food and drink around the world: Marea

Shots from last Friday's dinner with John.

We did the chef's tasting...food was lovely, company was great, but service was quite awful. Disorganized, forgetful, and at times, downright rude.

Upon finishing our last savoury course, we were handed a dessert menu. I returned it to the waiter, "we're having the tasting."
"Yes, but you pick the dessert."
"Oh."
So we perused the menu, selecting a dessert.
Another waiter came by minutes later, and removed our menus.
"Oh actually, you don't pick the dessert."
"But...we don't?"
"Your dessert is coming soon..." and just as he said "coming," it landed on our table with no further explanation.

If that isn't confusing, I don't know what is...better service would be expected when you charge $150 per person for the tasting :/

I can't help but wonder if they put the second rate service staff in the crudo lounge, where we had our meal. There were no reservations for the time we wanted in the main dining room, so I made reservations for the crudo lounge. The reservationist assured, "same menu, and same great service," as in the main dining room. Either she lied or it was a fluke night :/

Shots below. Luckily, great dining company can redeem unpleasant service to a certain degree.