Hollywood Burger Bistro Review

Ever had a meal where it starts out with great hope & promise but quickly turns into "I should have known better!" ? Wait, then it surprises you in the end? No? Never had that experience? Well, last night I did.

I will mention to you 3 things before I begin:

1. It is Baltimore's "winter" restaurant week.
2. We had about 8-10 inches of snow yesterday, which in Bmore should mean place is packed -not the case here.
3. This restaurant has been open possibly a little over a month.

All that said, I still broke my own rule of NEVER EVER under any circumstances go out to eat during restaurant week.
Why you ask?
They have the best deals you say? I agree with you if  you mean the deal is with the devil!

Typically, you sacrifice "Bmore style" kindness and any amount of decent service during this time period and the food tends to never been as good as when I am there any other time of the year.

However, Hollywood Burger Bistro is in the neighborhood and was a Moroccan place about 4 months ago that was only open 6 months or less. This location has been either unlucky prior to Red Fish or just a bad location. Well, yes, you could argue that most the establishments themselves have stunk - that could warrant consistent closings and reopenings. Point is, I felt guilty boycotting a local place.

I thought come on give it a go. It is snowing hard, don't need a reservation on a Wed. night and their special Restaurant week menu looked interesting. $35.11 for 4 courses. And the real draw - while supplies lasted they had half price bottles of MUMM's sparkling  ($24).  Of course they did not have any left by the time we got there - no big surprise - like I said - should have guessed!

We walk in, place has a handful (~10)  of folks in the bar area and no one in the dining room. We grabbed a 2 top in the bar and a kind woman followed us with food menus. No drink menu in sight. Strange but ok.

We examined the laundry list of burgers after all it is a "burger bistro" which are named after acclaimed actors/resses. The special was just too easy because it allowed us to try many different regular menu items.
Ready to order and not a soul in the world to bring us water, utensils or even say hello. I would say it was that they were distracted by the video games going on - yes, they have Nintendo type games available at the bar on the flat screen for you to play friendly? (Ultimate fighting challenge...) violent games with your seat mates.

However, the bartender did not seem to notice me staring at him or the rowdy super hero fighting guests. No idea who was the manager or working there - many plain dressed folks moved in and out behind the bar, adjusting the music (think dance club) and hanging around talking with drinks in hand?

After a solid 15 minutes, the bartender came around and took the 4 tops order 2 tables away - prime time to get us some water but....ah no. Went to the pc to enter their food -4 course per person so that took another 10 min. Not kidding. New couple came in and sat between us and the 4 top. At this point, we are discussing leaving.

Bartender returns. There is hope and he goes to the couple that just sat and says - can I get you drinks I don't know who was here first??? Hello? Did you not see me starring at you - I think I freaked him out. J/K

They kindly said that we had been there. So, we got water. Seriously - he had to get the wine list because there was one yet, he did not know what they had by the glass and that is how I came to learn there was no Mumm's, which he acted surprised was even listed on the restaurant week menu.

So far - "Should have known better!"

He returns with the wine list and I say we are ready to order and he says well, let me take the neighboring table's drink order and come back they have been waiting??? Ok, now I am thinking this is twilight zone.
He explains that because of the inclement weather they were not going to open and so understand anything off the special menu will take a longer time as it will be "cooked to order." I said would you like to refer us to items that are best to order? He says, no, we have everything - it will just take a while. OK! Thinking to myself - - never open a restaurant if you can not perform to standard levels. Not good for a new place.

The first course - Salads.

House salad (arugula)-
topped with almond slivers (untoasted I mention it bc they were supposed to be) red onion rings (strong enough) cucumber slivers, dried cranberries, shredded carrot, and 4 tomato wedges that could have been anemic pumpkin they were so yellow orange and green - why must they feel to place these on food out of season?

Caesar Salad -
Romaine lettuce, crisp crunchy and what appeared to be croutons made from old Italian loaf bread- they were hard but no toasted color just stark white. Thought it was cubed bread at first. Not even the crust was yellow brown-odd. Mentioned because they were supposed to be garlic herb crostini - didn't see any garlic or herb.

