I want small businesses in St. Johns to survive and prosper. It's good for everyone. And I was hopeful about my first visit to No Doubts. Unfortunately, my visit left me with many doubts. First, the good....
The space itself is great. A cozy front dining/drinking area and a nice, welcoming outdoor patio in the back. The kitchen, you'll notice, is no larger than the bathroom of a small house. But the surroundings are nice. Also, you can probably find a nice glass of wine on their list to enjoy in the space. So, ideally, this is a spot to drop in for a glass of vino. The service was adequate. Friendly. You are expected to go and get your own silverware, but at least you are not asked to bus your own table. Because of the limited service, I would not tip beyond the minimum 15%. And now on to other matters....
We had ordered the Philly cheesesteak sandwich. They warn on the limited menu that it's large. And it is very large. And we were hungry, so we ordered it. Perhaps it is the size of the kitchen, perhaps it is just an under calculated culinary ability, but the sandwich is something I would be embarrassed to serve anyone. The contents are a mealy, oatmeal-like mess of cheap meat with a liquid cheese and the final insult of what appears to be French's Crispy Fried Onions scattered on top but unmistakable in every bite. Honestly, the dish is an insult to the diner and they shouldn't be serving it. We had a few bites and took the rest to go for some reason, because it's ending up in the rubbish bin. We did not try any other items on the very limited menu (limited, I presume, because of the camper-sized kitchen). But, regardless of the kitchen's size, surely an experienced cook could do better than this? And finally....
An Italian white wine, a blend, was very nice. Unfortunately, one of us ordered a cocktail named something like "the airplane"... I don't recall the exact name. This drink was the other insult. It tasted exactly like a Starburst had been melted and poured into a cup. It tasted like something out of a juice box, something intended for children. Zero taste of the alcohol that was supposedly in the glass. I love a good cocktail. It was a letdown.
This reviewer won't be returning, but I do hope they up they up their game. They should not assume people in St. Johns can't tell what quality is. Or, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe this is just the sort of mediocrity that this suburb craves. And if that's what you like, how do I argue with that? Enjoy. read more