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2013-05-27
3565 views
We had reserved a table for four a week in advance thinking it would be impossible to get a table if we left reservations later than that given all the hype about this restaurant and its "brand". How wrong were we!Firstly, we took the elevator to the 3rd floor rather than the escalator. It took several minutes for anyone to attend to us even though there were three wait-staff looking at us as we exited the elevator. We were finally shown to our table, cramped against the floor-to-ceiling window
Firstly, we took the elevator to the 3rd floor rather than the escalator. It took several minutes for anyone to attend to us even though there were three wait-staff looking at us as we exited the elevator. We were finally shown to our table, cramped against the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Queen's Road Central with a view of Coach"s flagship shop. Not exactly a view one would die for! Interestingly enough, even though it was 8:00 pm on a Saturday night before Mother's Day, the restaurant was 80% empty. That should have told us something! By 9:00 it was about 60% full.
We finally got down to business of ordering drinks and food, One of the wine glass still had lipstick smudge and was quickly replaced. The table setting was pretty ordinary. One of our part ordered the fish, which was so large in size that it overlapped the plate. And the restaurant did not have fish knives. Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but I still prefer using a fish knife to eat my fish. But what's more disappointing, it certainly was not fresh. I would have easily settle for a smaller size fish as long as it was fresh!
The pasta starters were tasty. (We were later told Batali is more known for his pasta dishes).
The pork steak was tough and dry (and my wife had an upset stomach the next day!
The dessert was delivered within less than one minute of ordering. It had been kept (for how long?) in a freezer.
Altogether a disappointing experience. Pretty ordinary ambience for a restaurant of that quality. The food pretty pedestrian for the price and "name" especially having eaten at Batali's restaurant in New York, where everytning from the decour to food to wine was exceptional..
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