It was a dark and stormy night and the streets were all but bare. Two ravenous young women ineffectively shielded by their flimsy old umbrellas hastily made their way down Avenue road in the hopes that they would soon find shelter from the unyielding downpour. An unearthly rumbling frightened the girls until they realized that it was, in fact, their poor protesting bellies crying out for sustenance. Thankfully, without a moment to spare, the pair happened upon Cantine. They were cold. They were drenched. But most importantly - they were HUNGRY! They surged through the front doors into their new found haven.
They were seated at what was apparently the restaurants last unreserved table, which made them feel quite fortunate indeed! The ladies delighted in their starter - polenta served with a gorgonzola cream sauce and a blissfully plump portobello mushroom. Absolutely to die for. The creamy polenta danced across their tongues being effortlessly sashayed by the exquisitely robust gorgonzola sauce. Expectations for their entrees soared as the pair contently sipped on the surprisingly decent house red wine.
The entrees arrived and abruptly the music died. In disbelief the girls glared down at lank greens, vinegar drenched artichokes, sub par mealy olives and limp green beans. But most appalling of all was the decrepit dry tuna that unabashedly displayed it's canned origins atop this mess of unappealing fare. The chopped eggs boastfully shone brightly at either side of the plate, knowing full well that they were they only appetizing component to this derelict Nicoise salad. It's sad to say that those egotistical eggs were painfully correct. As the girls poked and prodded at their disappointing salads, the aroma of other patrons far superior meal choices temptingly and teasingly invaded their flared nostrils. It was clear that they had mis-ordered - they had GRAVELY mis-ordered.
It would seem wise for Cantine to remove the Nicoise Salad from their menu as it appears to be the one dim light in an otherwise vibrant menu. The pair agreed that they would return and order with far more caution next time around.