A restaurant going under new ownership can mean one of two things: It's about to close shop forever, or it's finally on the up and up. When we heard The Orange Table was facing a managerial revision, we were curious.
Did the new management make a difference? Find out after the jump.
The Sunny Side: Upon arrival, we were happy to find the wait staff smiling and welcoming. We took this as a good sign for the new ownership.
Unfortunately, they were admittedly understaffed for the morning. We
had to wait for a table even though there were several open spots, and
it took over 20 minutes to get coffee and order our food. The staff was
extremely friendly throughout the experience, but we couldn't help but
get a little frustrated. To be fair, it was a holiday weekend.
Immediately we were stunned by the idea of a jalapeno and pecan
pancake. Jalapenos on a pancake? Heck yes. We also ordered The Hatch
omelet. The pancake ($10) was as interesting as it sounds. It was
stuffed with jalapenos and pecans, topped with jalapenos and pecans,
and served with a jalapeno and pecan syrup. Many of the jalapenos still
had seeds, which caused us to experience that mouth-burning,
eyes-sweating effect that we absolutely love. The light syrup had both
a sweet and spicy taste and really brought all the flavors together.
The first few bites were delicious and intriguing, but the taste got a
little over-powering near the end. The cake comes with a side of bacon,
ham, sausage, or fruit. We chose the fruit and were pleased to receive a mixture of fresh berries.
The Hatch omelet comes stuffed with roasted green chili, white onions,
garlic, chicken, and Manchengo cheese ($10.00). The onions and cheese
made the dish extremely savory, but the dish itself was quite small for
the cost. It came with a side of toast, which was good, but we would
have loved a side of potatoes or vegetables or something a bit more
exciting. We washed it all down with a steaming hot Americano and
although it's no gourmet roast, we were pleased with the fresh, complex
taste.
Save Your Bacon: The food was good, but we're not sure if it was $20
good. We kept expecting to be wowed but it never happened. Although the meal was pleasant, there was nothing that really won us over for the money. Add the long wait times, and we left a bit unsatisfied.
The Check: Although the restaurant throws laid-back, casual vibes, the
pricing and gourmet menu made it seem like The Orange Table wishes it
was a little more high falutin'. We'd like it more if they dropped the act
and became the carefree breakfast and sandwich joint we keep hoping
for.
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