Sparrow M.
Google
Oh how I hate to write this review as someone born and raised in Chico. I think we all know the owner has/had the most longstanding and best restaurants in Chico, including Christian Micheal’s and Hudson’s (which was phenomenal!).
My husband and I went here last night for our 15th anniversary. There was no wait time because we lucked out and someone had just left a two person table because “it was too loud”. Loud it was, my friends. From 4 different massive big screen tvs all sitting within feet of each other, to music overhead, and loud parties of people…the noise level was that of a bar. I am not exaggerating. We could not hear each other; and my very affable and gregarious husband is the one who was most perturbed.
Our experience with food started off with the man sitting next to us sending his plate back for something “unacceptable” and “I can’t eat that”. I could not overhear anything else. It took them another 20 minutes to reserve him while his wife waited - with her food in front of her.
Next, we ordered the fried green tomatoes as our appetizer, a bourbon, and a Perrier. Ok. They were “out” of Perrier. So I got water from the tap that sparkled. Fine. However, when my husband’s $16 bourbon came, there was an ice cube taking up the entire glass and not even a full shot of bourbon: for $16. I repeat. $16 for less than a shot of bourbon. The fried green tomatoes were DELICIOUS, however, there were only three small slices of a tomato for $15. $5 a slice. Laughable. Fine. What was not fine was yet to come.
My husband ordered the short ribs and I ordered the chicken. The ribs were not on the bone, so it looked like it was two chunks of pot roast. Tasted “okay”: he says it had a “rubbery consistency” and “overcooked” (which seems to be the top complaint of their food after reading reviews this morning). Now, my chicken promised “carmelized onions” and ”roasted garlic au jus”. Not only were they both absent (which is why I ordered it : I am a fiend for carmelized onions and garlic), the chicken breast was torn open across the top of it and it was the single most bland breast I’ve ever tasted. No salt, onion, garlic, spices. Nothing. The “mashed potatoes” were small potatoes smashed at the bottom of the plate with no butter, salt, whipping…nothing. The “seasonal” vegetables were zucchini and yellow squash - in February. They sat in what I assume was supposed to be the “au jus broth” but generally au jus broths are used to add real roasted garlic, depth, and flavor to a dish and this had zero. So, a chicken breast on top of a soupy mess, essentially. Fine.
What took me over the edge was going into the “progressive” “Both Genders” bathroom. Sir, please hear me. Men have bathrooms and urinals because of their anatomy - they have a difficult time “hitting” the toilet water, which was evidenced by the urine stream left on the front of the seat. Yes, I can assume a male did it because our female anatomy doesn’t allow our stream to project forwards (sorry tmi). But gross. I’m at an upscale restaurant with urine on the seat!
We looked at the dessert menu but decided not to get anything since everything else wasn’t worth the taste or price point.
They also weren’t seating people outside because “the mosquitoes were too bad”. Every outdoors restaurant I’ve been at knows how to repel mosquitos, but this place was not set up to do so. The hostess had to turn away countless customers because there wasn’t enough seating (it’s small).
On a brighter note: our server was a doll. I wish I could name drop, but I did not catch her name. Cute brunette with dimples. One thing I watch for at an upscale restaurant is refilling waters regularly and checking on customers and she accomplished that; along with a bright attitude. She got a handsome tip because hey, none of the above was her fault.
Sorry, Bourbon Kitchen. I’m really sorry to leave this review, sincerely.