Rough at The Reef

It was a rough night for food.

Granted, we were already frustrated after our first restaurant choice could not seat us and the second was closed, but that just meant by the time we reached the Dolphin Reef in Tybee Island, Savannah, Georgia, we were hungry enough for even the basic food to pass the taste test.  There was also the thrill of this being a new experience since we had never been here.

It was disconcerting when we were directed to the second floor bar due to a private party, but this is business and who really minds eating at the bar?  Especially when it overlooks the ocean under the light of a full moon.

We quickly discovered we would be one of three tables being served.  Now, this could go either way.  We could have the best service or the worst.

You’ve probably guessed.  It wasn’t good.

We ordered the salmon, grouper (both on the fresh catch of the day menu) and steak (medium rare).  No substitutions or special challenges.  We did ask for a side of hush puppies for an addition, but nothing challenging here.

It took 35 minutes to see the waitress again.  She came bearing fish.  Lukewarm fish with a fruit coctail topping they proclaimed magically tranformed the fish to “carribean style.”  The steak would be out in a minute; they were plating it.

10 minutes later, we got the tepid steak.

Sadly…or fortunately, depending on your take, we never received the hush puppies.

Let me just say, the food wasn’t the worst I’ve had.  It tasted like what I could have at many family tables in America.  Pull out the frozen fish, open up a can of fruit coctail for garnish, spoon a little prepackaged dirty rice and some crispy green beans on the side and let it sit while you wait for Dad to pull the steak off the grill. Of course, he let’s it sit in the snow as he cleans up and turns off the gas tank.  By the time the food is on the table, it all sits for a bit while Sis takes her time hanging up the phone from talking to her boyfriend. Finally you can pray over that food before you dig in!

I don’t pay $65 to sit at this American table.  I won’t again.

Food Fail.