No :-( J's review (Jan 7th 2007)

I choose Isabella’s as I prefer to eat at local, non chain restaurants, and their online menu looked good.

My friend and I went on a Friday night, without a reservation. It was full. We were told we could reserve a table now and one would be ready in 30 minutes. We reserved a table and came back 30 minutes later.

No table was available when we came back at the stated time, but we were told we could share a table with a couple guys in the bar.

That should have been our hint to leave, but we shrugged, and seeing that the guys were in their 30s or so, figured there would be a certain amount of maturity, and agreed.

The men were either very drunk or just pretty inconsiderate in the beginning. They were so loud that my friend and I sat, in silence until “the incident”. We ordered our food and, with all the loud talking….. about their girlfriend, significant others, the butt of the waitress and what they would like to DO with the wait staff, I said to my friend that we needed to find out the “quiet” hours of the restaurant and make sure our reservation was still in good standing. The LOUD guy started slapping my friend on the back, called us “Catholic School Girls”, and that, wow, how annoying they must be. His friend offered to eat my food; he said something about me being “Fat” or “Husky”. They all laughed. Another guy joined the table, a doctor in his 50’-60’s(?) then the really crude talk came out. Imagine slang terms for woman’s anatomy…..

The waiter come over and asks if we wanted desert. After the “fat” comment, I neither finished my dinner or wanted dessert. I paid way too much for this most bizarre experience and my friend and I left both insulted, humiliated and overall pretty peeved about the situation.

When I talked my husband about my experience later that night, he was completely shocked and called Issabella’s. No manager was available, but the person who answered assured my husband someone would call him back.

No one called.

Do the people who seat customers think it is a good idea to sit women at a table with loud, drunk men? If they can’t have my table ready when they say it should be ready can they just throw us into a demeaning situation? The whole experience is just the most strange dining encounter I have had.

Was the food good? I barely remember. I just know that I paid for a really bad experience.

*******************

After the last mentioned incident, I contacted the management via email (As they are not available by phone) and explained the situation.

Two days later… no phone call. No response from the email.

The five people who I have told, so far, this story to were pretty shocked (I did use the customers graphic language when telling about this event.) ALL of them said that if it was THEIR wife that this had happened to, that they would demand free dinners (that was the least.. some said dinner/movie paid for AND the best table at the joint.) he men I have told this too said they would never take their wives to a restaurant ” like that”. I’m sure they will not be surprised that no one at the restaurant wants to remedy the situation. But really, why would I want to go back anyway?

***********************
M says:

While I was the accompanying party to Jennifer’s Horror Story, I’ll mention the food since she’s covered the rest.

I settled for the crabcake sandwich thinking that’d be an interesting choice. Either they had no actual crabcake in the sandwich or it was just really honestly that bland. All I could taste was the shredded lettuce that topped it.

Color me unimpressed on two counts.

No :-( Cassidy's review (Dec 13th 2006)

Isabella’s is definitely a “no”, unless some very big changes are made. Fine tuning I would say this place is a little doomed. The entrance is a little strange.
We made a reservation and thought that this would mean a good place to sit, on the contrary we sat in the back room where you can view the kitchen through the window. This type of atmosphere is for some and not for others. It was okay for most the night, except when one waitress brought back a plate a customer was not happy with and the chef yelled at her, screaming and pointing.

The table next to us was used by another waitstaff to roll silverware. Not very professional.

The waitress we had kept divulging too much information to the patrons. One lady at the table next to us said “I set my martini glasses on that table” alluding to the two top next to theirs. The waitress replied, “Okay, I’ll take that to the wash for you.” Why do we care where you take it????
They were acting like a restaurant that deserves a $30 ticket, and when the bill came it was $50.

We ordered wine which we never received. When we asked to have our wine the waitress blamed it on someone else saying they did not bring it out, she’s our waitress don’t you think she should keep track of that? We never received the soup that was supposed to come with our meal. The waitress came to our table several times with a full pitcher of water but never actually gave us any until we asked for more.

The Seafood Alfredo had so much lemon there was no other flavor. This was a $20 dish! If I want lemon you put it on the side of the plate and I will add as I wish.

Perhaps this place will be better since it’s only been open a few months and maybe it will be okay for a lunch.

The waitress said that they would get us another glass of wine on the house for the mess, but never brought us more.
Then she said she would give us dessert, which we received. This was the best part of the dinner-probably because they didn’t make the dessert-I’m assuming.

It was a bad experience and I know I can go to other better places for the same amount of money with better service and better atmosphere. Plus, they say the place is haunted. No thanks!

Yes :-) Tony's review (Dec 21st 2006)

That is crazy what happen to you, but what is even more crazier than that is that I was sitting at the bar and heard everything that you are talking about. I’d think they would know better about how to talk to people in public. I have eaten at Isabella’s a few times and they have gone through some staff there and made some changes in the kitchen and things seem to be a lot better. I work in the restaurant field and it is so hard to open at the start of the season and expect to hit a homerun. The old restaurant that they use to own was a lot easier to control for them and they need to get their feet wet and make sure they respond to all emails and complaints.

