No sooner had we been seated at our table with a glorious view, than a diner two tables away asks for an ash tray and proceeds to light up. As the entire restaurant is a patio and all tables are down-wind, not only does the smoker get to enjoy his cigarette but everyone around him does, too. But I will try to ignore the fact as I order a Pomtini and my husband a Mojito? they arrive and we take our first sip. I believe a Martini is best served cold, my concoction was barely above room temperature and was so thick with sugar that I could not tell if the promised grapefruit and pomegranate juices were even present. The Mojito, too, had the overdose of sugar and no hint of lime or mint. When our Brie en Croute arrived it was delicious. No one had tried to reinvent this traditional comfort food beyond recognition. The Beet Salad was woefully deprived of vinaigrette and the Lobster Bisque lacking in flavor to the point that we were comparing it to what can be had at Hamburger Hamlet and it was falling short. The Day Boat Scallops on Risotto came at room temperature and rather than ?a drizzle of star anise infused pomegranate reduction? it was swimming in a sauce much too sweet and overpowering for the dish (perhaps the bartender and chef were one in the same!). The Ahi Tartare appetizer which my husband wisely chose for his entree was simple and delicious. My dessert was a lovely Brioche Bread Pudding, warm with a robust whisky sauce but my husbands Creme Brulee was not the right temperature or consistency. Then, when the check arrives, we had been prepared both verbally and on the menu for the inclusion of the $5 valet charge but were shocked to note that it was not added on to the end of the bill but rather it was truly included so that it was taxed. When we got home we looked longingly at the cold pizza in our refrigerator reminding us of the fabulous dinner we had enjoyed at Barone?s the night before?
Pros: Beautiful ocean front locale.
Cons: Bad drinks, bad food, bad service.
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