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| - Its funny how the turnover of this location for restaurants in Yorkville is so quick. I guess rent is really expensive.
Tonight we came here for a private party, with a set menu for about 25 guests. We had a nice private room (one of many) downstairs in the cellar (this is where the movenpick fish market used to be!).
It's beautifully decorated, with wooden tables (big square ones in booths) and communal tables. In the private room, there was exposed brick and 2 long wooden tables. I like this arrangement because it's provoke conversation with more than 2 people. I believe there was also a flat screen television at the back behind a curtain.
As this party was not organized by me, I can't tell you if they were accomodating (seemed to be) or not etc. However, as a guest, you'll hear my story.
Toasted olive bread came out and was refilled part way. Vinegar came with it, however, the servers forgot to bring out olive oil (only came for one table , not 2) - that was disappointing as they realized it after the main course came.
The food was not bad, not amazing. We had 3 choices for antipasto, entree and dessert. The grilled calamari ($13 on the menu) was not bad, however, not every part of the calamari was grilled and there were some spongy parts, it made me think it was undercooked. The portions were good. The Arugula salad was just a regular leafy salad ($10) and also a full meal portion, as was the Caeser salad. The Tiger Shrimp was about 3-4 big shrimps with bread on the side.
For entrees I had the Chicken Piccata. I had asked how this was served and if this would be chicken breast. She was unable to answer me, and asked someone. Coming back she told me it was a deboned chicken - which didn't really answer my question. I should have taken a hint and not risked it, but I ordered it anyway. I HATE CHICKEN BREAST for this reason: usually it's dry and flavourless. And that's exactly what I got. It came on a bed of gorganzola polenta (i dislike polenta as well) which tasted okay, but not my cup of tea. Rapini, but only a few stalks.
The steak ($34) seemed like a good portioned size. However, we were told that we were not able to choose the doneness of the meat (minus 1) and that it would all come medium. It all came, medium rare and almost rare. The insides were completely pink/rare. If this was my party, I would have raised a stink about this. Fail.
The dessert, however (the Dark Chocolate Baci bombe) was AMAZING. It was a chocolate mousse sitting on top of a hazelnut praline. It made me think that they did not make this in house. The in house Tiramusu was served in 2 ice cream scoops, and lacked the potent liqueur flavour.
I would have given the food 3 stars, given I expected less in terms of portions sizes and price, however, it's quite reasonable for Yorkville. I'd probably order pasta ($12-16) if I were here again.
HOWEVER, the problem with sitting at a restaurant for over 5 hours (we left at 12) is that we had a lot of time to criticize and contemplate. The Service left a lot to be improved. It seemed like all the waiters were young tall muscular guys that had no clue what they were doing. Everytime it was time to serve, there would be at least 4-5 people in the room with the same dish, trying to figure out who had what. They need a cheat sheet - and really, the people with the steak knives are having steak. was it that hard to figure out??
When we finished each course, my dirty cutlery was taken from my plate and put to the side (not even nicely with the knife on top of the fork). For a restaurant of this calibre, and this private room, I would expect my cutlery to be replaced, especially since they had to bring out steak knives.
Water was no where to be seen and we had to ask multiple times.
I really think their wait staff needs to step it up to stay in business.
The place is loud. And with a private room, it would be nice to install a door. Some other rooms had a door. When toasts were made, I couldn't hear the person beside me.
As a casual eater in the area, come for the dessert and the wine (excellent).
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