My husband and I stayed at the Borgata, Atlantic City last month. This was part of a package deal from Living Social that included 2 tickets to the comedy show and $100 towards any fine dining restaurant.
I had never been to a fine dining restaurant here in the US. So I went all out that day – dressing to the nines and even wearing foundation. My husband did say that I was looking fabulous! It was 10:15; we had just left the comedy show (that was a first too) and were famished.
The entry to the dining area was through the bar where the big screen TV was blaring. This did not quite fit into my idea of ‘fine dining.’ Our hostess seated us at a table that was a few square feet in area and in close proximity to our neighbors at the other table. We were practically rubbing shoulders. I exaggerate but really, ‘fine dining’ was not turning out to be an experience, any different from an average restaurant in Manhattan. The dining area was cramped and not as elegant as I had presumed.
My husband pointed out that ‘fine dining’ was always cramped but I beg to differ – despite the fact that he may have a better idea of what fine dining entails.
Well the food was ordered and came to our table. The Crispy Onion and Tomato appetizer with blue cheese and buttermilk ranch dressing was a dud. The Crispy Onions were not crispy; the blue cheese was my mistake (can’t stand blue cheese) but the dressing was delicious. For the main dish, Patrick my husband ordered the Spicy Southwestern Steak.
I on the other hand ordered a bunch of sides. See, I am a vegetarian and the menu did not have a vegetarian main dish. But considering that we were dining at a Steak house, the number of vegetarian sides available was a pleasant surprise. Plus the experience of ‘fine dining’ was going to make it all worth-while.
My side dishes were arranged beautifully in a plate – mushroom & onions in balsamic dressing; baked cauliflower in goat cheese; thin crisp roasted asparagus and creamy green chille risotto. Loved the asparagus and cauliflower! The risotto and mushroom were nothing spectacular. On the other hand Patrick’s steak was the best he had ever had – tender, juicy, tasty although not as spicy. He seemed to enjoy the wine too.
The desert was a multi layered chocolate torte cake that was decadent, moist and surprisingly not as sickeningly sweet as I expected.
The $200 bill on the other had was stupendous I think. But hey, it was ‘fine dining’ right? If nothing else, I can now call myself an experienced ‘fine’ diner. Bobby Flay Steak House at Borgata – all in all- had excellent food even if the ambiance left much to be desired. Not bad though! Not bad at all.
