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| - So this has been one of my top 3 favorite restaurants in Charlotte, the food was always that good. Our last experience, super disappointing.
First we asked for a booth. Were told we couldn't sit at booth for 4, we were too small a party (3). So we were then sat at a "table" for 4. This made no sense and I didn't want to get into a scene with the hostess, but this set the tone for the meal. I guess she was saving it for someone more important than we were? We did have a reservation btw.
The menu's were a single page folded in half. They were Dirty with sauce and slightly torn. I noticed this on another review below also so it's not a one-off. Not acceptable and gross.
We ordered the Caprese as we usually do. They changed it (again) . 1 small heirloom tomato quartered (not sliced traditionally) that was not sweet. The weirdly shaped half-moon Mozzarella was watery and not very tasty. They used to use a Burrata but I prefer a firm creamy Mozzarella. The basil was slivered (not whole leaves) and didnt look or taste fresh. They need to go back to the drawing board and do a traditional Caprese it's not that hard?! The Balsamic reduction was very good. Very disappointing, they've gone backwards on a simple dish for some reason.
I ordered the Veal Marsala. The Veal was pounded very thin, that was good. They use a traditional dry marsala I think (since it had no sweetness) but it also had no nuttiness? It was just a brown oversauced mess on the plate, without flavor except excess salt. They also used it on the nicely spun but not al dente pasta, the hot marsala sauce may have cooked it further and softened it to the point of being overcooked. Just not a good dish
My wife's Veal Piccata was way over-lemoned (common rookie mistake, unfortunately) and therefore bitter. How about less lemon, and serving a lemon garnish (none) with the dish so the diner can add to taste?
The Creme Brulee was the highlight of the dinner. Outstanding!
The service was friendly, but mixed. The bread finally came out after we finished the salad, the water was not refilled (my first glass had something floating in it) and she forgot to bring the requested butter.
Lastly, I'll say I don't like spending $135. on dinner and having to look at the ugly hairy toes of men in flip-flops and shorts like its a sports bar. It must be the official uniform of Ballantyne because at least 75% of the men were in shorts, and I saw at least 4 men with flip-flops. Sorry, that's gross. I wear pants and dress shoes when I go out for dinner at a "nice" restaurant. Maybe the standards have fallen here due to their success and always being busy?
I'll try again in a few months with an open mind (sticking to the usually great skirt steak, lasagna etc) and post a follow-up review.
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