Dined here for wife's birthday. This was our 3rd visit after having visited in 2018 and 2021. We were joined by another close friend couple and it was their first time at a restaurant like TFL, so naturally expectations were very high for them. Our previous visits can be summarized as very well executed food and an overall amazing service. It never has been a top 10 destination for food for us, but the experience overall has always been really memorable. When our friends expressed interest in going, I found the occasion to secure a date and reservation.
This time around, the experience, food and service was simply disappointing.
Firstly the service, there were several notable mistakes for a restaurant that prides itself in service. Dishes were served to the wrong person, dishes incorrectly explained and had to be corrected by another server, tea didn't come in time for the desserts. It just felt very sloppy for TFL. It seems as though they had some high recent turnover and staff was being trained. By the time our meal ended at 11, you could feel the staff just wanted to kick you out and close up shop and go home. It is also worth noting that we saw several people and tables walk out with a bottle of bubbly to take home, given that this was our 3rd repeat visit and we went for a 35th birthday, we inquired and promptly told that they reserve gifting the bottle for "milestone events". That didn't leave a good taste as we left the restaurant
The food felt mailed in. Considering we visited in the middle of Summer, there was lack of highlighting the fresh ingredients and bounty of California. The corn dish was weird and uninspiring, the halibut was also just weird and rubbery. The duck was OK, kinda safe and boring. The pig and lobster was good, but felt lacking inspiration. Desserts were fine. I am also not a fan of all the supplements that costs an insane amount in additional costs. $135 for wagyu not from Japan was egregious. It seems like there was no culinary direction or inspiration. Though Keller isn't in the kitchen that much or involved in the day to day, it seems clear the overall business is focusing efforts in opening his new restaurant in Florida. TFL is just milking it's fame and almost comically stealing money from unsuspecting customers that desperately try to dine here
We really enjoyed our first 2 visits at TFL and were excited to share the experience with friends that have never been before only to leave disappointed and irked. This will likely be my final visit to TFL unless there's some compelling reason to revisit.
by justawineguy