![]() ![]() ![]() More generally, I was left with a feeling that she was simply indifferent to my presence at one of her tables, particularly given the level of engagement I witnessed at the other tables. While appreciative of my honesty, it proved yet another indicator of her inattentiveness. When it came time for the check, I had to inform my waitress that she had not included my Annex bar tab. And the wine was an excellent complement to the meal. The creamed corn was outstanding not at all the mushy mess you were served as a child. The pork was tender, ample in portion size, and the iced-tea cure created a lovely, complex (but not sweet) pork flavor. However, she did brush by to check on my satisfaction with the meal. I had no idea that there were soups to consider. Unfortunately, none of that occurred at my lonely table of one. (Why do so many restaurants off-load the responsibility for bringing drinks and food to table away from the waiter or waitress? It's an unnecessary discontinuity in service.) While enjoying the very good glass of wine and a very flavorful meal, I noticed my waitress introducing herself to the other diners, chatting up the other tables - especially that table of five (the magic number!) - and noting the soup selections. The wine never arrived had to prompt the server when he brought my meal to the table to fetch my wine. I chose their featured wine (a blend from Colorado) to accompany my meal. ![]() I posed two possibilities and she offered her recommendation of the two: iced tea-cured pork loin with creamed corn and a garnish. My waitress appeared very shortly thereafter and asked if I was ready to order. Very helpful and accommodating, I thought.) The patio presented another very nice dining area: comfortable, casual seating well spaced and enclosed. (The greeter said there was no problem adding the beer tab to my restaurant check and he would inform my waitress according. When I was directed to head back to the restaurant, my beer and I were escorted to the outdoor patio. In addition to seating at the bar, the Annex also has lounge sofa and chair seating and boasts a number of cocktail specialties and food selections. If I have to wait a while to be seated, though, the Annex is a nice space to while away the time. The estimate of a 10-minute wait was ambitious about 20 minutes later I was informed that my table was ready. Be that as it may, I wandered over around 6:30 on a Monday evening and was shunted to the Annex to wait for a table to clear. In hindsight, that sends a message about who matters to this establishment. But then the Tinderbox website does describe their "crew" as "unpredictable." Tinderbox does not take reservations for dining groups smaller than five. While I was very pleased with my meal, I must note my displeasure with the lack of effort and attentiveness of my waitress. Very near the top of the list, unfortunately, now sits Tinderbox Kitchen. We were pleased enough to try the companion coffee shop and café (The Tourist All Day Café) a few doors down the next morning for breakfast.I have raised this issue in other reviews: the shoddy treatment of the solo diner. The food was fresh, flavorful (well seasoned) and hit the spot. The wait staff are polite, friendly and efficient and the open kitchen is fun to watch. Accompanied by a lovely red wine (from the intriguing selection of odd-ball cocktails and wines) and preceded by a velvety, flavorful squash soup this was a totally satisfying dinner. The filet mignon dinner reasonably priced was a perfectly sized portion, cooked exactly to order and served with a delicious sauce, blistered green beans and potatoes. This was so good that it will also become an addition on our rotation as we pass through town in the future. On our trip passing through in November of this year we decided to change things up so we tried Tinderbox Kitchen for the first time and we were delighted. We frequently stop in Flagstaff when making a trip between New Mexico and Southern California, but our usual stop is a fantastic Thai restaurant in the downtown area. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |