Milkwood report

Just some notes from our trip to Milkwood last night, 10/19/13

-loved the space! It is great fun to walk through the theater lobby and down into the dining room. I hope to have a show-n-meal combo here sometime.
-the first courses that we ordered (lamb sausage and octopus bacon) were very exciting... some of the best dishes we have had in a while. I loved the smoked octopus! And the sausage was really special. It was very tender, like it had barley been cooked. Great stuff!
-we didn't care for either main that we ordered. The brisket was chewy and extremely salty--like Hormel corn beef salty. I had heard raves about the brisket, and I am a salt maniac, but this was far too salty. Has anyone else experienced this bastard brine, voodoo brisket at Milkwood? Is it always this salty? My wife ordered the pork belly and scallops. More salt! Pork belly and salt? Sure! But the scallops were unbelievably salty. This was a most perplexing and salty selection of main courses.
-dessert was okay, but I don't care much about dessert generally. The sorghum and grits ice cream was quite good, the cheesecake was dry and unexciting.

So... a mixed review from us. Unbelievable first courses, followed by at least 5 tablespoons of salt. I hope that those main courses were an anomaly... has anyone else had similar or contrary experiences?

[Robin Garr]

We've been to MilkWood maybe three times and never had a salt problem, Blake, but to be fair, it's been a while since our last visit.

We did have a salt problem with some dishes at Brasserie Provence, but that was during a slammed evening at the end of their first week, so I was inclined to be forgiving.

We went before a performance of Dracula. No tables available but there was bar seating. We shared the grilled romaine salad ($7) and the crispy duck for two ($38) . The salad was wonderful. I could have used a little more but really nice. The crispy duck was a mixed bag. The de-boned dark meat was fabulous, especially when accompanied by the apricot hoisin. The breast was not. Under cooked and chewy. The manager was very gracious. She brought us a chicken and waffle ( outstanding, what a cool mix of favors ) and took the two off our bill. This more than satisfied me as I would have gladly paid for the chicken and waffle. We paid for our drinks and salad and had a great evening at the play. I'll be back because they handled the situation in a most professional way.

It pays to speak up when your service or meal is not what you expect.

My wife and I have been with friends a few times. Ive been getting quite the reputation at the bar there. I agree the octopus bacon is amazing as is almost everything else I have had on their menu.

I cant say we have ever had a salt problem there. Thats unfortunate.

We were there several months ago with a large group (we took several tables) and quite a few people complained about the salt. We did love the octupus.

Now I must admit that I've only been once....and I was wholeheartedly underwhelmed.

Although creative, the menu lacked flair. And the desserts didn't pique interest at all (if I remember correctly, we went elsewhere for that course).

On the plus side, the space is nicely done, and the service was first rate....but I doubt that I'll be back unless I get a convincing argument otherwise.