I finally got to try the new Blu American Eatery in Theatre Square this weekend. I have been really looking forward to going in there since they have a nice menu and I have been looking for a good new casual place to eat.
I was a little dismayed when we walked in and stood for a long time with no one even acknowledging us. We finally gave up and just sat down at an empty table and hoped for the best. Someone FINALLY came over with menus. I think they were a little overwhelmed with how busy it was.
I was disappointed that they were out of THREE different things I tried to order. Guess they had had an unexpectedly busy day. The waitress wasn't very knowledgeable about their beverage offerings. I got a burger which was really good but I was never asked how I would like it cooked. It came out a little pink for me. The fries were terrific but the portion was a little skimpy.
Not my best restaurant experience but I think they are still new and the day was a little busier than they had expected. I will definitely go back because what food I had was very good. Hopefully, the service will be better next time.
Posts: 39 | Location: Petaluma, CA | Registered: 18 April 2007
I admit it. I am a Shea Groupie. There, I said it for all to hear. I did not come by this affection late, nor did it happen quietly. Oh no, it was a ton of bricks from the first. If you don't know, the Sheas, Joe and Lori, are restauranteurs. It's what they have chosen to do, and they do it well. And never the same way, either. Oh no, that would be too easy. They like to stir it up a little.
For me, it all started with their New York Subs shop on the Boulevard. After several years, they sold it off, and they got a corner of the OSH center, and opened Cafe Gostra. This started as a quiet little place that the local workforce quickly became aware of through word of mouth, and then quickly grew into a huge success, for people who wanted a reasonably priced lunch, but wanted exceptional food. In fact, it was so successful that the Little Lunch Place That Could, soon opened for dinner. Soon, every table filled every night.
Then, something possessed the couple, I think it had to do with some family issues, to move to Arizona. And yes, they opened another place. Word got back to me that it, too, was a success. To Petaluma's good fortune, though, they soon came back to our little town again, and opened what I think is maybe the finest restaurant I ever dined in, Sugo. One thing about all of these places, and I guess it's a testament to hard work (or masochism), but the style and menus were all quite different. Never did they retrace steps, or stand on their laurels.
That brings us to the present. Petaluma's downtown has grown up a lot lately, and once again, the Shea's are right in the middle of that evolution, concocting still newer notions of fine dining with their latest effort, Blu American Eatery. Ideally located across from the Petaluma Cinemas, this new adventure may redefine Family Dining. Burgers, Fish and Chips, Grilled Chicken, and even Fish Tacos are all part of a great new menu, which once again flies in the face of convention. Even a Kid's Menu is available. Bring the kids, and Grandma and Grandpa. There is something for everyone, and nothing to disappoint. It's the perfect restaurant, in the perfect location. Thanks again, Joe and Lori.
Ate at Blu the other evening and let us just say we will never be returning. Not only was the service nothing special but the food left something to be desired....bland, blah, utterly unsatisfactory in a city filled with so many better restaurants. Do not waste your time at this restaurant.
Posts: 5 | Location: West Petaluma | Registered: 13 April 2007
To Bob Marketos: You should point out these comments to the Sheas. Maybe they can somehow contact Maenad25 and CJ so they can have a better experience at Blu. Maybe give them a comp meal.
I think there is a couple places to add to the Shea list. After NY subs on the Petaluma Blvd. there was a shop they had on the street side of where OSH is now. There was a pizza place they opened accross the street from the old Taco Bell on Washington Street. Then it was Cafe Gostra. Not sure what they did while in Arizona. I had been to BLU's about 5 time so far. 4 times for burgers and 1 time for breakfast. 3 out 4 were good & the breakfast was good. They are very busy and hard to keep up the pace.
