DINING AT MARTELL’S

Although it was recommended to me by a K-college alumni, I am not really sure if there are many K-college students familiar with this restaurant. It is located in a secluded area which is about a 10 -15 minute drive from K-college, on Greenleaf Blvd, Parkview Hills. It has beautiful scenery for anyone who appreciates a natural setting with a view of green tress and grass. I could only picture this beauty in my mind because unfortunately, I went thereon a snowy winter night. Through the large floor to ceiling glass windows of the dinning room, I could see and expanse of white where the pond is supposed to be. Another great feature of the restaurant, especially in the summer time, with ducks swimming around.

Martells is an upscale restaurant, It was a Saturday night and it was crowded, but we managed to find parking space easily and the friendly receptionist attended to us the moment we walked in. The reception area décor consists of a stone wall and tiled floor with a lot of soft green and brown colours, paitings on the wall and some dry flower arrangements, giving it a homey and elegant atmosphere. After comfirming our reservations, we were guided to our table. The dining room is carperted, and warmed by a fireplace, with dim lighting which gives it a kind of formal/ romantic atmosphere, which is why I wasn’t very surprised to find my econ professor, his wife dining with their friends. It looked like they were on a business meeting but I can’t be sure. The restaurant was filled with many adults with very few young people who looked like college students, there were a few children at family dinners tables though it was largely adults. Noise levels were at minimum; my friend and I could hold a conversation without being distracted but the music or chatter from the next table. I think what creates a comfy and private space for each table is the design of the Leather seats, which although connected, twist, and spiral to form a semi circle around each table.

All meals come with pieces of Tuscan bread and dipping oil sprinkled with some green herbs, which they served us, with glasses of water, which the waiters filled every time the levels went down. When the food finally arrived, it looked luscious and had a good flavor I didn’t even wait a long time before I dug into my lemon chicken with crispy potatoes. The taste and aroma was original, I loved the fact that it was not heavily covered in spice; I had half a chicken on my plate. The chicken Marsala ordered by my friend looked equally appetizing although he did not like the sauce, which had a bit too much of the caramel and he swore it had tasted different the last time he ate there. The chicken was also a bit too hard, and I had trouble with cutting off a piece to taste. My lemon chicken was soft and came with a dinner knife, which made it easier.

Their greens were well cooked, just the way I like them, the spinach wasn’t too soft and the green beans weren’t too crunchy, just like the chicken they also retained their original flavor, which made me believe that they were really fresh. The colors and presentation of the food was rich and appetizing. The natural colors gave the food an organic look even though some of the food had a different taste. I did not like the taste and texture of the skin of the crispy potato cubes. If there was music, it was at a vey low volume I barely noticed it. Before our food arrived, I caught a glimpse of the food on the next table, a plate of golden brown wedge potato fries, which really looked crispy and delicious. Other parts of the restaurant have the same atmosphere except the wine loft, which looks smaller, has more noise with high volume of music and even more dim lighting.

Their menus are quite varied with mostly American and Italian- sounding dishes like Penne Formagio, Frutti di mare, penne Arrabiata, Parpaddelle, Fettuccine. There is a wide choice of steak and prime ribs burgers, pasta and rissoto, a great place to get a taste of two different cultures for an international student like me. They also have a quite a large selection of sandwiches, burgers and pizzas, and most dishes even the Italian sounding ones are made with cheese, which made it a bit difficult for me to choose because I don t like cheese.

The price range is a quite high for a student, I did not see any student discounts although there was a valentine’s special going at $44 per couple with a complete three-course meal. It is a great deal compared to ordering each of the three courses separately, but definitely not a good deal for two students. So I was really glad to know that they could pack the remaining food in disposable containers for us to take home if we didn’t finish. The menus were long, detailed and had a lot of good choices; it took me a long time to settle on what I really wanted. But the waiters were really patient, friendly and helpful.

I was glad that we could a get a reservation as early as Saturday instead of Sunday considering that it is a small and upscale restaurant. It was a great first time dinning out experience, which also provided a private, comfortable and romantic setting, perfect for a date. It is definitely not a place where an average college student can frequent. I wouldn’t recommend it for students looking for social gathering or reunion because the ambiance is more romantic and business-like. But I think it definitely passes for one of the places to visit once in while, to get out of the k-bubble and have a different experience. I am hoping to go back again, maybe in the summer and see the full beautiful scenery, and get a second perspective on the restaurant. Who knows, maybe I will have a completely different experience.