I truly wanted to make this place a new go-to since I live in the neighborhood but that's not going to happen. We didn't get off to a good start--we waited by the empty hostess stand for awhile before giving up and taking a bar table. Beer list was nonexistent, wine choices were sub-par and cocktails still seemed too summery for a cold November day. Overall menu was underwhelming--nothing jumped out as a must-have or an interesting choice. When I go out to eat I prefer to order things I can't have at home but herb crusted chicken, honey and soy salmon and a pork chop aren't anything special. I'm not sure how to classify Ligali's--their food identity is unclear.
We ordered the crab cakes as a starter and they were fairly decent but didn't taste the "red chili". Husband had the Ligali's burger which wasn't impressive and overcooked. I ordered the Asian Peanut Noodles and added shrimp after seeing a different guest do the same. The spaghetti-style noodles came out coated in a thick but soupy peanut sauce which tasted fine, but on the bland side. It could have used some spice. Vegetables consisted of raw broccoli with a few thinly cut peppers. I ate the whole dish and things were mediocre until the bill arrived. Adding shrimp tacked on $14. Seriously, 5 shrimp drove up my meal to a whooping $30. I asked the server if it was a mistake because surely it couldn't be right. He said he got the price from the owner and there was no adjustment. Had I known that prior to ordering, I would've taken my business to the upscale thai restaurant down the street for a much better version of the dish. Oh well, what's done is done. I had already eaten the whole thing; we paid our bill and went about our night. I'm disappointed because I really wanted to like the place but have no intention to return when there are so many other options in Tremont.