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2012-09-26
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I had some pretty good experience dinning at restaurants with Michelin Stars or operated by chefs awarded wtih Michelin Star. I guess I was spoiled. Food connoisseurs, please lower your expectations if you really want to try this restaurant.My wife and I sat down at the table and the waitress came over and introduced the set menus for the day. There was no hard copy of the menu, according to the waitress, they were too busy preparing the official opening on the following Monday. I would say that
My wife and I sat down at the table and the waitress came over and introduced the set menus for the day. There was no hard copy of the menu, according to the waitress, they were too busy preparing the official opening on the following Monday. I would say that's an unprofessional excuse for laziness. Anyway, here is the menu:
Tasting Menu - beef tartare for appertiser and red snapper for main dish. Sounds like a $138 daily set menu at Soho!
Set Menu - squid salad or soup as first course, sea bass risotto; linguini with tomato in 4 styles (sounds interesting); or veal as the main course.
I had a glimpse of their other Tasting Menu on the 'Menu" and thought of ordering the 4 course menu priced at $880, but somehow I told myself I shouldn't take the risk. It was the right decision with hindsight. So we ordered the set lunches.
While we were waiting, bread was served, but no sign of olive oil nor balsamic vinegar. Even after we asked for them, we had to wait for more than 5 minutes for the olive oil and vinegar!?! There were just about 5 tables of diners and at least the same number of servers around if not more. I wonder why? The microwave oven reheated bread was very hot outside and very dry inside. How do you like that?
We had the squid salad, presentation was OK, colourfully garnished with the different types of vegetables. The taste is acceptable but it's kind of interesting for the squid they used. All tentacles! Where was the body? I guess they saved them up for the more expensive dishes, not for set menu!
My wife had the fish risotto. It wasn't bad at all. The lemon zest added to the risotto gave it a nice refreshing taste. Unfortunately, the veal I had wasn't too desirable. The chunk of meat sat on a bed of greenish-brown paste and the whole dish was merely warm. I must say I prefer the $40 beef brisket noodle. At least the meat is tender and the soup is hot. Yes, it was really that bad!
They served only one type of dessert, house made gelato. The waiter pushed out a trolley with a mountain of gelato enough to serve 10 people, but he scooped two tiny servings of gelato into two glass containers and added two tiny spoons of strawberry compote on top. Then push the rest of the gelato and compote back to the kitchen. The "show" may impress a 10-year old kid, but definitely not me. Qulaity of the dessert? Nothing to write about!
My wife and I didn't add sugar to after-meal tea/coffee. Only after I finished my coffee then I realized they didn't bother to offer us sugar at all. Nice service!
Thorughout the entire meal, nobody came by to ask for our comments of their service or food quality. Something that you would expect from the waiter, head waiter or manager for a newly opened restaurant. I notice that the waiters were only attentive to the guests of one table. Obviously the lady guest seemed to know one of the staff there. I overheard them discussking about having a birthday party at their restaurant. No wonder! That's why they were served petit four, but not for our table.
In return for their discriminative service, I didn't tip them at all. First time in my life at a "proper" restaurant.
While lunch is always charged at a lower price than dinner but I belive if a restaurant cares about the quality of food they serve, the dishes should be prepared equally well. For restaurants that can't meet this simple standard, they don't deserve my repect or money. I am definitely not going back.:huff
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