Dr. Sophia Thomas (Hayia Sophia)
Google
We ended up at Hearsay after hearing good things and wanting to indulge in something a little elevated. When we arrived, we were told a reservation was required to be seated on the weekends, even though the whole downstairs was empty. The hostess, in that same sentence, said she could still get us seated. Our server was very attentive, soft-spoken, respectful, knowledgeable about the menu, and overall, provided the expected type of service for the beautiful atmosphere.
We ordered the Southwest Eggrolls, the Redfish with green beans, and their award-winning gumbo. Let’s start with the gumbo. My partner who’s a proud grandma’s boy and usually eats every bite, whether he likes it or not couldn’t finish his bowl. That told me all I needed to know, so I tried it myself. The roux was solid, but the flavor was overwhelmed by what tasted like liquid smoke. Not the soulful charred edge that makes gumbo sing, but a sharp, borderline burnt taste that felt more chemical than culinary. And the sausage and chicken were chopped so finely, I had to ask: Is it still gumbo if you need my bifocals to find the meat?
The redfish was cooked well but needed salt. It didn’t have a wow factor. The green beans were fresh, but again, there was no standout moment. And the Southwest Eggrolls? Here’s where I’ll be honest: in a place requiring reservations and serving drinks in a chic, moody atmosphere, I shouldn’t be left wondering if my appetizer came from a deep freezer. Class was promised, and class should show up in every bite. These were okay, but they felt out of place.
Now, I'm not writing this to slam the place. I’ve worked with chefs, I own(ed) restaurants, and managed kitchens. I know kitchen staff and recipes change, and not every dish is going to hit the spot every time. I just share what we experienced at that moment, and I try to always leave the door open to come back and be surprised, in the good way. I want them to win. And I’ll gladly update this review if things are better next time we visit that area.
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