TGI Fridays

We gave the management lots of chances to put their "foreground music" into the background, but the corporate "theme" seems to be more important than our experience. The food is good enough (we could always find something we liked), but dealing with the management and the "holy fear" of corporate punishment for working around the "foreground music policy" so we could hear our conversation just isn't worth the trouble of walking in the door.

I've been here three times now. I generally don't go to big chains like this because they're 1) not that exciting, and 2) aren't very vegetarian friendly. But I had a gift card, so the first visit I ordered a pasta dish minus the meat. Not so great, but it was meant to have meat so maybe it would've tasted better with it. I did try the sweet potato fries my mom had and really liked them. And the fudge brownie dessert was amazing!

The second time I went, it was one of the few places still open. I got the Spinach Florentine Flatbread and it was actually quite yummy. Again, not amazing, but good.

But now I'm thinking I like them mostly for their drinks (and sweet potato fries). I went back because they had this delicious-looking Guinness Stout chocolate shake, and the combination of ice cream and alcohol always hooks me. I liked it, but there was only a hint of Guinness taste. Anyway, they have a big selection of mixed drinks so I wouldn't mind going back just to try some more of those.

Their service has always been great for me, and the look and feel is pretty much what you would expect from a typical chain restaurant like this.

Here's a disclaimer - this review is just for the bar, as I never even got to the food part.

Passing through Carmel to visit a friend, we chose to drop by here to have a drink and catch up.  I met Bridget and was welcomed to her bar, and quickly learned that she is an absolute rockstar.  Super-attentive, good pours, more panache behind the bar than Tom Cruise in Cocktail could ever manage, and a great and fun demeanor made her a very welcome addition to our evening.  Go here and catch her behind the bar before she figures out that she should be rocking her talents at a top-flight NY or LA establishment.