MAD RIVER KITCHEN — Restaurant in Blue Lake

I wanted to like it, I really did. My husband came home with takeout from here a little while ago. We loved Low and Slow so he figured the newer business would be comparable. It is in no way similar, especially in terms of quality.

The salad was such an incongruous mix of ingredients and flavors, it felt like something thrown together at 3 am while smoked out. Edamame, corn, cabbage? I love Asian flavors, but that sesame dressing is not one of them. I prefer when sesame seed oil is used in drops, and as a finishing oil, not a base for a dressing, due to it having a very strong and sometimes off-putting flavor.

The burger was smothered in an alleged beer cheese, more reminiscent of gas station nachos. Canned pickled jalapeños did not add very much to it. And this very well may be my husband’s fault, but it was too rare for me to eat. I mean, it was RARE, red and mushy on the inside.

All in all, I had a few bites of the salad before the weirdness of all the different ingredients and the flavor of the dressing put me off it. I could not eat the hamburger at all due to it being way too rare, and just not looking appetizing in general.

We used to get dinner here pretty often back when it was Low and Slow. Their Bourbon Bacon Jam burger was incredible, and their salads were simple and tasty, with fresh spring mix and good dressings.

It seemed like whoever created the menu is winging it. They might consider looking up some classic recipes from a trusted source, and then adding their own touches using local influences and ingredients.

I’m sorry if this comes off as very negative, I just have to tell it like I saw it. Perhaps it was an off night, perhaps my husband simply ordered me the...

First time trying the new menu. I had the red curry soup special and it was hands down the best curry I've had in the county since Japhy's closed. Our food also came out 10x faster than the previous kitchen. Looking forward to coming back and...

Chef services seasonal salads alongside the regular menu. Also…can’t miss the red or green curry or chili that pops up on the menu. Burgers are never overcooked, which is really...