Journey Through Mission: February 2011

Monday, February 21, 2011

What do you want from a restaurant?

http://www.equinoxrestaurant.com/

Well, I want good food. This is particularly true if the the chef holds himself out to be above the fray in town.

My instincts said that we should not try this, but my laziness took over. Located across from the Club, I just wanted a short walk. I didn't even want a cab ride.

We set our reservation for 8:45 pm - as they were booked from 6:30 - 8:30 pm (what recession? - I continue to ask!). When we arrived, we were asked to wait in the bar. A couple there was complaining about the noise from children. Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!!!

So we get seated next to the service table - the WORST seat in the house. Finally, a booth opens up and we move. This is a pet peeve of mine. I even asked as we were seated what the through traffic would be like around our table. "Oh, it is so light, we rarely come back here." Don't lie to me!!!!

To not belabor the point: our waitress was SICK. Not "I have a stuffy nose" but "Let me cough on you and your food and reintroduce the Plague" SICK. Look, I have empathy. She works for tips. But, coming to work SICK does not endear one to a restaurant. (Really, not sure how Mr. Gray missed that one - as she sounded like a goose.)

Chef was out fawning over his regular flock when he noticed 3 large untouched scallops on my plate. I want to be clear, I DID NOT ask for them to be returned. Rather, I go on the theory that, unless it is inedible, that is what the adventure is all about. Sometimes you are rewarded, sometimes you get cold, salty scallops. He simply took them away - thankfully to never be seen again.

So, the wine and the port was good. We split some Emeritus, Russian River Valley 2008, Pinot Noir. Worth every penny!

In all, the above picture of food service monthly tells the truth. Chef Gray is drinking some good wine - without a crumb of decent food to be seen....

Monday, February 14, 2011

Wines 3 & 4 of the Virginia Wines gift!

The Lake Anna Cabernet Franc went well, according to him, with the husband's steak. I had a cheese plate for dinner and it was ok. The Sugarleaf Cabernet Franc was good. I think I liked it better. But, they got two thumbs down for throwing Monticello on their label. Explaining on back that the vineyard is "nested in the Blue Ridge Mountains...in the heart of Monticello." Monticello is a home, not a region. So, while the DH liked Lake Anna's better, I liked Sugarleaf's better, but am discouraged by their need to rely on Thomas Jefferson and not their own wine making abilities.