"To start on a positive note, the service was excellent. We were a party of four and all opted for the prix-fixe menu. The bread was just okay; I wasn’t fond of it, but others seemed to enjoy it. The “salatim” was mediocre and nowhere near the quality of their other restaurants—so unremarkable that I can’t even recall what they were.
For the first course, I had the matzo ball soup, as did two others in our group. It was a hearty soup filled with vegetables and chicken, but the predominant flavor was salt. One person ordered the beets and claimed they were amazing.
For the main course, three of us ordered the short rib. Spoiler alert: it was basically hot pastrami. It was absolutely delicious. However, they served the short rib on one plate for three people, placing it in front of one individual who assumed it was their portion. The amount wasn’t large enough to convey that it was meant for sharing, and a significant portion of the plate was taken up by a large bone. When it was clarified that the dish was for three, it was a bit awkward. Sharing a few slices among friends (as opposed to a couple or spouses) felt uncomfortable, with no one wanting to take more than their share. They should have provided each of us with our own plates. The rye bread and mustard were quite good, though I thought there was supposed to be another accompaniment, perhaps some slaw, but it was missing. The person who ordered the chicken entré seemed to enjoy theirs, and it arrived in a standard portion size.
There were three desserts on the menu, but unfortunately, one of them (the pavlova) was not available, so we ended up with two custards and two macaroons. The macaroons were delightful, but the puddings had an unpleasant flavor—some ingredient that made them inedible. I can’t tell if it was bad or just not made well.
When the bill arrived, we noticed a $12 upcharge per person for choosing the short rib, which was a 20% increase from what was indicated on the menu. I raised the issue since it wasn't disclosed anywhere, and while they did remove the upcharge, I can’t be the first person to point out this inconsistency. I suspect many might not inquire and end up paying the hidden fee, which left a bad taste.
I’ve visited other Solomonov restaurants multiple times and have thoroughly enjoyed them. A few are conveniently located near my office, making for enjoyable lunches. However, this experience did not impress, and I would not consider returning."
