We had dinner here on Saturday before the Dresden Doll show at the Showbox, figuring that would make for a grand night of cabaret and dark rooms.

I love the feel of the Can Can, the rosy dark corners and draping fabrics, but was gravely disappointed. Rarely have I seen a menu where I wasn’t excited to order any of it. I finally settled on a Wild Mushroom Pasta (read portabellas in a cream sauce) and it was okay. Not great, not good, just okay; boring really. G and S both had the Mac and Cheese dish and from my one taste it seemed clear that they had burnt the béchamel sauce but still used it. It tasted charred and overly smoky.

The wine list was okay, the cocktail list okay, the food okay, the service okay.

The waitresses were gussied up in their Burlesque outfits but they all seemed very aware of their protruding breasts. I was expecting body-positive women who exude strength and appeal, as I have seen in other similar venues. But they all seemed terribly uncomfortable and I would feel sorry for them if they weren’t choosing to wait tables there when they could choose to wait tables anywhere else and not have their breasts popping out.

But I can accept blasé food and service and nervous waitresses for a little can-can during dinner. But there wasn’t any. We asked upon arrival if they performed during dinner and were told that they did, but in the nearly two hours that we were there they never did. Bummer.

I would say go to the Can Can for the atmosphere, sit at the bar and drink cognac and stay for the late show. I imagine if they really got going and let the burlesque out that it could be a lot of fun. I didn’t see any fun, but I sensed it could be just around the corner.