whimdriven
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Dagny Taggert
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Post by whimdriven on Apr 23, 2007 7:14:43 GMT -5
I guess I shouldn't have expectations for places ... Then I won't be disappointed Wine list = terrible Server = inexperienced, uncomfortable, ditzy Sangria = cheap, but refreshing ... alcohol level low (if at all, I really couldn't tell) I would have loved to have tried some tapas, but after the issues we had with the server, we didn't bother to get past the pitcher of sangria. We walked in, they said we could "sit wherever we wanted." Then the proprietor grabbed two wine lists and proceeded to sit us next to one of the front windows (steamy hot). I just felt like I was along for the ride at that point. The server barely opened her mouth to speak. It was like she was trying to communicate telepathically through her goofy grin. I prefer verbalized words, but that's just me. She was incredibly uncomfortable, which is strange because I imagine she's actually worked there for some amount of time. She didn't seem "new." She just didn't have any "soft skills." Our pitcher of sangria was delivered, for lack of a better option on the wine list. She apologized profusely for the ice being in the top of the pitcher, to the point that she was just embarrasing herself. After pouring our glasses, she walked off with the pitcher, but corrected herself after five or six steps, returning the pitcher to its rightful place on the table. What was going on with this girl?!?!? By then, we had decided that we were going to take our dinner business elsewhere. I had heard such good things about Terra Nostra, but sadly, they just didn't pan out for us
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Red
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Post by Red on Apr 23, 2007 8:21:31 GMT -5
That's sad you had a bad experience there, I've not been in six months but sheezzz... sounds really crappy. I've always loved it there and never had a bad time. Grrr...
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Post by daworm on Apr 23, 2007 9:22:19 GMT -5
You won't catch me in a "tapas" restaurant. At the prices they charge for a tiny little saucer of crap, it would cost me a C-note to not leave hungry.
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Post by karyotic on Apr 23, 2007 9:33:13 GMT -5
I've been meaning to ask about this place. You're funny DaWorm! Maybe the waitress was sipping the wine in the back.
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cdojanet
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Grammie
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Post by cdojanet on Apr 23, 2007 14:52:30 GMT -5
We have never had anything but good food and service at Terra Nostra. This surprises me.
On another note, the owners home just recently burned down.
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snarkalicious
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Post by snarkalicious on Apr 23, 2007 16:59:11 GMT -5
Just the thought of sangria gives me a headache.
I drank way too much white sangria in Key West at my brother's wedding-or maybe it was the champagne, beer and bourbon I had along with?
Shannon
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Jay
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Post by Jay on Apr 23, 2007 19:33:21 GMT -5
I think it was the other stuff, Snarkalicious I love Sangria. It is the awesome....especially when they make it right, w/ fruits
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TNBear
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Post by TNBear on Apr 23, 2007 19:41:18 GMT -5
I am by no means a "regular" at Terra Nostra, but I guess we've eaten there 10 or 12 times over the years. No. 1: Efran is the proprietor, he seldom seats patrons but might have. Usually he is cooking. No. 2: If you didn't care for where you were seated, say so and ask for another table. No. 3: Do NOT for any reason order Sangria in ANY restaurant. No. 4: The wine list may be short but I've always found some very drinkable wines. No. 5: For Kordax, I assure you that if you dropped a C-note in Terra Nostra you would NOT be hungry unless you spent much more on drinks than food.
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whimdriven
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Dagny Taggert
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Post by whimdriven on Apr 23, 2007 22:00:02 GMT -5
I believe that the lady that seated us was the proprietor's wife. It's a family gig, so I use their roles equally.
I couldn't even communicate with the server if I had been mad enough about the "window seat" as to need to move. I didn't want to make a scene, so I suffered through it. They did have one of my favorite wines on list, the Mad Dogs and Englishmen Cab/Shiraz/Monastrell mix, but I wasn't really willing to pay $31 for it when I know I can get it at the liquor store for $9.99. The atmosphere wasn't THAT chic.
The sangria was really refreshing, just not alcoholic. The fun of sangria is getting trashed on the fruity wine mix. If there's no alcohol or you can't even taste it or get no buzz, what's up with that?
