It is as many have said a unique and wonderful experience.
It is one of the fanciest places I have been to, and yet I felt more comfortable there than in any other restaurant I've eaten at. I often feel uneasy at fancy places, but not at all at this one.
This is largely due to the staff. They know just how to read people and provide just the service that makes you feel most relaxed. They do not "hover" over you - they are practically invisible - but all you have to do is think about wanting something and they are there for you.
They made us feel at home and relaxed the moment we entered the door, and that feeling didn't stop the entire time we were there.
As we were the fist ones there, our waiter and waitress noticed us looking around, and said "don't worry, there will be more people showing up in a few minutes!" They seemed to be able to read your mind.
Our pair worked as sort of a team with the pair for the next table to make sure that the service was totally uninterupted.
Example, I rose from the table, and immediately our waitress was there asking if I needed something. I asked where the rest rooms were, and rather than merely indicating the direction, she asked me to follow her across the room and indicated the door. When I returned, she appeared out of nowhere to adjust my chair and handed me my newly folded napkin that I had left on my seat. All without making me feel conspicuous in the least. I felt truly wealthy and important.
Another example. DW and I shared everything. We also got wine pairings. This had the effect of making it a 12-course meal for each of us! The wine pariings were most often different for the dish we had each chosen. We'd switch plates and glasses halfway through the course. One course, there was a wine DW didn't particulary care for, but I liked it a lot. So she ended up having half a glass that course, and I have one and a half. Our waitress didn't hear our conversation, and thought I was just being selfish, and so discretely came and poured another glass for DW without saying anything! So I got yet another glass!
Sometimes the "wine" pariing will actually be a beer or something else. It made the meal very interesting.
When you make your reservation, they will ask where you are staying or how you can be reached. They will call you if they can reach you the day before and ask if there is anything special that they should avoid. DW has a bad reaction to coconut milk sometimes. Sure enough, her menu and mine were different - they had made a substitution just for her because one of the dishes the chef had chosen that night had coconut milk. The substitution didn't appeal to her, so she ordered something else anyway, but is sounded so good to me that I had it! And it was wonderful (although we had so many different things that I'd be hard pressed to remember what it was now).
They tell you to plan at least two hours. They will follow your lead and go at your pace. They are able to read your preferences and go at exactly the right pace you want without asking. I don't know how they manage it, but they do. We took about 2 1/2 hours to finish.
It was more than a meal - it was an event. And though expensive, it was well worth it for us. Not every day (I wish), and maybe not even every trip, but certainly once, and maybe someday again. And although the portions are small, there are so many courses, that I was quite satisfied at the end - and I'm a big eater.
If you are a meat and potatoes, get in and get out, gimme large portions - type of restaurant eater, then avoid this place. Also if you are absolutely not adventerous at all and have a very limited number of things you will eat and don't like trying something new, then call and describe your preferences and ask if you can be accomodated first before making a commitment. Other than that, go for it!
:hammer:
