FLO you messed up my FLOW

So let me start with saying that I didn't care for FLO. I originally said that it was just a bad restaurant but that was an unfair statement. FLO's food wasn't bad tasting and the service was quick and the restaurant clean i just expected more especially since i waited 45 minutes. Before i continue let me break down the Sunday plans.

The elders planned an outing in the Ukrainian Village to take in the hip vibe and to see speakintomygoodear's apartment from the inside and to tour some open houses within the area. We attempt to arrive at the appropriate time but we were redirected around the major streets due to a saints parade. the detour caused us to be 15 minutes late. We finally arrive at the location and join speakintomygoodear's for a mimosa at her apartment.

We head to FLO, eatatflo.com(really don't eat here unless you have a bunch of time on your hands) . We walked which was different for us because most of the elders reside in skokie where walking isn't necessary. We walk through the Ukrainian village and head into West Town and take in the wonderful smells. About a block away we spot FLO because of the line of crowd of people waiting or leaving the establishment.

I knew that the that the crowd outside was the first of many bad signs because it means we are going to have to wait. I don't believe you should wait on food especially because of all the choices that are available. I also knew that the cuisine was "new mexican" which to me translates into there shouldn't be a wait. Well since i was with guests i knew i couldn't throw a fit and the place was new so i thought that i will wait and give a try.

I should have thrown the fit. The SECOND BAD sign arrives in the menu. While we are waiting the elders reviewed the menu and were not very impressed. I had taken the time to view the menu before the gathering so I knew in general what was being served. I thought that a restaurant in an ever crowded restaurant scene in chicago wouldn't dare serve the same food as every taqueria in town but charge you twice as much. I also thought that MAYBE the menu was written in generic terms to attract customers fearful of "new mexican" cuisine but what would be served on your plate would be spectacular and different. I WAS SO WRONG.

StillGotIT ordered Blueberry Pancakes with a side of bacon, Talkintomygoodear ordered french toast with blueberries, Jointz ordered Chorizo and Egg Scramble and I(superben9) ordered chicken enchiladas. The thick pancakes lacked any flavor but they didn't have any sweetness nor were the blueberries bountiful. The French Toast looked nice but was it really worth 10 bucks and an hour wait? The Chorizo Scramble was alright but i think it needed some salt and more spice. My enchiladas weren't very tasty whatsoever. I know new mexico is near a desert but does that mean the enchiladas have to be DRY. My tortillas were crunchy but not because they were fried in grease but because they were left under the salamander for too long. The chicken had been sitting in the stewing pot for too long so that it reminded me of a tire rather than a bird. The green sauce which is just Herdez green chile sauce with a touch of yogurt was extremely bland. i guess they ran out of salt in the back. overall the food was lacking and if i had to wait for an hour to get it then it better be damn good but it wasn't.

I will waste only two more paragraphs on the restaurant. I need to ask some people out there what is their interpretation of the interior design of the restaurant. there is one main wall with one half a book shelf filled with plates and the other half the wall is filled with mirrors. i don't understand how that theme works for a new mexican restaurant. my only thought is that its supposed to represent somebody's home in new mexico and that you are supposed to push past your expectations about a new mexican restaurant. what ever the decor the food still sucked.

I don't take pride in insulting another person's art especially if its being shown. Restaurants are different because you're asking me to pay for an art form regardless if liked it or not. i guess i could have sent it back but what would be the point. Nothing on the menu tasted any good. I guess i can only write this blog and try to prevent others from making the same mistake.

We ended the day returning to talkintomygoodear's apartment and had more mimosa's. i almost took out the light fixture with the champagne cork. We also colored which was really nice. Also the long wait at flo prevented us from seeing any open houses. next time next time.