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 luck[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?
They’re open? Ohhh, smart sneaky bastards…
Please rate the Bar:
Not quite open yet ("Friday… maybe… hopefully…")— but it’s nice. Looks great, spacious, comfortable. True, the location (2nd floor, through the dining room) is a bit odd, but hey it worked for Freemans just fine, so what the hells do you know.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
The ‘by the glass’ list looks good. Decent selections, fine diversity, nice price point. The cocktails list is creative but grounded. Tried the Fizz Something (with champagne and St. Germain, was it?) and the one with the Aperol. Both very tasty and refreshing.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Very nice. Great banquettes. Apparently, it supposed to be "the opposite of Freemans," so— yeah. That would explain the lack of dead animal ornamentation.
Please rate the BOH:
Solid. No, really. Aint nobody green up in this muhfuh…
How was the staff?
Very good. And it’s pretty much everybody you already know, so what’s not to love about that.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Turkey/Avocado Sandwich (Guacoturkey, was it called? Something like that) : Mmmm, delicious. Fresh, and hearty but light. And I really looove the homemade chips.
Burger : Very good. Perfectly cooked, succulent, juicy. Good fries, too. There goes my low-carb diet.
Mini Corn Dogs : Love it.
Romaine with Buttermilk and Lardons : Not such a fan of buttermilk dressing usually, but this one’s not bad. Pretty heavy, though. Oh and I’ve been around enough French peoples in my lifetime to have cultivated a considerable disdain for cutting lettuce with a knife. So when I get full hearts like this, I usually prefer them separated from the stalk (or whatever) so I can just pick the leaves up with my fingers instead. But ya know, don’t mind me. I’m just sayin.
Apple Walnut Crumble : Ohh my…
Pineapple Upside Down Cake : Ack! Stop. Overload.
What did you like?
The simplicity.
What did you dislike?
Well, there’s the thing with the stools, but I think I ‘get it’… (Restaurant Psychology: 210)
What was your last impression?
Just as I was thinking about moving into this neighborhood…
Would you come back?
Yes.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
No no, thank YOU.
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?
Industrial…
Please rate the Bar:
Spacious, nice, clean, rustic. Again, industrial. Fine— but not much more.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Decent cocktail list, with respectable ingredients. I never think of wine (except maybe for sangria) in a Mexican restaurant, so I completely forgot to look at the offerings. Ditto on the beer selection; sorry, I was too busy contemplating the cocktail list… which, although fine, isn’t quite outstanding. Prices are not bad; $10 for a Margarita, $11 for something called a Margarita Tamarindo…
Aaand the Margarita is OK— could be better.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Spacious, but… rustic and industrial. Reasonable use of space, but hardly what I’d call creative. The open kitchen dining counter in the back is interesting (but quite brightly lit).
Please rate the BOH:
Obviously still getting oriented— to be expected, I suppose. I like the concept behind the menu, but the execution probably needs more time…? Also, presentation clearly isn’t the point here.
How was the staff?
Good. Warm, welcoming, proficient but easy-going, undoubtedly experienced. No complaints.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Guacamole : Eh, I’ve had better. Hell, I’ve made better— in my kitchen at home (and I’m not a chef or Mexican). In the wise words of our founder: Just sayin’.
Picaditas de Jaiba : Not bad. Not extraordinary— but I’m apt to give them points on the pricetags; they leave less room for criticism. Hey, you get what you pay for. The crabmeat is fresh enough, and the flavor is fine.
Ensalada Morada : Good. Nice greens. Small, but tasty. But again, there are things I’d… just do differently, I guess.
Tacos de Pibil : Good. A little inconsistent on the portion size (and that’s just on one plate), but flavorful. Smaller than those offered by DUMBO’s contemporaries (La Esquina, Cabrito, etc.) but also lesser priced.
Burritos de Res : Eh. Yeah, this one could use a little tweaking. C-
Cecina : Fine. Homestyle. Just a tad overcooked though, but palatable and kind of hearty. I’ve been given worse for $16.
What did you like?
The pork tacos were pretty good.
What did you dislike?
I’d say "nothing." But, I also anticipate they’ll improve once they’ve settled in. There’s plenty of potential here.
What was your last impression?
It won’t replace my favorite Mexican by any means, but I’ll probably keep it in mind…
Would you come back?
Hmm, possibly? Nice location.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks and have a good evening.
Are we tired of hearing about Indochine’s 25th Anniversary party yet?
Never!
N E V V V E R R R ….!
:)
See also:
• SPOTTED: Indochine’s 25th Anniversary
• Video: Indochine’s 25th Birthday
= "personne extraordinaire"