This was my go-to spot for a special evening. So last night for our 35th anniversary, it was a no-brainer. We had three problems within one minute of entering -- the place was smoky as all get-out (what on earth happened to the exhaust system?), the chairs screeched horribly as we dragged them across the tile floor to seat ourselves, and I wasn't offered a place for my coat so I was fumbling with that. Oh, forgot about both of our chairs being wobbly -- the uneven floor, not the chairs. I decided I wanted just a starter -- I asked our server what sides they had, since none were listed. He said I could get the same vegetables as a side that come with all entrees. I said no vegetables were shown as coming with the entrees. He had to look for himself on the menu. Yep, no vegetables shown on the menu. Onward. We ordered a bottle of zinfandel. We were informed they were out of that bottle but offered another bottle that was more expensive but for the same price. Sure, that's fine. So she brought the bottle and I'm sure she showed it to us for approval. My husband approved the bottle without noticing that she had suggested a syrah (I think), not a zin. Not what he would have chosen to accompany our meals. The music too was weird and I saw more than one diner looking puzzlingly at the speakers. There was a melody but then some gravelly man's voice speaking. Never could figure that out and it was mildly distracting. When our dishes came, husband was sorely disappointed. For a $38 piece of tenderloin, it was very skimpy, hidden under a blanket of like-looking mushrooms. My starter (the kurobota pork) had turned into what was easily an entree with the vegetables so I was finally happy with something. I don't know -- all of these relatively minor missteps should not occur at these prices. I don't think I could now recommend it to my friends as I have done in the past. Sorry, guys, but I do hope you can take to heart at least some of my criticisms. Bring down the prices so expectations aren't so high, or up the entire experience to justify the prices. One or the other.
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