Yes :-) Mike's review (Jan 13th 2007)

I first tried Isabella’s for lunch with some coworkers shortly after it opened, and while I enjoyed my meal, my coworkers were less than impressed with the appetizer they ordered. It was some sort of seafood wrapped in bacon and the bacon was very undercooked. It seemed like they were still working out some of the kinks that are inevitable when opening a new restaurant. I have gone back for breakfast a couple of times since then and have been very impressed. The menu has some interesting items, the coffee is tasty, and the service has been good. Everything seemed very fresh and I will definitely give them another try for lunch or dinner sometime.

Yes :-) Retired Chef 31's review (Jan 18th 2007)

Being a past employee of the owner of Isabella’s, William Webster, I understand exactly how that restaurant works and I understand why there have been bad experiences. They have had some serious service issues since they opened and I know, I was there opening night and have been back numerous times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are beginning to get the kinks worked out…these things do take time…especially when you go from a place with 18 tables to a restaurant that seat well over 100 patrons. The food has slowly improved and in general it is good, northwest food. I can guarantee that Isabella’s will be around for a long time. William is an amazing chef and he has always done amazing things with what ever space he had. I have every confidence that Isabella’s can redeem themselves for some of the screw-ups. Give them time and you will see that Isabella’s will become an institution in Spokane.

No :-( Val's review (Jan 27th 2007)

I’ve been to Isabella’s twice and will never go again, nor will I ever recommend it to anyone. I went there at 7pm on a Wednesday of this week. There were two hostesses and one waitress. We were seated and not given drink menus. After sitting for at least 10-15 minutess one of the hostesses came over and asked if we wanted to order a drink. I told her that without a wine list, we couldn’t. She brought back one for the three of us. Also, the entire time we are sitting there we watched as a lady ran outside to a white Hummer blocking traffic to give the driver a menu. They come in, are seated, and he proceeds to answer two phone calls and a waitress takes their drink and food orders. Have I mentioned we have only waters now and have not received our wine? We finally order our food (salads and soup) and are wondering why our wine is taking so long when we notice Mr. Hummer and company have their drinks and food already. It was a Wednesday and there were only five tables. No one ever said, “I’ll be right with you.”

So we left. All of this took approximately 45 minutes and we managed to get a glass of water.

No :-( Ben's review (Feb 6th 2007)

My family had been planning a special “family dinner” and we decided on Isabella’s. We do this every year and it’s always a special night. We called and made reservations for 7:00. To make a long story short: We didn’t get in until 7:45pm and had one of the worst restaurant experiences that I can remember. The rest of the night proceeded like a scene from “The Money Pit: Restaurant Edition.” One bad experience after another. Everything from PLASTIC picnic cups for water, to poorly cooked and flavorless steak, to bits of metal found in a side dish. It was quite possibly the worst experience at a restaurant I can remember and that includes my last disaster at Fugazzi (which, for those who know Fugazzi, is saying something.)

I loath Isabella’s and will never ever return—no, not even for that “second chance” that I so often like to give a new place. I was actually shocked to find that anyone had given it a ”:-)” on this site!

The food was the definition of boring. A menu full of run-of-the-mill “northwest” food (whatever that is) that was devoid of inspiration or even anything resembling originality. And the service was just horrible—inexperienced, under-trained, and obnoxious.

I’m sure the chef is a wonderful person—as many have attested. But Isabella’s is a bomb. Don’t waste your money by going there.

Yes :-) Scott Griffith's review (Feb 13th 2007)

Went first time for a quick drink and snack in the bar, good service but a bit slow. Second time was for Sunday breakfast, ordered the crab cake benedict and it was perfect, but it took 45 minutes to arrive. Only one or two other tables had patrons, so did not understand why it took so long. Hope they can resolve the time factor – this is a good place – worth a try, go early.

No :-( Beth's review (Feb 21st 2007)

Our lunch for three was very tasty – the open-faced Reuben and the Cottage Salad were definitely standouts at our table.

The service, however, was ham-fisted and appalling – a comedy of errors culminating in our server bringing incorrect change to one in our party, and then staring at us blankly when we pointed out that more change was required. “Weren’t you going to leave a tip?” she finally asked.

I’d give the experience a :-) for food, but a :-( for service.

Yes :-) Fran from SW Florida's review (May 23rd 2007)

Recently visited the Spokane area for a week and ate at Isabella’s three times.

The food was excellent and the service was good as well. On two of the occasions we had a party of seven – we had no “waiting issues” and/or food issues. The cost was comparable to other fine restaurants. For a restaurant less than a year old, I saw a lot of happy customers and even repeat customers during my return visit.

I will return and will recommend this restaurant to others.

Yes :-) Like to dine's review (Nov 4th 2007)

My husband and I went there for dinner on a whim. We were seated promptly and our server was pretty good although she kinda rushed us through our courses. We both started with a salad which had good flavor and I loved the bread!! I ordered the seafood plate – my seafood was very well prepared. My husband also enjoyed his meal (don’t remember what he ended up ordering). We shared a dessert and a bottle of wine. The dessert was quite tasty. There was also live music the night we went which was a pleasant surprise. Overall, I’d say we’d go back again. The prices weren’t bad and the service and food were good.

No :-( ex-guest's review (Dec 14th 2007)

This place was dreadful!!!!!
The whole time we tried to eat the less than sub-par food which tasted as if had been prepared in the toilet;we could hear the chef scream at every one in the back of the house I tell everyone specifically AVOID ISSABELLA’S

No :-( Janessa's review (Jan 24th 2008)

Isabella’s shouldn’t still be open by any logic, but maybe it has a large financial backing. I chose to eat here with a work party of 8, and they enforced the 18% forced gratuity. I wouldn’t have tipped at all given the choice.

They were good enough to make us divided tickets, but the good service stopped there. There was a band playing that was so loud we had to scream at one another to be heard. If we’d wanted to go to a concert, we’d have gone elsewhere. We asked our waitress to see if they could turn it down but nothing ever happened. I had an open-faced crab sandwich that was way too cheesy and made me feel ill. Service was dreadfully slow, and we had to flag down a bus girl 30 minutes after someone should have come by to check on our drinks. When we asked for our tickets, finally spotting our slacker waitress, she brought them to only two of us. It was so bad I paid in exact change, not wanting to spend a dime more than I was forced to tip.

I went back a second time, on a less busy night, giving them the benefit of the doubt. My partner and I had the most obnoxious waitress—she kept touching me! There was a band but they were much quieter, and we could hear one another. The food was weird again, but more tasty and less vomit-inducing. But yet again, the service was terrible. We were more than ready to leave and were staring down our waitress for our ticket but she was more preoccupied having a 20 minute conversation with another table. That night we tipped a couple of dimes, only so we didn’t have to make change.

Needless to say, I will never be back, and hope they shut down or get new management.

Yes :-) Laine's review (Feb 8th 2008)

I went to Isabella’s with four of my girlfriends last Friday and I thought it was amazing! We called for a reservation, yes and it was busy, but the live band was great and the food amazing. The prices were very affordable and every one of us was so happy with our meals we’re going back again tonight. The service was a bit rushed and brisque, but efficient. But the ambiance and food surely makes up for it.

No :-( Nat's review (Mar 7th 2008)

Horrible service. Horrible management. Overpriced menu. Isabella’s serves up Spokane’s most mediocre cuisine with a frown and a big fat check. ENJOY!

No :-( Lydia's review (Apr 10th 2008)

When Isabella’s first opened I was really excited. I had heard such great things about how they were running the restaurant, such as they were using recycled materials to decorate and using organic produce. I know that they building they are situated in a considered a “green” community building and I thought it was about time that a restaurant was so environmentally conscious. However, after going to the restaurant I have found myself quite disappointed. When they said they used recycled materials I didn’t realize that pertained to menu items. The salads seem suspiciously similar to those served at the Davenport and the drink menu seems to be an exact replica of Rock City’s Blue Martini Bar menu. I go to Rock City often when I go to movies and drink their signature Blue Martini, the exact martini that Isabella’s claims is their signature martini. I respect what they are trying to do, but I don’t respect or condone stealing others ideas. That is just rude and shows a lack of creative ability on their part.

No :-( Tonja's review (Apr 22nd 2008)

A group of us walked/ran the RACE FOR THE CURE, called restaurant 2wks prior for times etc…Was told yes we will be open for breakfast, no reservations needed. We arrived at the restaurant at 10:00, it wasn’t open until 11. We waited until 11, went to restaurant was told there was no breakfast also they wouldn’t be able to seat 11 of us. The chef was too busy so needless to say, the ONION was more than willing to step up!! We won’t be going back…..ever!! But it is nice to know they are doing so well they can turn customers away!!

No :-( Jerome's review (Aug 24th 2008)

My wife and I did not enjoy this place. The service was bad, the waitress couldn’t pronounce some of the items. we did not enjoy our food when it came out. The appetizer that we ordered was cold in the middle of it. TO CAP IT ALL OFF THERE WAS A DOG WALKING THROUGH THE GIN JOINT. I’m sorry that is just bad business and poor management. BOOO THIS PLACE! They should rename this place to “JUST A GIN JOINT NOW”

No :-( Lisa's review (Nov 12th 2008)

I ordered the filet mignon and my friend ordered rack of lamb for dinner. Both meals were so overdone they tasted like leather. I was with a large party and did not want to embarrass myself by sending the food back. We then ordered cheesecake to share for dessert and it was completely moldy on top! We were mortified! I will never be back and would never recommend this horrible place to anybody else!