Had an awful experience at Blu, it was not at all busy, the cook decided not to make some of our order, (just because??!!!???)We don't know why, they were slow slow slow with everything and there was only one other table of 2 at the time. We had everything from cracked wine glasses, innattentive hacking coughing shoulda stayed home from work service, poor overpriced food and a horrible feeling of malaise by the staff there. My spouse and I now refer to it a "the most unhappiest place to work" make that the "2nd most unhappiest place to work in Petaluma" we got a worse attitude from the crew over at Sugo.
Wow... someone should point the Sheas to this thread and the comments following Mr. Cox's review. Would be a shame to see a good restaurant get buried due to a couple of apathetic staffers. I'm just curious enough to try the place out this week and see if my experience is similar. Just hope that waitperson has gotten over his/her case of ebola or whatever it was.
Funny how Cox name-dropped the Soup Nazi in his review of BLU, even if it was innocuously done and not in reference to their service. Heh...
My wife and i have been to Blu twice now. The first time was in the first couple of weeks it had been open. The food was good, although our fries were like the crumbs you get at the bottom of a bag of chips. The service was awful, their were only 2 other tables that night, but we stood in the doorway not knowing if we should seat ourselves or wait. We finally just sat down and after 5 minutes, i got up to ask for a menu. The waitress seemed "bothered" to get me one. Never smiled, just cold service. So we went back 2 weeks ago, chalking that first experience up to just opening. Now they have a guy helping the two waitress'. Another totally frazzled, never smiling, having an everything is wrong all the time look on his face. We sat at the counter, where the waitresses do the tabs and whatnot. GRanted it was totally packed that night, but the were complety overwhelmed. This time i felt sorry for the waitresses, having listened to them talk to each other about the night, it was chaos. Mostly I felt sorry for them the guy (floor manager?) working with them was a total jerk to them. They were trying so hard, but he never helped them, just scolded them. As for our food that night....my burger was raw in the middle (and i love my meat rare) and my wifes burger was way over done and dry. I really hope Blu works out, i think it is a good casual burger spot, but the service needs to come up and the consistancy of the food needs to even out. I think maybe the Shea's need to spend more time there, they were not there the either night we went.
We had a GREAT experience at Blu tonite. The first time we tried to go, in December, no one acknowledge us as we entered and although it was 9am on a Sunday, they said they were not serving breakfast (wtf?)
So after reading the AC article, we decided to give it another try and we had a great experience. Our food was first and foremost delicious - between two adults and one 1.5 year old, we had a burger, chicken sandwich, mac and cheese, sweet potato fries and salads. The food came quickly, was very hot and quite delicious.
Our service was impeccable. The waitress was so helpful as a fellow mother we found out, and fixed my baby's meal to be baby friendly (milk in a cup with a lid, an extra plate to cool the mac and cheese, etc...) We even spilled a whole drink and it was not a problem and cleaned up quickly.
I hope posters give this place another chance, its a good tastey place to go. The only complaint was that it was very very loud, but also it was crowded.
Posts: 15 | Location: westside | Registered: 18 April 2007
I was very disappointed in Blu but in their defense it was their first week of being open. The service was slow, the waitress was a disappearing artist and the food was terrible. The sandwich I ordered did not resemble what was on the menu. Several items were missing such as the garlic aioli (I think that's what it was called) and the havarti cheese. I'm going to give them one more try and if it's still bad I will not go back. On the other hand, Sugo is my favorite restaurant in Petaluma!
Blu has redeemed itself! I just had lunch there and it was great. I had the same waitress that I had the time before when it was awful and she was great. She did everything a waitress should do (check on us, refill drinks several times) and it was a completely different experience this time. The food came really quickly and was superb. I say give Blu another chance, you will be happy!
We had a nice meal at Blu tonight. Calamari was so-so, but liked the pico de gallo on top. I had the blu burger, good, although the carmalized red onions were tough/stringy. Fries very good, but skimpy. Husband had the skirt steak sandwiches, and that was very good.
Service was efficent but not very friendly. We did enjoy watching the other waitress get flowers from a Juno admirer!
