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Review content:
I made reservations at Benjy's for my friends birthday after reading the reviews left by other diners. I was happy to have made a reservation for a Saturday lunch because at 1pm, there was a half hour wait. I highly recommended reservations, this restaurant does not have any over flow seating other then bar, and the dozen people waiting for tables had to stand outside in the wind and drizzle. This is also a moderately small establishment...very trendy and modern, but small. The parking is very limited, its a small lot shared by other establishments, and required many trips around the parking lot before securing a spot.
Our server was severely lacking in the service department. She never told us her name, only refilled our drinks after having to ask...and then remind her, and she cared more about doting on the obviously wealthy middle aged couple sitting next to us, while completely ignoring us. She made no lunch recommendations, did not describe the food to us, and never checked with us after it was delivered to make sure that we were happy with our selections. We had to ask for a desert menu after she dropped the check on the table, and then we had to ask for the check after our deserts were finished. I can deal with bad service, but when I am paying $70 for lunch in what is supposed to be a higher end boutique restaurant, I expect better service then what I got.
The food, was good, it was not great. We had calamari for an appetizer. It was light, the batter was not heavy or greasy, the sauce was a great compliment to it, and for once, it was not a plate of whole fried squid. They served complimentary muffins that were fantastic. I had the crusted chicken which from the reviews I was expecting to be heaven in my mouth. It was good...it was by no means the delicious plate of food that I was expecting. The chicken was very moist, the nut crust that was on it, was extremely thick though. It was served on a small glop of overly sauteed spinach, which was served on top of a white potato, sweet potato and onion gratin. The corn reduction that was supposed to be on the plate was almost non existent, and was served with extremely aldente broccoli on top of it. I was not dissatisfied with my meal, but my expectations for it were not met....it was good, but was not great. The desert however is another story. I am a huge creme brulee freak. I make it at home and order on every menu its offered on. They had some of the best that I have had. It was thick and creamy..with not a hint of an egg taste, and the sugar shell was thick and perfectly candied served with dried and fresh raspberries on top. I would have had a cocktail if I were not pregnant, the blood orange margarita was highly recommend to me by a friend. Most of the diners were drinking mixed drinks...mostly mimosas, which all looked fantastic.
And by the way...upon making the reservation, I noted that it was a birthday celebration. The couple at the table next to us were presented with a cake and candles to blow out...my friend however, was not even acknowledged. If we had much much better service then the 6 foot tall red head amazonian server that ignored and neglected us, my experience would have been more positive. I do plan on returning and giving Benjy's a second chance, the food that I saw on the other diners tables looked too good not to go back for. I hope that my experience is not shared by others, and if you do happen to get sat in said servers section...I would highly suggest that you move tables.
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