Unjustifiably expensive

Joined: Nov 27, 2008
Posts: 108
Review of
2

I went to Alameda hoping that the reviewers below had got it wrong, only to be disappointed.

It's a fixed menu (two courses for RMB158), so as a vegetarian you have little choice - two starters and just one main. I went for the mushroom tortilla with watercress (tiny and never worth RMB88 which is apparently the individual price of starters) but undeniably delicious. Then I had the lentil and summer squash risotto. There was a lot there, but unfortunately it was barely cooked through - a few seconds less and I would have been unable to eat it - and had none of the glorious creamy consistency which risotto should. Great flavour, but very badly executed, and I wish I had sent it back. The starters came fast, but we waited too long for the main course while people who arrived after us were served first.

My friend, however, really enjoyed her meal, and that's why I gave it two stars. Tuna with pumpkin linguine and caviar to start was perfectly done, and the seafood gratin had her virtually scraping the glaze off the plate.

There are comment cards on the table (the only other place I've seen these is at Element Fresh, also a place with dubious reviews here...) so I just hope they are taking notice.

With a bottle of their cheapest wine, a meal for two without dessert came to RMB514. My friend will be going with someone else next time.