Wow! \r
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Atmosphere= *****First of all, nice atmosphere, great location. The decor is inviting & fun. Add to that the sea/pirate theme without the cool clamminess of being on a ship. Seriously- ever go to a restaurant and feel stiff and formal and uncomfortable in your chair, like the first thing you want to do when you get home is kick off your shoes, loosen your pants and kick back & relax? \r
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Well, at The Maiden, you don't feel that uncomfortable stiffness; you pretty much feel right at home. One great thing about this restaurant, though, is that although it can be a casual atmoshphere (you could probably get away with dressing in gypsy and pirate costumes), the caliber of food and wine is sophisticated enough to welcome your uptight yankee parents!\r
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Food=*****After living in Spain literally inside of an authentic and traditional Spanish/Catalan restaurant, I think it's fair to say I've had me some real Spanish food. Add to that the dining around the city at a wide array of restaurants that varied in food variety and price/atmospere. The majority of Spanish food I've had was interesting, tasty, and at times a little scary with a rabbit's head served with the paella, for example. To me, there's something gritty about most spanish food dishes. I think maybe the FDA has different standards about the preparations and storage of meats. In principle, I feel that Spanish food is good. \r
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At The Maiden, the recipe concepts are are truly authentic to Spanish food & culture, with added herbs and spices managed by a chef with a more worldly palette. I have to say that The Maiden restaurant comes closest to authentic Spanish food I've had since I've been back in the states (1995) by taking the most wonderful aspects of Spanish foods and hightening the experience by awakening your senses with their own culinary expertise. So simple, yet sooooo goood!\r
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Presentation and service=***** respectively.\r
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