Come for the Bread, Then Leave
DESCRIPTION: I write this review with a heavy heart. Cafe Miranda was presented to me by a friend who raved about the place. My expectations, therefore, were high. Unfortunately, the problem with high expectations is that, when dashed, the experience feels so much more disappointing. I'll try to boil it down for you. The bread gratis was good. The olive oil was even better. After the bread, though, the experience made a turn for the worse. The over-ambitious menu made for a lack of focus in the kitchen. The calamari appetizer was overcooked and greasy. The entree was, oddly enough, both overcooked and undercooked. To explain, the chicken was dry and obviously cooked at too high a temperature while the shrimp was not cooked fully through. Strange, in my opinion. The dessert was o.k. but, since the coffee order was forgotten by the waitress, proved an overall letdown. To that point, the service, was quite sub-par. Often overlooked, my water glass remained empty most of the meal and I spent several anxious moments wondering if my waitress would ever reappear. One final thought, there appeared to be friends of the owners in the cafe at the time I dined. Because of the relationship with the owners, the friends took it upon themselves to be loud and obnoxious. In addition, they literally ran amuck about the dining room spaces. As a result, my opinion is that, if you come at all, come for the bread, then leave.
DATE: 2004-11-05
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 4
OVERALLRATING : 2
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Bread and Water (if you can get it)

Worth a repeat visit
DESCRIPTION: Tucked away behind a bank off Main St. and is a very pleasant dining experience. You can choose Prix Fixe ($37 or $40) or a la carte. Appetizers we tried were roasted tomato soup with a crab crostini, seared tuna with seaweed salad and pickled ginger with a soy sesame sauce and lamb lollipops (rib chops with ground lamb formed around them and bound with a bit of filo dough). Only tried one entree, lobster strudel served with fiddle heads and mushrooms (very good). Desserts were apple streusel (like a crisp) and a maple syrup creme brulee. Definitely will make a return visit. They also make a great martini.
DATE: 2002-06-04
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8