Restaurant Review: Reed’s Jazz & Supper Club
We decided to go out to eat Tuesday evening. By we, I mean I got a wild hair, and well, who refuses a free meal? So based on some reviews from some friends, we decided to check out Reed’s Jazz & Supper Club. Honestly, I think it was undersold to us.
Appetizer
Sausage Stuffed Mushroom Caps
This was the only thing that just wasn’t overwhelming. It was good, italian sausage and some sort of breading in a mushroom cap. But it wasn’t great. Being as the girlie doesn’t eat seafood though, our choices were a bit limited. Certainly not a knock against it. Just, compared to the rest of the meal, if I had to pick a low point, simply good would be it.
Salads
Beefsteak Tomato Salad
This was an interesting salad
. It was mostly a sliced tomato with cheese, some glaze and a touch of green things. As you can imagine, she got this one. Now, that’s not to knock it. It was very tasty, well put together, and the flavors melded really well. It just wasn’t my bag. However, I recognize with something is good, just not my style. This was clearly one of those things.
Wedge With Apple Smoked Bacon
Best blue cheese dressing I have ever had. Our waiter, who was outstanding, mentioned the secret was a touch of cayenne. I don’t know if he was supposed to say that or not, but this salad was one of the best I have ever had. Again, not being a salad person (I’m beginning to wonder if that is changing) this salad really impressed me.
Entree
Filet Mignon: 8oz
This is a very rare occassion, the girlie and I got the same thing. This practically never happens. Even as we ordered the same basic thing, she got her’s burnt (err, medium well) and I got mine medium rare with a couple scallops on the side. I originally wanted seafood, but the waiter really suggested that we try the steaks the first time. He said their steaks were in the top 2 or 3 in town, depending on preferences. He was right. Did I mention our waiter was really good?
Sides
Au Gratin Potatoes
This is a place where you order the sides separate. Enter the taters. This creamy goodness is some of the best stuff to ever hit my mouth. My god these things were awesome. Perfectly textured, cooked and cheesed. Plus they had bacon on top. Bacon makes everything better. I cannot go on enough about these things. The waiter sold us on these as well.
Thick Cut Onion Rings
I know what you are thinking, onion rings at a steak place? But the waiter said they were really, really good, and he was on a roll. Yet again, the waiter is right. These things are heavenly fried bits of tastiness. He brought out ketchup for them (cause let’s be honest, they are onion rings) and when he brought it out, he brought it out in a little metal bowl with chopped chives on top of it and with a spoon. Hilarious. All posturing aside, these onion rings are some of the best I have ever had.
Dessert
Liquid Center Chocolate Cake
This is just as it sounds, chocolate cake with a molten chocolate core. Served with a healthy heaping of Amy’s Mexican Vanilla. Amy could conquer the world with this stuff. This meal serves as a reminder that I just don’t get by Amy’s often enough. The cake was very good and rich (it has to be to stand up to the Mexican) but honestly, I feel it was overshadowed by the vanilla. Hey, it’s easy to do, I did my famous glazed grilled bananas and pineapples and tried to pair it up with the Mexican, but the fruit was no match. Not to take away from the cake, as it was fantastic, but that vanilla, it goes home and slaps your mama for ya. And you thank it for saving you the trouble.
Service
Impeccable. I believe our waiter was named Scott. Apologies if I got it wrong. Even more so if you are reading this, cause that means you were one of my 3 readers, and I forgot your name. He was what a waiter should be, available when you need him, not hovering over you when you don’t. He was engaging and gave just enough banter with the food to advise and entertain yet not keep us from our true purpose. I actually went looking for the manager to tell him how good the service was. I need to send an email to the manager. I should do that now.
Ambience
The website says Reed’s is targeting Rick’s Café from Casablanca. I think they did a good job with the decor (the stairs were actually a very nice touch). Considering what they were working with (it’s in a strip center, a nice one, but one none-the-less) they did a great job. I would liked to have 1 music through out the place, not hear the music from the bar downstairs and a separate soundtrack in the upper level, but that is hardly a real complaint. I would like to see it on a more packed night. It was pretty sparsely populated, which is a shame. I always hate to see a good restaurant have down times. It makes you wonder how long they will be in business. We have too many good restaurants closing.
Bread
The bread is worth mentioning. It’s what you expect when you get a fresh french or italian bread. It’s got a good crunchy crust and a soft chewy inside. Best of all, it’s hot. I wish more places would take note of this. Hot bread is better than cold.
Rating
I’m afraid I have set a precident I have to follow now. I must give a rating to all reviews now. I can’t say I like the idea of assigning a whole experience a number, it seems a bit trite and is likely to pigeon hole a restaurant. Luckily, no one reads my blog, so I can be as irresponsible as I like, and no one will be the wiser. Having said that, I confidently give this Reed’s Jazz & Supper Club a 5 out of 5. Just a fantastic meal and great service to boot.