http://www.waterlandblog.com/2009/12/22/review-archery-bistro-hits-the-target-with-neighborhood-warmth-uptown-style-and-devotion/ Local News, Events, Photos, Videos & More for Des Moines, WA Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:35:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://www.waterlandblog.com/2009/12/22/review-archery-bistro-hits-the-target-with-neighborhood-warmth-uptown-style-and-devotion/comment-page-1/#comment-2084 Ilene Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:12:43 +0000 http://www.waterlandblog.com/?p=3728#comment-2084 Your review reads more like an ad or promo. You really had nothing even slightly critical to say? That sets a very high bar for dining expectations. Here's what we experienced last night: Warm greeting, friendly staff although a bit slow given the restaurant was hardly full. Comfy and cozy atmosphere, the only thing missing was a fireplace. Wine list is indeed good but could have featured more Washington or NW Wines - talk to our friends at Corky Cellars.Per glass prices were fairly typical. Fresh list menu was very inviting, good variety. Our test of a new restaurant is to pick at least one standard item and see how well they do it. We chose the Calamari. Nice and crispy but more batter than squid. Aioli was really good with it. We had the same entrees as you - Cedar Planked salmon and the Pork Tenderloin. Both were perfectly cooked and very flavorful but sadly both the risotto and the mushroom hash were so heavily salted they were not edible. I gauge issues like this with how well the staff responds when told. We received immediate apology- no defensiveness- and were offered a comp desssert along with confirmation that the chef agreed with us. These days, less salt is best but allow folks to add. Speaking of which we found no salt and pepper on the tables. No biggie. The comp dessert arrived - the apple tart- and looked really lovely. Taste wise it was not very exciting. An overly almond pasted crust that over powered the apple flavor, and I believe it said it had a caramel topping but we found none, just a jelly like glaze. Big points for presentaion. So all in all we found a few stumbles but a great menu and a friendly, helpful staff with a cozy environment. We'll try the bar next time and we previewed the lunch menu which looks good. We are very happy to find a slightly upscale new place in the area. Well, more than happy, we're delighted! The Archery Bistro folks will iron out the stumbles and soon you'll need a reservation. Luckily for now, you don't. Your review reads more like an ad or promo. You really had nothing even slightly critical to say? That sets a very high bar for dining expectations. Here’s what we experienced last night: Warm greeting, friendly staff although a bit slow given the restaurant was hardly full. Comfy and cozy atmosphere, the only thing missing was a fireplace. Wine list is indeed good but could have featured more Washington or NW Wines – talk to our friends at Corky Cellars.Per glass prices were fairly typical.
Fresh list menu was very inviting, good variety. Our test of a new restaurant is to pick at least one standard item and see how well they do it. We chose the Calamari. Nice and crispy but more batter than squid. Aioli was really good with it. We had the same entrees as you – Cedar Planked salmon and the Pork Tenderloin. Both were perfectly cooked and very flavorful but sadly both the risotto and the mushroom hash were so heavily salted they were not edible. I gauge issues like this with how well the staff responds when told. We received immediate apology- no defensiveness- and were offered a comp desssert along with confirmation that the chef agreed with us. These days, less salt is best but allow folks to add. Speaking of which we found no salt and pepper on the tables. No biggie.
The comp dessert arrived – the apple tart- and looked really lovely. Taste wise it was not very exciting. An overly almond pasted crust that over powered the apple flavor, and I believe it said it had a caramel topping but we found none, just a jelly like glaze. Big points for presentaion.
So all in all we found a few stumbles but a great menu and a friendly, helpful staff with a cozy environment. We’ll try the bar next time and we previewed the lunch menu which looks good. We are very happy to find a slightly upscale new place in the area. Well, more than happy, we’re delighted! The Archery Bistro folks will iron out the stumbles and soon you’ll need a reservation. Luckily for now, you don’t.

]]> http://www.waterlandblog.com/2009/12/22/review-archery-bistro-hits-the-target-with-neighborhood-warmth-uptown-style-and-devotion/comment-page-1/#comment-2077 Dena Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:21:20 +0000 http://www.waterlandblog.com/?p=3728#comment-2077 We tried to eat on New Years Eve, but they were closed for a private party. Figured we would try again on Saturday at 4:30 and was told they were not open yet and to come back at 5! Really???? SInce your a new business, why not let us have a cocktail in the bar while we wait, make us feel welcome, not like we are going to a pancake house. Not sure when or if we will try again. We tried to eat on New Years Eve, but they were closed for a private party. Figured we would try again on Saturday at 4:30 and was told they were not open yet and to come back at 5! Really???? SInce your a new business, why not let us have a cocktail in the bar while we wait, make us feel welcome, not like we are going to a pancake house.
Not sure when or if we will try again.

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