I wanted to like The Ivy. I really did. It's close to my house. It's a spot with a nice bar and great ambience, even when it was Chao. Plus, it's on my discount card.
And I love Mediterranean food. I stick to the basics, and they're hard to screw up, but The Ivy managed that feat. They blasted our entrees, overcooking the chicken and shrimp kebabs to toughness. They also left some sinew on the chewy chicken.
On the plus side, the rice was excellent and the soft, seasoned pitas were even better. The hummus was about average and the salad was decent, although the dressing was a little sweet for my taste. At least there was good live music. Otherwise, the night might have been a big fat Greek disappointment.