We tried out Restaurant Crémant last night, arriving with high expectations, and leaving early, fairly disappointed. The basics of the entrees were well executed, but almost every other part of the meal, from the greeting at the door (brusque, with a phone on the ear), the salad (tough, plain), starters (eh), ambiance (basement-ish and somehow still snooty), and noise level (loud) the experience was overall pretty disappointing.

The restaurant seemed to have a bit of a hard time getting over itself (perhaps the McMackin influence goes beyond just the oppressively grey bombshelterish interior). The whole set-up just seemed forced and unwelcoming. It is hard to enjoy a meal if you are not comfortable. And it’s no fun to pay $100 for the privilege. We skipped dessert and drinks and went elsewhere.

If I lived in the neighborhood, or could just walk in off the street, I might have a different review. But when you have to make reservations weeks in advance for a table – you have to meet the high bar of a “destination restaurant”. And for me, Crémant didn’t clear the bar. If I’m going to drop that sort of coin on a meal for two, I’ll find a different spot.