(Some positive notes included below, but 1st...)
I'm giving 2 stars because I don't believe I got any of my questions answered honestly. I'll elaborate:
In this day and age of food sensitivities and allergies, a higher-end, upscale foodie restaurant such as Addison's (with the higher-end prices to match) SHOULD technically be prepared to answer annoying questions.
I questioned if their complimentary compound butter served with the bread for meals was actually REAL butter. It had the awful aftertaste of soybean/vegetable spread/margerine/fake butter. Fake butters leave a horrid, waxy texture and awful taste on the tongue that ya just can't get rid of. They also advertise compound butter on their menu for upcharges so THAT'S why I question if it's honest advertising? I'm not convinced I received an accurate answer (read why below).
Furthermore, they printed the term, "garlic olive oil SAUCE" for one of their entrees. I questioned if it was actually JUST garlic & olive oil or if it was something else? Again, food allergies are speaking here. I've got to be careful whenever I eat at new places. So when I received my entree and there's a weird taste other than olive oil & garlic, ya better believe I'm going to ask what else is in this "sauce"!
Most restaurants simply state garlic & olive oil. Most restaurants don't add the word "sauce" if they're only using garlic and olive oil. Was there meat or fish stock in it? Is there a thickening agent used, such as flour, tapioca starch, etc.? Is it a pre-prepped "sauce" out of a bag/box/can?
Unfortunately, I never received a clear answer. The server used language such as "I think it's just..." followed by "I'll go ask for you..." followed by, "it's just olive oil and garlic. I think." And phrasing such as, "I'm pretty sure..."
Yeah; that doesn't make me feel safe to eat! Did you even ask? Did the chef get annoyed and kick you out of the kitchen when you tried? Did the server just try to figure it out alone?
On a side note, when asked if I wanted, "Fresh cracked black pepper" on my salad, it was disappointing to eat a forkful of white pepper. I dislike white pepper. Typically common in Chinese cooking, I don't care for white pepper.
So 2 stars because I shouldn't have to eat feeling paranoid I'm gonna go into anaphylactic shock because you failed to disclose you're using mystery ingredients. And 2 stars because you don't know the difference between white and black pepper. And 2 stars because management doesn't bother to print prices of what their martinis and drink cocktails are. I'd like to know if I'm ordering a $10 or $18 drink without having to ask. (I'm annoying enough to the waitstaff, right?!)
Now some positives. The other foods looked very pretty and appetizing. My husband LOVED the porkchop. The facility was comfortable, clean & cozy for a strange strip mall in Mchenry. And a HUGE kudos to the server for maintaining her patience in front of me. (Obviously I'm a pain in the butt. Even though she likely went into the boh to make fun of me. But that's ok). read more