rev:text
| - Bluephies, like Harvest which I just reviewed, has managed to spark considerable disagreement in its own respectable demographic. Some people think it's overpriced, overrated as a Madison hot spot, frequently inconsistent, very hit or miss service.
If you had asked me before their recent renovation I would have agreed more with that side. But shortly after that renovation I went there and had an amazing dinner I didn't think Bluephies was capable of producing. I thought maybe it had finally turned to rounding out those issues that a restaurant of its citywide acclaim should have no problems with.
Following this great dinner, I went back for another and the dish I got was totally made with the wrong ingredients, same kiesh different goodies. I had never sent a dish back before but this was simply not the dish I wanted at all. The waitress offered to bring me something else for free, but in the essence of time I settled with it. The incident though, actually raised my opinion of Bluephies, because after the waitress apologized, the manager came out to see me and apologized also. It was good business to come out sure, but more so she really cared that I didn't get what I asked for. No one wants to wait while everyone in your party eats because you're waiting for a second attempt at your plate--she totally understood this. So I came away with actually a higher opinion of the place from the way it was handled and the freeness.
Realistically, they are probably still having kitchen/wait staff communication breakdowns at times. I've had servers go MIA for 20 minutes. But the fact is Bluephies usually serves a mean brunch and when it's on, its RIGHT on. A nice alternative to the mess of Mickey's though it can have equal wait time.
Since the renovations, the upgrade to their dinner menu and their continually very solid brunch Bluephies has earned the right to sit in the pantheon of Madison restaurants. I hope they keep improving this place and it's still around in twenty years because it's already been building that kind of legacy.
|