Changes to the Bainbridge eatery scene...

Its been a while since I have had anything to say about my dining experiences. Frankly, I haven't had a meal out that was any good for some time.. But, there have been some changes to our local eateries that should be mentioned, for better... or WORSE!

Winslow 122
First off, the Winslow Way Cafe finally caved. I would like to tell you what I really feel about the former owner, but lets move on. A new place was opened by a rich couple with ZERO restaurant experience. They hired two competent managers to set up the restaurant. They were to be silent owners, step back and let the pros make them money. They decided to be vocal, they fired the only experienced people in the restaurant before it opened. Left with an unchecked inexperienced Chef, they quickly tailspinned right out of the gate. The Chef was fired, the Sous Chef took over. The Sous Chef graduated from CIA, so he probably has skill, but lacks experience. Its been open four months now. What are the signs of a restaurant going out of business? "Kids eat free" and "Now serving Brunch" Good bye Winslow 122, you won't be missed.

Penelopes
A new Italian place opened up in the Pavilion, right next to the Casa Rojas Lounge. We were very excited to have an Italian restaurant open up. When it finally opened, we dined there.

Let me start off by saying, the food was good. Not great, but good, and affordable.

The owners have never had a dine in restaurant before and it shows. The place wreaks of inexperience. They try real hard, but the menu is complicated and many dishes take much too long. The long line to get in is not so much because they are great, its because they are slow.
The Menu is horrible. It simply lists the name of the Entree. No description whatsoever. When ordering pizza togo, this probably isn't a problem

I have hopes that they will learn as they go. I have heard that some of the complicated items are being reworked. Now, they need to add a better beer selection. They have two beers, an Italian and a micro brew.

I will return to this place, I am hopeful, however, there is another new Italian place opening up on Winslow way, so we will see who wins this battle.

Richies 305 Diner
Yeah yeah, you saw it on Diners Drive ins and Dives.. it still went out of business, and rightfully so. Its a DINER, not a gourmet yuppie cafe in France or something.. come on....

Two new owners with limited experience opened the place up a few weeks ago. Hard to tell, no press, no nothing, one day they just opened the shades and turned on the sign. Clearly they missed the class on Marketing and Promotion....

We went there last weekend. I was happy to see that it has DINER FOOD! Thank you. They kinda have a tex mex thing going like the diners in Colorado. They offer green and red chili. I don't eat meat, so I can't comment on whether its good.

I had a three item omelet with hashbrowns and toast. They have biscuits listed all over the menu and the young waitress asked me if I would like a biscuit instead of toast. I asked if they make their own biscuits? They don't. Why they hype the biscuits is beyond me. I had sourdough.

The omelet was beautiful, cooked perfectly. The hashbrowns looked great, but were a little undercooked in the middle. They were alright though.

My daughter had the French Toast combo, which came with a choice of meat. She chose bacon.
The toast looked great, and, I did try one slice. It was crusted with cinnamon and was pretty good. The bacon was a thick cut type. I, of course, didn't try it though.

So, the new owners have the Diner food going ok, there is one problem, they kept the yuppie French Cafe pricing. The worst offender, Steak and Eggs for $17.99. Who are they kidding?
My omelet was $9.99 and the French Toast combo was $8.99. Too high for a diner. Do they not see the sandwich boards that the Salmon Creek Cafe have posted all over town? 2 eggs, toast and bacon for $5.99. Get with it Richies or meet a similar fate of all those before you.