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| - Hmmm, "I've experienced better" does actually sum up my meal but I am loath to leave it at that. ...I must go on!
La Bocca is certainly easy on the eyes. A little spot on Mill with a low neon sign, lovely soft lighting, a stunning bar with an enormous reproduction old dutch master painting of a supple young noblewoman looking over the bar crowd. Hip urban art on the walls of the dining room, people's faces lit in low candle lights from the table. Truly what is not to like?...I want to join this lovely party.
I do, with a group of friends on a Friday. It is early and La Bocca is busy but not bustling, their patio is open and the dining room still has some empty tables. I look in at this inviting time and think, this will definitely work. A glass of wine, maybe a pizza, some bruschetta, I could get used to this wine bar so close to home. Ahh, and so soon my bubble was to burst.
First, the hostess. Seems a little taken aback by the idea of seating us...a table....for 4....now? K. Turns and looks out on to the numerous empty tables...um, running thru the options, a table...for 4.... We wait, people line up behind us, we continue to wait. Initiative seizes us and we start moving towards an open table. I can see the wheels working in her head - people from the outside come inside and they are seeking... seats?...What else will she learn tonight?
My bubble is not burst, I am actually unaware of the slippery slide towards mediocre restaurant experience I am headed towards. So, we are seated and we rummage a bit thru the menu, note the artisan pizzas, the bruchetta, the hummus, cheese plate, salads, pretty simple fare. Wine menu is nice and I'm thrilled by the flights. Nothing fantastic that I couldn't find for $12 at CostPlus but still 3 glasses of either white or reds sounds perfect. Then I notice Sangria...I luv the sangria.. Prepared to order but wait, where is the staff?
They pass to the right, they pass to the left..but they never stop. We are told on 2 separate occasions, our waiter, whose name escapes me but after an hour in his company I came to call Dude, was busy. Interesting, the restaurant is not. We waited a half an hour to put in our drink order...Dude approached us and asked, "So, you ready to get your party on?" Oh, Dude. It is going to be a long night. A round of beers for the boys and the girls split a pitcher of sangria.
After our drinks and food arrive, I come to realize why Dude talks the way he does - Okay, let's party! Now, like Dude what can I get you? So, does everyun' get their drink on here? And why,everything seems so faintly familiar... Bcz the bruchetta, the sangria, and the staff are all courtesy of Applebees. Yes, the toasted Safeway french bread loaf with the jarred olive tapenade, the canned tomato spread and the artichoke spread would make any Applebees fryline cook weep with joy over its mediocrity. The sangria came in a sexy tall pitcher with what appeared to be pre-chewed apples floating at the top and tasted like grape juice with an applesauce floater - a tribute to a cheap rip off of a classic.
There were some high points. The hummus was fresh and the pita chips were nicely oiled and toasted. The Perrone beer was on tap and great. The pizza - I have no complaints and its high points are that it was not the bruchetta.
So, La Bocca you are really good lookin' but you need to figure out what it takes not to be the Applebees of wine bars, we have enough of those.
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