I had high expectation for Commis
The difference between a bowl of ramyeon at Gomnaru and a six-course dinner at Commis is the ratio of satisfaction to expectation. This is how I rank my foods, which allows me to enjoy a Cheetos just as much as any prime ribs done well, perhaps even more. There are certain extremes, like the cafeteria at Berkeley and LBL, no matter how low I set my bar, they manage to wow me with their ability to ruin everything, including fried rice. Anyhow, I figured that it’s only respectful to the chefs that I go to a well applauded, top ranking restaurant with high expectation. But for Commis, I think my expectation was a bit too high.
The ingredients: fresh, interesting, nothing to complain about. The techniques: nothing I know enough to comment about. The combinations: hmm… An hour after dinner, Rob asked me: “How would you describe your dinner tonight in four sentences?” “Four?” “Three. Ask me again and I’ll say two.” The truth is I would rather sum it up in one: “I don’t remember”.
I can remember vividly the banh mi a vendor sold in front of my high school ten years back, the way its charred meatballs melted in my mouth, its yellow mayonnaise, its crumbs broke free into the motobike-exhaust-filled air. I can remember equally vividly the chicken crepe I bought a rainy night in Seattle four years back, the running warmth of its cheese, its springy softness, my frozen fingers. Just how was the poached egg, or the soup, or the dessert at Commis last Wednesday night? I can’t even remember what’s in the soup.
For every course, like at any fine restaurant, our hostess arrived with a gently toned, slurred-together string of ingredients, of which I could hear the first and the last words and consonants in between. I am not skilled enough to detect a sprinkle of tarragon just by tasting, so I base my judgement on the harmony. Scallop-like monkfish paired with grainy beans was the most discordant in texture, and its accompanying sauce was a bit too fishy and too salty. The opening cookie excited us in its rock-like appearance but hit a dry tune, I suspect a pebble size would be more palatable. The ending nectarine jelly invited little attention and tasted too sweet. Intermittently flared a few high notes, such as the dill weed‘s tanginess in a cauliflower-potato-salad combo, or the pistachio sauce tightened with a radish zest of horsegrass (one of these days I will find it on Google).
The most memorable piece of the night was a cucumber, green apple, and eucalyptus palate-cleanser. It was what it sounds like: a sorbet. The cucumber made a profound impression. I would trade the whole dinner for another shot glass of this. But the sorbet alone does not make the meal worth its hundred dollar value or make it stand out.
It was neither too good nor too bad. It was like a landscape painting with excruciating details and no focus. There could be a better night, but tonight’s impression was not enough to prompt a revisit, so there won’t be a better night. The next time I pass by Commis‘ signless glass door, I’ll just pass by.
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
1I got what you mean ,saved to favorites, very nice web site.
2Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I am shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
3As I web-site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling fantastic , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
4Hi there, I found your site via Google while looking for a related topic, your site came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
5Very interesting info!Perfect just what I was looking for!
6Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. But think about if you added some great pictures or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this site could undeniably be one of the very best in its niche. Superb blog!
7Some genuinely marvelous work on behalf of the owner of this internet site, perfectly outstanding articles.
8I’m very happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
9Only wanna remark on few general things, The website pattern is perfect, the subject material is rattling good : D.
10Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a great website.
11Well I definitely liked reading it. This post procured by you is very effective for accurate planning.
12Definitely imagine that that you stated. Your favourite reason seemed to be at the net the easiest factor to take into accout of. I say to you, I certainly get irked even as other folks consider worries that they just do not know about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and defined out the entire thing with no need side-effects , folks can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
13Some genuinely interesting information, well written and generally user genial.
14I simply couldn’t depart your site before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual info an individual provide on your guests? Is going to be back steadily to check up on new posts.
15I have been examinating out a few of your posts and it’s pretty nice stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your blog.
16I like this site because so much utile stuff on here :D.
17This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
18I will immediately grab your rss as I can’t find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
19Some truly good information, Sword lily I discovered this. “Literature … is the rediscovery of childhood.” by Georges Bataille.
20Hi there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.
21Thank you, I have recently been searching for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
22I am not rattling good with English but I find this really leisurely to translate.
23I’ve recently started a web site, the information you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
24Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a perfect web-site.
25Hello there, just changed into aware of your weblog via Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna be careful for brussels. I’ll be grateful when you proceed this in future. A lot of folks will likely be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!
26I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome web site!
27Some genuinely interesting points you have written.Helped me a lot, just what I was searching for :D.
28I am constantly browsing online for ideas that can assist me. Thanks!
29I’m impressed, I must say. Really not often do I encounter a blog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you have got hit the nail on the head. Your thought is outstanding; the problem is something that not enough persons are talking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my seek for one thing relating to this.
30I keep listening to the news update lecture about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the top site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i get some?
31Excellent post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I am impressed! Very useful information specifically the last section 🙂 I deal with such information a lot. I used to be looking for this certain information for a very long time. Thanks and best of luck.
32The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
33Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
34Generally I don’t read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great article.
35I’ll right away grasp your rss feed as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please permit me recognize in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
36Nice post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I am inspired! Extremely helpful info specifically the ultimate part 🙂 I handle such info a lot. I used to be looking for this particular info for a very long time. Thanks and best of luck.
37I got what you intend, appreciate it for posting.Woh I am delighted to find this website through google.
38I like this web site its a master peace ! Glad I observed this on google .
39Hey very nice web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I am happy to find so many useful info here in the post, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
40Appreciating the commitment you put into your website and in depth information you provide. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material. Great read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
41You have brought up a very fantastic points, thanks for the post.
42Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any methods to stop hackers?
43I got what you intend, appreciate it for putting up.Woh I am lucky to find this website through google. “The test and use of a man’s education is that he finds pleasure in the exercise of his mind.” by Carl Barzun.
44fantastic publish, very informative. I ponder why the other specialists of this sector don’t understand this. You must proceed your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
45I think other website owners should take this internet site as an model, very clean and excellent user genial design and style.
46Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
47I am impressed with this internet site, rattling I am a fan.
48I will immediately grab your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
49I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!
50