| rev:text
| - FYI - my portion of the final bill was $96 which included tax & 20% (well-deserved) tip. This was for: cocktail, beer, squash salad, scotch egg, brussel sprouts, cobia.
We booked our reservation one month in advance and could still only get a table at 9:30, which was the earliest time available. I guess there's still a lot of hype surrounding the spot and I expect that finding a seat will be easier in the new year. The same thing happened to Buca after Jamie Oliver's recommendation.
Anyway, the phone etiquette when booking the initial reservation was rather "snooty" and off-putting. However, given the number of changes we incurred as our date neared, the reservations manager was pleasant and accommodating and I commend her patience in dealing with our numerous changes and updates.
When we entered the restaurant, the door man didn't greet us with a "hello" or a "welcome" but a quick, "Do you have a reservation tonight?" When we said, "yes" he opened the door. Our table wasn't ready until about 15 minutes after our scheduled time. As we waited for a table, the seven of us convened in an awkward spot near the front door. Once our table was set, we were guided by a pleasant and smiling hostess who set a wonderful tone for the rest of our night.
We started with drinks. The cocktail menu is small and quite pricey (-$15 to +$18) and I don't suggest it for women (usually) who are expecting a "frou-frou" so-called martini. This is where alcohol meets attitude and you can expect the kind of drink Victor Newman might pour. Being a fan of something strong and spicy with a healthy amount of bitters, I chose the Chai Vieux Carre ($17). The nice thing about this drink was that its taste was exactly what I expected. I wasn't blown-away but I liked that it had bold flavour and wasn't watered-down by juice or another mix. I would say that the cocktails are for a more sophisticated and discretionary palate. If you're a vodka-soda kinda person, this list isn't for you. Although the alcohol content may have warranted the $17 cost, I expected just a little bit more in terms of innovative flavour. Another thing I really liked about the drinks at Weslodge is that they come in a glass. Not some gimmicky stemware. Like I said... Victor Newman. I finished my meal with a bottle of Grolsch, which was a fair, standard $7 considering it was the larger-sized bottle.
My group ordered a variety of appetizers and entrees: Rib eye, Cobia, Cornish hen, scallops, salads, ceviche, scotch egg, etc. All of the food was good. The portions were relatively small and sides had to be ordered separately. The food was tasty and everyone had positive comments about that they ordered, but nothing was outstanding. The brussel sprouts I ordered as a side were a decent potion, reasonably-priced but tasted no better than my mom's (though, she's a very good cook). Same for the Cobia I ordered: Good, but no better than home.
Since it was already late in the evening, we were pretty satisfied after our meal and didn't have any dessert.
One can't go to Weslodge without mentioning the atmosphere and decor, which is outstanding. The servers' uniforms (t-shirts and leather holsters) are a little kitsch but they only add to the charm, without being tacky or too "themey". The decor definitely does give it a definite saloon or hunting lodge feel (though I've never been to either one!) Even though it's very dark inside, it's open and airy. The music playing during our meal was perfect and suitable: 70s rock, some Motown and a little groove intermingled. I definitely found myself moving as I read the menu. My friends also commented about the great music selection.
Adding to the ambience, was the service. Our server was friendly and attentive. Our water glasses were always full. Any serviettes that were dropped were gathered, neatly folded and placed back at our seats. The sommelier was also friendly and knowledgeable. It was obvious that the serving staff worked well, together as a team.
The crowd could be described as "pretentious" but I find that's a common criticism for anywhere that's patronized by the downtown-after-work-suit crowd. (Though, I did notice a small group of late 30-something men being turned away at the door... likely because they lacked the trendy attire, as there was definitely room at the bar -- but that's a management issue, not guest issue) Anyway, my observation was that it was just the after-work business crowd unwinding on a Thursday night. The bar area was lively, of mixed ages with more men than women, but not a huge difference.
I'm going to end my review here, mostly because I'm tire of typing. I realise that I only gave Weslodge 3 stars though it should be more like a 3.5 if I could, I'd rate the food a 3, and the ambiance/service a 4 out of 5. In general, I'm looking forward to returning. My recommendation is to book an earlier reservation (like 7 or 8) and move to the bar for a couple of post-meal drinks.
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