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| - We came here for a birthday, and picked it as the criteria was a one stop shop, Dinner + lounge/club that wasn't pretentious and had good food.
I would give the DINNER 3 stars, but the club downstairs 1 star.
Let me explain.
Making RESERVATIONS was quite easy, but they did insist there was a $30 charge per person, just to make sure we all were eating a meal, and not just snacks. We were also told that we couldn't really get a private area, I realized later, it's because it's a big open space with communal tables. These tables could fit about 14 people, but doesn't help that seating is not benches, but very wide plastic chairs. Any stragglers would have to sit at a shared table next door.
Also, I wanted to bring a cake, but the slicing / plating fee was $3 a person. Ridiculous.
The MENU has a bunch of Appetizers (Plates) that range from $10-15. And Entrees that range from ($18-30). Between the 3 of us, we ordered 2 plates, 2 entrees and a side. It was totally enough.
The only thing was that there was a lot of new ingredients and words that I had no idea, and had to keep asking the server. Not saying they needed to explain it all, but at the same time, the descriptions could have been more straight forward, rather than deceiving.
The SERVICE was a decent speed, and the server nice. Except:
- when I asked her about this dish that I kept seeing passed around that looked good (after our meal), she told me that it was the special, and because some of the party wanted to order right away, she didn't have time to tell us on the other end of the table. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS! I bet I spoke her a dozen times before we actually ordered, asking about items on the menu. I was quite upset, because we totally would have ordered the whole roasted Partridge.
- one of the items I asked about was Gnudi. She explained to us that it was "potatoless gnocci, stuffed with cheese, deep fried, and covered with sauce and more cheese". When it came, it was 4 big balls of ricotta cheese deep fried. It looked nothing like gnocchi. I think this is unacceptable.
Here what we got:
- mejoohl dates, stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon (5 pieces, recommended)
- roasted bone (2 veal bones with marrow) Excellent, and it's veal and not pork for the first time
- gnudi (for $17 it was not worth it) 3 balls
- half roasted smoked chicken. This was excellent chicken, and well worth the $27. I did see that others who ordered this had crispier skin than ours, but still very good
- side of broccoli rape with chili. there was a skunky flavour to this, and I thought it tasted like the smell of MJ if that makes any sense. Would not order this again. ($8)
- dessert was yummy. chocolate pudding with marshmellow toasted on top. a stale ginger cookie came with ($8)
Things that other got:
- steaks were listed as Kansas Cut. When asked what it was, it was described as something with the bone in. As it arrives, it was a big thick slab of meat, and I was told completely different than described. The frites tasted very good.
- cooki and creme terrine. Something unique, and was quite tasty.
Total cost for 3 people sharing was about $42 without drinks. But including the 18% mandatory tip for over 8 people. I bet you know how I feel about paying this tip given what happened.
They also do not give separate bills. I never understand why restaurants refuse this. The receipt even shows that she had to pick all the seats. Well, we brought out a pen and calculator, and figured it out. Good thing we were sober.
Then we went downstairs to THE SHOP. They have a DJ and live music here. It's a small narrow basement, unfinished floors, but it was cozy. Mixed drinks were $4 and so were OV Premium beers.
At first the Dj was mixing some old rock and roll tunes and although a bit loud, seemed nice.
But then it got worse. The LIVE BAND showed up, and decided to crank up the volume even more. With more speakers in this basement than it needs, it got loud quickly. And the band wanted it even louder. We couldn't hear each other, and couldn't think! The birthday boy CC had to make makeshift earplugs so as not to destroy his ears. And the music wasn't amazing either. We quickly left, disappointed.
I usually give places 4 stars for something I really loved and would come again. 3 stars for the food, but 2 for the service. The price points seem a bit expensive for what you get and the food didn't wow me (except the chicken).
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