Aside from spending quality time with family, it was a disappointing dining experience. Maybe an…read moreoff night for the crew? It is a small venue that can host one large party one at a time. I thought folks sitting at the bar had a chill vibe, with the open, outdoor view. All the music played was slow tempo rnb hits - I wish they would have switched it up a little. Maybe some psychedelic soul...
I haven't been this disappointed in a dining experience in a long time. My entree order was never entered, leaving me sitting at the table for 40 minutes watching everyone else eat before my food arrived. That is a significant lapse in service coordination, especially for a restaurant where the prices suggest a much higher standard of execution.
As for the food, the overall seasoning and flavor balance were inconsistent, with several dishes falling well below expectations.
Shrimp Po' Boy: Nice, plump shrimp, nicely fried, but nothing particularly memorable and sauce was ok.
Charbroiled Oysters: If you ever been to Acme in New Orleans...you would not. Please watch the small grits of oyster shell! I never had oysters with bits of the shell on top. The oysters were small, and the cheese and toppings completely overpowered them. I wanted to taste the oysters, not have them buried beneath everything piled on top.
"Gumbos?": The flavor profile reminded me of a spicy, vegetable-heavy homemade soup base, with little of the depth and richness I would expect from a properly developed roux. It lacked the traditional character and complexity I was looking for.
Crab Bisque: One of the better dishes of the evening. It was more enjoyable than several of the other items we tried.
Brussels Sprouts: No, skip these! They were absolutely BURNT! The preparation was simply unacceptable. It was returned for fried rice - No....it totally missed the mark on seasoning.
Crab Cake: Swimming in butter/oil, which did not compliment. There was a few pieces of lump crab if you were wondering.
Calamari: Portion again - too small, fried a bit too crunchy with peculiar burnt fried onion? Another dish that failed to leave a positive impression.
The recurring issue was the lack of balance. Across the dishes I sampled, the seasoning was either too heavy or insufficient, and the spice profiles often felt poorly calibrated. Instead of allowing the ingredients to shine, the preparation frequently worked against them.
The portion sizes were another major concern. Appetizers especially, felt far too small for their prices, and the overall quality and quantity did not justify the cost of the meal.
Honestly, the kitchen needs a serious reassessment of its execution, seasoning, and quality control. Based on what we were served, it was difficult to believe these dishes reflected the intended culinary vision.
Table clearing wasn't well executed. After appetizers were cleared, that was it and nothing was cleared while we had dessert. One water carafe for my folks at the end of the table who ordered water and they were the only ones that had glasses for it. Water for the table is a standard courtesy.
Unfortunately, this one was memorable for all the wrong ones, with exception to much needed family time.