Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen
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We want to be fair, we really do, but after hearing so many great things about Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen all 5 of us at the table were, collectively, disappointed. Now, any restaurant can have an off day, and we understand that, so we hope that in the future another meal can redeem this adorable restaurant in our eyes, but for now we have to advise going for the atmosphere alone and little else. Well, OK, maybe for the atmosphere and the Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Also try the Backstreet Fry.
Atmosphere
Tucked away behind the main drag of busy St. Helena, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen dwells in a little white house that aches with cuteness. Outside, an arbor-covered brick path leads into a quiet and quaint flowered courtyard where seating and an outdoor fireplace are a perfect place for lunch, if the weather permits . Inside, an intimate bar and lounge area opens into a small main seating area made up of striped banquettes and pretty flowered wallpaper. The simple color scheme of black and white, along with the eclectic mix of stripes and flowers, give it an air of sophisticated nostalgia. Tables are dressed in white linens, but the atmosphere is hardly stuffy. The lights for dinner were a touch too bright. There is an additional dining room upstairs.
Service
Although our server was very friendly and relaxed, service overall was not as efficient or professional as one would hope. Our biggest grievance was that our server never came back to check on us after the food was delivered, resulting in several attempts to flag her down.
Food
Whenever I sit down to write a review, especially of an already well-established and well-loved restaurant, like Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, I am reminded that many others have already done what I am about to do, and they most likely did it better, faster, more eloquently, and got paid a lot more, so who am I to try to reinvent the wheel?... Or, at least, that's what my sister asked.
Yes, that's true, I am no one to try to invent the wheel of restaurant criticism but, then, neither are the other millions of personal reviewers on sites such as Yelp, Open Table, Chowhound, or whatever fill-in-the-blank site. And yet, I do believe that these reviews have a place.
If you've ever worked in a restaurant, you know that when a reviewer comes, special attention is given to every aspect of every part of the meal in order to assure a great review. This is understandable, of course. But what happens when a real everyday kind of diner comes? What happens 5 years after the good reviews have been in? This is where being an average Joe comes in handy, simply to relay their everyday experience, and share it with others.
Now, I have no intention of badmouthing such a famous establishment as Cindy's, nor do I wish to write anything less than stellar about it's owner, chef Cindy Pawlin, but the truth is, our meal was just not good. To begin, the Backstreet Fry ($11.95) offered a promising start of delicate fried calamari, okra, and fennel with a light and creamy lemon aioli, but things quickly slid South as a plate of Mighty Meatloaf ($16.95) was nothing more than a hard lump of meat slathered in too-sweet BBQ sauce, and the Crispy Cod sandwich was mostly crisp and very little cod. Similarly, the Rabbit Tostada ($14.95) was a muddle of beans and meat with a slight flavor of chili powder and a nondescript tortilla. It was only an appetizer but we weren't even compelled to finish it. Last, the Pollo Loco ($22.95), a chicken breast with avocado salsa and a stuffed green chili, a family member favorite, was cooked well but, admittedly, not up to par. For dessert, a warm Pineapple Upside Down Cake ($9) was moist and rich, pared with a perfectly creamy vanilla ice cream but was cloyingly sweet.
Yes, that's true, I am no one to try to invent the wheel of restaurant criticism but, then, neither are the other millions of personal reviewers on sites such as Yelp, Open Table, Chowhound, or whatever fill-in-the-blank site. And yet, I do believe that these reviews have a place.
If you've ever worked in a restaurant, you know that when a reviewer comes, special attention is given to every aspect of every part of the meal in order to assure a great review. This is understandable, of course. But what happens when a real everyday kind of diner comes? What happens 5 years after the good reviews have been in? This is where being an average Joe comes in handy, simply to relay their everyday experience, and share it with others.
Now, I have no intention of badmouthing such a famous establishment as Cindy's, nor do I wish to write anything less than stellar about it's owner, chef Cindy Pawlin, but the truth is, our meal was just not good. To begin, the Backstreet Fry ($11.95) offered a promising start of delicate fried calamari, okra, and fennel with a light and creamy lemon aioli, but things quickly slid South as a plate of Mighty Meatloaf ($16.95) was nothing more than a hard lump of meat slathered in too-sweet BBQ sauce, and the Crispy Cod sandwich was mostly crisp and very little cod. Similarly, the Rabbit Tostada ($14.95) was a muddle of beans and meat with a slight flavor of chili powder and a nondescript tortilla. It was only an appetizer but we weren't even compelled to finish it. Last, the Pollo Loco ($22.95), a chicken breast with avocado salsa and a stuffed green chili, a family member favorite, was cooked well but, admittedly, not up to par. For dessert, a warm Pineapple Upside Down Cake ($9) was moist and rich, pared with a perfectly creamy vanilla ice cream but was cloyingly sweet.
Cleanliness
Immaculate.
Pros
Beautiful atmosphere, Interesting menu.
Cons
Mediocre service, Food was not as good as we had anticipated.
