I've long been a fan of Todd English. Olive's changed the dining scene in Boston and the thin-crust pizza's at figs change my life (until figs started closing everywhere). So when we exited the Celtic's game the other night w/ grumbling stomachs we headed to Kingfish Hall. What a mistake.
It was Friday night after 10:30 p.m. and Faneuil Hall was buzzing. Was the kitchen closed? We never did find out. We sat at a bistro table downstairs giving hungry looks to the wait staff who skillfully ignored us. The brown-shirted crew broke down the raw bar, loudly settled credit card disputes and huddled in the eves begging us to leave. After 15 mins. we did w/ a bad taste in our mouths and lighter wallets (unexpected upside). Today I read that English is opening in Logan Airport, hope the staff is more attentive or flights will be missed.
It's the classic case of booming too fast. English really needs to slow down and concentrate on what he started or an English production will feel like a Kenny Rogers chain — gone and happily forgotten. Tell me I'm being too harsh. Has anyone had a positive evening w/English lately?
I've had a similar English moment. We started going to Olives when it opened up in the early 90's. We ate there at least twice a month for a few years. Best place in Boston to eat. Last year we went back............it was awful! The service was sub par, the food was not the Todd English food I remember. He's gotten too big for his britches. I remember seeing him behind the line w/his hands in all the plates. Now, it's running on auto pilot and it shows. We will not go back. I'm very disappointed.
I had a similar exp. with a Todd English restaurant. Last year, at a culinary school graduation dinner, I witnessed pretty much all 12 people at our table disappointed. We were at rustic kitchen in cambridge. We chose from a menu of 3 choices: A salmon with caponata, a rigotoni and a chicken. Not one of the entrees got a positive review. The caesar salad even got critisim, with its "parmesan cup" , which sounded awesome, got reviews of "inedible" and "tasting like cellophane" The caponatta was ridiculously salty and I heard nothing good about the roast chicken. Although a heard it is now closed, It shows that celed chef spots growing too soon can be bad thing.
I got stung - and sick - at English's figs in Wellesley last year. The place was jammed, we were crowded into a corner and couldn't move and I got so sick when I got home I almost missed Easter weekend. What an awful experience.
For many years now Todd has been overrated, No wonder he was on the TV show Top Chef as a guest chef. ( Spot Light )
He has spread him self way to thin over the last five years with hapless and tasteless restaurants.
Getting back to his basic's is what he needs to do.