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Post by daworm on Apr 24, 2007 8:46:02 GMT -5
That would be me, not Kordax. But you should know I'm 6'2" and pushing 300 lb. When I say I'll still be hungry, I know what I'm talking about. Perhaps this place has larger portions than the last four or five (actually, the only four or five) other tapas places I've been in, but as a whole, a) I do not like the concept, nor b) I can't see what others like about it. If I wanted a meal ala carte, I'd go to Piccadilly (blech).
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Post by Fun Grrl From Mt Pilot on Apr 24, 2007 13:47:06 GMT -5
I disagree TnBear...try the Sangria at Big river hamilton place....
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TNBear
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Post by TNBear on Apr 24, 2007 19:20:38 GMT -5
Sorry worm for attributing your reply to Kordax, or maybe sorry Kordax, one of those things. As a matter of fact I'm also 6'2" and much closer to 300 lbs than I should be and I really mean it, if my wife and I spend more than $40.00 or $50.00 on food here we're stuffed. But I am 55 and don't eat like a young'n anymore. I kinda like the idea of having several small plates of different foods to savor, sometimes at regular restaurants I'm bored with the food by the time I finish a plate of it. As for Sangria, I barely consider it an alcoholic beverage and it's too damn sweet, that's why I don't drink it at restaurants. FunGrrl, I enjoy the beer, particularly the House IPA, at Big River to even look at any other drinks. Didn't even know they served Sangria.
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Post by doughlady on Apr 25, 2007 11:29:12 GMT -5
We had poor service at Terra Nostra's on Friday night also, and we were disappointed in the wine list. The server was not informed about the menu and made no effort to find out about items that we asked about, and some of the items were delivered to the table with a sloppy presentation. We were very disappointed. Our son and his wife ate there a few months ago and enjoyed it. Perhaps it was just an off weekend for the restaurant for inexplicable reasons.
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Dreamwebber
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Denise Who?
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Post by Dreamwebber on Apr 25, 2007 11:40:46 GMT -5
DaWorm, I am with you on Tapas.
Where is this Terra Nostra's? I have never heard of it.
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Red
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Post by Red on Apr 25, 2007 20:59:22 GMT -5
Down on Fraizer, across the street from the park, up the street from Walgreens.
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Dreamwebber
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Denise Who?
Burning up my minutes since 1973
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Post by Dreamwebber on Apr 26, 2007 11:05:03 GMT -5
Thanks red...I am gonna have to get to the downtown area...sounds like a lot of restaurants to discover
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Babs
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Post by Babs on Apr 29, 2007 10:06:52 GMT -5
Marvell and I ate there a few years ago. Waaay over priced!
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Post by ssmynkint on Sept 21, 2010 6:05:59 GMT -5
Terra Nostra Tapas & Wine Bar (25-Mar, 10) 105Frazier Ave.
Terra Nostra has a lot to offer. With outdoor tables, a “dinning” area and a line of tables across from the dark wood bar, there are nice contrasts in seating. The décor is…what, Nuevo Hispanic, with eclectic figures and sculptures on the walls, an acquired taste, but amusing. Service is unfailingly friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, although sometimes s.l.o.w. The name says it all: there are an array of small (and a couple medium size special) plates and an interesting list of wines by the glass or bottle. The food is eclectic, not merely Spanish, with vegetarian, seafood, and meat offerings ($3-$17), so one can construct a meal with a variety of tastes and influences. The food is usually quite good, although there are occasional lapses; a Vegetable Tower had tough eggplant, a scallop dish was masked by too much undercooked bacon. But by and large the dishes are very satisfying: an artichoke gratin was rich in flavors and contrast, mini-shrimp in an avocado shell was bright and briny, a marinated & grilled hanger steak was a bit hit, and there are always interesting quesadilla. The wine list is limited, but thoughtfully international. Glasses are $5-10, and bottles are reasonably marked up; no more the 2 ½ times retail. One problem is the list does not keep up with the changing selections. Another is inventory: on a recent visit, 6 wines we tried to order were either out, or there was one bottle left, only to be sold as a bottle. This was frustrating and off-putting. However, we were offered numerous tastings of available wines to help us make alternate selection, and the staff was conversant with different qualities of the offerings, which made up for the disappointment. Newbie winies (winos?) shouldn’t be intimidated by the numerous choices; the staff will gladly and knowledgeably discuss the wines with you and help in your selection. Price might seem a bit dear for some of the small plates, but you are paying for good ingredients, made per order. Most recently three of us had 7 plates and 9 glasses of wine for around $125. A fair price for a fun and relaxing evening.
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