08/09/06

Great Bar Awful Performance Space

by raymondfong

The Hotel lobby itself is beautiful but the performance space is very cramped and claustrophobic feeling. Prices are suprisingly high for awful food. There were only about 4 entrees on the menu and everything was around $32. I ordered the Salmon and what came out from the kitchen was a pathetic small piece of shriveled up Salmon. I couldn't believe any restaurant would let that dish leave the kitchen. I sent it back and around 20 minutes later the waiter brought out another piece equally as small and sad looking. The chef must be an incompentent. The friend who I was with ordered Chicken Milanese which was huge, the exact opposite of the size of the salmon, however it was so overly lemony that my friend could barely eat it. I also ordered one of the specialty cocktails from the drink menu (all cocktails $15) and it was repulsive. For $15 at least make a good compentent drink. I sent the cocktail back and ordered a nice glass of wine from a good label but they kept it a the wrong temperature so the wine was too warm. At this point I realized that nothing was going to come out right so I just accepted the wine. The show we saw was pretty good but the space is not set-up for a proper live performance and we had to crane our necks to see the show. Also even though we were having full dinners and buying their expensive drinks they host gave us an awful table and saved a much better table for two people who were drinking coffee. I recommend having a drink in the beautiful Algonuin lobby but skip the Oak Room. It was one of the worst experiences I have had in a long time.

• Pros: Beautiful Lobby
• Cons: Overpriced, bad service, poor site lines