Last night my wife and I had plans with another couple who were anxious to try Il Nido, specifically the tasting menu they had heard about. I’m not sure what exactly transpired but apparently when they called to inquire whomever they spoke to said there is no tasting menu this month as the chef had problems sourcing the ingredients so they cancelled it. However, since they called and inquired there was a special “10 course tasting menue @ $75pp” that they aren’t advertising that we could have. (entire table must partake) That sounded good to us so we joined them for dinner at 6:30pm.
We arrived & immediately seated at a very nice comfortable corner table (same table we sat at the last time we were there with 6 people) Greeted, by the server given our water options, drink glasses provided and we requested toasted bread which they gladly accommodated. (they offer a selection of bread from a basket, however when we ordered the meat and cheese platter last time, it came with toasted semolina bread that was EXCELLENT, so much better than their basket bread. So enjoy this insiders tip, ask for toasted bread!!!)
The other couple gave the waiter the secret 10 course tasting menu handshake and eye signals but he had no idea what they were talking about or who instructed them of such blasphemy. So after inquiring the waiter renegaded on the 10 course offer. Instead we were offered a 6 course tasting menu @ the same $ 75. whatever….let’s just eat!
Menu:
Lobster and crab salad
Beet and tomato salad
Fettuccine Bolognese
Halibut with sautéed vegetables
Filet Mignon with grilled vegetables
Chocolate cake with ice cream
Lobster crab salad – good fresh nice starter, nothing exceptional or “wow” factor. A fairly traditional lobster salad.
Beet and tomato salad – I hate beets, but they were very mild in this salad and I did enjoy it.
Fettuccine Bolognese – there was something a tad “off” with this, not that it was bad but the cheese or something was a bit over-powering. Not something I would order again.
Halibut – I’m not a fish guy so this was my biggest apprehension. The halibut was actually very good, very non-fishy much to my surprise I actually enjoyed it. However I enjoyed it because it was so bland………like soooo bland. The entire dish just didn’t have any personality in my opinion, which was fine with me but might be a let down to fish lovers.
Filet Mignon – now this is up my alley the steak was excellent, cooked perfectly and the vegetables were grilled perfectly
Chocolate cake – I’m not a big desert guy but this was truly excellent. It was served with caramel and caramelized sugar flakes it was very-very good.
So of the 6 course I would say 2 were very good 2 were good and 2 were meh……….Kind of a mixed bag.
The big problem was we weren’t out of there till after 9pm. Somewhere between the fettuccine and the halibut something went a foul. There was easily a 30-40 minute pause between those courses. The waiter came out and apologized after about 15 mins but that was only the half way point of our wait. I was fidgety and we asked for the check when they brought the chocolate as we were all ready to go.
The chef/owner? (someone of authority wearing an apron) came to the table to see how things were when desert was delivered. He too had no idea who informed us of a 10 course tasting menu, but he did say the tasting we had is “almost” ready for launch and he seemed VERY concerned about our experience. It was excellent seeing him take such interest and genuine concern over the quality of the food, nice touch. He also said he had to cancel this months tasting menu over his inability to source “organic escargot”? Who knew your average escargot wasn’t organic!?!?!
Anyway……a good although drawn out experience with a tasting menu I’m left a bit on the fence about. If / when I go back, I won’t partake in this menu again but will stick to the ala’ carte options.
