Friday, February 10, 2012

REVIEW - Oola

This was one of our many spur-of-the-moment choices for dinner, which would've been perfectly met with a place at the counter in Chez Maman's, but as seems to be the way with many of our equivalent choices, Maman's was choc full at 8pm on a Thursday night.

So, to Oola it was. The choice along that part of Folsom Street made it easy to pick Oola - Lulu's is too family-friendly, Zero Zero is mostly pizza, so Oola's is was. 

And that summed up the experience. It isn't a destination restaurant - the food isn't worthy of that, and the atmosphere is hard to get your head around - it tries to give out this cool vibe which it's location, staff, and clientele can't match. It has too high a business-worker looking to hook-up vibe for that.

Pavey's Steak Tartar with Truffle Caviar Chantarelle Vinaigrette and Brioche went down so fast it seemed the evening was a success. My appetizer of Foie Gras Ravioli Spinach, roasted Chicken Broth and Truffle Oil was excellent, but when Pavey had hers as an entree it's full-on flavor was a bit much for her. Similarly, my Chicken Breast and Mushroom Risotto was rich and creamy, but by then I was done with rich and creamy.

The trouble was, last night felt like a Steak night, or even a Burger supper. That would have been fine. Oola didn't lift me, and maybe I wasn't in a being lifted frame of mind.

I'll know better next time.

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