I came to this restaurant two days in a row because I really enjoyed my first experience…read more Unfortunately, my second visit was noticeably different, and it really highlighted one of the biggest challenges for any restaurant: consistency.
First Visit - Nearly 5 Stars
On my first visit, I ordered:
* Beet Poke
* Mushroom Bao
* Kale Caesar Salad with Falafel
The beet poke was fantastic. It was fresh, light, and packed with seaweed, with a delicious dressing that brought everything together. There were great textures and flavors, and I would have happily ordered it again.
The mushroom bao was another standout. The mushroom was perfectly fried, tucked inside a soft, fluffy bao, and topped with a tangy slaw. Great combination of crispy, soft, savory, and acidic.
The kale Caesar salad was also delicious. Fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.
At this point, I was thinking 5 stars and was excited enough to come back the very next day.
Second Visit - A Different Experience
I ordered:
* Beet Poke
* Mushroom Bao
* Kale Caesar Salad
* Potato Pizza
Unfortunately, things were much more inconsistent.
The beet poke was probably the biggest disappointment. There was barely any seaweed, very little textural contrast, and the dressing tasted completely different from the day before. It was also barely dressed. If this had been my first experience with the dish, I honestly would not have ordered it again.
The mushroom bao was still good, but it didn't taste the same as the previous day. The slaw was noticeably spicy this time, whereas it hadn't been spicy at all on my first visit. It made me wonder if there were different chefs or if the recipes/preparations simply weren't being followed consistently.
The kale Caesar was the one dish that remained consistent, still delicious on day two.
The potato pizza was underwhelming and definitely something I wouldn't order again. The flavor combo wasn't working with me. We also got the gluten free crust which was not great. Almost more of a cracker than a pizza crust.
The Verdict:
If I were reviewing this restaurant based only on my first visit, I would have given it 5 stars. The food was fresh, creative, flavorful, and genuinely memorable.
But after coming back the very next day and having several dishes taste noticeably different, I had to take a few stars away.
I'm not sure if there were different chefs, different prep, or something else going on behind the scenes, but consistency is such a key part of a great restaurant experience, especially when you're paying restaurant prices. When a dish is fantastic one day and just okay the next, it's hard to know what experience you're actually going to get.
The ambience is great, and while the service was friendly, it was also a bit slow.
Overall, I still see the potential here, and my first visit was genuinely excellent. I just wish the second visit had lived up to it.