We were a party of ten, celebrating my 66th birthday. This is a relatively new restaurant in Melbourne, Florida, and everyone wants to see it succeed in this location where multiple other restaurants have failed. It is very visibly located on a busy highway leading to the causeway connecting the mainland to the barrier island. That may be a part of the jinx for this restaurant building that is also uninspiring both outside and inside. Here are a few pluses and minuses about our first visit:
Pluses . . .
1. Everyone, except me, thoroughly enjoyed their food, once we finally got served.
2. Server was excellent.
3. Very clean.
4. The saltwater aquarium was a nice touch at the entry but was against the wall and not visible until we were leaving. Would be entertaining if one were waiting to be seated. I would put it as a focal point and more visible at the entrance, maybe as a divider.
5. Extensive menu, unique selections that were very colorfully and creatively presented at the table.
6. Appetizers were a hit!
7. Service staff brought out a fabulous dessert with a candle and sang "Happy Birthday!" We all joined in and it sounded real good! The staff were enjoying singing, too . . . I could tell by their big smiles!!!!
Minuses . . .
1. Uninspired building, entrance, décor, furniture, and parking lot. For the outdoor service, if you like eating next to a busy highway and an ugly parking lot . . .
2. No host/hostess . . . not the hallmark of a first-class restaurant (it was a hurried busboy who finally sat us).
3. A makeshift electrical chord straddled one of the chairs, at each table, to connect the grill (code violation?).
4. Understaffed . . . on a Sunday night and not that busy, it took a long time for everything to unfold. Drinks came in a timely way and orders were also taken in a timely way, but the appetizers took over an hour to arrive. The entries began arriving later and by the time the last of our guest was served, most of the rest of the party were finished. This tells me the kitchen is very understaffed, as was the wait staff, it seemed.
5. My Bulgogi was tough, grisly and flavorless. It was served on a bed of raw onions that I'm still tasting today. Sautéed would have been much better. Rice was very dry--would have been much better with a gravy. Fortunately, everyone else really enjoyed their choices!
Conclusion: This is an average restaurant but with a very hard-working crew. It is a restaurant that I would like to see succeed. It has a cultural appeal that could make the difference between success and failure . . . however, unless Restaurant Impossible pays them a visit, I'm not sure they will make it. Would I recommend this restaurant . . . yes if you are a big fan of Asian cuisine . . . no if you demand complete excellence in your dining experience! read more