Week 37 Sept. 9-15

Horrible Dining Day

There were a few "technically new" things this week that happened, but I didn't go out of my way to find something new to do really.  Sometimes I do, but I was busy, tired, and had a lot of afterschool activities this week. 

On Friday though, I got to go out for lunch and dinner, both to new places and both with the same results.

At work, a subcontractor took a group of us out to lunch at this really cool restaurant on the river in Richmond.  We went to a place called the Conch Republic at Rocketts Landing.  It is a "taste of the Florida Keys on the James River".  The atmostphere was really cool.  We sat outside overlooking the boat traffic on the river and enjoying the sunshine.  With a group, I ordered their lunch special, a chicken wrap, easy enough.  It came with a side, which they are supossidly famous for Aligator Chili.  They were out....at lunch....Ok, so I went with Jumbalaya.

There were about 6 in our party.  Everyones food came out exept mine.  After about 10 minutes, the waitress came out, noticed I didn't have my food, and then told me they "lost my order in the kitchen" and were rushing it out.  10 minutes later, it arrived.  Wrong order.  I didn't care at that point, as we were on a schedule, and I am not a picky eater, so I got to try their collard greens.  I must admit, the greens were excellent, so I was happy to have tried them.  So for the Conch Republic: Atmostphere 4 stars, Food 3 stars, Service 1 star.

Not to be lost though, because Jenny and I were going to go out to eat that night after Aiden's football practice.  This is the first night Jen and I have been out together, without the kids, for a nice time together.  We have been eyeing this place near us called Pescados.  This is a "vibrant mix of Caribbean and Latin flavors".....perfect!  This place came highly rated on Yelp, which I refer to to find new places and think is a great resource.

I called ahead to get a table.  They don't take reservations, so I asked about the availability on a Friday night around 8:00.  They said they are typically slowing down and it shouldn't be a problem.  The place is a lot smaller than I had thought.  It is located in  a small strip mall type center, and the architecture inside is reminicent of either a cheap mexican restrauant or an all you can eat chinese buffet.  Strike one. 

Their was a 15 minute wait, so we could wait at the bar.  The bar was full, but if you stood in line for 10 minutes, the bartender would finally acknowledge your presence and be so kind as to screw up your drink order.  Strike two.

During the next half hour, almost all of the people left the bar area, either to leave after eating, or to take their table.  As people were leaving, we started to notice the empty tables.  One, then two, then four, yet we still sat there.  Strike three.  Finally we were seated.

While at the bar, I notice a gentleman eating a whole fish.  I mean the WHOLE thing complete with a tail and head.  I mentioned to Jenny that I should ask what it was to make sure I didn't get that.  Fast forward.....I had narrowed my choices down to the Austrailian Sea Bass or the Snapper (Awarded a top dish in Richmond).  I love sea bass, but I thought I better go with the award winner!  You guessed it, the snapper, complete with a head, a tail, and all the fins.

I must admit, the food was good.  It wasn't "best I ever had" good, but definately a nice dining experience.  As discussed how they seemed to have plenty of help for such a small restaurant, but the staff didn't seem that ambitious, the bill came.  Our bid was itemized nicely, as one would expect.  About half way throught he itemized list was an item we didn't recongnize.  "Cheap Date.  $8.00"  I had to laugh and pointed out to Jenny that this must be a mistake, since she was far from a "cheap date".  Turns out, this is their "code" for a desert we had that they also offer as part of a "Cheap Date Special" they run midweek.

So for Pescado: Atmostphere 2 stars, Food 4 stars, Staff 1 star. 

It seemed such a waste to go to two potentially great restraunts in one day and have such a crappy experience at both.  I will not be in a hurry to back to either one.  I guess they all can't be winners.