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San Francisco/Bay Area restaurant reviews by Chris NorrisArchive for What was I thinking?!
Alize, Palms, Las Vegas, NV
Alize, Palms, Las Vegas, NV
December 2007
What was I thinking?! Sadly, we had a big disappointment with the dining experience at Alize on the top floor of the Palms hotel. Here’s how our visit went:
We arrive at the top floor of the Palms and are ushered in to Alize. I immediately sense trouble since the maitre’d has that “we are more important than you” thing going. But, we are seated at a window looking out over the Strip. That’s pretty cool! The sommelier arrives and announces that they have the best collection of wines in Vegas, with over 9000 bottles and hands me the wine list. I scan it. Hmmmm. Nothing under $400. Wait! On the next page there is a Kathleen Kennedy for which I paid $70 at a tasting in Los Gatos a few months ago. $350! What?! I quickly calculate the average price of wine on a few pages of the wine list … over a $1000/bottle AVERAGE per page, with ridiculous mark-ups on common wines. Screw these guys. I ordered a glass of pinot for $15 bucks.
At this point, I’ll admit I’m a little spun up. But, I take my two or three cleansing breaths, and get myself in order. We selected some appetizers, including foie gras, duck confit and Anjou pear salad. They were ok, not great. At least I’m not worrying that something bad is about to happen. About then, my risotto with mushrooms arrived, overcooked and way, way over-salted. I choked down a few bites and began to fidget. Meanwhile, Laura was picking at her chicken with a similar level of enthusiasm. Dry as a bone. Sahara dry. Bone dry. Dry. I so wish I hadn’t ordered the grand marnier soufflé for dessert. We finished up with tea and a cold and bitter espresso. Where’s Gordon Ramsey?! Bottom line: Yuck.
Chili’s in San Jose, CA
March 2007
What was I thinking? Start with a one hour wait (on a mid-week evening), complemented with no place to sit, and a huge crowd in the foyer. And for what? There is nothing this restaurant serves that doesn’t have a better alternative at a different restaurant within a one mile radius. Given that you’re basically eating food at the lowest common denominator anyway, why waste your time & money here? Try one of the alternatives: Chevy’s, Olive Garden, Fish Market, Black Angus, etc. Ok, I’ll admit that my 5 year old, who wanted to go to Chili’s on his birthday, loved the place. Sigh.
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Chili’s
Chili’s
5650 Almaden Expwy, San Jose, CA
What was I thinking?!
Start with a one hour wait (on a mid-week evening), complemented with no place to sit, and a huge crowd in the foyer. And for what? There is nothing this restaurant serves that doesn’t have a better alternative at a different restaurant within a one mile radius. Given that you’re basically eating food at the lowest common denominator anyway, why waste your time & money here? Try one of the alternatives: Chevy’s, Olive Garden, Fish Market, Black Angus, etc. Ok, I’ll admit that my 5 year old, who wanted to go to Chili’s on his birthday, loved the place. Sigh.
