Big Bear City Restaurant Guide

My boyfriend and i came here on a fluke but am glad we did. The food was absolutely amazing and the service perfect. Ive never had better food and will come back to this place again.

After an extremely pleasant experience a year or 2 ago, we decided to take friends to Madlon's on a trip to Big Bear (New Year 09). Everything started out ok but went quickly downhill. The appetizers were fine, and the beer and wine selections excellent however when it came to the main course, we were extremely disappointed.

My wife and I split the rib eye steak, ordered medium rare with garlic potatoes for her, wild rice for me. What we got was a quarter inch thick slab of meat, tough and grizzly, and served raw! Each plate had a small dollop of either potatoes or rice, but not much more than a table spoon full. This cost $42.00!! When I mentioned that I thought the pricing was out of line, I was instructed that the restaurant cut an extra large piece for us to split and there was little they could do. Maybe they did, but more than half fed my dog for 3 days. A lot of money for dog food.

My friends each had their own meal; one a shrimp and scallop pasta, the other had lamb. The bay shrimp and scallops were tiny, as compared to a similar dish served the night before at the Country Inn (also Big Bear and a much better bargain!) while the rack of lamb consisted of three tiny chops.

My original experience with this restaurant was out of this world and I have been told it is now under new management. If that is the case, the arrogance of the staff, sub-par level of service and the quality of the food will put this restaurant into the garbage for the dog, right next to the rest of my $42.00 Rib Eye!

It was amazing. Two Le Cordon Bleu chefs and a menu that proves their knowledge. My choice of places to eat every time I come to big bear.

They have great food and a very comfortable atmosphere. You feel like you went home. The service is just great.

We tried to get a table at Madlon's many times in the past 5 years. The problem has always been they were full. They suggest reservations, and so do we. On a Fri or Sat night it's the only way to get in. We are part time residents in the Valley and are always looking for that perfect casual dining restaurant. Other full time resident professionals in the area rave and recommend this place. So we were finally able to get a 6:30 reservation last Saturday. We showed up at 6:25 and were promptly seated in a nicely deccorated both for two. The place was indeed full, but that did not affect the quality of service or the food itself. Absolutely amazing!. We had crab cakes with a spicy sauce and their signature cream of jalapeno soup that were each reccomended by our server. They were as good as anywhere else we have travelled with a special tip of the hat to the soup. Our Chicken and Halibut entree's were impeccable in preparation and taste. Our server was energetic, full of menu information, and darn right attentive without being boorish. They have a good selection of wines and great wine by the glass selections. This is a first class restaurant that has the feel of a european bistro. It's quite a treasure in this part of the world. It not an inexpensive restaurant on the hill, but the value of the experience is reflected in the high quality dishes and top notch service they offer. The restaurants in the LA basin should take a lesson from these people. If you are going to pay $15 for a chicken dish, it better be one of the best you ever had. In the case of Madlon's Restaurant, they exceeded the expectation on all accounts. Kudos to them! We highly recommend this place for a special event, or entertaining friends. The only thibg we suggest is that they build on some kind of outdoor seating area. With the nice evenings during the Spring and Summer, al fresco dining would be just the ticket!

The food is excellent. I had the ribs which were marinated in a raspberry chipotle sauce that was to die for. Everyone in my party was satisfied. The prices are somewhat high, but considering the quality of food and excellent service, one cannot complain. The place is very popular, reservations are required.

I visited this restaurant on a business lunch. We ordered the special which was on that day "home-made" lasagna. The menu looked great and our food was delicious and in the perfect portions. Service was good. I understand young children are not allowed past 5:30 to preserve the ambviance. I think my eight year old son might pass in the future and we look forward to dining again soon.

I visited this restaurant on a business lunch. We ordered the special which was on that day "home-made" lasagna. The menu looked great and our food was delicious and in the perfect portions. Service was good. I understand young children are not allowed past 5:30 to preserve the ambviance. I think my eight year old son might pass in the future and we look forward to dining again soon.