Having eaten in my fair share of `tourist` restaurants over the years my expectations were not set very high. In fact, the meal started out OK with a pleasant waiter and an OK first course. Then the wheels came off.Based on the waiter's recommendation we tried one of the salmon dishes. (`People are never disappointed.`) Well, we were when the Wal-Mart quality fish came out buried under a lifeless pile of steamed vegetables. The sides listed on the menu, roasted potatoes and asparagus, were replaced with cold mashed potatoes and steamed brocolli.
When the waiter was asked about the substitution his response was `We are out of the roasted potatoes.` When it was clear that this explanation was not selling, he resorted to `I've been telling the owner's about this for some time but they keep telling me to push the salmon.` Ouch.
A bowl of pasta was ordered by another diner and it was delivered by a server who disappeared without ever offering grated cheese. To make matters worse, the pasta had obviously not been drained properly and was closer to soup. On the plus side, it was served warm. Yippee.
Maybe this place was once a nice alternative to the growing hipster scene in the Gaslamp, not anymore. When a dinner approaches $100 for two, a bit more effort is expected . . . no matter the tourist location. Be afraid, be very afraid.
