Nellie F.
Yelp
I'll just start by saying the best part of our experience was our server, Grant. He was very attentive, interactive with our group and just a pleasant person.
Booked it for a pre-birthday dinner for my mom's birthday. We had 4 adults, 1 toddler and 1 infant. I made the reservation on OpenTable and it automatically offered me the Carlotta Private Room. It is out of sight of the main restaurant and is very secluded. It's a round room with old photos/paintings on the walls, some of the original furniture, and antique-y decor.
The first impression was not how pretty it was, but how smelly it was. It smelled musty and damp in there. I get that it's old, but you can still get it and keep it smelling fresh! Anyway, they had some lavash and butter with what I think was paprika as an 'amuse bouche'. We ordered beverages and then our main dishes (which were accompanied by fresh dinner rolls).
For myself, I got the Sea Bass (Branzino) which came with mille feuille potatoes and asparagus. For my toddler (since they do not have a kid's menu) and husband (who ate the lion's share of the meal), we got the 14 oz aged NY strip steak and twice-baked potato. The other adults said their food was "meh". My fish was overcooked and absolutely tasteless. I was so unbelievably disappointed. I have NEVER had to add salt to any fish dish made in a restaurant... this was a first. I had to add salt AND pepper, and still it left a lot to be desired. The mille feuille had been deep fried, such that instead of being a delicate masterpiece, it became a brick of deep-fried potato! I was not a fan. My husband was also underwhelmed with his steak. He said it tasted like they just cooked a naked steak - absolutely no seasoning.
What really ground my gears is the number of times the restaurant staff mentioned "fine dining". Now I've been fortunate enough to enjoy fine dining in several different states, and the lack of seasoning, flavor and sanitation (the smell) in this place should be reason enough to not use that phrase to define themselves. I was so disappointed by the experience. When your lavash and dinner rolls taste better than any of your entrees, you've got some serious problems. And to think the average plate sells for about $45... the least you can do is give people good food!