This was my third visit to this restaurant and each time I have been disappointed. The concept they have is good. Each month they have a different theme for the menu. This month (July) it was the Bounty of the Pacific Northwest. I thought, how could they go wrong? The ingredients ought to be local as they often strive to be at this restaurant and they can't help but be in season.
Well, the same problems I encountered the last two times were in evidence. The food is boring! It is prettily presented, but lacks oomph. I ordered the ling cod stuffed with crab and shrimp topped with an arugula pesto. It was served along with plain white rice, three asparagus spears and about 2 tablespoons chopped pickled beets. White rice is fine if it is accompanied with a sauce of some sort, but otherwise it is uninspiring. The asparagus was a little tough and I think three spears is a little sparse. The pickled beets were quite tasty. I wish there had been more. I ordered a green salad to go with it with balsamic dressing and it was good. There was a nice mixture of greens and the size was adequate.
My dining partner was similarly disappointed. His chicken was lacking in flavor, the garlic mashed potatoes were watery, and the veggies were the same. His salad had a creamy cheddar dressing which also could be described as watery. He found the portions a bit too small
Besides the food being boring the prices are a bit high. My entrée was $20 and it was another $4 for the salad. A bread basket came with dinner with 2 kinds of bread in it. The French bread was okay, but not great. The olive bread was very good. The problem: if I wanted more bread it was $1.75. Why? Why do restaurants persist in charging for items which are relatively cheap? Wouldn't they prefer their patrons to fill up on the cheap food so that by the time their entrée arrives the patron will not be disappointed if it is less than generous? Bread, vegetables, and the starch all could go under this category.
We chose to not order dessert as we did not want to buy something for $5.50 and be disappointed and still hungry,.
On the plus side, the atmosphere in the garden area is quite pleasant. It is indoors so cool weather is not a problem. The was nice, although might have wondered at our faint praise of the food which we said was fine without much enthusiasm when asked. I doubt we will return.
more