"Oh how this is such a difficult review for me to write! I came here with the sole purpose to secret shop, without holding back, and that 's exactly what I did! I spent $200 here in order to provide you (as I did my server with all the pros and cons of this location, with every ounce of food and service experience under my belt! I wanted this to be a great place, especially after I read the owners story, I honestly was so excited I couldn 't wait to support them, and I thought who else better to drive up business then me?! At these prices I expected the best. I wanted it to be worth my drive from Capitola, as well anyone I would recommend to try it. The MEAT is phenomenal! But the Sides SUCK! (See review Raw Oysters Pro: were yummy Con: Rockefeller was not tasty, what ever they added (looked like watery pesto definitely ruined the experience. Also some some the shells seems like they just got tossed , tumbled , or just carelessly handled. Each slurp consisted of broken shells parts! (Yes shell not sand, had that too! Lobster Tail PRO: Wild caught, OK! Hands Down the BEST Lobster I have ever had! Perfectly prepared, melt in your mouth perfect! (No Cons Filet Mignon PRO: cooked to Perfection, great quality absolutely delicious melt in your mouth tasty goodness! No Cons! Escargot: PRO: DAMN GOOD! Absolutely perfectly prepared. So perfect that if u never tried escargot, this is a must try! As great as the meat choices were, the following is why I will not return to this location! Sides: Mashed Potatoes: no Pro, CON: HORRIBLE absolutely horrible! They use boxed potato flakes and add way too much water, so watery they pipe it onto the plate and add zero flavor! Ewww and they charge $8! Grilled onions: Meh just Meh Sautéed Mushrooms: No Pro, CON: absolutely disgusting, obviously came out of a can! So disappointed. Canned Mushrooms? Really? I tasted them in the name of science and thats a moment I will never get back! They look like bear turds. Again ridiculously priced at $8 I was expecting fresh mushrooms. Caprese Salad Fail! No pro, CON: you can tell this was cut by a man, who maybe never eats vegetables. A caprese salad is made to be a delicate delight. This was not that! The tomatoes were cut SO THICK (not ripe enough to eat you needed a steak knife to cut into, and it made it impossible to enjoy all the flavors together. Not made for a woman to eat. topped with chopped basil instead of fresh leaf. It was impossible to eat or enjoy so I did not eat it! And Wasted $16! I was SO disappointed! Dessert: I had the Creme Brûlée. It was ok , so thats a pro. Although the CON: is tooooo much sugar on top, so much that i needed a hammer to break through the top with a few whacks to get in there to this boxed pudding. So much sugar it wasn 't even all melted. Service: My waiter was Alex L. He was absolutely great! Great Service Hands Down. I loved providing him with a $40 tip because HE deserved it! He listened to my every suggestion and opinion on what they could do better for a stronger customer base Now.... the Blonde Lady acting as Bartender was absolutely HORRIBLE!!! She spoke at such a high pitch and so loud to her one bar customer(nobody else was in the dining area that I couldn 't even hold a conversation at my table, without trying to speak louder than her! I failed. But I did get to hear about how much she hates the management there and boy did She make it very known about how they are so Stupid and on weekends trying to have a hostess Is stupid. I was like wow! I couldn 't believe my ears. Location/Ambiance: It is a bit off the beaten path, but not far enough to not get to easily. Now when the Name said Cabaret, I was expecting entertainment! Maybe even Cabaret! I was so excited to see something different. The only entertainment was the crazy bartender and the side dishes. I cannot imagine eating here with any live music. The walls are Brick, so it feels very cold and loud. They desperately need some sound proofing canvas! They Need a Fireplace, and art. Everything is so bare. They could easily add some Dark Red Velvet Drapes (to absorb sound and make it a gorgeous environment the larger area reminds me of chuck e cheese without the fun. So much potential Lighting here SUCKS! Its impossible to take a good photo, definitely bad for marketing totally NOT IG quality. Customer celebration photos are pointless. Each table should have its own hanging chandelier and maybe even some candlelight to dine with. My suggestion is lower the prices a little and sell a la carte! Skip your sides and sell a la carte. Adjust decor for a luxurious feel. Play some romantic music. Add some beautiful lighting and simple decor to heighten experience. Table presentation needs help! Get new chairs! Stop using a napkin as a centerpiece, double up on the white linen. And get rid of staff that bad mouth management to customers!"
