Date: April 9, 2006
Location: 5091 Solano Avenue
Corkage: ??
Cost: $108 - party of three, not including tip
Phone: 707.257.3318

ttepper called, we decided to check this place out as I haven't been before but Erin and ttepper had gone and like it in the past.

The restaurant took over the space of the old Red Hen Cantina, kind of a funky interior and not quite sure what to make out of the decoration. The table we sat at for dinner felt like it was in the middle a busy intersection, wasn't comfortable from the start.

After we sat down with the menu, a runner came and poured us water, then we were left unattended for at least 10 minutes while all the staff was just walking around our table. Had to flag a waiter down to open the bottle of wine I brought in, which he did promptly and poured us the wine. However, it was another good five minutes until our waiter finally showed up to our table and greeted us. After the standard menu addition introduction, we ordered our starters and entrees. I went with the Pepper & Herb Crusted Beef Carpaccio to start followed by a duck two-way dish for entree.

The carpaccio showed up, looking good on the plate, but upon first bite, the temperature was too cold, likely due to pre-plated and tossed in fridge only to add garnish when ordered. The balmasico glaze used for this dish was nearly frozen on the plate, hard to pick off any flavor.

Duck two-way was the oven roasted duck breast with confit of leg. Both piece of meat seemed to be lacking some flavor. There was enough basic seasoning, but both lacking something to make it complete. Didn't have the expected dimensions I would expect from a dish like this.

I don't recall what exactly ttepper and Erin ordered, but their dishes were also off the mark. Throughout the evening, the service continues to be mediocre. We were so turned off by the restaurant performance we didn't even look at the desert menu when it was offered to us by our waiter.

Luckily for the waiter, ttepper handled the bill collection and left him a tip. Although he did get yelled at for wanting to leave 20% tip. :P

For any of you thinking about visiting this place, don't bother, take your money somewhere else that's happy to see you instead.