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2012-07-31
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It's a real pity when you have to rate down a restaurant because of the maitre d's inefficiency. No matter how good the food is, there is little reason to return when one has to signal the waitresses for a menu (15-minute delay) and wait 30 minutes for her first glass of water. Not to mention I had made reservations already but still had to wait 10 minutes to be seated. What a great start to a much anticipated dinner with a sorely missed friend. So that set the stage. From there things...well, p
Environment:
This is what we sat down to. Almost nothing. At least they should have the decency to set the table first....?? The small restaurant is extremely jam-packed full of people and the lights are low, you are sitting back-to-back with the adjacent table, conversations easily overheard, you can barely get to the toilet without having to say one or two 'excuse me's. Quite noisy. Although they try to be accommodating it's not the most romantic place to celebrate one's anniversary - which is what one couple celebrated tonight - the guy probably asked the resto to play 'their song' and then a waitress served up a large bouquet of flowers and told the girl 'he loves you' and then the lights went on again. I thought he would propose. But no that didn't happen. We joined in the woo-ing and clapping. Food:
Expensive still water - not requested $38
Whaat? The maitre d opened the bottle before our very eyes before we had any chance to object. No he didn't even ask us whether we wanted still, sparkling, plain old tap, or hot water. Unacceptable. But we were not going to make a fuss because he already looked extremely flustered, having to pacify impatient diners, and politely turn away this foreigner whom he told to wait 10 minutes for a table but eventually decided he made a bad decision. Poor guy. Gave him a break. Bread basket
Bread sticks and extremely oily focaccia was served. The bread wasn't salted. It had the right texture, but was way too oily and flavourless for me. Even the EVOO and vinegar could not bring it to life. An underseasoned loaf is, and will always be, underseasoned, bland, and boring. Bread sticks did not impress either. Seared scallops topped with finely chopped olives
Here they are. I've never actually eaten a whole scallop voluntarily...or otherwise, but because there were 6 and D is incapable of finishing them single-handedly I thought I should help. I had 2. Texture: acceptable. Flavour: I have no point of reference. But it wasn't fishy. That is all. Was it very fresh? I think no. D said it was not a fair representation of the tasty scallop. D also said that the chopped olives (?) were not a good match for a scallop. D prefers the scallops lightly seared. And consumed. I guess I would not recommend this dish. Pinot Grigio
A white we ordered to go with the scallops. Fruity, sweet, easy to drink. Recommended for people who don't reaaaally like wine but would like something cold that is not pop to go with the food. Really quite nice. $75 per glass.
Cappellini al fungi $90
Good thing is that servings are generous. You kind of feel like you're getting what your money is worth. This pasta is basically wild mushrooms and asparagus in white wine garlic sauce. The pasta was al dente - thickness somewhere between angel hair and spaghetti. Some would call it spaghettini. They were also very generous with the veg. Sadly the whole dish was overseasoned and became too salty. That is our only complaint. I would recommend this - if they seasoned it right. Pizza antipasto
White mushrooms, cheese, and very salty parma ham. The thin crust was very nice, I liked it. But again, too salty! Not special although it's advertised as the signature pizza. Flavours were slightly disappointing. Conclusion:
The food is actually OK. But the service spoils it all. Therefore it is unlikely I will be returning. If I do, it would be out of sheer convenience.
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