November 2nd, 2013 – Boy have things changed! And NOT for the good. Three months ago I wrote a glowing review – last night PajamaGal and I revisited Michael’s – probably for the last time.
We’d just seen “Last Vegas” (Great movie, but don’t listen to anyone’s review if they’re under 60 – there’s no way a non-senior could understand or appreciate it!)
We arrived around 5:30, two other booths were occupied. Erika was no longer there, Christine said she’d moved from the area.
We ordered drinks and an appetizer of “Fried Calamari with Crostini” ($11.00). I like calamari and have eaten it all over the world. This appetizer looked and tasted good, although there were many more heads than there were body rings. The flavor was really good, but they were tough and chewy. (my favorite is still Carrabba’s on Bay Area in Houston)
When Christine took our entre order I asked if the management or chef had changed – she said no. PajamaGal had wanted the Veal Parmesan (which I’d recommended from our previous visit), but at the last minute changed her mind and selected the “Mahi Mahi” ($23.00). I opted for the “Haddock Fra Diavlo” ($23.00). I guess my plate was technically correct, the haddock was “…topped with sautéed shrimp…” – although a few 51/60’s to me don’t qualify as “…topped with sautéed shrimp…” for a $23 entrée.
The “Fra Diavlo” wasn’t a “Brother Devil”, but more like slightly “Sassy Sister” sauce and the Mahi’s “…homemade peach glaze …” must have come from a jar. On the bright side, the “fresh vegetables” were fresh and flavorful, but the “seasoned broth” part of the “rice pilaf must have come from one of those foil “seasoning packets”.
The real problem was the fish. Both servings were way over-cooked and well past the “flaky” stage. I almost needed a knife to cut my haddock and PajamaGal’s Mahi was equally dry and tough.
Christine sincerely apologized when I explained our dissatisfaction. While we waited for our check, I expected the chef, or the owner, or at least a manager to express concern. Christine was our only contact. When she delivered the check, she said, “They told me to take only one entre off the bill, but I took both.” Seriously?
I wish it was the manager’s/owner’s night off – I wish the regular chef was out sick and an inexperienced sous-chef was at the helm. I wish we’d gone to Wildwood’s…
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August 2013
I saw an advertisement in the Acton Unlimited for Michael’s Restaurant, and the bartender Jorge, “The King of Margaritas”. A little bell went off in my head. PajamaGal had been nagging suggesting we try more restaurants to find a “go-to” place – nearby with great food, service, drinks, and decent prices.
I found copies of Michael’s menu on several websites but all of them were from a previous owner – outdated and flat wrong.
Being retirees (from NASA’s Space Shuttle Program in Houston), our normal dinnertime has evolved to the 5 o’clock hour. Fortunately, the traffic traveling to Michael’s from Hudson was much better than the traffic coming the other way.
Our server, Erika, greeted us at the door and seated us in a comfortable booth. Jorge and his margaritas had completely slipped our minds (PJ-Gal is a margarita connoisseur), so we ordered a Pinot Grigio and my Dewar's with a splash. (Both were generous @ $6.50 & $7)
Wine & Cocktails = Excellent!
Erika was very efficient and attentive – without being overly-so. She knew the menu and was able to provide preparation detail when asked. And she actually listened when we spoke! She kept an eye on our table without “hovering”. She accepted menu deviations (marinara on the side, pasta - not potatoes, angel hair - not linguini) as a matter of course without making us feel like we were asking for the moon. I really can’t remember having better service!
Service = Excellent!
I ordered the “Crab Cakes” ($12) from the “Today’s Specials” menu. As I told Erika (who said the owner/chef welcomed comments), for $12, I thought the 2 cakes were a tad small and crab/breading ratio was a bit lite. If they were $7-to-$9, I’d order them again.
PJ-Gal had the “Pan Seared Duck with Raspberry Sauce” ($18), also from the “Today’s Specials” menu. She loved it and ate every bite. It was excellently prepared and the sauce was, in her words, “fantastic”! I asked her to compare it to the Seared Duck ($32) she’s had at Blue Ginger last month. She liked Michael’s better.
I was conflicted between the special’s “Swordfish & Shrimp Fra Diavlo” ($25) and the regular menu's “Veal Parmigiana” ($21) – and while I love both, my palate was yearning for some good veal. I opted for the veal with angel hair. My palate was rewarded! The generous portion of lightly breaded tender veal was smothered in a crisp and tangy marinara that was laced with a chiffonade of fresh basil. My waistline asked Erika to remove the remaining perfectly prepared pasta even though my taste buds begged me to ingest every last strand.
The Food = Very, Very Good!
If the “Bananas Foster” (a PajamaGal weakness) had remained on the new owner’s menu, we would have sampled Michael’s deserts, but since we had to pass by Erikson’s on the way home anyway…we’ll wait until next time. And there will be a next time – soon.
