Ad-Lib Geo Cafe

Excellent food- a very special place to dine!

Food was supurb, starting with a crab cake appetizer that was a large fluffy cake of crab with no discernible fillers.  Side vegies and sweet potato puree were excellent.  Chef came out and spoke with us after dinner and was quite pleasant.  

Drawbacks - no sign on the outside of the place; Some of the tabletops were in disrepair and therefore provided a less than appealing presentation; and the waitstaff (complete with tattoos) acted like she was high.  A place like this should have better help, really.

This restaurant is an odd combination of superlatives and deficiencies that I can't explain other than it appears that they need to mature as a business.  It is built on a firm foundation of original, surprising, and delicious food, but the presentation and services are a bit quirky and strained.

The decor, while not distracting, wasn't very warm and inviting.  There were only nine tables, and there aren't any similar dining choices in the area, so I imagine the wait can get pretty long on weekends.  For some reason, I suppose to provide something more upscale than plain paper towels, they have paper table napkins  in the restrooms for drying your hands.  Points for style, gut they get wet and fall apart on your hands.

The food was flavorful and delightful.  Portions of the entrée were generous, but those of the sides were stingy.  We had prawns that were like little lobsters, and a pork chop that was tender and succulent.  Before that was the best appetizer of steamed mussels I have ever had and a crab cake that was moist and zesty.  Desert did disappoint a little, and don't believe them when they say the banana desert has praline in it.  It was good but not the sweet decadence we were expecting.  And no sign of the praline.

Prices for food seemed reasonable, but there was one problem that knocked at least one star off my rating.  The waitress recommended a wine that we tried and liked, so we bought a bottle for $48 with our meal, which took me aback somewhat, but we liked it afterall.  On the way out the door I was finding that same bottle of wine from several vendors on the web for $12 to $16.  I don't know what that was all about, but if I ever go back there again I certainly won't be getting any of their wine.

The service was adequate, but not a signicant contribution to the experience.  The only reason I can see to go back is the awesome appetizers and entrées.  The decor, service, and deserts left a lot to be desired.