Having hit Eataly this morning, I thought I would make my way back to Eataly for lunch, but it was not to be because there was a line to get in the door. (I had thought I could waltz in the door and order at one of the take-out counters even if the restaurants were “fully committed” so to speak). Lines and I don’t mix well, so I decided to take myself to Javier’s, the recently opened, putatively upscale, Mexican place in the mall. Javier’s can now join Panini Kabob in the pantheon of really crappy mall food.
Having seen the wonderful looking fish at the Eataly fishmonger this morning, I was having a real craving for fish. Perfect, I thought, since somehow I had formed the impression that Javier’s was known for its fish. I inquired as to the fish of the day served “Veracruz” style – halibut. Okay, price? $45 (for lunch). What comes with it? Some white rice. That’s all? Yes. (If you want some vegetables, that is a side order for $10 - so if you want some phytonutrients with your fish lunch at Javier’s, that will be $55, exclusive of beverages).
Passed on the halibut. Who knows – maybe that halibut was so wonderful that it is worth $45, but we are not talking about a fine dining environment and for a lunch that is going to exceed $75 with tax and tip, I at least want to be in a nice environment (more about the environment below).
Ordered two chicken tacos for $22. Comes with beans and white rice. Skipped the rice. Tacos bland and tasteless, as were the beans.
Restaurant annoyingly loud – not fun and energetic like some of the non-quiet restaurants that people complain about in Los Angeles – just annoyingly loud. How ugly was the restaurant? Depends on your tolerance for kitsch. I found it dreadfully ugly – I felt like I was on a cruise ship or at the “Magic Kingdom” with some kitsch vision of what Mexico looks like.
How bad was the service? I had to ask the waiter to bring me silverware after he dropped off my lunch, since while I could eat the tacos with my hands, I could not do so for those bland beans. I also couldn’t get my check. Finally, I just stood up and stood at my table for at least 5 minutes before someone surmised I wanted the check, and then it took another 5 minutes for the check to appear.
One of my officemates had announced this morning that he wanted to take the whole office to Javier’s now that it had opened. When he returns this afternoon, I will let him know that he couldn’t pay me to join the group.
I am fervently looking forward to the protein bar stashed in my drawer that I will be having later, since it will be vastly better than my lunch at Javier’s.
him, so…