Victoria doesn't like Christabelle's
Wow. Victoria Pesce Elliott from The Herald gave a snotty review on Christabelle's Quarter (3157 Commodore Plaza).
In her words: "How could I stay in a city where this is what passes for fine dining?" Ouch.
In her words: "How could I stay in a city where this is what passes for fine dining?" Ouch.
Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out, Victoria.
posted by Tom Falco at 8:14 AM
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13 Comments:
It was indeed a noble effort... but the whole thing seems a bit cheesy and I think detracts from the Grove's more authentic offerings...
I wish the owner nothing but success. He made an investment in our community and we need to support him.
I don't think she needed to diss on the whole city because she didn't like food at one restaurant.
You think she could have edited the piece the next morning.
I just sent this letter to the Herald:
The Miami Herald's review of Christabelle's ensured that I will definitely visit it and sample their cuisine. I found the reviewer to be unprofessional in her approach to the ambience, the diners particularly her view on "overflowing" tops on women and her
description of the dishes that she sampled very lamentable indeed.
I can recommend many good restaurants in Miami to the Herald's reviewer but if she insists on leaving town, the Miami Herald can perhaps hire someone who can write. In fact, I've decided to go there right now and check them out. Stay tuned.
The place looks beautiful, and even though I have not been there yet I'm looking forward to trying it some time soon. I too think is a good addition to the grove.
I think that Christabelles does a great job at creating a N'awlins feel in teh Grove. The decor and music (1st & 2nd Floor) speak to that. I thought her comments on women's breasts were accurately funny, but yes, inappropriate and more suited for a personal blog rather than local newspaper. Here is a summary I wrote in a Chowhound discussion based on the experiences Ive had there.
Ive had at least 5 dinners at Cristabelle's and all have been very enjoyable. The only complaints I have is that they changed the App Sampler and got rid of all of the good stuff (Fried Blue Crab Claws were money!). I was there on teh opening night (well, unofficial opening night) and had a great time. The live music on the 2nd floor is great. Ive seen at least 3-4 different jazz/blues bands there that have really added to the experience. Its a shame that they have turned the 3rd floor into the typical Miami joint. Now you have to pay a cover to get in and all they do up there is play latin music. It sucks because, a.) we've got enough of that latin music everywhere else and Im not a fan really, and b.) having to pay a cover in the Grove is absurd and if you dont pay you miss out on the 3rd floor terrace which is cool to hang out on. Anyhow, this is a food board so I'll review what Ive eaten there...
App Sampler - I usually just get this for the table. Old one was money, new one is OK. Flavors are there, but mostly fried with cajun spice. There is a nice remoulade with the fried crawtails and the crabmeat is good too.
Oysters brochette - You could slap bacon on a spare tire and Id eat it with a huge smile on my face. Bacon wrapped around oysters and then fried?!?! I could feel myself getting fatter and didnt care. Great item!
Crawfish etouffee - this was the 1st item I ordered and it wasnt bad but probably my least favorite. Just a little too salty for me, but nice chunks of craws in there. Probably wouldnt order this again.
Flounder - They had this on the menu at one point but its gone now. Maybe they couldnt get enough of it because each time I ordered it I got either the last one or the next to last one. It was good while it lasted, crabmeat on top w/ nice cream sauce.
Cajun Smothered Roast Duck - This was phenomenal. The duck meat was cooked perfectly and the sauce was incredible. Meat falls right off the bone and is light and tender. Mmmmm...
Tournedos Patout - Ive had this 3 times now and I gotta say, if I ever meet a girl who can make oysters brochette and this dish, we're getting married. First off, the guy/gal that works the grill at Christabelle's is amazing. Each steak that I or my companions have had has been SPOT ON perfectly cooked. Ive never had a medium rare that was so tender. The manager said they prep the beef for that. At first it looks a little rare, but when you bite into it, perfect medium rare. Now, take that perfect steak, plop in onto a fried eggplant fritter and then add crawfish and cream sauce?!?! Fuggedaboutit!!
For dessert Ive had the creme brule. Pretty standard, but Im kinda picky when it comes to creme brule and this one was good. Nice vanilla to it.
Overall, I really enjoy this place and actually had to take a sabbatical from going there (its a tad pricey and I was going way too often as it is seeing that I live a block away...). The atmosphere is fantastic, the food is great, and the live music always kicks ass. Drinks are pricey, but they do carry my favorite bourbon - Basil Hayden - and I think they keep stock of it just because of me anchoring purchase behavior haha. Only thing Id like to see changed is to get rid of the cover and latin music on the 3rd floor so we can have at least one place that has a theme and sticks to it.
One thing I didnt mention is that service is spotty... Sometimes the servers are over-attentive, to the point where multiple servers are hounding the table which gets annoying. Other times they are nowhere to be found. In all fairness, the place has been open for a few months but is just starting to get mainstream popularity. And yes, they need to lose the goddamn velvet rope. People go to the Grove to AVOID that SoBe crap.
Big John has done a great job in the Grove with his other places, but alas, I have not been able to sample the goodies at Christabelle's as they won't let you in in shorts and flips. Sorry that's all I wear because I live here.
Victoria could lose the attitude, but I agree with her assessment of the food. I REALLY wanted to like this place, but the food sucks, no way around it.
Well Blind mind...At least one other thing we agree on...Basil Hayden's is also my favorite Bourbon...Maybe we'll meet for a drink some night.
Len
I have to agree that the food there was really disappointing. I'd rather eat in a New Orleans style restaurant with low-rent atmosphere and great food. The service was borderline appalling.
jack, the night I was there a huge guy in shorts and flips was leaning on the bar, right in my line of sight. His feet were filthy and scaly -- really disgusting. If they let him in, I think they would let anybody in.
Lenny! Glad we can agree on bourbon. Im sort of a connoisseur. Ive really been enjoying Blanton's lately. Also just picked up a bottle of Bakers which I havent had in awhile and I actually like it fairly well. Others on my bar include Ridgemont Reserve 1792, Maker's Mark, Basil Hayden's, and Woodford Reserve. I recently tried Pappy van Winkle's 23yr at Gallagher's Steakhouse in Tampa to the tune of $40/glass ($114+/bottle from what Ive found on the internet). It was incredibly smooth, oaky, and had a nice spice. I think they carry van Winkle at Crown Liquors in Gables so I may check out a bottle.
Christabelle's is a wonderful addition to Coconut Grove. Let's give them a chance to work out the kinks and we know how hard it is to get good help - no one wants to work for their money. The owner has poured dollar after dollar into that restaurant - let's give it a chance. If you want to wear you flip flops go to Moe's - same owner - lower key.
The best service in the world wouldn't make up for the food. Bleh. Sorry.
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