So far, once again, "Should have known better."

Second Course:

BBQ Scallops
"Bacon wrapped scallops tossed in BBQ sauce, grilled to perfection"

From the photo you can see scallop pieces are wrapped in bacon and skewered, dressed in a BBQ sauce which tasted very  canned tomato-not enough spice or heat. The corn bread reminded one of a twinky in shape and texture. It was very sweet but surprisingly good. The scallops too were moist and cooked properly.  Yes, risk ordering seafood but was surprised. Would not order this again but would look for the corn bread on a brunch menu!

Sashimi Tuna Loin - another risky order!
"Thinly sliced lightly seasoned, seared tuna loin. Served with Thai noodles with a sweet chili Thai sauce and Wasabi dressing."

You can see - large portion, fish cooked well -just seared and had a crunch to the outside - perfect. The rice noodles were tossed in a sweet soy like dressing. The Thai sweet chili sauce was very tasty pairing and more surprising was the Ranch looking wasabi dressing mixed with the chili sauce. This dish was a shocking surprise! I would order this again as a meal!

 
 
 
 
 


Main Courses - bigger risks here - steak and seafood.
 
Argentina Gaucho Tenderloin Kebab

"Tender beef tenderloin kebab served with a classic chimichurri sauce. Accompanied with potato al ferno and vegetable du jour"

Having recently been to Argentina we could not skip out on this dish. Had to see the cut of steak used and taste their chimi! Well, the chimi may not have been authentic but it was delicious! Steak was cooked well like in BA but still tender and tasty. Great depth from the grill sear. The broccoli - well looked awesome - bright green - steamed and no sauce at all or butter - perfect until you realized it was very undercooked and cold - rats! The accompanying risotto (was to be potatoes but then risotto) - well it was rice not risotto rice and it was al dente. However, the flavor was meaty, savory with backing of wine and my dining companion liked it better than risotto. Orchid was a nice touch.
Get rid of the Yellow plates!

Colossal Jumbo Lump Crab Cake

"An enormous 10oz. signature jumbo lump crab cake broiled and dressed with a sweet Dijon remolaude. Complimented with mash potatoes and steamed broccoli."

Same veggie experience. Mashed potatoes - skin on - but cold, thick and gluey. Maybe if hot these could have been good. The crab was not fishy, little filler at all, and quite good. Not sure it was a crab cake more like super lump crab imperial? Not quite a creamy rich as crab imperial but more along those lines. The "remoulade"  was nothing more than grainy sharp mustard and too tart and overpowering with the crab. However, that chimi sauce was perfect match! Next time, buy good remoulade and spell it correctly on the menu.

Dessert - Final Course
Frangelico Silk Layered Cappuccino Pyramid

No idea what this was - icy/thick mouse like in texture. The cake was soaked in Frangelico but was way too strong in alcohol flavor as was the drizzle - very light taste of cappuccino if at all. Disappointing but the plating was impressive.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nicole Kidman Fries

"Yummy sweet potato fries drizzled with chocolate and a side of cinnamon honey mustard topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream." Picture speaks a thousand words - - these were delicious minus the mustard -not a good pairing at all. We suspected that these are hand cut sweet potatoes because the insides tasted like firm baked fries but trust me they may have been fried twice. The cinnamon coating was perfect - could have used more of it. Key is letting the ice cream melt and then dipping your fried in the chocolaty ice cream sauce - just like dipping fries in a milk shake - YUM! Evil! Pleasant Surprise!

So, I ask why are these named for Nicole Kidman? Bartender states - he has no idea. I said, I don't envision she eats these nor do I think she created the idea. Thought for sure there would be a good story to go with the name but no!

The whole experience took just under 3 hours.  Big question would I go back? Hmmm...hard to say!
I was surprised by several things - and the kitchen can clearly cook if they are focused and take their time and are fully staffed. However, there are many area restaurants that nail it from service to food consistently.
So, I would tell folks give it a try - not during restaurant week, not during a snow storm and take some menu risks.
 
I think I will move on.