Critic's Review
I was in the mood for fish and I though about Legal Seafood; but after looking at their lunch menu I didn't see much of interest. Than I though about Romano's, where I'd really enjoyed their filet of sole at the Plantation location. Suddenly I had a craving.
This place is a bit nicer than the one on Plantation; the bar is pretty functional and they have semi-watchable TVs, although they are at odd angles. It has the same old-word look as others.
My server offered me bread right away, and I didn't have to think about it. The bread here is fantastic. Rosemary mini-loafs with a big puddle of olive oil. It's even better than the bread at Carrabba's.
I ordered the Filet of Sole, which was the entire point of the visit. I ordered some iced tea. It was as this point that I surmised that there really isn't full service at Romano's. Everything is put out on the bar, the sweeteners, salt and pepper, plates and setups; but you're on your own to fetch them. I had to get the sugar from 4 chairs down; I had to do the same for salt and pepper when the food was served. She just kind of plopped stuff in front of me without concern for what I needed.
In about 10 minutes the fish came out.
It was clearly different than the fish I'd had in Plantation. The fish was more heavily breaded. The spinach and orzo was more of a salad than a side pasta. There was hardly any of the lemony sauce. The fish was overdone and dry. The dish that I had in plantation was lightly breadly, moist and flaky with enough of the sauce to add some zing. The spinach in Plantation was cooked and paired perfectly with the orzo; this version included what looked like caramelized red cabbage and the spinach wasn't fully cooked.
Clearly they have a much better cook in Plantation. It's amazing how 2 versions of the same dish could be so different.
My robotic server took my card and I scribbled out a 15% tip. It pays to get the salt and sweeteners for the customer.