The Looking Glass

Reviews 3

ME

Meg Hoffman

My family and I are all about supporting local buisnesses here in Clarksville and when we heard of the local hidden gem, we thought it would be wonderful to take our daughter there as "Through the Looking Glass" is one of our daughters favorite books to read.The first time we went here it was rather late so we knew we were taking a chance but had heard rave reviews. My husbands meal was fantastic and fresh (Pork Milanese Mushroom Demi-Glace) but my daughters Alfredo literally tasted like butter on a plate of noodles, our spinach dip was cold and unseasoned, and my Salomon Wellington (which I was super excited to try on account of the promised caper sauce) had a ridiculous amount of soggy/inedible puff pastry and what can only be described as tartar sauce. It did not taste like anything promised in the description of the menu. While the ambience is definitely whimsical in the eyes of a seven-year-old, the decor is extremely disjointed and the tables are crowded and small, with a few larger tables for reserved larger parties. Our serve was desent and we were sat rather quickly considering there was an event in the other room. Since my family was pleased and the hour was late, we chucked the first experience and decided to give the raved about restaurant another try but were still left wanting. The second time we came early and the place seemed dead aside from one couple and an event next door. We were actually greated by an event guest who found us a server as no one was hosting or seating people when we arrived. I ordered the other meal that caught my eye this time..first, tell me HOW kids are denied child portions after the age of 6. My child is only 8 and she cannot eat an adult size plate, which average 17 dollars. Second, tell me why most of the dishes are prepped for dinner service and cannot be altered in size, then you need to come up with another menu for children ages 7 to 12! Again she order a pasta dish, the butternut squash ravioli, which was bland aside for the overwhelming taste of butter and unseasoned squash puree. Second chance for spinach dip, which again came in a tiny dish ("group" size b.t.w) was again absent of salt which is hard with aged white cheese in there; assuming they used fresh cheeses. Also, another side of tri-colored soggy chips, part of the whimsy? I think not! My husbands steak was rare but still edible but my seafood fra diablo should be called "far from diablo" as it tasted like unseasoned tomato paste, it lacked in salt as much as it did in heat. My dish was also cold until I tossed the pasta which leaves me to imagine that my dish must have been prepared first or at least sqt for a time before being served. My muscles were sandy (poorly cleaned), my scallops were rubbery, as well as my shrimp and both reminded me of the soles of my shoes. In addition, my server, who saw all the seafood and no pasta on my plate, did not care to even ask why I didnt eat the seafood. This tells me A, he didnt care or B, he knew exactly why I didnt eat the seafood because it tasted prefrozen, fishy, and like something I would use to stop my front door from slamming shut. I have had better meals at fast food joints in this area; at least with those meals I get exactly what I paid for. Whereas, I have now eaten here twice and gotten sick both times. The first time was merely an upset stomach; this time I paid in more than just overpriced food. With what I assume was the owner behind the dessert bar and a camera in the dining room, I was amazed that no one seems to care that I didnt finish my food. We will not be returning to the looking glass anytime soon. I absolutely agree with the hit or miss reviews, unfortunately for me, mine has always been a miss. After these two experiences I feel the decor and food definitely feel like something you would find/eat through the looking glass. The decor and clever name are merely an attempt to distract you from the unseasoned food and unseasoned staff. I guess it would be a worthwhile experience if you enjoy eating at the flea market.

A

A Private User

I want to say foremost that I was incredibly excited to enter the doors to your restaurant...I had heard wonderful things about the food, atmosphere and the ambiance that has surrounded several of your patrons. I wish that I would have been one of them. My girlfriend and I along with our daughter came in for breakfast on Valentines Day. I thought this would be a wonderful way to start out our day. We arrived at about 8 a.m., ordered about 15 minutes later. The coffee was wonderful...our waiter at first glance seemed promising as he attended to us. After waiting another 20 minutes for him to return to take our order our patients where growing thin. At about 9:25 our food got to our table, quick math that is AN HOUR AND A HALF after we ordered our food. I might want to add at this point that we where amongst a table of 4 and another party of 2. I watched our food sit at a counter for 10 minutes...explain how in an empty restaurant anything sits for 10 minutes? Our food arrives cold, late and small....yes small...the portions where something from the kids menu. I personally ordered pecan waffles....sounding so tempting for a price of $10.00, I thought these had to be a good portion. Envision 4 silver dollar sized waffles with a splash of pecan CRUMBS thrown over the top. After confronting the owner, wich I do want to say at this point that she handled the situation with superb professionalism, I asked about the Cannolis. Looking wonderful in the case I ordered 9 of them as Valentines treats. My total (just for the Cannolis) $38.64 At first I do not think this registered because I left the restaurant not thinking a thing about it. After the poor service and still STARVING because I refused to either eat or pay for what FINALLY arrived at my table, I was just ready to take my Cannolies and go home. After arriving home and looking at my delectables I realized what I had just payed for them. So I do the logical thing...call the restaurant and ask the price...$2.25. Another dose of quick math 9 Cannolis at $2.25 is $20.25. So I find myself thinking huh? Let me just put it simply I OVERPAID BY $18.39. And to boot the Cannolis, which I had to eat after paying that much for was soggy and not fresh. For those of you who do not know Cannolis are a rolled CRUNCHY fried dough with a filling made from Ricotta cheeses, not a soggy mess stuffed with strawberry flavored whipped cream. Between the service, cold food, and prices to SUCK the breath from your chest I would NOT recommend this place to ANYONE unless you care more about ambiance than good food and good service.

CO

Concetta DeMarco

My husband and I are from Savannah, Georgia where we are used to high-quality, eclectic, mid-priced restaurants with classy service and creative menus. We WERE highly disappointed with almost everything we had tried in this city of chains and lunch joints UNTIL we accidentally stumbled upon this place! Our definition of a real restaurant? -extensive wine list -hand crafted desserts (made daily and works of art I might add) -classy wait staff with the little touches like putting the napkin in your lap, etc. -a chef who visits the tables -live music (they had violins and a hammered dulcimer the last we visited) -quality produce (its mostly organic and definitely fresh) -creative menu with unique tweaks personalized by the chef (the sauces here are magnificent and complimentary, not overpowering) -outdoor seating available The looking glass met all of these criterion. To address a few of the complaints: -Yes, the décor is eclectic. So what? Its wonderland themed and if you go in the evenings, its all candle lit and the food is lovely. -Service is only slow if you are not used to quality restaurants where food is cooked to order, not just stuck under some heat lamp getting dried out. Our meal for two took about an hour and a half total from seating to check. Our waiter was attentive and we were kept stocked with breads, appetizers, etc. all in an appropriated staggered sequence. Did I mention live music? This is not the place for people who are not ready to relax and savor life at a slower place. But isnt that the point of going out? -The same goes for price. Fifteen to twenty dollar entrées are not "expensive" in my book if you are paying for fresh food and atmosphere. In addition, there are plenty of lighter entrées like salads with stuffed crêpes for half of that price if youre pinched. From dining all over the east coast, this place is appropriately priced for the menu and portions. You would pay $30 for a smaller entrée of the same quality at an expensive restaurant. In contrast, we split an entrée, with salads and two sides, ordered desserts, and were billed twenty-eight. How is that pricey? -If you want something a little quicker and cheaper, this is the best option for a dessert bar in Clarksville. It is perfectly acceptable to go and just order off their wine/coffee/dessert menus. -Lastly, if you have allergies, the chef accepts calls ahead to discuss and make a unique to order gluten free, nut free, dairy free, or so on alternative.