I've really struggled with how to rate this restaurant. One star? Two stars? I can't quite bring…read moremyself to give it one star because that feels too harsh, especially since I genuinely wanted this place to succeed.
We waited forever for this restaurant to open. When it finally did, I was excited. It's in a gorgeous Spanish-style building with beautiful tile roofing, and they completely renovated the interior. The restaurant is beautiful inside, the outdoor patio is fantastic, and everything is clean and well-maintained. You really can't complain about the setting.
But here's the problem. I have absolutely no issue paying a lot of money for great food or a great experience. What I do have an issue with is paying premium prices and getting neither.
The prices here are comparable to what you'd expect at a Ritz-Carlton or Nobu. But you're not getting Ritz-Carlton service, Nobu atmosphere, or particularly memorable food. Nothing about the food or drinks stands out.
Take Nobu, for example. You can arguably find better sushi at plenty of other restaurants. But people go to Nobu for the entire experience. The atmosphere, the energy, the people-watching, the social scene. It's a vibe. You're paying for more than just dinner.
Here, you're paying Nobu prices without the Nobu experience.
And here's how I personally judge a restaurant. When I get hungry, does that restaurant pop into my head? Do I find myself craving something they make?
I literally live across the street from this place, and not once have I been hungry and thought, "Let's go there!"
That says everything.
What's especially disappointing is that the warning signs were there from day one.
We had been eagerly waiting for this restaurant to open, along with so many other people in the neighborhood. When it finally opened, we went over, excited to try it.
What happened? Complete disorganization.
They couldn't seat us, wouldn't let us wait for a table, and had some strange system that seemed to make absolutely no sense. They were turning away customers left and right, frustrating people who had been waiting months to experience this new restaurant.
I remember thinking, "What the heck are they doing?"
There's an old saying: How you do anything is how you do everything.
Looking back, that opening experience was the first red flag. Something just wasn't right.
Unfortunately, after giving the restaurant two chances, that initial impression hasn't changed.
The food is average at best, the drinks are nothing special, and the atmosphere doesn't justify the prices.
And here's the thing: A restaurant doesn't necessarily need a great social scene if the food is outstanding. I'll happily pay top dollar to sit in a quiet, unremarkable restaurant if the food is incredible.
Likewise, I'll pay premium prices for a restaurant with an amazing atmosphere and social experience, even if the food isn't the absolute best.
But you have to give me something.
Great food, an unforgettable atmosphere, exceptional service, something unique that makes me want to come back.
Unfortunately, this restaurant doesn't deliver on any of those things.
That's what makes this so frustrating. The physical restaurant is beautiful. The location is fantastic. They've clearly invested a tremendous amount of money into creating an attractive space.
But a beautiful building doesn't make a great restaurant.
After a couple of years in business, I still don't see the kind of excitement you'd expect from a truly successful destination restaurant. You don't see lines out the door or people clamoring to get in.
And I worry about their long-term future because, at these prices, customers need a compelling reason to return.
I genuinely wish the owners success. I wanted this place to become one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants. Being directly across the street, I should be one of their easiest repeat customers.
Instead, after giving them two chances, I have absolutely no desire to go back.
There's nothing on the menu I crave, nothing about the atmosphere that draws me in, and nothing about the overall experience that justifies what they're charging.
It's a beautiful restaurant with so much potential, which makes the disappointment even greater.
I really wanted to love this place. Unfortunately, I just can't recommend it, especially at these prices.