2/5 Paul P. 1 year ago on Google
They
tried.
We
had
the
pleasure
of
going
to
Bardo
when
they
first
opened.
It
was
a
wonderful
gastronomic
experience!
We
were
excited
to
return
now
that
they
have
converted
to
a
full
tasting
menu.
However,
our
excitement
waned
immediately
upon
arrival.
The
new
street
graffiti
aesthetic
is
a
far
cry
from
the
simple
elegance
the
space
previously
embodied.
It's
not
that
the
art
on
the
walls
is
bad,
it
just
seems
so
forced
-
out
of
place.
I
actually
really
enjoyed
the
music
selection.
They
played
several
of
our
favorite
songs
and
several
throwbacks
I
hadn't
heard
in
years.
The
problem
is
the
music
is
SO
LOUD
📢.
Most
tasting
menu
restaurants
give
you
a
menu
so
you
know
what
you
are
eating.
Bardo
does
not.
The
servers
attempt
to
explain
the
menu,
but
the
music
is
so
loud
you
can't
hear
them.
When
we
asked
the
server
to
repeat
herself,
she
said
"WHAT?!"
Then
I
asked
if
they
always
keep
the
music
this
loud.
She
responded,
"WHAT?!"
It
was
like
talking
to
Lil
Jon.
"Have
you
ever
considered
turning
it
down
so
we
can
hear
each
other?"
To
which
she
just
shook
her
head
and
walked
away.
Okay,
not
a
great
start,
but
we'll
roll
with
it
🤷♂️.
I
ordered
an
old
fashioned.
The
server
talked
me
into
trying
"Bardo's
version
of
an
old
fashioned."
It
was
not
good.
An
old
fashioned
is
sweet.
This
was
bitter,
closer
to
a
Manhattan
than
an
old
fashioned.
The
first
course
arrived
shortly
after.
I'd
love
to
tell
you
what
we
ate,
but
they
didn't
give
us
a
menu
and
we
couldn't
hear
our
server.
It
was
good
enough,
but
not
magical.
The
next
dish
was
good,
but
a
small
portion
(tasting
menu,
obviously).
I
started
thinking
about
how
much
I
would
enjoy
being
somewhere
else
and
eating
something
else.
That
is
a
BAD
SIGN
🛑.
The
star
of
the
menu
was
the
jellyfish
noodle
curry.
It
was
FANTASTIC!
It
was
followed
by
a
fried
rice
that
was
the
most
lack-luster
course
of
the
night.
It
looked
unappetizing
and
tasted
like
frozen
store-bought
fried
rice
with
wasabi
peas
thrown
on
top.
It
reminded
me
of
the
food
people
made
when
they
were
stoned
in
a
dorm
during
college.
Again,
it
tasted
fine,
but
it
looked
and
tasted
like
it
cost
less
than
a
dollar
to
make.
Finally,
dessert:
a
cream
covered
cookie.
It
did
not
look
good
or
taste
good.
After
the
meal
came
to
an
end,
I
couldn't
WAIT
to
leave...but
I
had
to,
because
our
server
was
off
helping
other
tables.
I
couldn't
get
her
attention,
because
the
restaurant
had
filled
up
since
our
arrival
and
now
everyone
was
SHOUTING
🗣️
so
they
could
converse
over
the
music.
It
was
like
being
at
Suite
in
the
Epicentre
(anyone
remember
THAT
place?!)
I
realize
this
is
a
long
review.
I
don't
mean
to
come
across
as
harsh,
but
I
had
very
high
hopes
for
Bardo
and
was
completely
let
down.
They
have
so
many
independently
cool
elements
going
for
them,
but
when
combined
they
just
don't
fit.
It
feels
like
they
are
trying
so
hard,
and
it
just
isn't
working.
If
I'm
going
to
spend
$300+
on
a
meal,
I
want
to
know
what
I'm
eating
and
I
don't
want
to
have
to
shout
at
my
date.
The
whole
point
is
to
enjoy
the
food;
the
service
and
ambiance
should
enhance
the
food.
At
Bardo,
these
elements
detract
from
the
food.
I
can
think
of
a
dozen
restaurants
in
Charlotte
that
are
twice
as
good
for
half
the
price.
I
believe
Bardo
will
survive
on
the
fact
that
its
location
is
in
the
trendiest
part
of
town,
and
it
has
one
of
the
few
tasting
menus
available
nearby.
However,
until
they
change
the
menu
AND
turn
the
music
down
a
few
notches,
I
won't
be
returning
to
Bardo.
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