I don't know if I'm laughing or crying. We just returned home from the aforementioned restaurant. After confirming with Ron in the cab that Vettle hadn't reviewed it yet, lo and behold, there it was in today's Trib.
when we got home. But our experience was not very good....from the beginning. Let me elaborate:
We had a reservation, walked in and were offered the table opposite the revolving door. I said no. (The place was 3/4 empty) We were then led to a small table next to the 4 guys on an expense account. I wasn't happy, but didn't want to embarrass Ron. The first thing we were offered was "black linen" yes, a woman came around and asked us if we wanted a black linen napkin. We had never heard of this and have eaten at many restaurants all over the world. Now, mind you there was a white linen cloth and napkins on the table and they asked this question. Then we sat and we sat and I was wanting water so badly, so I asked for some. We sat and we sat and I wanted some wine so I asked for a bottle...it was Eyrie Pinot Grigio and it came somewhat warm. He told us he had to go "get it" which is why it took awhile. He poured a thimblefull to each of us and took the bottle away, no ice bucket for us. However, I was desperate for liquid refreshment.
We ordered to "graze" so we could taste a bunch of different things and the waiter didn't have a clue as to how to serve us. We ordered:
Duck rillettes-colorless and tasteless and too chilled (too bad they didn't exchange the wine and rillettes)
Moules Frites-the frites were the best thing all night, the mussels were ok with an undiscernable broth, not bad, nothing special. (Ron only wished he had bread)
A dozen oysters-6 blue points which were good and 6 kumamoto, briny, tiny and "eh". I will interject here we sat and we sat and we refused to ask for the oysters until they finally came.
Ah, the bread issue-we were given a piece of bread and then the bread plates were taken away never to be seen again. Ron had to ask for bread.
I was getting tired of asking for everything including the wine which was on the waiter's station.
We then were brought little appetizer plates for our main course which was a good veal chop with gaufrette potatoes, which neither of us liked. Ron asked for bernaise sauce when the chop was served and we were on our last bite when he brought the bernaise. We also had an order of creamed spinach which was pretty inedible due to the overdose of nutmeg.
For dessert we ordered an apple tart which Ron said was very good, pure butter and it was quite tasty. I ordered a chocolate marjolaine which was a wedge of chocolate hazelnut cake with ganache and praline ice cream. It was mediocre at best.
I might add here the most attentive person in the place was the guy who poured water (too frequently).
Our bill came to $20l.00 without tip. Suffice it to say we won't be running back. Yes, it's pretty in there but so not worth it. And I have to laugh, when we sat down, the woman seating us said "your server is fantastic"
(she neglected to tell us his favorite word was "absolutely" whenever asked for anything)
I'm still laughing at black linen.
"With enough butter, anything is good."-Julia Child