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| - We had a very uneven experience. For every item in the plus column, there was another in the minus column. Quick example: Palmaire cocktail was delicious as recommended by server, but the wine on special was Le Cabernet de Paint Thinner. The front of the house did a good job taking responsibility for the shortcomings, which are almost entirely kitchen issues.
Our party of 6 had a 7 pm reservation, but we weren't sat until 7:30. This wasn't too much of a hardship because the bar area (and the overall decor) is inviting, so kibbitzing with friends was a good way to pass time.
I sampled almost everything at the table, and we all shared the consensus opinion.
FIRST COURSE: Matzoh ball soup lacked any real flavor, but had the ball had good texture.
Everything on the pate plate was scrumptious and matched well together (cornichon, manchego, pumpkin brittle, whole sun dried tomatoes, whole grain mustard) but the pate lacked any discernable flavor. I know some people don't want STRONG pate flavor, but it's got to taste like something or else it's just spamloaf. Our server kindly brought extra toast points so the table could share the pate.
Red pepper and tomato soup was good, but not memorably better than what I get at the supermarket.
Roasted brussels sprouts were a success, and we agreed we'd try to make them this way ourselves at home.
ENTREES: For sides, we ordered the mac and cheese and roasted veggies. The veggies were a good medley and had a good roast on them, but the mac and cheese came out cold and lacked any cheese flavor. Just a creamy-tasting bechamel on noodles with pancetta lardon. Pass.
Beef Bourguinon shepard's pie had a rich, delicious gravy, the beef was very tender, and just the right amount of potato on top. A winner here, though some felt this entree was quite small. I just lusted for more beef, since it was really good.
The orange glazed salmon looked beautiful and, according to my friend, tasted "OK." Our server warned us that some guests found the hot salmon served with cold side items to be off-putting. My friend decided to try it anyway. The server was right, but not completely accurate. The sides weren't cold-- they were frigid. Cool or room temp would have been much better.
Mussels were a big hit. The mussels were plentiful, and the wine fennel broth was outstanding. It got mopped up with the toast to make a solid meal.
The burger, on the other hand, was a big failure. Here's where our meal fell off the rails. My wife ordered it medium, and out it came VERY rare. The server agreed it was wayyy rare, so it got sent back, this time with instructions for medium well doneness. 5 minutes later, out came the second attempt-- but this wasn't much better, medium rare at best. Back it went for the third try, this time with orders for well done burger. This time we had to wait 10-15 minutes before my wife's meal came out. In the interim, they brought her a side salad. A nice touch, but by now her meal was jacked up beyond any salad's repair. Finally, out came a lumpy grey burger that was well done alright. Just not very exciting at all. The bun was soft and had good texture, but the promise of boursin cheese was not kept. On a helluva hot burger, the cheese was just a smear of cream cheese that got lost. Also, all three iterations of the burger were very small. The fries were terrific though. Small consolation there.
The manager and server were appropriately apologetic for these mistakes. They comped my wife's entree and offered us a dessert on the house. We tried to take them up on it. The server sold us hard on the pecan pie, but when she went to put the order in, she told us they'd just sold out of it. That was that.
The manager offered us a pair of apps and a dessert on a return trip. I can't say when or if we'll ever make it back.
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