Bambola

Review summary

1. LW

   LynnW

   VIP

   New York City

   4 reviews

   1.0

   4 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Let me preface this review with my over the summer experience for a corporate event, when I had a delicious meal. It was unique, nuanced flavor profiles and beautiful space. Figured it would be a nice option and different than neighboring pub grub restaurants when we were en route to the United Center for a Hawks game. Last nights meal was awful probably the worst I've had in 10 years living in the city. Rubber calamari pebbles with chutney that smelled like it was in the fridge too long, gnocchi swimming in oil and overcooked vegetables, mushy cauliflower sauerbraten that was inedible, and octopus pellets in a vegetable mixture. The hummus was the only shining star of the meal. Then presented a check by our server - with no pen, and 18% already built in. Understand it's not his fault the food sucks but the servers don't have to try to engage if they are guaranteed 18%. Don't go and save yourself $200 for the worst meal in Chicago.
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   VIP

   Milwaukee

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 24 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Our drinks were consistently taking forever to get to us. Our food came before them.
   

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3. r

   rahman

   Chicago

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 17 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great experience. Would strongly recommend to everyone
   

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4. KC

   KemonC

   Chicago

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 16 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It is a lovely place, people really enjoyed the spot and conversation was flowing. Very lovely atmosphere, with a very Mediterranean ambiance. Dark, moody, amorous. A place that you’d meet someone and have bedroom eyes, a drink or two. Went on a date and ordered a couple of things for myself and the lady, all of which was served quickly and presented elegantly. Beautiful tableware. The menu is concise and I’d recommend a lot of what’s on offer! Drinks list is a bit underwhelming and she didn’t care for the wine she’d gotten but I had a sidecar with some cognac that was on hand and it was delicious and the presentation was amazing. Beautiful coupe and orange garnish. Would recommend, especially with a group. One of the more enjoyable spots I’ve been to.
   

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5. S

   Sam

   VIP

   Chicago

   17 reviews

   4.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on 14 November 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Our arancini appetizer was excellent. And the goat cheese appetizer was very good, but our gnocchi was very average. They brought us a piece of cheesecake for my wife's birthday. They didn't ask beforehand, and we did not request it. And then they charged us for it. We really didn't want it. Then there was an 18% service charge added to the bill.
   

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6. B

   Ben

   Chicago

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on 10 November 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   Service was extremely slow. We were with family so it was fine; we had plenty to talk about- but if you don't want to have to flag down your waiter to get attention this wouldn't be a good fit. We finished our appetizers before we received our first cocktail. We had to ask for more water every time the bottle was empty and we weren't ever asked how everything was. During our main, our plates were cleared and then the final steak entre came out 15 minutes later. Everything seemed like it was forgotten or slow. Got a round of drinks at the bar afterward and they included an 18% gratuity but never mentioned it. Also, $35 for a glass of scotch whose entire bottle is $40 was wild. Beautiful ambiance, good food. But cost and service make it a place I wouldn't recommend to others.
   

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7. L

   Lauren

   Chicago

   17 reviews

   2.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on 9 November 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Service was pretty dismal. Not sure if it was understaffed or just under-trained. Total lack of enthusiasm and hospitality. Space was nice, food was just ok.
   

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8. J

   Jason

   Chicago

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 30 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   My favorite restaurant in west loop. the desserts are unreal. pastas are done perfectly.
   

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9. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Detroit

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on 25 October 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was very delicious but the menu was limited and service was just a little slow (very nice though). I think price is a little steep for the overall experience
   

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10. S

    Samantha

    Chicago

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 October 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1

    This restaurant has changed significantly since it opened and not for the better. I booked a reservation for what I thought would be a great culinary experience and what I got was the complete opposite. For starters my husband and I waited 1hr for our appetizer, and nearly 2hrs later our dry aged steak arrived cold. Our server was absent even though the restaurant was maybe 50% full. The atmosphere was disjointed with loud music coming from the bar and apparently a lounge. Highly disappointed.
    

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