After trying a few of the other Big Burrito restaurants, I finally got around to the 'flagship'.
I arrived early (about 15 minutes before 5 PM), and the valets were kind enough to park my car for free since they weren't set up yet. Off to a good start!
When I got inside, the floor wasn't open yet, so I settled in the bar and was attended to (mostly) by the bartender, although he was understandably distracted with setup. I settled in the corner with a book and a glass of iced tea, and the tea was fixed perfectly... rarer than one might think, here in the frozen north. The restaurant itself is GORGEOUS; whoever decorated this space deserves an award. It is well lit without being bright, warm without being twee, and elegant without being uncomfortable. All in all an absolutely beautiful place to eat.
Upon getting a table, the wait staff was very attentive... another plus. My waitress was superb, always being there at the precise moment I needed her, never intrusive. All this, despite my being the only person at my table - and I know all too well how much restaurants hate single diners. Rebekah, you were phenomenal.
So why three stars? Well... all the things I have mentioned were each a star. Unfortunately, the food was very forgettable. I ordered the shrimp and grits appetizer. Presentation was impeccable, but the shrimp were jumbo shrimp and tough as boot leather. They were served on a thin layer of something creamy (presumably grits, though not like any I'd ever seen) and some collards that tasted decent but were almost tougher than the shrimp. Tastewise the dish was acceptable (although far from delicious), but texturewise it was a total wreck.
So... on to the main course. I ordered gnocchi, which is one of my favorites. The gnocchi themselves were homemade and quite good. The dish was served with mushrooms, baby lima beans and spinach, and again, the greens were ridiculously tough. The mushrooms had a wonderful flavor, but the texture of bubblegum. Once again, presentation won out over edibility... I don't get the impression that anyone in the kitchen actually eats any of the dishes they prepare, or else they would realize that taste and texture are even more important than being pretty.
Dessert was a pineapple cake, which was delicious and served with a very tart, sour sorbet. The sweetness of the cake and the tartness of the sorbet were well matched, and this would have been a definite five-star dessert except for the presence of... crystallized ginger?! Who thought this added something to the flavors of this dish? I think it must have been put on the dish for decoration, but a piece of this in your mouth at the wrong time would definitely stomp on all the other flavors.
All in all, this is a wonderful space; the staff is excellent; if they get a chef who learns how to serve food people actually eat instead of look at, it will truly be a 5+ star experience. As it is? An excellent place to see and be seen... not to eat. read more