Bar Ferdinand.

[shacke]

You know it was interesting a few years ago when someone attacked laban for a bad review and I always question why people focus on the messenger and not the message.

Clearly there can be a diff of opinion but I think the fact that you are paying for food entitles you to talk about it honestly.. I have always thought the worst thing you can do to people involved in creativity is to tell them they are doing everything perfectly despite the contrary, I wouldnt wish such evil manipulation upon anyone.....besides, it would be unfair to others on the board to knowingly rave about non rave worthy meals just to be nice......

I mean really does anyone actually do that ?

I am curious about other's opinion......Percy, Evan, Phil ???

I think people should say what you want, however they want in the interest of disseminating opinion to others. This assumes absence of malice. Having said that, there is a bias in this forum. In medicine, bias is a sneaky character and not a "bad" word. It just means you have to recognize it and understand the limitiations of results of a clinical study. We are ordinary folks with day jobs who love food and so do not have same standoffishness as a critic 100% of the time. I think that if the chef or restauranteur is a contributing member in here, there is less likely to be public criticism. I touched on that notion in the very first Amada post. I would doubt that someone raved about a lousy meal but I can definitely see people being mum. I wondered about that when I wrote my Gayle post yesterday - was I really the only one in here who has been there and disagreed with such a glowing thread?! Can't answer that but there are over 3,000 views and 25 posts The bigger the happier the thread, the louder the shot across its bow. Some people don't want to cause trouble. Ever go the the robert parker BB site and search on PA? Jonathan Newman is their personal voodoo doll in there.

It's easy to tell another co-worker that someone in the office wears too much smelly cologne but you generally never tell the culprit to his face. It would certainly be constructive but it hurts feelings and we are trained by our mommies to be non confrontational.

I am leery of the whispers of Laban and his relationship with the original Django owners and how that may have altered his initial and subsequent reviews of the restaurant after the sale. In that situation it would be distrubing if true. In here, it's different. It may not be always WYSIWYG.

bottom line Vadouvan, you are totally 100% correct. Laban gave Amada 3 bells and the bullets flew. Imagine if had given SK 2? He would have to change his goddamn address! This is reality in the PA forum. This is human behavior - but most of all....

it's my humble opinion

Evan

Edited August 3, 2006 by shacke (log)

[guzzirider]

Cheriev and I finally made it in to Bar Ferdinand yesterday, and I have to say I basically agree with the rest of the comments. Some things were very good. The Cerdo Frito - I really wish I could get that in a 12" version, for instance. The seared watermelon was good, and the cheese plate was... well, a cheese plate. It's hard not to love the cheese! They had a gazpacho special the we enjoyed, but personally, I would have gone for a bit less acid, and a touch more heat in the flavor... but that's just me.

Oh, and kudos to the service - everything seem to come suprisingly quick.

I think that if the Croquettas de Bacalao remain the same, however they should change the name to Croquettas de Limon, for the reasons already discussed.

I'd like to go back, because there were a number of items that I'd still like to try that looked good to me. Next time, I'll pass on the sangria, though... it did nothing for me, and I love sangria. They need to use sweeter (and more) fruit or something... n ot sure.

I hope they learn to accept criticism, though. I would say that all things considered, it is good now, but it has the potential to be a really wonderful place, but whether they want to admit to it or not, some things need a bit of polishing.

__Jason

[Lateralus]

I had the pleasure to eat at bar ferdinand the second night open. I met Owen the designer. The staff was very frienldy, the bar tenders were great. However, I thought the food was terrible. From the thought process, execution, ingredients, presentation, etc......It was the second night!!!!! Things generally do change for the better with time, but? I had to go to Delias(great phillt gentlemens club) to make my self feel better. I also at at Amada.....great!!!

Edited August 5, 2006 by Lateralus (log)

[hathor]

I was curious what you guys would have to say about this place. Interesting.

We wound up there last night, and I have to say that I was impressed. It looks beautiful. It was also a quiet, cozy, Sunday evening, and we were in need of something soothing, so it was all good.

Most of the dishes were exceptionally tasty. The crab/asparagus flan was a bit bland for my taste, but others at the table were very happy. The fried cheese/frozen apple foam tapas was a very good and surprising flavor combination.

I haven't been to Spain, so I can't make any claims of knowledge for 'correctness', but for tasty, small plates to share over a nice bottle of wine, it was excellent.

[Tim Dolan]

Anyone been here recently? Might be going tonight.

[Alec Hart]

The last two times that I was there it was fairly mediocre. This about 4-5 months ago.

The food was a mixed bag, but on my last visit, the service was terrible with the server telling my friend she didn't order what we all heard her order.

The wine list is quite good though.

You are probably better off going a bit north to Modo Mio or a bit south to either Standard Tap or Dos Segundos. Or if you really want tapas, I suggest paying a bit more and going to Amada, which on my last visit a few weeks ago was exquisite.

-- Alec