The experience we had here wasn't terrible, but it left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. I dined here for New Years Eve, which happens to be my birthday. The service was mostly good aside from one small communication issue, even if it was slow. We had a lot of time in between courses and ended up there for longer than we intended, 2.5 hours in total. I ordered a drink with a bourbon I liked, which I saw sitting on the back of the bar. The server returned and let me know they didn't have that bourbon. I said okay because I was too uncomfortable to argue, and she offered me another bourbon that I liked. I asked what a pour would cost to ensure the markup at the restaurant wasn't excessive, as it was a nicer option, and she didn't know. I said that was okay and that I decided I would just have the drink with that bourbon anyway, regardless of the cost, as it was my birthday and I wanted to treat myself. She was surprised, said she'd keep it in mind that it was my birthday, and that she'd go take care of the drink order. When she returned, it was with a drink made from a third bourbon that I didn't ask for or agree to. I was disappointed I didn't get the liquor that I chose and was excited to treat myself with. I'm not sure why the order was changed when I mentioned it was my birthday, as nothing on the final bill was discounted in any way (not that it should have been, I was just confused by what happened with my drink order). Unfortunately I also did not enjoy the flavors the bourbon contributed to the final drink.
The food was good. Nothing was bad or unpleasant, and clear effort was put into the recipes and presentation. The only stand outs were the brussels sprouts and the milanese. Everything else was okay or good. The cavatappi with romesco was not to my taste, but just because the romesco sauces I have had before had a little more acidity. Others might enjoy it more. Dessert (not included) was good, I liked my affogato.
This review is specifically for New Year's Eve. Any restaurant professional would know that by creating a booked, pre-paid, significantly higher-priced holiday event, they are creating additional expectations. These expectations are the precise reason someone would be more than willing to pay $150 to dine somewhere which costs $88 any other night. Pammy's had no intention of providing a unique experience or meeting those expectations in exchange for the higher price paid, and setting your guests up with expectations you will never meet is going to leave them feeling unsatisfied.
I know that it's on me, the customer, to understand exactly what I'm paying for/signing up for when I make a prepaid reservation at a restaurant with a $50 per-person cancellation fee. But I would never have anticipated that a highly regarded restaurant like Pammy's would present a special holiday event for a 70% upcharge which offers next to nothing additional or unique. I did try my best to look for information on the NYE menu and event on Pammy's website and the OpenTable listing, however, the information provided was minimal and vague.
As someone who was really excited for a special menu/experience, after paying an additional $120 for the same 3 plate prix fixe menu they serve every day, I walked out feeling taken advantage of. Actually, one of the nicer dishes was missing from the menu entirely. There was one NYE special, an optional upgrade to the pasta course for an additional 75 dollars, and we got one complimentary splash of champagne (every restaurant that serves wine does this on NYE). As a business, you have every right to price your food and experience however you want. In retrospect, however, this feels like it was an intentional trick.
Holiday and birthday aside, it would be insane and egregious to charge that much for food and service of the quality we experienced. I would never have considered dining at Pammy's if this menu and this pricing were more clearly presented. I would have dined somewhere with a more appealing menu for a similar price, or somewhere with similar offerings and better execution for hundreds of dollars less. The experience we had didn't measure up to competition in the $200 dollar range, forget the nearly $500 dollars our check totalled with gratuity, tax, and kitchen fees tacked on. The local offerings you could enjoy at that price for 2 people would figuratively laugh Pammy's menu out of the room.
I don't think that the management here actually believed that people would happily pay $150 for their regular 3 course menu. i think they kept it vague intentionally and hoped most people wouldn't notice, and I think they were perfectly okay with those who did notice having a negative experience so long as they paid their bill at the end. This destroyed any respect I have for this establishment along with any desire to ever return. I am sure others would have a better time on any other night, but I highly discourage anyone from booking any holidays here. read more