Spcie Route has a chic mysterious vibe to it. I've been passing this place on King Street for years and never knew what it was. There are no signs inside or outside indicating what this place is. With it's big ominous looking wooden doors and the 8 ft fence around the patio, it immediately gives you the "exclusive" vibe.
Not typically my kind of place or crowd, we came here for a friend's birthday. Unfortuantely our friend was late so we had to stand around waiting in front of the bar. They have a policy of not seating you at your reserved table until half of the party has shown up...
Spice Route has an extensive list of mediocre beers and wines and a full bar. We were there around 10pm so I didn't get to try any of the food but I was told the shrimp and calamary were tasty, although a little too spicy and salty.
We didn't have any problems with services. Our waiter was attentive and came by fairly frenquently to check on us. Since I was going to leave before the rest of the group, I asked for a seperate bill ahead of time and had no issues with that. However, the music was way, way too loud for a restaurant/lounge. We were a table of 10 and I could barely hear the person across the table. Not only was it loud but it was terrible music (loud mellow club beats).
I was more disatisfied with the the patrons than with the actual restaurant atmosphere and music. This is where to come to pick up some scarby-barbies or a sweaty greasy rich guy. The crowd is a little older than average and the vast majority reak of desperation.
If you're looking for the dress to impress crowd that wants to pay way more than necessary for average food while being hit on by a cougar or desperate 50 year old greasy stock broker, this is your Shangri-la.