Slop
Having eaten in my fair share of "tourist" restaurants over the years, my expectations were not set very high. In fact, the meal started out OK with a pleasant waiter and an OK first course. Then the wheels came off.

Based on the waiter's recommendation we tried one of the salmon dishes. ("People are never disappointed.") Well, we were when the Wal-Mart quality fish came out buried under a lifeless pile of steamed vegetables. The sides listed on the menu, roasted potatoes and asparagus, were replaced with cold mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.

When the waiter was asked about the substitution his response was "We are out of the roasted potatoes." When it was clear that this explanation was not selling, he resorted to "I've been telling the owners about this for some time but they keep telling me to push the salmon." Ouch.

Maybe this place was once a nice alternative to the growing hipster scene in the Gaslamp, not anymore. When a dinner approaches $100 for two, a bit more effort is expected...no matter the tourist location. Be afraid, be very afraid.    [22 Apr 2006 15:27:55]

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     ­George   

Disappointing meal
This restaurant was recommended by the hotel we were staying at. Unfortunately, the bad choice of entree made this a place I will never go to again though other things were pretty good.

1) We did not have reservations and it was a busy Saturday night. We were told it would be an hour wait. However, the hostess took my cell phone and promised to call us if something opened up. Sure enough, just about 20 minutes later as we were sitting down enjoying a sample at Ghiradelli chocolate down the street, we got a call. We thought that was very nice.

2) Waiter very polite and friendly.

3) Bread was fresh and wonderful. So things started off well enough.

4) Good selection of beer and wine.

5) My wife had linguini and clams. I tried the special of angel hair pasta with red mullet, a fish in a light marinara sauce. The waiter said it was the special and quite highly recommended. I was interested because he said the fish was not oily and was closer to halibut than snapper. Geez, was he wrong.

6) My wife enjoyed hers, mine was awful. Dry pasta with a cheap fish. We were eating late as it was so I just braved it rather than getting a replacement.

7) Got a free tiramisu dessert as a nod to our disappointment. Very good.    [28 Aug 2006 17:11:02]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Linguine and clams

     ­Clint52