The introductory lobster bisque given to everyone from the chef was actually quite bad. Everyone at our table could tell it was overcooked, and/or used too much shell.\r
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The set menu, overall, was very good. I thought the potato ravioli with mushrooms and truffle oil was outstanding. The lamb chops were average, but covered in an acrid sauce with flavors of asphault. The desserts were perfect. I tried the gingerbread as well as the orange mascarpone crepes - both very good.\r
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The wine pairings were fine, but nothing worth writing home about, and simply not worth another $50 per head.\r
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The waiter was friendly, but inattentative, and I hate to say, incompetent. He could not answer basic questions about the menu, and seemed flustered the entire time.\r
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The ambience was fine, but nothing notable. The acoustics get pretty bad with a full house.\r
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My big gripe is that we started with cocktails, then ordered our food soon thereafter. The food was brought out at a decent pace, and we ate it as it came. Before we were offered coffee or tea that is part of the prix fixe menu, the Maitre de came over and asked us how our meal was. She then stated that she needed a table for other people waiting. We were a little surprised, and stated that we had not even had coffee or tea. She lost us when she said that you had to ask for it if you wanted it. Obviously that's not how fixed menus work, and we did not have to ask for anything else. Moreover, we were spending at a pace of $150-$200 per hour for the table, so it's not like we were dead weight.\r
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A person at our table said something to general manager, who gave us a $100 ""apology"" gift certificate, but she clearly just wanted us out of there.\r
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I have never had a more insulting experience at a restaurant. Given all of the nice restaurants in Santa Cruz, the Peninsula, SF and Napa with equally good food, superior staff, wine lists and ambience, Marche would be wise to reconsider how it operates.
Pros: food
Cons: wait staff & management
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