PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of lucks[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Cozy, nice.
Please rate the Bar:
The bar is spacious and comfortable, but unfortunately the bartender is somewhat of a ditz. It took a little while for him to acknowledge us, even though the bar wasn’t entirely full. Then we asked for a taste of a wine by the glass. It turns out he had to open a new bottle. So, we try it and decide we’ll take the whole bottle and inform him thusly. We wait almost five minutes while he has a discussion with another group. Eventually, I ask a waitress behind the bar, "Can you just grab our bottle from him, please?" and she tells him we need his attention. He replies, "Oh, yeah," but seems annoyed by our impatience. He proceeds to present a brand new bottle to us, so I ask, "Didn’t you just open that other bottle?" He responds, "Oh, yeah, I could just give you that one, right?" and then finally gives us our bottle.
Later, after we’ve already ordered and eaten five tapas from the menu, we decide perhaps we’d like one more. As we’re perusing the menu, we just happen to overhear another waitress (temporarily behind the bar, fetching a bottle for one of her tables) advising the couple sitting next to us not to neglect "the specials," and she proceeds to run down a list of FIVE additions to the menu, three of which we surely would have ordered had we been given the option beforehand.
As we do decide we’re still slightly hungry, we ask the bartender, "Do you have any specials on the menu tonight?" And he responds, "Oh, yeah! Duh," and then describes them to us. And now we’re annoyed, as we would have undoubtedly preferred some of those choices instead.
By the way, earlier, he’d also informed us the "baby eels" were 86’ed— after we placed our order.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
The wine list is brief and entirely Spanish. It could be improved upon (it doesn’t include some some good available options at lower price points, e.g.), especially for a place so decisively designated a "wine bar."
Please rate the Dining Room:
Not bad. A apt and imaginative use of such spare square footage.
Please rate the BOH:
Better than I expected. The menu is quite good and creative. Timing, presentation and execution all proficient.
How was the staff?
So-so. Not the most amiable bunch, and I can tell by the bartender’s demeanor, he actually thinks he’s good. So, if that’s an indication of the restaurant’s overall standards, they have some problems.
The runner on the other hand, though, was adept and particularly considerate.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Anchovy and goat cheese "cocas" (small flatbread) : Very good. Simple, but tasty.
Sardine with chorizo paste "cocas" : Good. Interesting. Not a fan of the slimy red peppers, though.
Jamon Iberico : Fine. But I didn’t need to have this; I wish I’d known about the "specials" earlier.
Sirloin empanadilla : Very good. Crispy and delicious. Great drinking food.
Shrimp in garlic sauce : Traditional style. Very good. Lots of garlic. Hearty.
Pork belly "special" : Very good, very tender. Rich and gratifying.
What did you like?
The food.
What did you dislike?
The bartender.
What was your last impression?
I wonder if I should come back and try that paella….
Would you come back?
Maybe.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks, it was a pleasure.
Tags: BARS, F&F REVIEWS, WINE
= "personne extraordinaire"