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When I signed up to review a restaurant, I almost hoped I would havesome crazy bad experience. I suppose that stems from some deep seated ,unresolved emotional issues. Or maybe its just easier for me to rantthan rave. On that account I was sorely dissappointed. My experience atthe Avalon was so refreshing (of course, it helped that my wife and Ihad grandma watch the wee'uns, so even the laundromat would've beenexciting). Babysitter aside, the staff at the Avalon was very friendly,stopping by to check on us just enough, not overly personal, yetconversational; not hovering but regularly checking in. We enjoyedhaving a chance to have a somewhat adult conversation with minimalinteruptions.
The atmosphere was also a delight. I usedto like those resaurants where every surface not designed to holdplates had some sort of cheesy decor on it. After the last two years ofcronic kid clutter, I found the restaurant to be relaxingly tastefullyand simply decorated. Ahhhh, so peaceful. The jazz playing quietly inthe background is a musical appetizer, preparing you to enjoy a finemeal.
That would bring us to the Main Event:Consumables. I had a barbequed brisket that melted in my mouth, shehad the catfish (this was odd, as she doesn't like catfish in general)and was impressed by its relatively firm texture and non-muddy flavor.Four Thumbs Up. Our drinks were excellent, as were the non-musicappetizers. And I didn't leave hungry. I don't feel like the Avalonsacrifices portion size for quality, like so many establishments do. Sooften your choices are either a bite of refinement or a wheelbarrow ofcrud. in this case, a fine balance was achieved.
Theonly negative thing I could say at all about my experience would haveto be with desert. And it was good, it's just that the crust on my piewas tough. Pretty tough. Good flavor, but perhaps a little overworked.Thats it, the only thing I could think of. Oh well. I still ate it, andenjoyed it. My wife had some kind of triple chocolate petit four thingthat would make you cry it was so good.
And a goodtime was had by all... So good in fact, that if I didn't know better, Iwould say that they saw this review coming. But I do know better, so Iguess the Avalon is just a great place.
On the whole,it was fanstic at the Avalon. Thanks to them for a great experience andto the Guide for sending me there. Go on down, enjoy the music, foodand the view. And tell them you heard about it here at the Locals Guide!
