Lunch today was at Split Adriatic in Moonah.
Before I start, I need to qualify this by saying that I am in full cognisance of the fact that this is a suburban restaurant. I can’t compare it to somewhere like Blue Skies. But does that mean I shouldn’t get pleasure out of the meal, no matter where I’m eating?
I am really struggling to find something positive to say about today’s experience, but honestly can’t.
Initially I spoke about it with my companion who accompanied me there.
She had Spagetti Marinara, priced at $13.30. Her comments were: she felt the seafood in it (6 rubbery calamari rings, 1 mussel, 1 prawn, 1 prawn-sized piece of fish) had been frozen; it was predominantly pasta with a creamy-tomatoey sauce; it needed seasoning and/or flavour(ing). She is a lover of Spagetti Marinara, and orders it at places where it’s on the menu and where she thinks it will be good. She was disappointed with her meal today. The last Seafood Marinara she had cost $21, had lots more fresh seafood in it, and was, to quote her directly, “sublime” with an over-riding seafood flavour. She would have been happy to pay more for a tastier meal.
I selected a dish which I felt would typify the country’s food – Hungarian Goulash, which was a Special of the day. It was priced at $18.50. I’ve spoken on this blog at other times about my pet hate of receiving gristly chunks of meat in gravy or curry. It happened again today at Split. Also another of my gripes from recently – the way the waitperson clears back plates which have a large-ish amount of food left on them and doesn’t enquire as to the reasons why!
We finished with a piece of Tiramisu each. It was adequate, but, to be frank, not the best Tiramisu I’ve had either.
The music there was WAY TOO LOUD! We had to twice ask for the rousing anthem-like song volume to be lowered. It definitely wasn’t calming, quiet, background eating music. It was LOUD, stirring, nationalistic, march round the room-type music! It was so loud that anyone wanting to speak to anyone else had buckley’s of getting their message across!
The service was amateur. As good-natured as the guys there seemed to be, their waiting skills need a fair bit of honing. There’s nothing wrong with amateur, as long as the things which need to happen (service-wise, or cooking-wise) in a restaurant actually DO happen. Lots of minor things were forgotten, or left off.
I went there, as I always do to anywhere new, looking forward to coming away satisfied and having experienced something new and exciting. Split let me down I’m sorry to say. Maybe they are catering for a crowd who generally aren’t too fussed about their food? I don’t know. I know GP raved about the food there. I’m sorry but on what I had today, I can’t.
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16 comments:
Good food is good food. Its that simple.
Glad you made the distinction between a high class restaurant and a suburban eaterie Rita. Many are confused as to how to benchmark the two. Its a shame that on this occasion they did not deliver though. But you are right to point out that although the two are different, the basic delivery should be the same, ie that a fillet mignon or a cheese toastie should be executed with as much care and precision. And a lesson for all should be not to over-reach your kitchens capabilities or your floor staffs understanding.
Cartouche
Thanks Cartouche. I had gone to bed earlier tonight, worrying about what I wrote about Split. In the end, I've just got out of bed, turned on the laptop, and was going to go in and delete the whole thing about Split. I had decided that as I really hate being so negative, I should stick to my mother's old saying of "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".
But now I've read your comment, I think I'll leave it, for the time being, and look at it in the morning & see how I feel then.
I have heard similar comments about Split Rita.
Don't remove your comments.
They are what they are, and this was how you found it on the day.
I'm sure if anyone has a differing opinion they'll soon let us know.
Whats the point in only writing about the good things that happen?
Its good to hear all points of view, and this just happens to be yours.
Should that be 'Spit Moonah'?
Maybe Anon!
Been to Split. Found the people nice but the food overpriced and reminiscent of a 1970's pub. A bad 1970's pub! My fish was frozen and the vegetables were plain and overcooked. I wanted to like it, but...
Kzee
As one of the party on Sunday, I must say I enjoyed the day especially for the social aspect. As such I wasn't, unusually for me, in particularly "critical" mode.
I also had the Hungarian Goulash, which I enjoyed -the meat was tender and , mercifully, mine was free of gristle- the sauce spicy and tasty. I found the service adequate in that orders all arrived reasonably promptly without fuss. I certainly would have liked some veggies to accompany my mains. Otherwise no real complaints. I sampled the pasta dish that Mon had and found it very tasty as did she.
I certainly agree with you Rita with regards to the music. Overall the place reminded me of the boisterous type of atmosphere you get in family restaurants in Italy or Greece, which I quite enjoy usually- though it's certainly not refined dining.
Dear Rita,
I must say I agree with your companion.
I dinned at Ebb restaurant in Swansea, (one I note you have also blogged about…and I went on your recommendation) about a month ago and had their “Seafood Marinara” and I was in seafood heaven…..I was overcome with flavors and would have it every night for tea if I could! It had at least 4 or 5 mussels in it…yummi!
I too took a punt and ate at Split about a week ago and was also let down by the Marinara and found the music so wrong it was almost right....NOT!!!! :)
Don’t be afraid to say what you want to say Rita. We would love to see you do a “Hughesy Rant” and tell us what you really think, but we love your well thought over and fair comments just the same :)
Keep it up Rita
Never be afraid to have your say, Rita - your opinions are always of interest! - as sir grumpy and I were just discussing ......
Cheers
Thanks one and all. I decided to stick with the negativity, much as it pissed me off to say those things. So you'll imagine how relieved I was to go to dinner last night in Lonny to Novaros and have beautiful food!
Kzee - I had the idea that it was you who originally advised me to go to Split? Anyway, I had thought people were generally of the opinion that it was a great little eatery, hence my wanting to go.
Never mind.
People had recommended it to me, Rita. After I went I became very quiet on the subject because I thought I'd maybe had a bum meal.
Kzee
Split is crap. Ill review them soon too
Hmmm. I have always wanted to go, because I have actually been to Split (Croatia) and just love everything from that part of the world (enough information already). However, the last time I was in Moonah it was a toss-up between Split and Salt - for various reasons I picked Salt, and had a lovely meal and good service. Seems like I made the right decision - but I would still like to try it!
Did you mention Rita that you had requested the dinner menu to be served at lunch time? May have been what "cross contaminated" your meal/service hey? As for "loud" music why not indulge in the culture a bit unless it's that loud you can’t hear yourself think, get out of your bloody comfort zone, are you middle aged or middles ages!!!!! Get a life - Mick M
Sorry to disillusion you Mick but I didn't request any kind of menu at all. Someone else might have asked for the dinner menu, but I'm more than happy for any menu. As it was, I had the Goulash, which was the day's special anyway, wasn't it? I don't remember it being on the normal menu.
The whole point of mentioning the loudness of the music was that it was indeed, as you said, so loud we couldn't hear ourselves speaking to each other.
Comfort zones - I'm most definitely out of mine, with writing this blog! What kind of crazy person willingly sets themselves up for this kind of criticism? This, I'm proud to say, is my life. I've most definitely got one, and I love it.
I ate at Split in Jan this year for lunch - had the goulash, found the gravy beatiful and the meat very tender - loved it! Also enjoyed chatting with the owner. Returned tonight and tasted the sarma (cabbage rolls) - very tasty. opted for a chicken dish - nice but salty. Would have happily gone the goulash again. Service was great and had lots of fun with the waiter. Music didn't get loud until later, and that because we had a birthday in our party. Lots of fun - and why go there if you expect 'fine dining'? We went expecting good food (tick) and a bit of fun with an authentic edge (tick)!
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