Shade

11/16/09

Fade in the Shade

by stepup21 at Citysearch

We came here because my daughter wants to take us to restaurants in the ‘hood. (Trendy neighborhoods) Those bohemian lifestyle eateries as it were. We came on Saturday around 11 AM. The wife & daughter had eggs benedict, granddaughter the waffle. I opted for the eggs over medium, toast & something called “crispy potatoes”. I will only detail my experience as my family members found the fare adequate. The eggs were quite small, almost if they were chickens crossed with quall. Remember?, eggs over medium. Sorry, the edges were crispy on the edges (burnt) and the yolks and much of the white was runny. A single small piece of cold, dry toast (2 ½ x 2 ½) decorated the plate along with the “crispy potatoes.” The potatoes were more like little hockey pucks, dry, shriveled and tasteless. I almost forgot, behold the obligatory fresh fruit. Two grapes, a chuck of pineapple, ½ strawberry and three blueberries all placed in what I call a nice little cat food bowl.

Needless, I told my server this was unacceptable. They were nice about it, but “you know the look.” I asked to replace the egg thing with the house hamburger. Better, but not much. I was told that the meat would be cooked medium as if by looking at me (and the egg thing) that I would need it cooked to death. That is probably just what the guy in the kitchen was thinking, because over cooked was the way it came. Dry and tasteless again. It is served with a homemade bun. Homemade by Bimbo Bakeries Co. The bun was completely unremarkable, as in it tasted like newspaper. One piece of limp nasty iceberg lettuce garnished the bun along with, red onion, tomato slice and a couple of pickle segments. Condiments, again in even smaller cat foot dishes included a pale green item a red (spicy ketchup) and yellow (mustard). The green I found out later was Arugula mayonnaise. Unfortunately I had no tableware to avail myself of these little lovelies. The fries were reasonably fresh, unlike the potato pucks. All for around $11 bucks. Tasteless is the optimum word here, for all that it encompasses.

I was not charged for the eggs and to my surprise the hamburger was gratis as well. But, to the hostesses’ credit, she had to display her total grasp of the obvious and announce to one and all that the hamburger was no charge. How magnanimous of her. (As if I were oblivious or should have fawned over the offering. I would say, they know the value of the product.)

I believe that if a dim lit restaurant uses a plethora of little dishes to serve side items, they get to call themselves “Hip” ”minimalist” Eclectic-New American, “destination” ---- OMG - Blah, Blah, Blah. This place is sterile, insipid, uncomfortable and pretentious. Yes, pretentious, as in the wine list is their big “claim to fame.” If eggs and burgers are this difficult to produce, I will not be “shading the threshold” of this establishment again.

• Pros: Could not find any
• Cons: Basic Menu??

09/29/09

Incredible Place For Birthday

by Don Forlenza at Citysearch

Called Will, the pastry chef to ask if they had any cake for our daughter's birthday. Will said his carrot cake is one of his signature desserts and he would make it with organic carrots. WOW! It was fantastic. AND they packed up the rest of the cake to take home.

• Pros: Best Carrot Cake on the planet

08/17/09

Special not so special

by reussir02 at Citysearch

I was there Sunday before noon and ordered the "special cajun shrimp sandwich" with special Shade potato chips. The chips were a bit stale and the shrimp were tasteless. I was afraid there were going to be too spicy. I should wish.

• Cons: Pricey and stale