First reviewed by Karin

• 

  Karin
  Jan 19, 2006

  In all fairness

  • Your Rating: 0/5 Stars
  • Average Rating: 2.0/5 Stars

  2.0
  

  I had come from NYC, our guest from her Dad's funeral in KY, and we wanted a nice place to eat, not too noisy. This restaurant is beautifully appointed, with a mouth watering menu, and a resonant wine list. We were seated as convenient to my limited walk-ability husband, at a nice table. Unfortunately in the alley between restaurant and bar - which was fine except that one waitress, ours, walked very forcefully, thumping hard along the floor each time she passed.
  
  No matter, we ordered wine, one we know to be a passable table wine, often drunk by us before. It was drinkable, but was just reaching the edge before turning. In France the waiter would have noted the dark cork and changed bottles - but, again it was passable and we alerted the waitress to the need to finish that bin soon - rather than later - it would soon turn. We did not need the wine to be exchanged - and made that clear to the three waiting staff who rapidly offered to do so.
  
  The couple next to us was hurriedly moved away, apparently because their table was too light. One of us had an appetizer, goat cheese with beetroot and apple - she liked it. We anticipated our main courses. The scallops over chowder was tepid; the mahi mahi was quite tough (though I asked for lightly cooked) and the wonderful ragout overwhelmed by the butter in the sauce so that it was bland, and tepid, the pork chop - ok and tepid. Hey, the decor fabulous, the wine working on us, we would not have worried.
  
  We ordered brandies, coffee and a dessert. Brandies were drunk, coffees drunk (except for the one awaiting, and awaiting the dessert). We asked about the dessert - received an in passing "just a minute", waited another 10, tried to flag the designated chief waiter, who did not see us, then got the dessert. We asked why it took so long, saying 20 minutes (we were being kind), and were involved in an endless discussion with offers to take the cost of the bill. Nothing makes a meal less fun, than a restaurant too full of its own grandness, and caring too little for its clientele. We were told there was a party of 30 (we did not observe them entering) getting their main courses when we got our desserts which is why the wait. Our only question was why could someone not have told us this? We can understand a backed up kitchen! But we cannot understand a waitress with airs and graces and noisy rapid shoes and footsteps who cannot converse normally with us - and just say, hey - dessert will take a few more minutes.
  
  It is a pity, because we were ready to be cozy, and cossetted, and cared for. Had we had that experience - we would likely have also ignored the indifferent tasting, nicely meant, well articulated, decently presented food.
  
  ah well.

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" The menu mixes creole and French with a touch of New American, and is accompanied by an expansive, thoughtful wine list... "
Read full review from Fodors

" Most dishes were bland and listless without any creole flavor... "
Read full review from Zagat User Reviews

" Here, the chef offers a seamless blend of Creole and French creations... "
Read full review from wcities

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