review: california dreaming

California Dreaming

Augusta, GA
visit: 2/10/08 - my birthday! :)

taste:
appetizers - 5
entrees - 4
service: 3
ambience: 4


review:
We went to California Dreaming for my birthday lunch right after church on Sunday. We entered the lobby to find a 20-30 minute wait, which was fine. We didn't have to wait quite that long, and we were seated at a nice big table. Unfortunately, one of the chairs was greasy. Ryan cleaned it off with a napkin, and then our waiter appeared. He was alarmed at the greasy chair and said he would bring Ryan another napkin, however the napkin did not arrive until our entrees came out. Our waiter was a little slow getting our drink order, getting the drinks, getting the napkin, getting things in general. But then we figured out why. Shane was mentioning how capers taste like car paint (don't ask) and the waiter magically appeared. Hearing the word "paint" he told us a story about eating paint as a child in school. And then he told us there was lead in the paint. So then we knew why the service was not so great at times.

Other than our spotty service, the food was good! We started with seafood nachos (shrimp, salmon, and lobster cream sauce) and the most amazing croissants you will ever have in your life. They taste like little clouds of heaven, almost the consistency of cotton candy. Light, airy, golden, with honey butter drizzled on top. Really, they could be a dessert. The seafood nachos were awesome - plenty of salmon & shrimp, with a perfect cream sauce, dill and capers. So I give the appetizers a perfect 5 kiwis. Delicious and filling - probably could have ended the meal here.

Next up came side salads, accompanied with more croissants! Yum! The salads were a good size, but too much yellow lettuce. I prefer green. Garnished wtih the usual suspects - tomatoes, bacon bits, eggs. Pretty good.

Out came our entrees. There was a little confusion on who got what, I get the feeling our waiter didn't quite put in the seat #s correctly on his ticket. But everything came out hot & delicious. I had the 11 oz prime rib, cooked medium rare and absolutely delicious. Tender and flavorful. The au jus was also good, but honestly the prime rib didn't even need it. Had mashed potatoes on the side, also very good with the skins still on some of the potatoes. Ryan had fried flounder with fries that he enjoyed. The batter was a little different from what he was expecting, but still good. My mom had a rack of ribs, they were excellent. the meat was falling off the bone, and the rub/sauce was sweet and tangy. Not drowning in sauce either. The other 2 people in our party had the grilled chicken salad and bbq chicken. No complaints there.

To end the meal, the waiters came and sang to me - did not want this. I don't know who's idea it was. I got a free cup of ice cream, woohoo! I ate maybe a spoonful. Slow getting the check, then found we got charged for a coffee that my mom ordered and never received. Slow fixing that, slow running the check. Our waiter was really good at running away and making us think that he was coming back soon...but at least all our orders were right and he was funny. So I give the service a 3.