[Review] Bahama Breeze restaurant

[elfs]

So, Omaha, I, and another couple went out to this new restaurant down by the Southcenter Shopping Mall named "Bahama Breeze." Already, the name should be a warning: we live in Seattle, which is about as far from the Bahamas as you can get and still be in the Continental United States. We found our friends seated at a table near the bar, waiting for their names to be called for seating in the restaurant. The music in the bar was too loud for even casual conversation. I ordered a lime daiquiri, which might have had fresh limes and alcohol waved at it but was otherwise indistinguishable from a weak 7-11 Slurpee. My friend was underwhelmed by his Long Island iced tea. They were cheap with the liquor.

The construction doesn't feel right. It's all too new. I lived in the Florida Keys for a good chunk of my life and the restaurant felt very off from what I'm used to. For one thing, the place was insulated against the weather far too effectively. I know, it has to be, and it's faux, but it felt so faux.

We got our seats and ordered. The appetizer was a mound of onion rings which were delicious. Feeling hopeful, I ordered a "Jamaican-style burger"; Omaha had paella. The paella was delicious, Omaha said, but she couldn't eat much, but my burger was disappointing. When someone tells me they're giving it to me "Jamaican style," I expect pepper cheese and paprika and capsicum and onions and veggies. I got a boring cheeseburger, not even Outback quality beef, on an over-toasted bun. Our friends had the same experience: his beef kebabs were good, but her pasta pomodoro was overcooked and mushy. She sent it back uneaten.

The manager came to ask her about it. I complained about my burger as well. She apologized and offered alternatives, but we passed. I'd eaten most of my burger anyway. We ordered dessert and decaf coffee. We got tea instead; they use the decaf coffee maker for brewing the tea that they make iced tea with, our server explained, which put me off the whole idea. The key lime pie was excellent, the first thing I can say I enjoyed, but the other desserts were so-so. My friend complained that the banana supreme was poorly presented.

To the restaurant's credit, both the burger and the pomodoro were taken off the receipt, but between the food and the drinks even with those removed we spent way too much money there which totally blew our dining budget for the month. Not cheap, and not worth it for an unremarkably average restaurant.

Comments

[alice-in-texas.livejournal.com]

My boyfriend, dragons_among_us, and I have dropped in there a few times as I come and go through Seattle on my way between Houston and Wenatchee. It's very mixed as far as what to order. We generally stick to getting the appetizers which are as large as an average meal and not as expensive as the meals. I like the empanadas with a fruit salsa. The not overly spiced beef filling has some squash in it also. A nice touch. It seems we tried something like an eggroll once. And he got a pizza another. As for drinks, I really like their Aruba Ricky. It comes in a 16 ounce glass and one is enough for me. My boyfriend likes their Aruba Red ale. It too comes in a 16 ounce glass.

Because we shop at Southcenter Mall area often while in Seattle because of the Half Price book store and Mrs. Sees (my boxed chocolate fix), we tend to eat in that area. We enjoy Rainforest Cafe which has good drinks and a 'book' for a menu. The owner of the RC is based in Houston and he is known for his variety restaurants all over that area. RC too can be pricey, but worth it for the usual good quality we find there. And kids love it too.

While on a train trip excursion to Seattle from Wenatchee, we stayed overnight in Pioneer Square. Having discovered a few good spots there to eat and shop, we are now venturing more into downtown and Pike Place Market. For an unsual experience, a couple of years ago, we tried high tea at the Blue Willow Tea room. I'm not sure if it is still there but it was on, or near, Pike Street. Nice spot for teas and sandwiches. I always look forward to the time I get to spend in Seattle.

[intrepid-reason.livejournal.com]

This place is not that new, it's more than a year old. I was very disappointed with most everythign about this place. I believe I enjoyed the jerked chicken appetizer, that was about it.

[memegarden.livejournal.com]

They have a yummy conch soup, and I like the goat cheese appetizer stuffed into red peppers. I do think one can easily find better values elsewhere. tugger and I got items taken off our bill when we were there, too, because they failed to bring them to us in anything like a timely fashion. The waitress and the manager both apologized profusely; I found the second apology annoying rather than mollifying.