I really try not to be too much of a Debbie Downer on the blog, but I don’t have many positive things to say tonight so I’ll keep this quick. The husband and I got really jazzed about having a fancy date and it basically was a bust. (Although that’s not to say that we didn’t have a good time being together :D)
I read about Groupon on Meghann’s blog recently and was excited to join. Today’s deal was a $40 gift certificate for $20 at a spot we’ve been wanting to try, The Wine Thief. I’ve been telling people about how I wanted to try their lobster for months so we decided to snatch the deal up.
It’s been a hectic (and stressful!) time lately so we were really excited about a fancy dinner date together.
We decided that I would order the lobster and Adam would order the scallops and we’d do some sharing. Before I show you the food I want to show you an actual shot of the entrée menu –
Here was Adam’s dish.
A portion of scallops with a side of rice topped with chutney. (Sidenote – Adam hated his scallops but the rice/chutney was pretty darn tasty)
Now here’s my dish –
Go back up and read that menu. Here, I’ll even give you a shot of the two meal descriptions, from their menu.
I was not served lobster with a side of risotto, as the menu implies, but risotto with lobster mixed in. Now that is either the most poorly designed menu on earth, or the description of my entrée is meant to deceive the consumer. If the dish is “Lobster Risotto,” why does the menu read “Australian Lobster: risotto…?”
Sadly, the lack of class I think the menu shows is almost besides the point because the risotto had 4 measly pieces of meat in it and was not even a properly done risotto. *Steam* Major fail, Wine Thief, major fail 😦
Adam hated his scallops – I thought they were actually pretty good, I ate 2.5 – so he only ate his rice and I ate a few bites of my mush and we both left hungry. Our dinner date ended up being pizza from Wegmans.
Ugh.
What do you think – was the menu misleading or are Adam and I idiots?
Eating Chalk 
If you just look at the item and description out of the context of the menu, it looks pretty clear because they don’t say anything about whole lobster. However, when you look at the other menu items, none of them list the details of the main dish. You wouldn’t think the “8oz Filet of Sirloin: fondant potatoes, pickled ramps, bourbon syrup” means that the steak is chopped up in a mishmash of potatoes, would you? So why would anyone think that would be the case with the lobster?
The menu would have been fine if it was consistent. If you ever go back–which doesn’t seem likely, but maybe you’ll be invited with a group or something–I would grill the waiter about any item before ordering it.
I think the menu, while being direct about the ingredients in the dishes, was seriously misleading with the presentation of the meals. If you’re going to have lobster in the name of the dish, I’d better well see some dern lobster on the plate when you bring it to me! I hate you had a bad experience at the restaurant, but at least you had a coupon and now you know better. Plus, pizza is always yummy 🙂 great blog!
That menu is totally misleading! Why is “risotto primavera” in quotes? It should say “lobster risotto primavera”. Annoying! At least you got it on the cheap and now you know!
It was definitely the menu – not you. If something says “Lobster” in the title…I would automatically think of…you guessed it, lobster! If not a real lobster, then that risotto in quotes better be loaded up! I think their menu needs some changin’!
I HATE it when that happens! Lame! So sorry it was a bummer. I haven’t had that bad of a flop in a while.
can’t go wrong with din from wegmans…..best grocery store ever in my book
It’s not descriptive, but you are allowed to ask questions in restaurants before you get indignant.
My “indignation” came more from the fact that the food was low-quality and poorly prepared.