Salinas - New York

Gracious!From the moment we entered we were ushered into a beautiful place and eventually a delicious meal.

We were seated at literally the worst table in the place. What they called a bar table which was literally under someone’s bar seats….

The manager Amanda tried to cancel my reservation after my dinner so I wouldn 't be able to leave a review, but unfortunately for her I will anyway. I booked a table on May 2nd for a dinner on the 20th. I called requesting a garden table for a dinner with my boss. I was told that there was availability and they should be able to accommodate. On the day of the reservation, I called to confirm that the garden table was available. I explained the occasion and that I had made the reservation weeks earlier. I am moving out of town and this was me taking my boss out to thank her for facilitating my move. Amanda said they couldn 't guarantee anything. I made it clear that I had booked Salinas on the basis of being able to have a table in the garden area otherwise would have found an alternative venue. I then arrived early to the restaurant to make another plea for a garden table. Amanda showed me two tables one in the garden (someone was finishing their meal) and one by the window. I said we could wait and see what my boss preferred when she arrived. Fast forward to about 15 minutes later, and Amanda has rescinded the table offer in the garden because 'someone else booked it last minute ' and proceeded to offer us two other tables. Managers should not be exercising personal preferences and using their influence in this unprofessional manner. There was no desire to be helpful or accommodative, and in fact quite the opposite. There is NO WAY a professional establishment would prioritize a 'last minute ' booking over my request from 2.5 weeks earlier. She clearly at that stage just didn 't want to give me the table and I have no idea why I have never met her before and frankly had heard great things about this place from my sister. Amanda ruined my experience. And the food was fine but not exceptional so between both elements, rest assured I 'd never want to go back.

The octopus and steak are awesome. The steak surface is fried very deep but delicious. The eggplant is delicious. The environment is also beautiful and romantic. Service is absolutely a big surprise. They even gave us two champagnes for our anniversary!

The food was exquisite. However the chef was inflexible and there is no reason why substitution if one veg for another should be a surcharge when the prices are already extremely high. Wine list is grossly overpriced