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Amuse at the Essex Culinary Resort & Spa
Over the Top, but Not
Reviewed by 2dobiesVT on April 28, 2012
Which part of our diner was over the top? The price! The service! The menu selection! But not, the food. Amuse bouche was apple themed in April. Really? That's the best you could do? The menu tells us that they pride themselves in using local products, so my friend asked from which farm they go the bones for the marrow Caesar - not local. Actually, the menu doesn't tell us anything about the origins of their "local" foods. The fiddleheads were undeniably fresh and wonderful. Don't get me wrong here, all the food was good, but none of it was over the top great. Nothing made me say, "Wow, what a combo of flavors. I wonder what they put in this. I savor every bite." Instead I kept saying, "I could have made this." The weirdest was the barely baked kidney beans layered at the bottom of both plates of entrees, lamb two ways (roast and medallions) and pork roast. Desserts were not worth the calories. As part of my Chef's menu I was served apple-ginger float, think ice cream float. The key lime mousse was so well formed into a hockey puck sized piece, that it had to contain aspic or gelatin; served with a smear of green (key limes are really yellow), a hockey puck hard cookie, and crushed pineapple with interesting hints of ginger. When my accompanying guest asked for black tea, she was served Earl Gray. Well, it is black! $140 for two people with one glass of wine each. Next time I want to spend that kind of money on dinner, I'll be sure to go back to Pistou.
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