eighty

I ate at this chain recently when I was in Orlando. I'm not a chain fan at all, but it was good. All of the food was fresh. The sides & salads didn't come out of a bag, didn't appear to have been frozen, or prepared a week prior, as much chain food does. All in all, it seemed to be pretty good for the price and being a chain. The meats were okay. Some was great, some was not. The lamb was terrible. The chickens & filets were all excellent. There was also prime rib & pork. Sides on the table include fried banannas (just okay) and mashed potatoes (not Ray's, of course, but they are made in-house). The service was some of the best I've ever had. I've eaten at Citronelle, Charlie Palmer, Palena...some of the best places in town. Service is what this chain has. We have been whining about service on our foodboards for the past two years-well this chain has service. I don't know who trains the staff- but they are excellent. We had a table of 8. And the service was fantastic. The servers brought fresh plates as we tried new meats, they brought fresh napkins, silverware, you name it. They were not overly attentive, but they were always within eyesight if you needed something. Our drinks were replaced-not topped off with ice. None of this is easy to do with a large table.

There is an amazing steak tartare at mendocino...it's near perfect....served with housemade potato chips

I think you'll be crucified if you name the restaurant and it's a favourite of members....check into past threads. I'd try to hold out

Cheese is usually paired with crostini, fruit compote, honey.....you get the picture. Olives are served before the meal. I eat there a couple times a week, and honestly, bread is just not an issue. No one seems offended.

They probably aren't advertising a lunch re-opening date yet since contractors and renovations are involved. Seems like a safe way to go.

Bread is not served at Mendocino. Maybe Sonoma, but not Mendocino. At least not for the past two years..........this is nothing new to get wound up about.