First the positives. They are friendly and flexible. The foie gras and Panzanella were outstanding. My flank steak was good, if not exceptional. The disappointing part for me was that my wife and I came here three years ago and it was outstanding with the owner chasing us down in the parking lot afterwards to make sure that we had a great experience.
The problem with this restaurant is one of identity. It prices itself like Elements or a Four Seasons restaurant and yet the cuisine is somewhat impoverished. For example, the only seafood they had was Hake and Skate and the only meat was flank steak. These are the cheapest cuts of seafood and meat you could find at the grocery store. The other identity issue is that they bill themselves--or are billed--as quasi Italian. We're an Italian family so we are rather picky about what is good Italian. My one daughter couldn't get through her seafood pasta and the pomodoro sauce was so thick and pasty so as not to be enjoyable. If they want to know how to prepare a pomodoro sauce go to Andreoli's and try Giovanni's.
It feels like the restaurant is in transition. We were surprised to hear that they had no desserts other than cookies. To their credit, they brought out a piece of chocolate cake gratis for my wife because it was her birthday. When we tasted it, it was so dry and bland. I couldn't help thinking as I looked out the window that a waiter ran to Safeway's and picked up a slice from the bakery--i'd put money on it.
We really like these people and hope they turn the restaurant into something special--something it was 3 years ago.