For this Thursday’s dining (yesterday was just a bonus), we decided to try Eight Tables. The building is also interesting because they have multiple concepts (like when we ate at O last week)… China Live restaurant downstairs and where we’ve dined on multiple occasions, a Scotch bar upstairs along with 8 Tables (and yes they only have 8 tables but in a very large space). I’m torn. The dining room was impressive and we had a large booth and no sight of other diners (although we certainly heard one loud table) for most of the meal.

Service was very good and especially good from the bar manager who took a bit more time to explain the wines (of course we’re suckers for that) and then later took us on a tour of the kitchen after our meal. Food was overall good for me but mixed…Preparation/presentation was very good; the first course with the nine tastes was visually impressive. The bites were mostly hits but some only ok. I know the concept for the meal was the nine essential flavors and private chateau cuisine but those layers were somewhat lost on me, but I did appreciate the unique Asian flavors in fine dining (but it wasn’t Benu good). Wine (and one beer) pairings were pretty good. The recommendation for the 1967 vintage Amaro as a digestif was superb, but at a price (the wine list and displays were impressive).

I enjoyed the overall experience (which Andrea really enjoyed) more than the food itself (…and it wasn’t inexpensive). For me, the food at Mister Jiu’s or even Empress by Boon are tastier and less expensive options that also serve elevated Chinese cuisine. The most recent place we’ve eaten in the same price range was Avery and I’d rather eat there again. I’d consider going back here with a small group for the experience (and also go to the scotch bar afterwards), but not purely for the food.