up with our questions. But a few of her answers about their menu came as the last disappointments.
First, their macaroni is not fresh. They use dried pasta baked to order. Just feels lazy.
Next, they don’t have ox tails to braise, using short ribs instead. This is a personal quirk, and I understand that you do need to keep your menu simple to not put off locals who become your clientele, but to use a more recognizable cut instead of something ‘scarier,’ that is, in my mind, much tastier seems like Bentley’s is playing it safe.
Last, they have stroganoff on the menu. Don’t get me wrong, I like stroganoff, but its something you expect to find at Applebee’s, not at a place a bit more upscale. And if you do have it, make it in a way that will blow away anyone that could cook it at home. I understand you serve stroganoff to satisfy those put off by ox tails, but you already have an extensive selection of burgers for that.
Take a chance, come up with something unique, give me a reason to come back instead of just being average. And that’s how we left Bentley’s, feeling like we just had an average night out at a steak house. This doesn’t mean it’s not good, Bentley’s is, in fact, a fine place to eat … but that’s if you’re going to compare it to Black Angus or Sizzler. They should strive to be considered a damn fine steak house when compared to much higher peers.

Good spot for happy hour eats and affordable drinks. Portion size (except for fries) was also good for the price. We enjoyed most of our food. The fries were the only thing I wouldn’t order again.
Tue — Fri 2:00pm to 6:30pm
Sat 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Mon 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Take your date, wife or mom, they will enjoy the food.