- Food - 16
- Service - 10
- Ambiance - 8.5
- Wine** - 4
- Total - 88.5
- Price - $$$
The Skinny
Let me say something about restaurants that continues to baffle me. Ambiance is something that in the short-term just can't be fixed. Food and service can be different from evening to evening...but it has to be consistent and fit the ambiance in which it's served. Chaya (http://www.thechaya.com/) was a disappointment. Situated on Embarcedero overlooking the Bay Bridge, this place has been blessed with good looks and sex appeal (French/Japanese cuisine - which even sounds sexy). But last night was like going to dinner with a beautiful woman and then watching her fall asleep in her food. Their lack of attention to what makes them distinctive was a let down for how amazing this place could be. I walked in, looked around, and said to myself, "Yup, this is going to be awesome!" And honestly it started that way too. Erin and I sat at the bar waiting for our table and had a drink and appetizer of tuna tartare. Amazing. And the bartender JJ...hilarious. Told us about entering his dog, Manny, into the fastest Chihuahua in SF race earlier that day. He was into the story and into making it a fun evening for us. So like I said, it started out great.
Unfortunately, that level of service didn't continue. We had a very nice waiter who didn't even blink when we showed him the bottle of wine we brought - 1998 Heitz - Trailside Selection. He decanted it and did everything right. Sadly though, he left us alone for about 20 minutes without checking back and allowing us to order. I'm nit-picking, but then we spent a lot to eat there and were expecting much better service. The slow service continued throughout the meal and forced Erin to almost miss her favorite dessert of warm chocolate cake.
About the wine score, it got a 4 not because of the wine but due to the high corkage fee ($25), huge pours, and slow service. The wine was amazing.
I ordered the rainbow roll for a second appetizer (I was hungry from tromping around Napa Valley) and the ribeye for the main course. The roll wa great. The ribeye was ok - slathered in butter and only warm when it arrived. Not the best selection on the menu.
My advice - go. The place is really beautiful, the music (live jazz) appropriate, and the views are spectacular. Definitely meet JJ and have a great time. Hopefully the service was a fluke. But if the can't provide better service because of how busy they get, then they should remove tables and focus on fewer patrons.
1 comment:
Bummer that your steak wasn't great. I agree with all of your comments, and am glad you only gave them a 4 for wine. The glassware didn't warrant a 5, and the waiter seemed a little unsure of what to do when someone brings their own wine. I do think you need a bonus category for when you find things like JayJay.
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