Upon glancing at the website for Son & Garden, I was impressed not only by the picturesque, feminine decorations but also by the stunning presentation featured on reviews and photos. Son & Garden, a famed brunch spot in Menlo Park known for its Instagram-worthy aesthetics, is a highly coveted restaurant for a picture-perfect brunch or breakfast.

The photos on the website, as well as my previous experience at Son & Garden in Palo Alto, set me up with the expectation of perfect photo ops, dazzling pink and floral decor and an assortment of beautifully presented meals served on gorgeous china.

However, when I stepped foot into the Son & Garden located on Merrill Street in Menlo Park, I was…underwhelmed, to say the least.

The placement of the restaurant was unfortunate, especially given the fact that Son & Garden is coveted specifically for its ambience. Instead of being surrounded by rose-covered walls and floral arrangements, the “view” from the tables – if it can be called a view through a thick sheet of plastic that encircled the entire seating area – was of a 7-11 and in direct view of the Caltrain station.

While the surrounding area was not necessarily a “dealbreaker,” it was irritating given that expectations for the atmosphere were high at the start.

Despite the less-than-ideal seating situation, heaters placed strategically around the outdoor seating area made the arrangement much more comfortable. Flower arrangements hung from the ceiling, and the strategic placement of the tables made an otherwise small patio spacious yet still cozy. At this specific location, only outdoor seating was available, so the heat and decorations within the space were much appreciated.

Service was efficient and friendly, and our meals came out fairly quickly. We were quick to be seated, and the server gave us additional information about parking. Unfortunately, some of this information was wrong, so we were forced to repark.

Our meals came out in around ten minutes. We ordered the Korean Benedict, which comes with a bone-in short rib, kimchi fried rice, chives, mushrooms, spinach, carrots and bell peppers. The dish came with house-made hollandaise sauce.

For drinks, we ordered the Lavender Spritzer ($8) and the Aperol Spritzer ($15). The Lavender Spritzer was fruity, floral and had just the right amount of lavender with a pretty presentation. While mocktails do typically carry a heftier price tag, the Lavender Spritzer – though delicious – may not be worth $8 for such a small serving and an unoriginal flavor. The Aperol Spritzer was unusually sweet and had a syrupy flavor. For a $15 Aperol Spritz, Son & Garden’s sickly sweet version was mediocre at best.

The Benedict was presented nicely, and was a large portion size, but the spare rib was extremely dry. The rest of the dish was mediocre, with nothing special or alarming.

The shrimp salad was fine, and the vinaigrette was especially delicious. However, there wasn’t much drizzled on, and the bottom of the salad was extremely dry. The shrimp and the bread were delicious.

While Son & Garden’s other locations may be more worth visiting, this Menlo Park location was not one that I would recommend. Despite the efficient service and nice decorations, the food was substandard for its hefty price. For those seeking a classy, luxurious brunch as promised on the website, visit another location or go elsewhere.