Tim O.
Yelp
So it had been awhile since I got together for dinner with my sister and once we had a date confirmed she decided in Cafe Touché in downtown Edison Park. The restaurant has been a staple there for many years so I figured why not, it's close and has been ok in the past. I say ok because it has never really been stellar.
I arrived first and got us checked in and had a seat at the bar. There was plenty of outdoor seating, beautiful day all around, and even more inside along the open floor to ceiling windows. I ordered an old fashioned and a few minutes later it arrived, as did my sister. I settled the bar tab and we were seated.
I was sipping on my drink while we caught up and our server Jennifer came over and asked if she could bring us anything to drink. I noticed a sediment in the bottom of my old fashioned rocks glass, it looked like tea when the bag breaks and settles on the bottom. It looked very unappealing and Jennifer said "it's just cherry juice". I looked at her quizzically and asked her to take it away. Not even the offer to replace a nearly full cocktail. My sister eyed two white wines offered by the glass and asked for samples. I'm more of a red wine guy but one of the white wines I thought would pair nicely with fish, so we each ordered a glass.
A batard of wonderful warm bread and salted butter arrived at the table, I could have eaten this all night and been happy.
We each ordered an appetizer; she the scallop special and I ordered the "fritto misto", which is basically a fried assortment of seafood. They both arrived and I wished I had ordered the scallops. Mine was just a few shrimp, tiny marshmallow sized I guess scallops and calamari rings, tossed into a plate with a side of shrimp cocktail sauce. It looked like it came out if a box from a grocery store and tasted the same. Disappointed.
My sister ordered the halibut special and I opened for the ravioli champignon, a mushroom pasta dish. It was buried in a creamy Parmesan sauce, and I mean buried.
I guess that I should have gone with the specials. While the specials are showcased I believe that staple menu items should be also top notch, am I wrong?
For the amount that we paid, including a total of three glasses of wine, I have to say that I won't be going back.
***UPDATE***
This kind of makes sense, not that poor food is ever acceptable but now that three restaurants in the same block are closing I expect Touché to be gone soon as well. Property is being razed and rebuilt.