Sean R.
Yelp
Excellent table preparation, service, and presentation, and good wine pairings. Admittedly good quality food, many pulled directly from his own very knowledgeable cookbooks, which I cook from regularly.
The food is simply too safe however, especially considering the reputation he holds. Everything we ate used too much sugar, or rather not enough spice or fishy funk when required to offset the sweetness. If anyone knows that it's about the BALANCE of these elements it's David Thompson, so I was disappointed that he let Western tastes rule the day, to the detriment of how awesome some of these dishes could be.
Case in point; I've made his Chilli Jam at home, and use it in both traditional recipes and when I need to add something interesting to my meal. Not having photos or very clear instructions, I was curious if my version was even close to his, so I was excited to see a plate that included it. Lo and behold, when it arrives I was on the money and it looked identical. But, here's the big difference; my home version used precisely what his recipe book calls for and its FISHY, and SPICY in a really intense way. His restaurant version? It's just jam, and he pulls back from even his own awesome recipe.
That in a nutshell is my issue. It's all too safe, too sweet, and lacking that extra something when this approach is entirely unnecessary.
But hey, good wine, and an awesome staff, that part was a winner.