I think most places charge too much to make them seem better than they are...

Last Friday I went out to "Lobby" for a girlfriend's 30th birthday party. Due to number of us in attendance, we were forced into a prix fixe menu. We all started with a salad of sorts, then most of the girls had the kobe beef burger (apparently very good - I've been off cow lately though, so I didn't try it) and I had the tuna (great texture, but the flavour was really boring). A bunch of sides were shared (the fries - sooooo good with the jalapeno mayo dipping sauce, grilled asparagus, and a couple of mashed potato plate things). Then we each got to choose from one of two desserts (ice cream or cake of sorts). It was all pretty good, and we all had a really nice time with some decent wine and good conversation.

So you can only imagine our dismay when the bill came to $140 each! (Did I mention that almost half of the women didn't drink anything, and the other half only had a maximum of two glasses of wine...) Really though - the waiter sucked (and smelled - shocking considering where he works), the food lacked flavour and imagination, and the wine was just ok. And don't even get me started on the crowd that was there - oh Lawd, talk about trying too hard. "Yes, yes, I'm talking about you - the 46 year old in the mini skirt that's trying desperately to keep her tube top from falling off of her brand new implants".

I hate these places in Toronto that think they are some fantastic restaurant that is known all over the world for it's interesting and high quality cuisine. The problem with places in Toronto like "Lobby"is not just the fact that they charge such a ridiculous amount for such a generic experience; but the fact that people like myself and the women I was with feed into it.

In TO - if I want something damn good, I'll head to Burrito Boyz; if I want something pretty freaking terrific, I'll head to Rain; and if I want something truly incredible, I'll go to Perigee. No need to waste time on the white couches of Bloor Street West.

What's also kind of a pisser is that the last time I went to Lobby, the food was amazing. But I was pretty drunk that night...