2941 Revisited

[Luther]

Took the Girlie to 2941 last night for our 6 month "mesaversary" - I figured the club would not be returning anytime soon, so it was a pretty safe bet for lack of redundancy.  Had some more comments this time around:

1) The price really wasn't that bad - it was $30/entree - we must have gotten some pretty decent wine there last time for it to have earned its pricey rep (which is why I might have remembered it being cheaper then everyone else - I didn't probably have any).  We ordered off of the tasting menu, which was a good deal pricier ($95 for the lightest 5 course).  Honestly, if we had avoided the tasting menu, Capital Grille would have been on par (and BTW - Capital Grille was really damn good for a steak house - might have been one of my favorites to date).

2) The tasting menu was definitely worth it - I was actually a good deal more impressed then I was with the original trip there.  The five courses consisted of: soft-shell crab, bass, hake /w a langustino, caribou with parsnip puree, and a collection of bittersweet deserts (mousse, tart and ice cream) that were absolutely amazing.  They also threw in an extra appetizer from the chef (duck with endives and a piece of shrimp in a mango sauce), and a palate cleansing with coconut soup and mango sorbet before desert.  Oh - and of course - the macaroons and cotton candy.  Honestly - 5 courses was pretty right on - I am sure I would have felt nigh-dead if I had done the full 9 (which really ends up being like 12 with the cotton candy, appetizer and palate cleanser).

3) Service was not nearly as impressive as when we went en masse - not sure if that was because we were a smaller party, or it was a sunday night, or they were rolling out the red carpet before because it had just opened.  No simultaneous delivery - no crumb waiter - we didn't order wine, so I can't comment on the semaliae (sp??) - no napkin refold.  In short - service was good, but not amazing - just decent.  Olives is probably stronger in that area - and definitely Chez Francoise, or Inn at Little.

4) One thing that will always make the place awesome though - no matter what - it is gorgeous.  Between the forest, the fountain, the coy pond, the high ceilings - the whole place is awesome.  Even nice squishy chairs.

All in all - good times.  If ya go back - I recommend that tasting menu - unexpectedly yummy.

[Rainee]

Well, when we went, we all did the menu spontané, which was $87, because when vegetarians come along, we screw you for the tasting menu.   Sure, $30/entree isn't bad, but when you go to somewhere like 2941, you aren't just going to order an entree, because you want to experience the variety of the chef's talents.  At least, where you = me.  Their summer menu doesn't have a lot to tempt me.

[Luther]

Yeah is true, the vegetarians are bad for the tasting menu - though a sacrifice that is more then worth it for the company.  I don't think you get to see what a restaurant is really made out of w/o doing it though - so if you are there vegetarian-less I would almost always recommend.

Entree - yeah - and the portion size isn't particularly large either - - but if you figure - $15 for appetizer, $30 for entree, $15 for dessert - you can get out of there for a $100/head including wine as long as you aren't but so crazy with the wine purchase.  We made it out for $220 including tip (though no wine - and the $95 tasting menu).  That is still a lot of green - but isn't nearly as bad as someplace like Inn or Maestro, Equinox or even Francoise - it is closer to Olives, Kinkeads or Mortons.  I am still not gonna go because I am bored on a Thursday night - but it is a pretty decent value all things considered.

BTW - or we ever planning on going to Citronelle as a crew?  It gets great reviews - and I am all about the French food.  Maybe after Maestro....

[Luther]

Hmmm.... - maybe the $220 was before tip - my math skills are rebelling against the concept that 95 x2 + 20% is 220 - checking my CC statement - make that ~$250 - but again that is with the tasting menu - which even at 5 courses was an excessive amount of food.