To be honest, I had never heard of the place until my wife made reservations for Mother’s Day. She, like many others, likely saw the reviews and thought the establishment would be great to celebrate her day. So, we, along with our colleague who was also celebrating her day, made our way to Mary Eddy’s. The pictures do the space justice, modern with an ode to the history of the building via the exposed brick. Unfortunately, the experience did not reflect the ambience.
There are multiple reasons why this experience was not worth the time and money.
The special Mother’s Day Brunch menu was pris fixe. It would have been great to know that specific detail prior to making the reservation, showing up, and/or being seated. As a foodie, I understand paying for a culinary experience. I understand the idea of having a special menu for a special day prepared by the chef. As the old saying in barbershops go, good haircuts aren’t cheap and cheap haircuts aren’t good. I have no problems with prix fixe menus. I do, however, have a problem with not knowing the style of the menu prior to making the reservation, let alone prior to being seated. Once noticing the price ($39), I was taken aback. I had not prepared to pay for an experience today. I was nearly in shock that I was going to spend $100 for brunch. I had thoughts about leaving but we staying. Again, I understand paying for the experience but I had not prepared myself to do so. It took me a few minutes to get that in my mind but we did stay. I was ready to enjoy this culinary experience.
The three-course meal was underwhelming and poorly executed. In general, each course lacked balance, something I would not expect from a $39 prix fixe brunch. I, along with my colleague, ordered the tomato soup with a flavored oil drizzle (the name escapes me) and Parmesan cheese cracker for the first course and my wife ordered the wedge salad. The tomato soup lacked flavor, specifically needing salt.
The second course, too, lacked balance. The salt lacking from the first course was readily apparent in the second. Shrimp and grits sounded great. Shrimp, creamy grits, some kind of sauce, and two over-easy eggs. What can go wrong other than everything. I ordered my eggs scrambled. My wife and colleague ordered as it was listed on the menu. Again, the entire dish lacked balance. The grits by themselves were average. Some of the shrimp was over-seasoned, some under. The eggs were missing salt. Eating all parts together was like a flavor train wreck. Not to mention that the overall dish turned to a soup for my colleague. It’s like the dish was conceptualized but never executed. I made mention to the waitperson that the grits were not thick enough to account for all of the parts. Both my wife and colleague couldn’t finish their second course. I ended up eating the rest of my dish with a spoon. It was edible but not what I would expect from a culinary experience.
Finally, the third course was dessert. My wife and colleague enjoy their brownies. I, however, did not enjoy the bland puff pastry stuffed with whipped cream and with a concentrated lemon drizzle. I didn’t know that biting into cooked dessert dough could be so bland.
Maybe it’s just me but I do not expect to see salt and pepper shakers on a table during a culinary experience. I should’ve gone with my gut and left. Unfortunately, the chances of me returning are slim to none and slim is walking out of the door. I’m hoping this is an anomaly but I don’t think it is so. I would give it a single star but the wait staff was courteous and professional.
P.S. the kiddo menu options were fine. Pancakes, eggs, and crispy potatoes were what would...
Read moreWent for NYE. There was a set menu for the night with a price per person, which is expected for New Years. We took a look at the menu before we booked an early reservation (7 p.m.) and were excited about the choices. The place was not busy, and the atmosphere was very chill. Which is nice. The restaurant is gorgeous, and I love how they kept some of the old columns.
We were taken to our table, served water, and were greeted by our server within a few minutes. No issue.
We ordered our drinks and said we would like to drink before we ordered. I ordered the Lilly Collins, which just has gin and other delicious sounding ingredients. Since it just stated Gin, I chose my favorite Gin they had on the menu. After waiting 15 minutes and watching the bar stand around and talk, I made the joke that the server forgot to put in our drinks. The server came by and said the drinks will be coming right up and if we wanted to put in our order now and we would still have plenty of time to drink our drinks before the starter came. 5 minutes later, the server comes by and apologizes that they can not substitute the Gin, but it would be comparable to what I was asking for. (If this is the case, the menu needs to state what Gin is used.) I hate hendrix, so I avoid it. I tell the server that it's fine and just have the bartender make it per menu. No worries. 5 minutes later, our starters came out, and finally after, our drinks.
The starter was small, which is perfect for me. It was tasty. I just wish I could have enjoyed the drink prior since I can't really eat and drink at the same time. (Stomach issues... Blah blah blah)
The main course came out, and it was very underwhelming. I got the chicken. It was a small thigh on top of mashed potatoes and 3 undercooked carrots. The husband's beef wellington looked phenomenal, but the Brussel sprouts were undercooked and smelled horrible. It's not the normal sprout smell. The rolls that were served with the meal were also so dry that there were a couple of fire Marshall bill impersonations.
The dessert was chocolate cake with raspberry puree and a scoop of ice cream. Again, it could have been amazing, but the puree was so tart that it severely overpowered the chocolate.
Overall, the experience missed the mark. Especially on a night where the menu is set. Would I recommend it? No, not for the quality that...
Read moreMary Eddy's delivers an exceptional dining experience that perfectly balances upscale Italian cuisine with a warm, inviting atmosphere. Located in a beautifully restored space with unique modern industrial decor, the restaurant creates an ambiance that's both chic and comfortable. Food & Presentation: Every dish was expertly crafted and beautifully presented. The bone-in ribeye was cooked to perfection - tender, flavorful, and accompanied by a rich, savory sauce that complemented the meat beautifully. The pasta dish featured perfectly al dente noodles in a vibrant, well-balanced sauce with fresh herbs and quality cheese that elevated every bite. The appetizer spread was equally impressive, featuring artisanal bread with a trio of house-made sauces and what appeared to be a creative take on bruschetta with rich, caramelized toppings and fresh burrata. Cocktails: The bar program is top-notch, with expertly crafted cocktails that show attention to detail in both flavor and presentation. Each drink was perfectly balanced and beautifully garnished. Atmosphere: The converted factory space features stunning architectural details, vintage artwork, and thoughtful lighting that creates an intimate yet sophisticated dining environment. The "chill vibe" mentioned in their description is spot-on - it's upscale without being stuffy. Overall: Mary Eddy's Italian Grill successfully delivers on its promise of "New American eats & cocktails" in a unique setting. The combination of exceptional food quality, creative presentation, skilled bartending, and distinctive atmosphere makes this a standout dining destination. The 4.4-star rating is well-deserved, and I'd highly recommend it for both special occasions and elevated casual dining. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a memorable Italian-inspired dining experience!
Shot out to our...
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