Marc Aka Max H.
Yelp
It's been more than 7 years since my review first appeared on yelp, and it was so awesome that it received ROTD. Having visited the other night after a 4 year absence I thought it appropriate to provide an updated review.
Simply put, not much has changed. The menu is basically the same, with daily "features" aka specials which rotate and frankly, are not that special.
We dined early, arriving at 4pm midweek. There was torrential rain and blustery winds, and while it would have been jammed if it weee a sunny warm November day, it was just the opposite. The host joked and asked if we wanted one of their coveted outdoor tables that some will wait up to 45-60 minutes to get, we smiled and said "no, indoors will be just fine". We did indicate the area where we wanted to sit, which was in the ear near the windows.
Our server was an attentive young man named Clark, and he too was in good humor when I asked him if he had a Superman outfit under his white shirt. While he said no, it would have been better if he had proved that he didn't. He did mention he had a telephone booth in the back, if he needed to make a quick change.
We ordered a draft beer, bottle of sparkling water and some sort of girly sounding quasi martini drink. My husband didn't like the drink and I suggested he return it and order another. Rather than do that he finished it and then ordered a Stoli martini very dry with three olives. And that was more to his liking.
We then ordered the coconut shrimp,!which I remember as being larger shrimp and a more tangy/spicy sauce. Ah, perhaps that is because everything used to be larger and more spicy, but frankly, while it was good, it wasn't great.
The flame burnt artichoke special - ah - feature - was juicy, thick m, and aer Ed with a delicious sauce. If you're into artichokes, you'd like this.
We each ordered broiled pork chops, the order comprised of two chops. When we asked to have it split in the kitchen, we were told there was an $8 surcharge, but we could then order another side (to be split) for that $8. Frankly, I try ought that was tacky, and just a way to get another $8. After all, what's the big deal in the kitchen to slap 2 chops on one plate vs one chop on two different plates. Upset the routine of the line cooks? Bi doubt it, just another surcharge to fall to the bottom line.
Neither side of unloaded baked potatoes and asparagus were hot. The asparagus was cold while the baked potatoes were barely warm. We stopped eating the asparagus, and put it on a plate, but decided to eat the baked potato before it got colder. We asked Clark to take the asparagus away and bring a hot portion, which he did. They still looked evacuated, but they were cooked well
The pork chop was small and not tender. I've had pork chops at J Alexanders and Seasons52, and they were far better at the same price point. When we return we will not review-order.
We did order a wedge salad and jokingly asked if it could be split in the kitchen without incurring another $8 surcharge and Clark amenably said yes, he would bring extra plates. Well, that's not the same as having it split in the kitchen and brought out on 2 different plates. Frankly, that puzzles me. But such is the Kaluz way.
The wedge salad was delicious. I'd definitely re-order it.
So, service was admirable, food quality was not as good as I recalled, and the policy of not splitting plates without up charges is annoying.
And the much needed valet is no longer free, $5 charge. With a tip, that's pricey for a Resturant which doesn't have sufficient parking on their property and uses an adjacent lot to park the valeted cars.
If it seems like I'm focusing too much on charges, I guess that's because it was a focus of the dinner, rather than outstanding food. But the service should be rewarded, Clark was truly super!
Note to management about those huge windows facing the intracoastal which were leaking water quite a bit in the rainstorm. Ask any engineer - if water can seep through, so can wind. There is clearly a breach in the rubber seal between frame and glass. I would not want to be sitting anywhere near there when hurricane force winds were in the area. And neither would you!
I still rated a 4, because overall it deserves a high rating. But management should think about some of not all of the issues I raised.