Restaurant & Dining Reviews- The Raving Palate
-
2012 Chicago Bib Gourmands Announced!
Chicago, have you dined at a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant recently? Today, we’re thrilled to announce the...
-
It’s time for THE GRUB STREET FOOD FESTIVAL MENU! WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP!!!
CUPCAKES:
Chicken n’Waffles: Vanilla “Waffle” cake, vanilla...
-
quay, sydney
you know how excited some people get when their chosen troupe of athletic professionals achieves some form of triumphant gain? well,...
-
Prune stuffed gnocchi @ Park No 9, Boston
-
Restaurant: Arcadia Restaurant - October 23, 2011
Address: 100 W. San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408.278.4555
Website
twitter: @ArcadiaSteak
- Food: Modern American, Steakhouse
- Attended: Dinner
- Decor/Ambiance: Contemporary, dark woods, leather, and glass
- Cost: $$
- Rave Factor: 4 Stars
Service: 3/4 Food: 3/4 Presentation: 2/4 Concept: 4/4 Value: 4/4
Review:
This restaurant was fine in food and in service. The food was seasoned very well and the presentation was simple. We’ve always been a fan of simple foods: nothing fussy, where the main ingredient can really shine through. The service was great and the atmosphere was romantic. Great date night place!
Restaurant: Fleur de Lys - San Francisco, CA
Address: 777 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 673-7779
Website
- Food: French
- Attended: Dinner
- Decor/Ambiance: Antique French
- Cost: $$$
-
Rave Factor: 5 Stars
Service: 4/4 Food: 4/4 Presentation: 4/4 Concept: 3/4 Value: 3/4
This dining experience was top notch in delivering great and attentive service, innovative flavors and textures, and amazing meal presentations. It proved that it was worthy of being a Michelin star restaurant. Everything from the amuse bouche to the dessert had either, or both, new and creative flavor profiles and concepts. The dishes were very well-balanced and the presentation was always appealing.
Review: The decor of the restaurant was very French-antique with red/gold/brown fabric lining the ceiling and draping the walls. The lighting was very dim, which made for a romantic setting. Our reservation was at 5pm so the noise level was just perfect if someone were to go there for a date.
- A wine waiter
- A restaurant employee who orders and maintains the wines sold in the restaurant and usually has extensive knowledge about wine and food pairings.
- 1. the practice or art of choosing, cooking, & eating good food.
- 2. the cooking of a particular area: "traditional American gastronomy"
- 3. Wylie Dufresne, as in WD~50
- 1. used as a way to cleanse the palate in between courses
- 2. small, light and refreshing, usually a sorbet or light sparkling wine
Restaurant: Left Bank - San Jose
Address: 377 Santana Row, Suite 110, San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: (408) 984-3500
Website
- Food: French
- Attended: Dinner
- Decor/Ambiance: Parisian-style brasserie
- Cost: $$
-
Rave Factor: 3 Stars
Service: 1/4 Food: 2/4 Presentation: 2/4 Concept: 2/4 Value: 3/4
Overall, the food was average and the quality was average as well. They have problems with temperature control, which concerns me with quality as well as food safety. The service could use some retraining and education about their own menu, both food and drinks. The highlight of the evening was the fondue and Rue Cler cocktail. The atmosphere was nice, but the noise level was quite high. If going on a romantic date, I would suggest one of the booth seats, definitely not towards the back as the tables are very close together.
Review: Our reservation was at 7pm and we were seated promptly. The revolving doors in the front of the restaurant were a classy touch and reminiscent of upscale European establishments. The first item delivered to the table was a water carafe - reminiscent of brasseries in France - and a convenience throughout the meal as we did not have to wait for more water from the waiter on the busy Friday night. When our waitress arrived, we asked for a recommendation on a cocktail and entree. She was not knowledgeable of the menu, but did suggest the Rigatoni D’automne as one of her favorites. Bread was served promptly, but the waitress was not visible when we needed more butter.
- 1. a single, bite-sized hors d’œuvre
- 2. a small complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants
- French, literally, (it) entertains (the) mouth
Restaurant: Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar at the Fairmont - Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA - October 1, 2011
Address: 950 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: 1-415-772-5000
Website
Email: sanfrancisco@fairmont.com
- Food: Californian
- Decor/Ambiance:
- Cost: $$$
-
Rave Factor: 5 Stars
Service: 4/4 Food: 3/4 Presentation: 3/4 Concept: 3/4 Value: 4/4
Overall, the Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar had a marvelous service staff. From the evening’s experience it was clear that the staff took great pride in their work and strived to reflect the reputation of excellence at The Fairmont Hotel. What was also evident was that every element of the restaurant was in close communication, with attributed their attentiveness and efficiency. The exquisite food and ambiance provided the perfect backdrop for a a romantic couples’ dinner or an upscale dining experience for small groups. We give this a combined score of 17/20, placing the Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar at a Rave Factor of 5 out of 5; we absolutely look forward to future dining experiences!
A special thanks to The Fairmont Food & Beverage Manager Mindi Morin, Restaurant Manager Max Rivadeneira, and Chef de Cuisine Joshua Rogers for accommodating our party and helping make the evening thoroughly enjoyable. The Fairmont (@FairmontSF) social media team should also be commended in their facilitating communication online with the property - truly a case study in how restaurants should be utilizing and managing social media.
Review: When we arrived for our reservation at 6:45pm, a host was ready and waiting at the front to check us in and lead us to the table. The decor was a continuation of The Fairmont lobby - a mixture of classic elegance was very appropriate for the concept of the restaurant.
Restaurant: The Melting Pot
Address: 2 North B Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: 650-342-6358
Website
twitter: @SMMeltingPotCA
- Food: Fondue
- Attended: Dinner
- Decor/Ambiance: Modern
- Cost: $$$
-
Rave Factor: 2 Stars
Service: 1/4 Food: 1/4 Presentation: 2/4 Concept: 3/4 Value: 1/4
Review: First impressions are crucial developing the experience at a restaurant. When first greeted by the hostess, we found the low cut top and visible undergarments to detract from the otherwise promising decor and ambiance.
Restaurant: Alexander’s Steakhouse - September 30, 2011
Address: 10330 North Wolfe Road, Cupertino, CA 95014
Phone: 408-446-2222
Website
twitter: @alexandersv1
- Food: Steak, Japanese influenced
- Attended: Dinner
- Decor/Ambiance: modern Japanese
- Cost: $$$$
-
Rave Factor: 3 Stars
Service: 1/4 Food: 3/4 Presentation: 4/4 Concept: 2/4 Value: 3/4
Overall, the service was terrible, with the exception of the support staff, who, along with some of the dishes, really salvaged some semblance of a Michelin 1-Star restaurant. The presentation of the dishes were impeccable and elevated most of the dishes. Since this experience might have been ‘one of a kind’ in terms of the overall impact, we will most likely revisit in the near future.
Review: Our reservation was at 9pm. As we walked through the entrance, it was interesting to see the cuts of meats to our left and their wine racks to the right - a creative way to showcase the freshness of the ingredients. We were seated quickly, but without menus. It was dimly lit with Japanese Shoji Screens at every room division.
