Robert Oliver Seafood: User Reviews
So, I've been reading the reviews about Robert Oliver and decided that I must be a glutton for punishment and went there for dinner a month ago. The menu was reminded me of kindergarten, but, I had the Rockfish Oliver. I was really impressed by the atmosphere even if my server (who was a female) had funky BO which wasn't cool. The Rockfish was to die for. It was cooked to perfection. My friend and I decided to return tonight and the menu was expanded, we had the Seafood Tempura which was killer, the Rockfish which seemed to get even better than I remembered. As we were getting ready to leave we noticed a young woman, in a Chef coat heading to the hostess stand. This new Chef who goes by the name Apple has so much passion for food, i was salivating as she spoke to us. I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeves. Not only is this Chef talented but she has a passion for food that I've never seen in Baltimore.
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the food is simple owesome. i met the young chef that they have there Eddie I think his name is, he is very talented and polite.. i loved their food.. i heard he is only 17y!!
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Experienced Restaurant Professional - Have never written review like this - Do NOT go there!
By I AM from Mt Vernon , January 25, 2009
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Went to Robert Oliver last night for dinner beofre a comedy show at the Meyerhoff. Everything top to bottom was atrocious. Don't be lured by the interesting decor. I have worked in the restaurant business for over 10 years and never been one to judge having had bad nights myself but will never eat here again without bringing my lawyer! First of all we had a reservation at 8:30 - did not get spoken to until 8:45pm and then we rudely told to sit- not apolgized to or offered a drink. When we were seated we were handed menu's and the host- who turned out to be the manager ran off. We then had to wait another 15 minutes before the busboy ran by and stopped "did anyone bring you water?" Um, no as it turns out that is his job- didn't see any waitstaff until 20 minutes after that - so we were joking and studying our menu's - from the online pictures the sea scallops and crabcakes were on our minds and we decided to order and share. After we finally received out drinks - after having to order from a VERY limited selection we were told that out of 3 appetizers they had one. None of the entrees we were interested in were available as well as additional items. Would have been nice to know that from the start. At this point- starving we ordered what we could. I ordered the chicken kabob as nothing else appealed to me and my dinner companion the shrimp and ricotta ravioli with a cup of the clam chowder to start. I asked for bread as we were looking around and things were not boding well with other tables sitting and patrons walking out. The waitstaff had no idea where they were in service with the majority of their tables- the manager/host was not helping in seating people- the busser was utterly lost. After waiting an eternity my friend received his soup. Obviously microwaved the soup was the only highlight of the culinary experience and that may have been because we were starving. We had to ask for salt and pepper which the busboy then snatched from another table making us feel very awkward as the people were right next to us. After waiting from there and not seeing our server we were approached by another server who seemed to be the most on the ball. He asked if we had been helped I told him we had not received our entrees, were waiting on bread, and had a show to go to as we were cutting close our time. He then went over to get us bread but the busboy we had asked originally stopped him, got us bread himself and hurredly dropped the burnt flatbread on our table as he ran by. Our entrees arrived and were dropped on our table without even asking if we needed anything. I stopped the server and told her she had grabbed the wrong plate- they had brought the fettucini instead of the Ravioli ordered by my friend. Snatching it off the table in a huff we did not see her again- the manager approached our table and then proceeded to tell me it was the same thing. Here is where I have an issue - clearly it is not the same thing or you are so uncreative you have an extremely limited menu wuth the same item on there twice, and if you claim all pastas are the same please do not insult the Italian community by attempting to serve ANY of them. I looked at the manager and said "it's not the same" he rudely turned away from me to my male companion and said "I am not worried about her, sir what can I do to help you?" Too bad I was buying. Absolutely have never been treated so poorly in a restaurant and I have worked in the kitchen under extreme sexism. My chicken was not properly cooked, no way was that basmati rice- more like minute rice, and the asparagus was inedible old stalks. They did take off our one round of drinks that we sipped in fear of not getting another one. We left our waitress with a nice tip as we did not see her again to receive change and just wanted out of there.
As I said I would only ever eat here again with my lawyer present. Don't fo it if you are doing to a show there are plenty of restaurants to go with more class and better
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Stopped in Wednesday 11/19 before the opera. The crowd was light. Went to the bar for dinner. This was at about 6:05pm. I ordered a salad and an entree. They showed up together an hour later. As the opera starts at 7:30, I only had time to eat the salad, which was very overdressed. During the hour I sat there, 2 individuals sent back their soup because it was cold. I guess the kitchen couldn't figure it out the first time. And while the bar is lovely, the atmosphere is not helped by the waiters who stand up top and yell: June, I need a pinot grigio. June I need 3 lemon drop martinis.June, this and June that. Surely there has to be a way to place an order that is respectful of the bar patrons. i have been served wonderful hot meals on opera/symphony nights at Abacrombie's and Sammy's when the places were mobbed. I definitely will not fo back.
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Sat at table for 45min with no service, had to ask someone for a menu. A gentleman came to our table, said it was his first night,took our drink order. Came back with my wine and a very strange martini made with gin for my fiancee. He complained and the same gentleman brought him another..which turned out to be plain water. We asked someone walking by to get the manager, and he told us we didn't have a waiter but someone who came in off the street to help, and we never saw a manager. Never got a martini. Our appetizer, salad, dinner order never came. After 2 hrs we left with nothing. The table next to us also left with no dinner. I know we were there too long but our last experience in Feb 2008 was fantastic. Could not believe this terrible change! Don't know what is happening there. Most horrible dining experience ever!
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What an experience! The oysters had to be the best I have ever had and the live jazz was just beautiful. We came in town for a show and were elated to be able to enjoy a terrific dinner right across the street. The bar is not to be missed. I love the sensational bubbled water columns behind the bar it was a perfect mix with my expertly crafted martini! Can't wait to return.
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Review Summary
The following scores represent the average rating submitted by 32 users:
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