We may not do reviews at MenuPages, but our legions of users are all over that. Here are three of the best from the past week:
This review for Agami came on in May 3rd from “Next door”, and is full of backhanded compliments:
I liked walking into this place. It was beautiful and quite sassy, but how do you sit at a sushi bar and order from a waitress when the chefs that prepare your food are right in front of you? Hence the term, sushi bar…? I think someone screwed up royally there. Pretty and fun inside, but service is bizarre. They’re all over the place, or no place at all. Food was delicious, especially if you’re not the true sushi lover. The menu is extensive with an incredible assortment of rolls, You’ll find something you like even if you’re not a fish fan. The cocktail lounge and bar is so enticing. I’d recommend settling and eating where the server can’t go far. :-)
Sassy sushi, substandard service…sorry for that alliterative interlude, but we rather like the use of “sassy” to describe, well, almost anything. Most intriguing part of this review: that the deliciousness of this food is calibrated specifically for the tastes of a sushi non-lover. Maybe gobs of spicy mayo?
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On May 4th, “Anonymous” had the following to say about Green Zebra:
Just enough food, and a bit too much attitude.Food was very good. Very intricate selection of flavors. They come in small portions which is great, just when you are ready for another bite, your plate is empty and all you want is just one more taste. Just before you can figure out what happened, they carefully place another artfully arranged plate of deliciousness in front of you. The emotional roller coaster goes on for about 3 more plates. Until finally when it’s over, you are surprisingly full and very satisfied. A few from the female staff seemed quite pretentious for some reason, maybe it was just me. 2 from my table noticed the other 2 didn’t. It’s definitely worth a second shot, I would hate to not be able to eat here b/c I feel unwelcome. In my opinion this place is a very good value at $55 for the chefs tasting menu. I couldn’t duplicate that meal in my house for my wife and I at that price and that’s where I see the value.
An “emotional roller coaster,” indeed. There is definitely a trauma to small plates; one cannot seriously commune with any one dish, because by the time the tastebuds decipher the nature of a particular morsel, it’s gone. Our reptilian brains feel slighted, and scared that no more food is to come. We enter into starvation panic mode, just as another small plate appears and the cycle is repeated. But the real psychological trauma begins when the bill arrives…
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Finally, consider this May 6th review for Bin 36, from “pretty good”:
ok ok i like this place but there are a few things that i wish would change. 1. the atmosphere is unfriendly at first. there will be people dressed up in their designer whatever that will stare at you on your way to your table… you have to get to your table and try not to look around to get comfortable. 2. you’ll spend $40 on a portion of food that wouldn’t feed a bird but the presentation is cute. 3. the furniture and seating arrangements are too close, the area is too open and cold feeling, and the aluminum chairs are very uncomfortable… unless you’re fortunate enough to get a booth you’ll be sitting on cold aluminum out in the open for everyone to look at you and seemingly judge.all in all the food, wine, cheese and wait staff are worth the trouble but it really depends on your mood that day. it’s not the kind of place that you would want to go to unless you really feel like dealing with the “in” crowd which for me, is usually never.
An “emotional roller coaster,” indeed. There is definitely a trauma to small plates; one cannot seriously commune with any one dish, because by the time the tastebuds decipher the nature of a particular morsel, it’s gone. Our reptilian brains feel slighted, and scared that no more food is to come. We enter into starvation panic mode, just as another small plate appears and the cycle is repeated. But the real psychological trauma begins when the bill arrives…
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Finally, consider this May 6th review for Bin 36, from “pretty good”:
