rev:text
| - I would have liked to add this gastropub to our regular rotation given the proximity to our home, but it's not going to make the cut. We didn't experience anything supremely negative or offensive to provoke scathing feedback on food, service or atmosphere. Yet the asking price is just astounding given the quality of all three features.
First, service was very friendly. After some confusion with the hostesses about sitting at the community table, we opted to sit at the bar. The large table commonly referred to as a "community table" isn't actually a table they will seat multiple parties at - an odd policy. The bar inside was full, but the hostess reassured us that the patio was air-conditioned in the summer and very pleasant. So we obligingly headed outside very open minded about their ability to cool the space on a late afternoon in July. We quickly realized it's next to impossible to cool an outdoor patio in the Arizona summer, and, accepting own naiveté, we sat outside anyway. The bartender was very sweet.
While I perused the beer list, I kept squinting at the price thinking, "Is this for a pint? $7?" Compared to other venues who claim to have a diverse craft beer selection, these brews didn't resonate strongly with me. Settling for an API, I then chose the shrimp mac n cheese and a side of asparagus. Both were okay, but $11 for a tiny pot of mostly sauce and seriously overcooked noodles that fell apart at the touch of my fork? My husband really did not enjoy his burger which was sort of a mess, but the cheapest option amidst the entrees priced anywhere from $25-30. I started to get the feeling that we patrons are actually mini-tenants disguised as diners.
I understand that this remodel must have been expensive and the rent can't be cheap, but after paying $70 for 2 people, we did not walk away feeling even remotely satisfied. For the same price, you could have an exquisite meal at a gastropub in Old Town from a creative menu with stellar service (i.e. Citizen Public House style). For a much lower price, you could sit on an amazing patio and have decent food with a fun crowd (i.e. OHSO style). We won't risk another subprime experience at such an expense in the future.
|