We've eaten here a couple times before, and really enjoyed it. But last night's New Year's Eve experience was unspectacular, despite the great company.
Our reservation was at 10pm. We walked past at 9pm, en route to The Phoenix Irish Pub for some whistle-wetting, and Abbott's Cellar looked quiet. We hoped it might liven up by the time the late shift arrived, so we ignored that warning sign for the time being.
However, when we got back for our 10pm slot, the place felt far from sold out and to cap it all we were ushered to a table at the far end of the restaurant, to a place that was even quieter and devoid of atmosphere. So much for a lively, party to bring in the New Year.
The menu was a set five courses with some selectablity, and an optional beer or wine pairing.
There were six of us, so we had plenty of scope for tasting everything that was available. But there just didn't feel there was a wide enough variety, and what we did choose was mostly un-inspiring - certainly falling short of our previous experiences here.
I won't bother listing every dish we had, but very few of them elicited any gasps of excitement from our group.
The Bison Tartare, or The Crepinette of Quail, or Ricotta Gnocchi all sounded interesting, but were destined to disappoint. The Scallop, Prawn, Oyster and Seaweed Salad tasted like it had been dragged through a puddle on a cold, dark dock somewhere dull.
There was some respite on the flavor front with the Rib-eye and the Lamb Chops, but that was all.
The three guys fared just as poorly with our Beer pairings, which ranged from the too-wheaty, through the too-malty, to the one that we just couldn't drink, for its flavor was reminiscent of melted iron bar.
The desserts were all very good, but came too late to label the meal a success.
At least our limos were cranked up and waiting for us outside at 1am, so all was not lost.
I'll just have to do better for Holly and Tom, Beverly and Lawrence, and my hot date next time.
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