gourmetgourmande's Profile
Anyone hear anything about O in Marda Loop?
O is open. It is very "Toronto" with a definite "Restaurant Makeover" feel, which is not surprising given that David Adjey is the consulting chef. I'm not clear whether he has financial ties beyond that or not.
Being the Consulting Chef SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH BEING the chef that executes the menu.
In fact, while the menu is midly interesting, the execution was nothing short of brutal.
We went the first week it was open (Yeah, I know....never usually do that, however, we didn't know it was so new when we presented at the front door).
So, in fairness to the resto, please keep that in mind while you read the following...
The staff, while extremely friendly (in the "put my hand on your shoulder" kind of friendly) was not at all knowledgeable. They didn't know their menu, didn't know their wine...but, I must say, this admission of cluelessness was delivered in the sweetest, most adorable way by a timid but oh so willing to serve waitress. (Although, she should probably wait a fraction of a second longer after she turns away from her table before she rolls her eyes...).
But I digress. to the food:
chicken: pink underdone, salty but plentiful ; vegetable in very small quantity and shiny with oil
halibut sandwich: big bun; small piece of fish with a soggy crusting...probably due to contact with the tartar sauce (so so) placed directly on the bun and topped with shredded lettuce (how very cafeteria). Halibut overcooked. Fries were the best part of the food on that plate. Salad, drenched with dressing to the point of wilting (which coudln't possibly have been intended).
Chicken was replaced with another selection, the mushroom salad. Passable at best according to my dining partner who by this time was less than interested in commenting on her food.
So, recap:
Food: below average
Wine Selection: different than the usual; large; big price spread; a task for waiting staff to gain expertise;
Service: friendly if somewhat amateurish, KEG'ish and definitely becoming chilled after a complaint
Atmosphere: good, urbain, very conducive to "5 to 7" with friends where the main focus is a glass of wine (some good selection...if they don't run out) or a beer.
Price: it's always too expensive when the experience is below par...however, at first glance, from a purely economic standpoint, reasonable.
Will we go back? yes, for a glass of wine...this week in fact.
Will we order food? not particularly motivated to do so, and certainly not before looking at what comes out on other people's plates...however, a restaurant most often deserves a second chance...so stay tuned...
